Severus listened with incredulity as Miss Granger not only answered the question he had dug out of the recommended extra reading, but expounded on it with details he would expect from his NEWT's classes. Of course Harry and Draco and a few others had raised their hands – they had known the answer – though not the details given by Granger.

Severus frowned, he hadn't called on Granger, she was in the habit of waving her hand frantically with any question – more so lately. Now she wasn't even waiting to be called on – just blurting out answers before he could call on anyone else.

He couldn't ignore her – not with the other students watching avidly. Most of the students looked irritated – even the Ravenclaws.

"Five points to Ravenclaw for an excellent answer." Severus sneered at Granger's beaming face. "And ten points from Ravenclaw for once again answering out of turn. Apparantly you are intent on becoming the worst know-it-all Hogwarts has seen in decades."

Granger sat back, face scarlet and looking a bit betrayed. The other students had mixed reactions. Most could feel a bit of sympathy for Granger, though many looked a bit smug that the razor-tongued Potions Master had taken Granger down a few pegs.

Hermione sat back, fuming angrily, barely hearing the rest of the lecture. She fingered the circulet beneath the collar of her robe, listening to its whisper. She'd studied it a bit, though she'd felt reluctant to take it off even for a few minutes. She'd seen, quickly enough that it looked just like the diadem that the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw was wearing – but it couldn't be that, surely? Such an important artefact would be closely guarded in the Headmaster's tower. It was likely a copy made by an admirer of the Founder, who wanted to have something like her's.

The circulet must be infused with magic to help a student – the inside of it was inscribed 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure'. It seemed to whisper into her mind at times, and she would be able to understand concepts and information that she usually couldn't – or would have had to study for a long time to grasp.

She'd struggled at times, not sure if it was right to use the diadem to learn, but her mind would cloud and she would forget what she was worrying about.

Now, once again, Professor Snape was thwarting her, refusing to acknowledge her achievements – she knew her answer had been one even an advanced Potions student would be proud of. She packed up her books and left with the other students, Harry and Draco staying behind.

"Has Miss Granger been spouting answers worthy of a seventh year for long?" Severus mused.

"Yes, she's become a walking encyclopedia over the last few weeks." Draco fumed. He didn't mind getting beaten out on scores here and there, but Hermione had been grinding them into the dust in all subjects, lately.

Harry nodded, "Even the other Professors are a bit ... um ... aggravated by her. At first they seemed pleased that she's trying so hard, but now..." Harry frowned. "She shouts out answers all the time and even contradicted Professor Sprout a few times, over some obscure point or other on repotting Mandrakes from other countries."

Severus sat, tapping his tightly compressed lips with a finger thoughtfully. Draco and Harry eyed him narrowly.

"Is she cheating somehow, do you think?" Harry asked. He had liked being a top student in Potions and DADA, but lately he'd felt rather stupid, listening to Granger's answers. He'd not understood half of what she'd said in response to his Dad's last question.

"There are potions that help you study ... but they are all temporary – more bother to use than not." Severus mused. "I know there are objects you can buy that are infused with information on certain subjects, but they are very rare and ruinously expensive."

They all shook their heads, unable to understand how Granger was doing it.

"Well, however she's managed it, if she's 'cheating' she will be found out." Severus narrowed his eyes, he didn't tolerate those that took those sorts of shortcuts in learning. He waved the boys into his office and called for lunch, putting the annoying know-it-all out of his mind.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

The Horcrux inched his way into the mudblood girl's mind, he'd been working on gaining a bit of control since she'd picked up the diadem and awakened him. His awareness of what was going on around him was still murky at times. He'd been astonished to find it had been over thirty years since the Horcrux had been made.

Searching for information was tricky. He could only whisper to the girl, hoping the thoughts he evoked would give him what he was wanting to know. Listening to the Professors and other students was only a bit helpful. Learning that 'He Who Must Not Be Named' had been defeated by a small child had been a blow.

Last year's 'adventure' and rumors of the possibility of his return had encouraged him. If he managed to activate this Horcrux with the life-energy of another, he could take over an appropriate body to house this piece of soul. He'd be in a postition to re-unite with Voldemort – offering him a body to possess – to be reborn into.

He just needed to cause a little chaos – and find the right body. Certainly this annoying Mudblood girl was of no use as a body to permanently occupy, but he could use her create problems with. It was already nearly Halloween ... perhaps he needed to release his old friend. He would need to possess the mudblood – at least for brief times to manage that.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Halloween arrived and Severus pondered how to approach Harry on the subject of the celebrations. He hadn't meant to pressure Harry into 'enjoying the holiday' the last two years. He caught Harry before breakfast, pulling him aside as he left the Slytherin common room.

"Harry, I wonder what you wish to do this year – if you wish to spend the evening in my quarters, quietly, I would be happy to make your excuses to your friends." Severus asked, feeling quite awkward.

Harry smiled, glad that the pressure of celebrating the day of his parent's death was finally off.

"I'd really like to visit my parent's graves sometime, I've never been, you see ..." Harry spoke and gulped hard at Severus' sudden look of blank shock.

"Dad?" Harry asked uncertainly. There had been a flicker of grief in Severus' eyes.

"I've never been there, either." Severus said softly. "I never dared."

Harry patted Severus' arm hesitantly. "She'd have forgiven a mistake. Especially one you regretted so very much, you know."

Severus relaxed a little, trusting that Lily's son – who was so like her in spirit - would know her mind in this. "We'll go after lunch – we have a free period." His reward was a brilliant smile from Harry.

The morning passed swiftly and Harry bolted his lunch, casting glances at Severus and ignoring conversations around him. He finally whispered their plan to Dudley and Draco, who dropped their frowns and nodded. "Get some flowers from the Greenhouses, Harry." Dudley whispered.

Harry brightened and dragged Severus to the one with the most beautiful flowers in it, and gathered a bouquet. They went to the gates to apparate, with the Headmaster watching the small figures from his tower. He'd objected at first – Halloween could be a dangerous time, but his arguments died at the news that Harry had not seen his parent's graves before. How could he have? – he was quite sure that Petunia had no idea where they were, now that he thought of it.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Lucius fumed as he looked over the essays from the second years. He had become used to the trash many of the students turned in. It seemed that no matter how earnestly he and Pucey lectured them on some historical points, the students would still write down nonsensical stories that their parents or relatives had told them or copy down a sketchy bare-bones account that rarely contained the truly pertinent points.

Harry and Draco always wrote interesting essays – Harry did best when it was a area of history he enjoyed – a good battle, etc. Draco tended to linger on political aspects of whatever situation. Dudley also worked hard and seemed to corelate much of it with what was happening in the muggle world at the time, which was fine, as long as he still got to the point of the essay.

Lucius picked up Hermione Granger's essay for the week, scowling fiercely. It was quite odd. He'd noticed that she was a bright student when he started teaching in September, and then few weeks ago her writing had turned into works that she could have used as NEWT's essays. The first essay he'd figured she'd spent her entire week focusing on just it and had thought her other studies would surely suffer and was prepared to tell Flitwick she needed to manage her time more wisely.

Then Draco had complained loudly about Granger hogging all the points in all the classes. This was simply impossible. Yes, there was often a student that outclassed everyone from the beginning in one, or perhaps two classes. Severus had been a perfect example – he'd known more about the Dark Arts and Defense than the instructors from first year on ... and Potions, well his mastery of it just a year after school had been unheard of.

Still – achieving top grades in all the classes? Even Severus had had classes he'd not done well in. They needed to watch Miss Granger, obviously.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Severus and Harry wandered back up to the school, slowly, enjoying the autumn air and the fiery colors of the trees. Visiting the graves had been a bit eerie. As Harry had stood there he'd realized it was difficult to grieve for someone you didn't know. Severus had left to stand by the gate, telling him to simply talk as if they were there.

Harry had finally pictured the people he'd seen in the Mirror of Erised, telling them about his time at Hogwarts and that he hoped they were proud of him. He promised to return and hoped he would have more to say, then. Still, he was glad he'd finally put some flowers on their graves.

Severus had been quiet since leaving the graveyard, seemingly deep in thought. Harry hoped his overdeveloped sense of guilt wasn't making him too morose. They got back just in time for supper and Severus waved him off to his friends, but Harry wasn't letting him go that easily. He threw his arms around his dad's waist, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you so much for this, Dad. It means alot." Harry muttered into the folds of black cloth.

He felt the man relax further, and a kiss fell on the top of his head.

"Not at all – should have been done long ago, of course." Severus muttered, aware they had eyes watching them, and likely deciding the Potions Master was a push – over after all.

Voldemort, at least, was astonished. He'd learned that his old henchman, Abraxas' son Lucius was here as a teacher – and he had watched him closely in class. He knew that both Lucius and Severus bore his mark – he could feel it. Now, seeing him embrace Harry Potter as his son. Well, obviously he was a traitor. And Lucius' behaviour could not be overlooked either – allowing Draco to be friends with Potter. Not to mention there was plenty of talk about their defections to Potter's camp. His loyal Death Eaters should have killed the brat and resurected him by now.

It was time to make his first move, he decided.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Harry headed toward the dorms, Draco had said he would follow, soon – he intended to gather a bunch of treats to bring with him. Nott was also gathering a bunch of cakes and cookies onto a tray to take back to his dorm. Dudley had said he would come down for a time, though he was limiting himself to just the one slice of cake and a few candies.

Harry stopped a moment, hearing a hissing voice. "Killlll... rip and tear ... ssssso hungry ..."

The voice chilled Harry and he looked around swiftly, trying to determine where it was coming from. He moved down another corridor, trying to follow it. Draco found him moving down the corridor, head bent and listening intently.

"What are you doing, Harry?" Dudley asked, joining the puzzled Draco.

"Can't you hear it?" Harry asked."The voice ... it says it wants to kill."

Draco raised his eyebrows and Dudley looked alarmed. "Kill? But, I don't hear anything." Dudley said hesitantly. They followed him up a flight of stairs to the second floor and around a corner.

Draco muttered in disgust. "Looks like something flooded a bathroom." He said, looking at the huge puddle on the floor.

They moved forward and Harry gasped. "Look – its Filch's cat." He pointed to Mrs. Norris, who was hanging by her tail.

They moved closer in dread, and saw red letters on the wall.

"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware ..." Draco read in horror.

Dudley moved closer, "It's written in blood!" He yelped, and backed away.

They could hear the thunder of approaching footsteps and the three found themselves surrounded by dozens of frightened students, all whispering and pointing. The words were read and re-read in dread, even the Slytherins looking worried. At one time this would have been exciting – but now many of them had been hoping nothing like this would ever happen. Flint, especially looked very put out.

Blaise, however had a vindicated look and gazed around the other Slytherins in triumph. "Enemies of the Heir beware ..." He sneered at the gulping younger years, and then glared at Dudley and Dean. "You'll be next, mudbloods." He broke off abruptly, looking past the other students.

Filch was coming down the hall, shouting ... and then screaming as he sighted the cat.

Soon, teachers joined them, just as Argus grabbed the cat off the torch bracket and started sobbing. Some of the younger years were crying in sympathy – especially those with cats as familiars. Ron and Seamus looked slightly gleeful – Mrs. Norris caught them on a regular basis at things.

Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster came close to the wall, with Severus and Lucius right behind them. Severus looked aghast and Lucius a bit ill. Lockhart bounced up, brightly, telling everyone how he could have saved the cat.

The Headmaster sent the students away – except for Harry, Draco and Dudley. Harry told them they had come upon the cat, already petrified, but didn't mention the voice. Draco and Dudley looked at him carefully, but didn't say anything either.

Albus looked the cat over and nodded. "She isn't dead, Argus. But she has been petrified." He attempted to console the man. "We'll cure her with no problem – Professor Sprout has mandrakes this year, and Severus can brew the cure."

Lockhart continued to babble in the background and Lucius finally had enough. "I'll escort the children to Severus' quarters – I don't believe they should be alone in the corridors." Albus nodded and Lucius shooed the three down to the dungeons.

The Headmaster sent Minerva to warn all the teachers not present to take great care and to guard the students very heavily. Albus nodded to Severus. "We need to have a meeting in the morning – bring Lucius and Tom, of course."

Severus nodded. This event made it obvious that Voldemort was going to make an appearance this year, as well. At some point Lucius had mentioned the Chamber of Secrets to him – back when Severus had first started working at Hogwarts. He'd said that the Chamber had been opened once, back when Abraxas had been there at school. A girl had died and a student was expelled with their wand broken – and that it had been Hagrid. Severus had been astonished, and had watched Hagrid closely. He'd come to the conclusion that the school board had been packed with idiots.

Severus got back to his chambers, and reassured the boys as best he could. He told them he hoped that it was a horrible prank – after all, it was chicken blood that had been used. The boys had looked relieved at that. They all piled into one of the spare bedrooms – the one that Harry stayed over in some weekends. Severus guessed they intended to have a late night of it, as it was the weekend, now.

Severus, together with Lucius went to the Slytherin common room, to quiet the uproar there. They were quick to point out that anyone could have written that message ... and after all how impressive was it, really?

"Writing with chicken blood and attacking a squib's cat?" Severus curled a lip and sneered. "Is that the best the "Heir" can do?" He swept around, cloak flaring and left, leaving the Slytherins to think that over.

Lucius had carefully watched the more suspect students, looking for someone with a triumphant demeanor, or anyone who looked upset at Severus' sneering over the deed. The only one who seemed really excited was that little prat Blaise. Most of the students – even the 'suspect' ones looked worried.

Tom got back to Severus' quarters later, just after Lucius and Severus returned. He was using the other spare bedroom in Severus' rooms as his for the year. It kept him close to Harry and Severus, and best of all kept Lockhart at bay. He'd managed to do no more that a quick Hello at mealtimes.

Severus cast a silencing spell so the three boys wouldn't overhear from Harry's room and Lucius told Tom about the message and the petrified cat. Tom sat in a chair with a thud, mind whirling. He'd managed to put the whole Chamber of Secrets episode to the back of his mind. He didn't like to remember the death he'd caused, especially now.

Lucius and Severus watched Tom calmly. They had no doubts of who the Heir was. They knew it had to have been him, back when Abraxas had gone to school. The question was, how had Voldemort accessed the school this year and what was he after?

Yvane urged Tom to tell all he knew – painful though it would be. Lucius and Severus could guess alot of it, but they needed to know more. It was imperative that they know about the Chamber ... and the monster. Tom took a deep breath and began.

"When I started here at Hogwarts, I wanted to know about my parents – the sorting hat had said I was descended from a founder, and I assumed correctly that it was Salazar Slytherin ... I found books on the Gaunts and traced them down to Marvolo and his children. I explored the castle avidly, especially anywhere associated with Salazar. I found out that Salazar's office and living quarters had been on the second floor of the castle and I examined the rooms there inch by inch." Tom recalled how excited he'd been in his discoveries of the rooms – he'd even found old, dusty tapestries that he was sure had been from Salazar's era.

"It took until my third year, but I had learned of the Chamber from 'Hogwarts, A History' and I felt he'd likely keyed it to parseltongue." Tom drank deeply from the cup of tea that Severus silently handed him. "I found the entrance, and explored the Chamber endlessly. It was fascinating and I set up a little 'room' that was my escape from the world. I loved it – it made me truly feel a part of the wizarding world, instead of an intruder or a tourist, just passing through and not really belonging." Tom wondered if the things he's left in the small alcove were still there.

"It wasn't until I was sixteen that I found the basilisk ..." Lucius and Severus caught their breathes and looked at each other in horror. "I had realized that there was a door in the large statue of Salazar. It took months to figure the right words to open it. The basilisk that emerged terrified me. I ran through the tunnels, trying to escape it. When I got to the entrance, I realized I understood its hissing ... in my panic I'd forgotten I could talk to snakes. I stood there at the entrance and spoke to it for a few minutes, persuading it that I wasn't his prey. It said it was hungry, wanted to know if there were enemies to 'dispose of'." Tom clasped his hands together, fighting the urge to gloss over what happened next.

Yvane whispered reassurances, bolstering his courage. Tom hoped he wouldn't lose his new family and friends over this. He wouldn't be able to bear it. They had accepted him, in spite of knowing what he could have become without Yvane and them to guide him away from the dark and the anger.

"I remember standing there in front of the basilisk, imagining the things I could do with a basilisk – the enemies I could get rid of ... the muggles and muggle-borns I could clear from the school – and my life." Tom's voice was raspy with guilt. "I hated them back then. I'd found out my father had rejected and abandoned my mother – and I, even before I was born – because of magic he should have been awestruck and thrilled by." Tom heard an edge enter his voice and shook his head. He had thought he was over that old pain, now.

"A percieved rejection by a parent is not something you just 'get over'." Yvane said. "And while it may have occured decades ago, but to you it was only a few years."

Lucius and Severus listened carefully, watching Tom intently. They had not forgotten that he had eventually become the darkest wizard in centuries, but they'd hoped he'd overcome his anger toward muggles and muggle-borns. There seemed to be a bit of anger still left.

"I was so busy daydreaming about conquering the world, I didn't notice there was someone in there with us. I heard a girl yell at us and I was frightened – I couldn't possibly explain gabbing with a basilisk in parseltongue. I remember yelling 'Stop!', and the basilisk push me aside. I think I intended to just obliviate her ... I had studied it, though I had only tried it once – on one of the kids at the orphanage. I don't think I meant for it to kill ... although I had only moments before been thinking about killing muggle-borns with the basilisk ..." Tom leaned back, agitated by the memories.

"I was horrified ... I wish I could say it was by the death, instead of mostly being afraid I would be caught. Anyway I sent it back to the chamber, told it to remain there, guarding the castle. I forbade it from leaving the chamber again until another parselmouth returned." Tom slumped unhappily. "I know I stood there for hours, trying to think of what to do. I had the diary with me, I'd studied the magic – and whether it was murder or not – I knew the death had torn part of my soul ... maybe because I did feel responsible. I did the spell, and made the Horcrux with the death of the girl. That's where my memories end – I was in the diary from then, on."

There was silence for long minutes while Lucius and Severus mulled over the information. Both of them were caught between horror at the story and excitement – they could get in to see Salazar's Chamber. Well, after they get rid of that pesky basilisk.

"We're meeting with Albus in the morning about this. We need to decide what to tell him." Severus mused. "We can at least say that we have figured out it is a basilisk – it really is the only answer, and is totally logical for Salazar to have had a basilisk guard his Chamber."

"We can have Tom retrace his 'investigation' into where the Chamber is. As a parselmouth, you are the logical one to 'look for it'. We shouldn't find it right away, though." Lucius said thoughtfully. At their surprise, he continued. "We need to find out who is behind this – The Dark Lord is here in the castle, somehow, we need to draw him out before revealing the Chamber."

Tom and Severus nodded, yes, revealing all they knew immediately would be a mistake. Albus would have questions, and they were happy with his acceptance of Tom – they didn't want to stir things back up. On the other hand. Letting the basilisk alone might not be wise, either.

"We need to ward the entrance – just some alarms, so we know if someone goes in." Severus said.

"It's in a girl's bathroom." Tom snickered. "It will go off a lot."

Severus frowned, "Well, an alarm if the entrance opens, then." Tom nodded at that, and retired to his room, suddenly exhausted. Remembering his final memory before being stuck in that diary was a bit traumatic. Being reminded of how very angry he'd been with his father was unnerving. He'd tried so hard to overcome his anger, but it was still there, simmering.

"That's because you're trying to just forget your father's rejection, instead of forgiving him." Yvane said serously. "That's why forgiveness is called a gift you give yourself – it frees you from your anger and bitterness."

"I don't know if I can do that." Tom said quietly.

"Think about it." Yvane said. "The man is dead – Voldemort killed him and his parents. He was, as far as I can tell, a shallow and self-centered person who paid for what he did with his life. He's far beyond our reach, now." Yvane seemed to pause. "Perhaps you, too, need to visit a parent's grave. If only to tell him off – then forgive him."

"I'll think about it." Tom said faintly, chilled at the idea of doing that. Yvane could still stun him with his ideas.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

November was quiet – at least as far as the Heir was concerned. The Horcrux had sighted Tom during one of the dinners and was now preoccupied figuring out who he was. He picked Hermione's brains and willed her to ask around. Tom was "A relative of Snape's – apparantly the son of a Serena Prince." The Horcux had memories up until the late 1950's. It did remember being interested in books the Prince's had. Had he gone after members of the family? He and his followers had started raiding here and there. He'd already 'collected' many things as he went through Europe.

The Horcrux now had a different question about Tom. He needed to decide if Tom Riddle was Voldemort's son. If so, should he leave him alone, until he was resurected enough to recruit him to his cause ... or should he be considered the perfect body to possess and resurect himself inside of?

It was difficult to stalk the apprentice, as Hermione was only a second year and Care of Magical Creatures wasn't until third year. Still there were enough giggling younger years that hung around the magical enclosures to admire Tom that Hermione could accompany them at times and study him. Tom and Heather, along with Hagrid, helped with lessons and Professor Kettleburn had managed to not have any limb-endangering accidents for almost two years, now.

Hermione also attended far more Quidditch practices and matches than she ever had before. Her Ravenclaw friends – Mafalda, Padma and Luna – began to have some hope that she was, perhaps noticing boys. Hermione let them think that, and stifled the impulse to snort. She was starting to worry. She seemed to not have control of alot of her impulses lately. After Halloween, she realized that the Professors were 'concerned' about her doing seventh year quality work.

Something – the circulet, she was sure - had made her tone her work back to just 'excellent' second year work, and heard herself apologize to Flitwick, telling him she 'just couldn't keep doing so many hours of reasearch – she was exhausted'. Flitwick had beamed and looked relieved, and the other Professors seemed to ease off as well once she was back to second year work.

Following Tom Riddle around and watching Harry Potter seemed pointless, academically – why did the circulet insist on that? It was supposed to be helping her learn. By the time a Slytherin – Ravenclaw match was scheduled at the beginning of December even Pavarti and Lavender were giggling about her crush on Harry Potter. The fact that she seemed unable to refute it was worrying.

Harry and Draco had melded into a very good trio with Marcus Flint. The three of them were able to score enormous amounts of points when playing Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. It was more diffucult against Gryffindor, as Oliver Wood was an extremely effective Keeper. Flint had decided that against the Ravens and Badgers, they would score rapidly and try to get that 150 point lead that would mean that catching the snitch would not let the opposing team win.

Hermione watched the game tensely, the other girls patted her shoulder, thinking she was torn between her house team and her crush. Instead, she was feeling dizzy and was sure she blacked out. When she could see and hear again, her wand was out and the crowd was screaming – a bludger was acting oddly – it seemed to be after Harry Potter and was intent on killing him.

In the resulting chaos and screaming, Higgs caught the snitch for Slytherin, so when Harry's arm got broken and he crashed to the ground Flint didn't yell at him. Harry knew that if he'd crashed before it had been caught Flint would have yelled – loudly.

To Harry's horror, one of the first Professors to arrive was Lockhart. While Severus shielded against the homicidal bludger, Lucius aimed and blasted it into confetti. This unfortunately gave Lockhart time to 'fix' Harry's arm – removing all the bones.

Lucius had looked at Severus' infuriated face and hoped he didn't do anything to Lockhart requiring Aurors to take a report. As it happened, Severus limited himself to a scathing diatribe that made McGonagall shout at him. The nearby students had all smothered grins – they'd learned alot of new colorful metaphors that would get them whacked by their moms if they used them at home.

Lockhart fled to the school, to hide from the Potions Master and tell himself he'd not been in any way at fault. Severus saw Harry settled into the infirmary, not at all happy at having to leave him there that night. Draco and Dudley stayed until Poppy ran them off. Severus had stayed as long as he could, saying he needed to monitor Harry when he was taking Skelegrow for the first time. But, finally he was run off, too.

He was making his way slowly to the dungeons when he found Minerva, walking the corridors with a worried look. "Ah, Severus, have you seen Colin Creevy? The Prefects say he is missing – I have them doing a head count every night since ... well."

Severus nodded. He had the Slytherin prefects herding the younger students to and from classes and the older ones traveling in packs since the message had been found. "The stalker with the camera?" Severus asked acidly. Harry called him the stalker and said Colin's only saving grace was that he stalked everyone.

Minerva smiled ruefully. "Yes, but he's a sweet boy – very eager to learn about his new world."

Severus frowned – if it was the Heir ... the alarm on the entrance ... damn – it was sitting on his desk. Tom had had it all day and was to leave it on Severus' desk to pick up after the Quidditch match. He'd forgotten it in the worry over Harry.

Severus led them to the second floor, hoping that it was horrible coincidence. His stomach clenched as he saw the small body on the floor. He ran, Minerva's horrified cries following him. She sent a Patronus to Albus, and he sent his doe to Lucius. Severus carried the tiny first year to the infirmary, hoping they didn't wake Harry. The Headmaster and Lucius trailed them into the infirmary and behind the screens Poppy pulled around them.

The boy was obviously petrified, camera in front of his face. Severus relaxed – he'd seen the basilisk through the camera, and not been killed. Lucius and Severus exchanged relieved glances – if they had caused a death by dancing around the information they had ... well, neither of them would have wanted to face Albus.

Sure, Severus thought, Albus could put students in danger for the greater good, but Severus and Lucius better not. Severus shook his head – now was not the time.

Minerva opened the camera, releasing a cloud of smoke. Albus looked grave. "Our students are in grave danger." He waved Severus and Lucius away from the bed. "Is Tom closer to finding the chamber?"

Severus nodded slowly, "We know it is on the second floor where we found the boy. We believe he will find it soon." He exchanged another look with Lucius ... they couldn't hide this much longer – if they caught the Dark Lord, it wouldn't be at the expense of a child's life.

As the adults slipped away Harry whispered, "Dad?", stopping Severus.

"Yes, Harry?" Severus sat beside the worried looking boy.

"I heard ... before you brought in Colin. I heard a voice. It said it was going to kill, that it was hungry and going to kill. I've heard it before ... just before we found Mrs. Norris." Harry swallowed hard, but held Severus' eyes firmly. "Am I going crazy, Dad?"

Severus stilled, his blood chilling a little. "No, Harry. You were hearing the killer. I'll explain more, tomorrow, when you get out of here. For now, don't worry about it." Severus said gently.

Harry relaxed a bit, at least he wasn't going around the twist, then. But how was he hearing the killer, then? He was mulling that over as sleep caught him.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Hermione huddled in a corner of the library. She'd had another episode of not remembering exactly what had happened for a peiod of time ... and a student, a muggle-born was petrified. Neville sat across from her, frowning.

"It's obviously a Slytherin. I would have thought that it would have been Malfoy ... but ... I guess he and Harry couldn't be in on it, could they?" Hermione stuttered nervously. After all, her dreams – nightmares, really, about a giant snake – they made no sense.

Neville frowned. "Not sure, we need to look into it further to be sure. If Blaise wasn't such a lame waste of magic, I'd say it was him. You've heard him crowing about Colin getting petrified. If he isn't the Heir of Slytherin ... he likely wishes he was."

Ron nodded hesitantly, and glanced down the table toward Dudley and Dean who were working on a transfiguration essay with Seamus. "Blaise tells them every day how they'll be next ... but so does Timothy Hopkirk. He's careful to not let the Professors hear, but I'd say that Ravenclaw or not, he's a Death Eater as soon as he graduates."

Neville glanced over at Hopkirk. "Gramma says that there were Death Eaters in all the houses ... though Slytherins outnumbered them."

Neville had managed to allay Ron and Dudley's ire, insisting that he'd just been trying to help when he'd suggested the car. Draco and Harry had said nothing, just looking at him a bit closely, as if trying to decide if he'd been telling the truth or not. Neville thought again about what he'd heard over the summer, hearing a hissing in the garden of Dragonsrest while he'd been there for the scuba diving. Harry had said it was the snake he'd found among the plants that he'd heard. Now Neville wondered.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Albus smiled happily at Lucius and Severus and beamed proudly at the pale Tom. It was almost winter break, but Tom had finally found the entrance to the Chamber of secrets. To the Slytherin's relief there had been no more attacks – perhaps because they had taken turns haunting the second floor. There had only been a few students that had come through there since Colin's attack.

They had talked Albus into holding off from closing the Chamber until they could catch 'the Heir'. He also wanted to know who was doing this, though he was unhappy about the basilisk – he wanted to reinforce the alarms himself, though Lucius was afraid more powerful spells would be sensed by the attacker.

They took Albus to the Girl's lavatory on the second floor. Albus smiled a bit – the dreaded Chamber of Secrets – accessed through a bathroom. He needed to research and see what this room had originally been.

"Have you opened it?" Albus asked.

Tom nodded slowly. "I haven't encountered the basilisk since we started searching, though." Tom tried to be as truthful as possible – Albus was uncanny in his ability to sense lies. Evasions, though, were more difficult to discern.

"Perhaps we can put off that confrontation until summer, and the students are gone." Albus said slowly. He doubted it, but it would be best, in case they ended up chasing the beast through the school.

Albus cast spells on the room, that would tell them who entered – and it the sink was tampered with. It would alert all four of them, making it more likely that they would be able to catch the attacker.

Hermione watched from an alcove, seeing the Professors leave the room. The Horcrux could feel the alarm spells. Damn them. He needed to come up with another idea, and soon.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z