Albus looked over the paperwork one last time with a sigh. He'd summoned Severus, and was glad that Lucius had 'visited' them once again, as he should hear this as well. A house elf had sent for Tom and with reluctance Albus had said for Dudley to accompany Tom to the Headmasters office.

He'd put off this expedition for far too long. Events during the spring and summer had made it difficult to arrange anything. However, investigating the orphanage and tracking down Lord Voldemort's childhood acquaintances was something that needed doing - and soon. As well, four names from Voldemort's time in the orphanage had come to light as the ones to question – Billy Stubbs, Amy Benton, Dennis Bishop and Eric Whaley.

Severus and Lucius arrived quickly and he showed them the information on the orphanage – it was now a deserted, derelict building that had been 'for sale' for over a decade. There should be no difficulty in exploring it.

Tom and Dudley were soon there and sat quietly, listening to the three wizards talk.

"We have found Amy Benton – she lives in London, still. Billy Stubbs was, unfortunately easy to find as well – he is in prison. And there is our problem – we need a plan to get in to see him." Albus turned to Dudley and raised his eyebrow. "Since we must keep our plans secret, we cannot involve anyone not already aware of our investigations. That means that you are our expert in muggle culture at present, Mr. Dursley – what would be a likely tale to get into a muggle prison to see Mr. Stubbs?"

Dudley lit up, thrilled to be included in planning for once. "I watched alot of crime shows on the telly ... the easiest way to get in and be able to question him is to pretend to be police. You can say you've investigating a similar crime ... or that you think he knows the perpetrator of a crime and you're investigating anyone that might have information. You'll need badges and warrants – that sort of thing. You might say that one of you is a 'profiler' – someone who works up a 'picture' of what the perpetrator is like – both physically and mentally."

The wizards looked impressed by the plan. They might have eventually thought of it themselves. It was easier to have Dudley spit the idea out in seconds, though.

"My lawyer will know what we need – though I'd rather not have to explain why I want to visit a muggle in prison." Lucius said thoughtfully.

"No, I can get all the documents with no questions asked, no need to get your lawyer in too deeply in this." Albus said. "My main concern is not attracting the attention of anyone who might later report this to Voldemort." Albus ignored the winces the name drew from the wizards.

Albus thanked Dudley sincerely for the advice and sent him with a large tin of biscuits back to his dorm. Dudley munched on one happily and resolved to give the rest to his roommates. He was finally at a healthy weight and intended to stay there. The Healer and mediwitch had said that he 'could have treats', but should not allow himself to overindulge.

The wizards watched Dudley leave, smiling indulgently. Dudley had certainly come a long way. Not many could have made such a fast turn-around in their lives as he had.

"I noticed you carefully did not mention what Stubbs is in prison for – that is obviously information that will be important to know when we pretend to need to question Stubbs regarding this alleged crime." Severus intoned suspiciously.

Albus nodded reluctantly. "Yes, well, I didn't think young Dudley needed to hear that Mr. Stubbs was imprisoned for multiple counts of rape of several pre-teens and finally the murder of a young boy of about Dudley's age."

Severus and Lucius grimaced angrily and then turned to Tom in concern as he paled and sat rather quickly. Tom remembered all too well Billy's advances toward him just before he had recieved his Hogwarts letter. He could well believe that Billy had turned into a monster capable of murdering children.

"He's imprisoned now and no longer a danger to anyone, Tom." Yvane said quietly. "You escaped the worst, though that is likely little comfort to you."

"He should have gone back and killed him." Tom fumed. "Why didn't he?" For once Tom wished Voldemort had gone and killed someone.

"I can't answer that – and justice is not yours to take on this – the muggles caught him and are punishing him." Yvane said, a bit troubled as well. "Likely when Voldemort put his father behind him after killing all the Riddle family – he put the orphanage and everything there behind him as well. He was determined to forget he had any muggle heritage at all."

Albus watched Tom struggling with ... something. "Are you quite alright, Tom?" Severus and Lucius watched closely, not sure of why this had affected Tom so badly.

Tom thought quickly, he could not allude to knowledge he could not possibly know, but he could appear to be making educated guesses.

"I just remembered some things I overheard in the orphanage I stayed in." Tom desperately tried to recalled the wording in Dora's Auror training books and the phrasing that muggles used. "There was a 'predator' lurking around the playgrounds – that is the word muggles use for a pedophile – I recall they said he had started molesting children when he was a teenager." Tom swallowed hard, hoping Albus would believe he was just drawing obvious conclusions and not speaking from experience. "I wondered if Stubbs was the same. I know orphanages weren't supervised all that well in the fourties ... it would have been easy for him to do whatever he pleased with the younger children."

Albus sat back, deep in thought. Yes – that scenario, especially if the very young Voldemort had been one of Billy Stubbs' victims would explain at least some of Voldemort's contempt and hatred for the muggles.

Lucius, white-faced, stared at Tom. He and Severus had immediately understood what Tom was saying. Severus had needed to occasionally report his findings if he discovered a student had been molested, so he was less shocked that Lucius. Severus was all too aware of the horrors that were sometimes visited on innocent children.

"Perhaps we should meet again, tomorrow, Headmaster?" Severus felt he needed to remove Tom to his rooms for a more private meeting.

"Yes, yes." Albus nodded absently, though his sharp eyes took in Tom's strained face and the two wizards obvious concern.

The three used Albus' floo to go back to Severus' quarters. Tom hovered hesitantly in the sitting room while Lucius poured tea that was waiting for them. Severus waved Tom to a chair, hesitating to touch the tense body.

Tom sat a seemed to be calming a bit, Severus guessed that Yvane was whispering soothing words to him already. "Tom, is going to the orphanage or prison going to be too much? – you don't have to go along."

Tom slowly released a long breath, forcing his tightly clenched muscles to relax – at least a little. He needed to be alot calmer for this discussion, or they would leave him behind at Hogwarts.

"No, seeing the orphanage won't disturb me, I don't think ... and facing Billy Stubbs might resolve my ... issues with him." Tom said, wishing his voice was less hoarse.

Severus looked at him closely. "I've never pushed you to speak of things, if Yvane was dealing with them. But this is a bit different – we need information from Mr. Stubbs - are you sure that you are ready to face him?"

Tom nodded slowly. "My memories of him are horrible, but he never ..." Tom couldn't push the words out, it was too horrible to imagine. "... he cornered me, but the accidental magic – I broke his arm and got away from him." Tom shuddered. "I desperately wanted him to leave me alone. He had a pet rabbit – I broke its neck and hung it by his bed. Everyone was horrified ... I was a little horrified by it too. No one could say for sure that I had done it, though most whispered it had been me. But Billy got the message and never looked my way again."

Lucius almost slumped in relief. This trauma was bad enough, but at least Tom hadn't been cornered for long. He could barely imagine what kind of monster would go after children. Voldemort killed entire families, of course – including children, but at least he did not molest the children first, though that was a very small mercy. Lucius sniffed, it would take a monster of Voldemort's calibre to do this.

Severus nodded as Tom finished, as Head of House he had needed to counsel many children through the emotional wreckage that traumas of this sort always left behind. Just talking was the first step. But Tom was obviously on his last legs, now and needed nothing more than rest. Severus quietly enlarged the sofa and waved Tom over to it, and just as silently handed him calming draught and dreamless sleep.

It was a testiment to Tom's trust in them that he took the vials without a word and wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa and drifted off immediately.

"Do you think he'll truly get over ... that?" Lucius asked uncertainly.

Severus nodded without hesitation. "Having to meet Billy Stubbs once again has stirred things up, but think ... he has willingly trusted older males – us. Even tonight with all this so close, he took those potions knowing it would leave him helpless to us."

Lucius looked startled. Of course, as a Slytherin and Death Eater he did understand what a show of trust that could be considered. But he hadn't really thought of that sort of trust in the context of a traumatized teenager, especially a young wizard like Tom who Lucius liked. Tom should not have any reason to fear him. Though tonights actions did seem to indicated that, yes, Tom did trust both he and Severus totally.

Severus smirked a little at Lucius and continued. "... And, of course, he has opened himself to a rather ... healthy romance with Miss. Tonks. So he has apparently overcome any inhibitions."

Lucius rolled his eyes at the reference to Dora. Healthy romance indeed. "Yes, you are right. If one can be considered to ever be over such a thing, I guess he is well on his way to being so." Lucius agreed.

Lucius left and Severus floo-called Minerva to let her know Tom was sleeping on Severus' sofa, using Albus' meeting as an excuse. "Albus dredged up unwelcome memories, and he needed a calming draught." Severus said with a grimace, knowing how Minerva's mind worked.

Minerva drew her own conclusions, of course – to Severus' satisfaction - and nodded tightly. Drat that Albus – likely talking endlessly about Voldemort when the poor lad didn't need reminding of his thrice-damned father she fumed.

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Harry popped out of bed Friday with a grin. Not only did he have a free afternoon – but today was his first Double Potions class. He could hardly wait. His first week had gone quite well, he thought. DADA had gone reasonably well, although Quirrell seemed to prefer lectures to actual demonstration. History of Magic had been dull – although the assistant had announced he would be giving a lecture on the sorting hat and the origins of the Houses and encouraged everyone to research their own families traditions regarding them and how their families had first appeared in the wizarding world.

Charms had been okay – the wand movements they had already been practicing proved to be invaluable. Harry and Draco had quickly sent their feathers into the air, once they figured out the pronunciation of the spell. Ron had glared and grumbled, but Dudley had gotten the charm quickly as well and coached his roommates. Seamus had caused a spectacular explosion to everyones shock, and then the class ended.

Transfiguration proved to be Harry's weak point. Turning matchsticks into needles boggled his mind and the instructions in his book made no sense to him. Professor McGonagall seemed a bit disappointed by this. Draco tried to explain some of it, but he seemed a bit baffled as well. This seemed to have please Hermione Granger, who got the spell before the end of class. She had been quite put out that Draco and Harry had gotten more points than her in Herbology and their essays had gotten higher marks than hers – Tom's extra work on plants with them had paid off once again.

Astronomy at midnight Wednesday night had been fun, but it had made them a bit sleepy Thursday morning for flying class. Harry glanced over at Neville. Neville had a bit of a phobia about heights, apparently from his Uncle dropping him four storys out a window.

Harry and Draco had leaped to defend Neville from teasing when he fell from the broom, but it had been unnecessary – Theo was already there, telling off the offending Gryffindors - and a few Slytherins. Theo had only to whisper 'house pride' at them to shut the Slytherins up. They knew better than to cross their Head of House in this - and he would hear of it, of course. Neville had looked quite surprised at Theo's defense, while Madame Hooch had taken him to the infirmary, and he had hesitantly thanked Theo when he had re-appeared at lunch.

Harry, followed by a equally eager Draco were the first in the Potions classroom and took seats near the front. Less thrilled students filed in. Nevilled nervously sat next to Theo, he was still afraid of his Head of House. Theo insisted that Snape would go easy on him, as he was a Slytherin, and promised to help him if he could.

Neville knew his plants well enough, but not all ingrediants were plants. He could follow basic instructions, but the intricacies of stirring just right or watching for a certain shade of color were lost on him.

Ron trailed in last and sat next to Seamus with a pout. Dudley and Dean were becoming fast friends – they shared a bond over certain rugby and football teams. Dudley had a nice poster of the Harpies and the French team that they had cheered on at the World Cup. Dean admired the Harpies poster and hoped to see them at a game some time.

The door to the Potions classroom was abruptly flung open, making everyone startle and Neville to actually feel dizzy in trepidation.

"Wands away ... you are here to learn the subtle art of potions making." Snape said as he billowed up to the front of the classroom. "As there is little foolish wand-waving in this class, I don't expect many of you will even believe it is magic." Snape whirled and leaned one arm on his desk. He spoke in a low voice, but the children were all silent – like McGonagall, he had no difficulty keeping his classes silent. "With potions you can bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses ... I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Snape started taking roll call and when he came to Harry's name his lips twitched. "Ah, yes," he said softly. "Harry Potter, our new ... celebrity." His eyes sparkled with humor and he actually smiled a little.

Harry flushed and bit but laughed along with most of the other Slytherins and Dudley's snicker made at least Dean laugh as well. Harry noticed the atmosphere had become more relaxed after that, so Harry didn't mind the slight joke.

Snape abruptly became all business. "I expect a few of you ... a very few, may have studied a little before coming to your first year." Snape's dark eyes swept the classroom. "What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"

Draco's hand shot up, so Harry didn't raise his. Snape nodded to him, and Draco answered proudly. "There is no difference – they are both the same plant, also known as Aconite."

Snape nodded, pleased. "Correct – 2 points to Slytherin for reading about your herbs." He looked around the classroom with a raised eyebrow. "Does anyone know what I would get if I added powdered root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?"

At that Harry's hand shot into the air ... this one he knew. At Snape's nod he answered. "It makes a sleeping draught so powerful it's known as the Draught of Living Death." Snape had threatened him with it the night before coming to Hogwarts if he didn't settle down and get some sleep.

"Another 2 points to Slytherin." Snape didn't beam at Harry, but his eyes did hold quite a bit of pride, Harry noted, his heart lifting.

Snape turned back to the sullen Gryffindors who hadn't raised a single hand, as yet. "Does anyone know where to find a bezoar, or what it is used for?" He knew Dudley remembered best about animals he was familiar with and sure enough, his face lit and a hand was raised, at last. "Yes, Mr. Dursley?"

"You can find a bezoar in the stomach of a goat, sir. It will protect you from most poisens." Dudley answered in relief.

"Very good, 2 points to Gryffindor. It's good to see someone studied." Snape whirled back to the front of the room, satisfied that although he'd given Gryffindor some points, Slytherin was still in the lead. He gave a quick lecture on the Boil Cure Potion and waved the formula onto the board and, with a sigh, turned the drunken monkeys loose on his supply cabinet. They all soon scurried back to their stations. Snape was sure he heard some of them hoot and screech just like chimps at a zoo. They certainly banged the cauldrons and stirring rods like a bunch of apes.

Snape swept up and down the aisles occasionally, glowering at a few cauldrons. He nodded at the sweating Theo Nott, who was trying to make his own potion while staving off an explosion in Neville's. Snape stopped a moment and talked Neville past the 'taking the cauldron off the fire before adding the porcupine quills' stage. He needed to find a way to aid Neville in remembering the instructions. He nodded at Harry and Draco's potions – done perfectly of course.

He stopped at Dudley's station and reminded him to stir more slowly – stirring fast did not make things go faster – it would just ruin them instead. Dudley nodded and continued more slowly. The Thomas boy was going slowly, but steadily and so far the potion looked good, so he nodded to him as well, to the boy's relief.

Weasley and Finnegan appeared to have sludge in their cauldron – but at least it would not explode. Aggravating – he knew Molly could whip a batches of the easier potions when necessary and Finnegan's mother had actually been a decent brewer when she had worked at St. Mungo's – there was not excuse for not sending them to Hogwarts without decent basics of potions skills.

The class at last came to an end and the monkey's bottled their potions and brought them to the front. There was more clattering and banging as they took the cauldrons and other tools to the sinks and cleared the stations and then made their getaway to lunch.

Harry lingered behind and helped clear away the mess. His dad had taught him the spells to clean cauldrons safely almost a year ago, so they cleaned in companionable silence.

"Can we have lunch together? Or do you have to go to the Great Hall?" Harry asked wistfully, relieving Severus' lingering sense of being unneeded, apparently Harry still desired his company.

Severus smiled, "Certainly, floo to the kitchens and we'll eat in my office." Severus watched Harry scamper away – well, at least one of the first year monkeys was tolerable. He glanced at the potions – and perhaps a decent brewer as well.

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