AN: I am so sorry that this took so long to upload. I had this chapter finished months ago, but due to computer issues while in Vietnam I as unable to get it posted until I'd returned to the USA. The next chapter is half written and hopeful won't take nearly as long to get it finished and posted.

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For those who've previously read this chapter I am so sorry, I had to re-edit this chapter when I uploaded it due to saving errors and forgot to take off the typed up notes at the end of the story that are for later chapters. They are now no longer on this chapter. Sorry for any confusion or possible unwanted sneek peeks.

Altering History

-Chapter Nine-

~Need to Know More~

Professor Merwin had spent the last hour asking very carefully worded questions with distinct yes, no, or I don't know answers, to a small battered figure he'd become rather fond of since the start of term. The boy was dedicated, knowledgeable, eager and willing to learn. He actually found himself looking forward to his daily hour working with the boy. He didn't feel so much like a professor during that hour, more like an uncle or much older brother or friend passing on his knowledge to an eager and dedicated younger individual. To see the child as he was now, hurt. It frustrated him that the main reason he was dedicating so much of his time to the boy was to prevent such occurrences form happening, and here it happened anyway. This time though, he could do something about it. This time he knew someone would answer for it. It seemed almost over kill to put his true career skills to the task, but just remembering what the medi-witch had said about the real danger Rhyel was in, put any hesitation he had aside. This was why he was making his way to the office of Professor Slughorn, Potions Professor and head of Slytherin house, his first and last stop before he had his quarry in hand.

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Severus had left shortly after Rhyel's Godfather had arrived. He wasn't family and Rhyel didn't need him any longer so he had gone back to one of his favorite places in the castle, even more so this year. It was strange to think that before that last train ride to the castle he would have never guessed that he would come to enjoy the company of a younger Hufflepuff boy that wouldn't talk or that didn't know much of anything about potions. He wouldn't go so far as to say they were friends, but somehow they had become more then acquaintances. He wasn't sure where that left them standing, but he was okay with that for now.

What he wasn't okay with was the state of Rhyel's health. He'd never heard of anything like it. If it was a heart condition, then magic should be able to treat it… right? Though if magic could make it worse than… did that mean magic had something to do with his condition? Could something about magic be making Rhyel so sick and fragile? Could such a thing be possible? Severus eyed the bookshelves around him intensely, well if it was he was in the perfect place to find out. Not even caring that he still had assignments to do for his classes he started perusing the shelves for anything that might explain what was wrong with Rhyel's heart and possibly his magic.

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After dropping off the message for Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster had handed him another to take to Professor Merwin. Quite frankly Regulus was starting to feel like an owl, but figuring it was probably the fastest way to help Rhyel he had quickly made his way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom in time to see the last class before dinner leaving the room. After handing over the note he had thought he would be able to head back up to the infirmary to check on Rhyel, what he hadn't considered was being nabbed by three very angry Gryffindor's.

"That Prefect that came to get James said that you were the one that found his little brother. So you're going to tell us everything you know Reg about how this happened." Regulus could admit that he and his brother didn't have the best of relationships… he blamed that on his parents and Sirius. They were so busy trying to get the better of each other, or trying to take control that he somehow got stuck on the sidelines just trying to stay out of the struggle, which in Sirius' opinion meant he had chosen their parents' side… or more distinctly their mother's.

Regulus sighed; there was a code among Slytherin. No Slytherin would take the side of an outside party. If he said anything, he'd technically be doing so… but this time he felt this was more important than the code. "I don't know much. All I know is that I heard a few Slytherins talking and didn't like what I was hearing, so I went to find Rhyel who I knew was usually in the library at that time. Only he wasn't in the library, he was in the hall leading to the library and he was already a mess. That's all I know."

"Who were the Slytherins?"

Biting his lip, Regulus felt his gut twist. He didn't like that look on his brother's face, but even more he didn't like the look on all of their faces combined. "Look Siri, I know you're mad, but you know it's already being taken care of right? I mean the moment I walked through the infirmary door I was already being sent off to get the headmaster and other professors. If you get involved this is just going to turn into one big mess. Plus you're mad Siri, and I don't know about your friends but I know you; you don't think straight when you are this mad… so go cool off, check on Rhyel and Potter, if the professors haven't gotten to them by tomorrow ask me again and I'll tell you."

Sirius looked like he was ready to take out his anger on Regulus just for withholding the names, but Lupin took a firm hold on his shoulder, "He's right Sirius, we need to calm down." They shared a long stare into each other's eyes before Sirius' shoulders slumped. "Fine, but I expect those names tomorrow Reg." Regulus nodded his head in understanding and stood there watching as the three walked away. He wondered what it was about this Hufflepuff that made others gravitate toward him. Sure he got that Rhyel was Potter's little brother/cousin whatever, but then again he was Sirius's little brother and Sirius' friends didn't show any concern toward him… and Snape was a whole other thing. The guy didn't like people. The only exception to the rule was Lily Evens. Yes, Regulus was on talking terms with him and could even say he was a good acquaintance, but that didn't mean the guy liked him. With Rhyel though it was a whole other picture, there seemed to be some instant connection. At first it was as if Snape was only tolerating the smaller boy, but today just proved how much he'd come to like the lad. Regulus envied Rhyel, his almost easy way of making people care.

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Lucius Malfoy, heir to Lord Malfoy and fifth year Slytherin Prefect, sat in the corner of the Slytherin common room watching the goings on of a group of Slytherins bolstering and cheering each other on stupidly. It really amazed him how some people found their way into the noble, ambitious, and cunning house of Slytherin. When they were lacking certain personal tributes required to be sorted there. Never the less here they were, and again it really should not come as any kind of surprise the level of idiocy there was among them. After all attacking a mute student does not mean he is a brainless one. There are after all other ways of communicating then merely by mouth, not to mention the way they describe it someone is bound to notice the boy's injuries even if he doesn't tell anyone. They really were a bunch of lack wits if they thought they were going to get away with what they had done. After all anyone who had heard them for the past couple of hours could satisfy a personal grudge or debt by turning them in.

What made their idiocy even worse was the very clear warning the headmaster had given at the beginning of the term. Sure he'd only really warned against trying to make the boy talk, but any fool would have been able to tell that any other forms of confrontation towards the lad would not be taken lightly either, and it wasn't hard to figure out why. If the stress of being expected to talk could be harmful to the boy's health then no telling what kind of condition the lad was in after what those idiots had done. They would be very lucky not to be expelled once they had been identified and located, and really it was only a matter of time.

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"What are you doing?" Severus glanced up, tilted his head, and raised a brow before going back to the book that was in front of him, scanning it page by page for anything of use. He heard the chair in front of him scrape against the floor as it was pulled out, and he knew if he looked up to see the red head in front of him she would be rolling her eyes as she sat down. "Yes, I can see that you are researching, but what are you researching?" she paused for a moment then lowered her voice, "I heard about Rhyel, do you know how he is?"

Sighing Severus pushed the book away, but was careful not to let his place slip. "He is with his family and they are working to keep him calm and to heal him with as little magic as possible. Which is why I am here looking though every book that I can think of for a reason why magic would be harmful to Rhyel's heart."

Lily blinked at him blankly for several seconds, "Why would magic be harmful to his heart?"

"Do you think I would be going through all these books if I already knew the answer to that? All I know is that magic could kill him simply by affecting the blood flow to his heart. I'm not a medi Evens, I'm just trying to understand this all myself."

He watched as Lily bit her lip, clearly thinking things over. "I'm assuming you're looking through the magic maladies medical section…" she waited for his nod before standing up, "Then I'll start with uncommon magical birth defects, maybe there will be something in there." He rolled his own eyes as she disappeared into the stacks. Of course she would invite herself along to his research project, but he really didn't mind. He wanted to find an answer to this puzzle as quickly as possible.

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Rhyel had finally been left alone when he had feigned being asleep, well not exactly alone he knew his Godfather was nearby, but he was alone enough to feel alone. It wasn't that he minded the others being around… in fact he found it comforting, but at the moment he really just wanted a chance to think. He was magically sick. He was so magically sick that magic could kill him… Had the real Rhyel known this? Or was it some sort of side effect caused by his arrival into this body? Due to his lack of talking he hadn't cast any magic since his arrival, well no wait that wasn't true, he had done a few things… but he hadn't noticed any real difference in his magic except perhaps he was more weary afterward. He had thought that had been because of the different cast level Rhyel had been at compared to Harry, but now he wasn't so sure. Had it been their magic or the emotional part that had caused the exhaustion? Surely casting magic wouldn't kill him, after all they didn't seem concerned with him attending classes or attempting to cast spells. So what made his magic different than other magic? Rhyel felt dizzy from all the questions circling in his mind. He needed to know more.

Sitting up and pushing the covers away he reached for the pad and quill that had been placed at his bedside table. He wrote the question that he thought would get him most directly to the answers he wanted. Flipping it over he showed it to Kinston who had set aside the book he'd been reading when Rhyel sat up. {What is wrong with my heart?}

…

Kinston felt his insides freeze as he finished reading Rhyel's question. Did the child honestly not know his own condition? "Has no one ever explained it to you?" Rhyel gave a slow shake of his head. Kinston frowned, he should probably talk to Rhyel's parents first, but the boy could hardly see to his own health if he new nothing about it.

"I'll try to explain this as best I can… you have something referred to as Magic overflow. This isn't all that uncommon, usually it results in accidental magic… in your case, however, you seem to have too much control to preform accidental magic and it causes your system to over work itself. Your magic over works your organs making it dangerous when your magic is over stimulated. The most likely scenario is that you could have a heart-attack, or heart failure, but the truth is that your magic is stressing more than your heart. That is why you need to keep your emotions as calm as possible especially when having magic performed on you. Most outside influences of magic wont cause you a problem unless it stimulates your emotions or your own magic… Do you understand Rhyel?"

Kinston watched as the quill once more touched parchment. Reading the question as it was written, {Does my preforming magic hurt me?}He gently ruffled the boy's hair, "No, in fact it probably can only help you. Releasing pint up magic, especially when your emotional is probably the best thing you can do. Holding it in is what is believed to cause you so much harm."

-Rhyel tilted his head slightly before quickly writing out one word, {Believed?} Kinston frowned… "Yes, believed. It is not a common occurrence, so there is no positive remedy to the selotion. All that is known is what was recorded concerning previous similar cases and what helped and affected them, however, that could end up being a person to person case instead of a goto guide." He watched as the small figure seemed to pull into himself mentally. He'd given the boy a good deal to think about, it was probably best to let him consider everything he had just learned. -

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Lucius looked away from the fireplace, where he had been staring contemplating the possibility of needing to inform a professor about there being a need to locate an injured Hufflepuff. When the sight of Regulus Black storming through the common room caught his attention. The boy was usually very calm and withdrawn. Tended to keep to himself and not show others the extent of his emotions. The fact that the boy was practically throwing off sparks without a wand made Lucius believe that the Hufflepuff he had been contemplating a moment ago had already been found. It was no secret that Black was one of two Slytherins that had taken a liking to the mute Hufflepuff. It was uncommon enough to catch attention, but not so uncommon to cause a stir, after all Hufflepuffs tended to be neutral in most cases. The Slytherin's obvious emotional outburst only made since in connection to the little Puffs quite possibly very injured state.

Well at least that meant that was one less thing he had to worry about, but it seemed he still had one more duty to preform. If the boy had already been found and his injuries clearly noted, it wouldn't be long before questions started being asked. Slytherins being the culprits or not, he was a prefect and he had been present when the culprits boasted their acts, that meant if he didn't turn them in he could be held responsible for encouraging their behavior and be punished just as harshly, at the very least he would loose his position as a prefect. Standing up he made his way out of the common room and to his Head of House, hopefully he could just make his report and get on with his day.

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Professor Slughorn was not having a very good day. This morning he simply could not find his favorite pair of socks, at breakfast he added too much salt to his eggs when an owl landing jostled his elbow, and by lunch no less than four cauldrons had exploded. When the Defense Professor Merwin marched into his office he just knew his day wasn't getting any better.

"Professor Merwin, what a lovely surprise." Slughorn greeted the man with his usual cheerful tone. "What can I do for you?"

The man halted a mere few feet away from him. "I am not sure if you have heard, but there has been an incident regarding the Hufflepuff Rhyel Potter, and apparently a few of your Slytherins."

Professor Slughorn felt a frown pulling at his mouth, "Oh?"

Merwin nodded, "Yes, Potter was attacked by a handful of your Slytherins and is now in the Hospital wing. I am sure you remember what all head of houses were informed concerning the boy's health, making his condition precariously more concerning. I am here as a courtesy to you before finding and collecting those involved to be disciplined."

"Are you certain it was some of my Slytherins?" Slughorn asked his voice a bit deflated.

Before Merwin could answer a knock came at the door causing both men to turn a glance at it. "Enter"

A tall blond young man opened the door and stepped inside giving a nod to the two Professors before closing the office door. "Professor, I apologize for the interruption, but a matter of concern has come to my attention and as a prefect it is my duty to report it to you sir."

"What matter would that be Mr. Malfoy?" Merwin questioned.

"I was in the common room when I overheard a few of the younger years speaking about a physical attack on the Hufflepuff boy Potter. As the headmaster had made that announcement concerning the boy's health I felt it was prudent that the situation be made aware to the professors as soon as possible."

Slughorn felt slightly light headed, "Yes thank you, Mr. Malfoy you did well. The situation has already been brought to our attention, however, perhaps you could speak with Professor Merwin as I believe he is the one who is handling the investigation into the incident."

"Of course, Professor." Lucius nodded.

"Well then I believe I will go speak with Madam Pomfrey to see if I can give any assistance to Mr. Potter. You are welcome to stay and use my office Professor Merwin to speak with Mr. Malfoy." With that Slughorn made a hasty retreat from his office. He just hoped it was not one of his prized students, after all there was a very good chance whoever was involved in this would be expelled.

…

With the coming forth of the young Malfoy the rest of the evening moved along quickly. All the evidence needed was within reach and the perpetrators could be taken care of swiftly and, if Merwin had anything to say about it, harshly.

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Everyone held their breath as the Headmaster stood at the head table with a grave air about him. "I'm sure by now you've all become aware of several students taking it upon themselves to attack a fellow student." He eyed the student body for a moment before going on. "As the student body was already warned to the precarious health of young Rhyel Potter and thus seemingly ignored it brings me to the conclusion that I should make it clear of the consequences of these students actions; not only for Mr. Potter, but for the students' themselves."

There was a shifting and low murmur throughout the dinning hall. Usually punishments were kept to the staff, family, and those involved. "At this moment it is unclear how far Mr. Potter's health has regressed in its healing. As he had not fully healed from a previous incident. Until further notice he is to remain in the healing ward until his health is stable enough to return to his regular schedule. The guardians of Mr. Potter and of those who attacked Mr. Potter have discussed and agreed upon a suitable punishment which will be carried out hence forth. All students involved in the incident will be suspended from Hogwarts until September 1st next year, during this time they will be required to fulfill hours of community service and will be denied any alternative educational opportunities during the length of their punishment. Should these students attempt to skirt their punishment legal action will be brought against them. As this was the first of such actions against Mr. Potter, let it be a warning to the rest of the student body, any further such acts will result in immediate expulsion for all parties and possible legal proceedings." There was a shocked silence, no one could remember the last time someone had been suspended much less expelled.

Albus sat down heavily, he hated having to be so harsh, but sometimes needs must be met. He had been fortunate that he had no difficulties talking the Potter's down from expulsion, but had little luck otherwise. He'd been left with little choice when the remainder of his own staff had also been inclined towards the Potters' view.

The child's health and current inability to protect himself had to be taken into account. After all his own magical illness made accidental magic practical impossibility for the child. He understood the necessary precautions especially those not usual needed for children his age, but he was still sad at the set back to several of his students' educations, though at least it was not a permanent halt. He only hoped that the rest of the student body took heed of his warning. The Potter household had taken a firm stand on any future incidents should they occur.

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After his discussion with Kinston, Rhyel had much to think over. His thoughts kept cycling through the small amount of information he had. His health was suffering due to his magic. Being emotional or having magic performed on him was dangerous… performing magic himself though was fine, even encouraged. It was a way for his excess amounts of magic to escape since he apparently had complete control over his magical output. He tried to remember the last time he had preformed true accidental magic. It was before he'd become Rhyel, but he struggled finding any recent event even then. Sure there had been incidents, but thinking on it now, he could remember actually influencing those incidents. He had felt the magical build up and used it to his advantage: sending the magic out to cause a distraction, pushing his opponents away or into things, even expelling James and Serius from the train compartment had been him simply influencing his rising magic into a more direct path.

This thought of controlled, yet uncontrolled magic made Rhyels thoughts come to a sudden halt his mind seeming to almost blank out before suddenly churning at a furious rate. Sure he'd used the method unconsciously before, but perhaps that was the secret for verbal-wandless magic… that didn't seem to be exactly right. Shaking his head he moved on away from labels. What ever it was, if he could do it spur of the moment, than what was stopping him from intentionally melding his excess magic to his will? The only stumbling block he could think of was himself. He simply needed to try, now that the concept had come to mind.

Sitting up and adjusting the blankets about him he glanced around the room. It was lit only by the glow of the moon through the window. Being the only occupant made things simplier as he didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone. Now he just had to decide what he was going to try to meld his magic into doing. He didn't want to try anything to precise or intricate. After all, all of his previous actions had been big and to the point actions. Keeping that in mind he noticed that Kinston had left the book he'd been reading on the seat of where he'd been sitting. Shrugging, it wasn't anything fancy, but it was a starting point.

Closing his eyes and trying to find that feeling that was his magic that he usually only used this way when he could feel in flowing outside his skin. Not being in a precarious situation or particularly upsetting one, made this task a bit more difficult. Taking a deep breath he searched out that flow of energy. It wasn't the layer over his skin that he was used to grasping and wielding, it was a more calm presence just under his skin. Thinking on it, that made a bit of sense, since Kinston had said something about blood flow. It being under his skin though left him hesitant again, if it was underneath how was he supposed to grab a hold of it.

Then he wanted to smack himself in the head. He was thinking of his magic as a physical mass. Sure that was how he had metaphorically wielded it before, but it was all metaphorical not physical. He didn't need to physically grasp it, just mentally. He frowned in thought… but how? He was distracted by the slightest of changes in the presence of his magic, if he hadn't been paying such particular close attention to how it felt, he would have missed it's minute change. Apparently his thought process and frustration in himself had affected his magic. It wasn't just a presence anymore now it was like those particals of dust you could sometime see in the air floating about, stirred by motion around them. Feeling like two pieces of a puzzle had suddenly clicked together Rhyel focused solely on his magic once more. Pushing at his magic almost as if he was waving out a patch of smoke from himself he felt the magic flow from him. He bit his lip in hope as he felt it near the book. He frowned and sighed in disappointment as it merely flowed pass it. He could feel his magic as it expanded beyond and touched other things around him, but that wasn't what he had been attempting to do.

Trying not let his frustration rise he gathered the wave of magic back toward him. He frowned as he felt more things as it returned. He wasn't sure how he felt to realize he could feel other bits of magical residue and small impressions of things clinging to his magic as he drew in back in. He'd have to think more on that, before he tried that method again. Glaring at the book he took a deep breath and almost choked on it as he felt his magic fill his lungs. Coughing and trying to get his breath back in control as well as his mind he gave himself a moment to settle back down. Magic was everywhere, in everything, he himself was magic… at least that is what he had come to believe, so it shouldn't have surprised him so much to realize his very breath was teaming with magic.

Shaking out his shoulders he resettled. Pushing out with his magic again more as a direct flow then as a wave of air, he felt it flow much more directly toward his target. He felt his magic become almost physically firm as he concentrated on what exactly he wanted his magic to do. He felt the instantaneous change almost too late. His magic was quite forceful in its task of picking up and carrying said book to him. He had to lay flat on his back as the book passed over him and smacked harshly into the headboard of the bed behind him at what would have been his chest level previously. Well… it had worked. He thought as his picked up the book from where it had fallen almost hitting him in the head. That had been a much more violent reaction to his command than he had expected. He would have to find a less forceful method, though that was certainly something he could use against an opponent.

Feeling a little tired from his experiment and the earlier events of the day he put the book on the bedside table before readjusting the blankets and shutting his eyes, falling asleep almost immediately.

HELP: I'm going back through my notes on this story and trying to decide if there are any more characters I want to bring out in the story... perhaps any other suggestions for what might happen in the story? Ideas get the imagination going.

I am Posting this at the bottom of Every chapter from now on (if I don't forget) For those who just start reading the story and don't read old A/N's. Sorry to all my dedicated readers, I don't mean to be repetitive.

Pease Read!

This is here for YOUR benefit as much as mine.

I now have a beta for this story, however, if you ready my other stories or happen across a mistake one of us didn't catch this could help explain.

I have a note posted on my profile, but have come to the conclusion that very few read it. I was born with a learning disability known as Dyslexia. For more information there is a detailed explanation on my profile, feel free to read, I highly recommend if you don't know what Dyslexia is. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to ask me. I don't mind answering questions, but you can also look up more information online.