The first two weeks of school were spent reviewing and learning slightly more advanced spells than they had in first year. Harrison knew all of the material so he used the lessons to read ahead. He knew a charm that could make a book look like a different one so he spelled Dark Arts and advanced books to look like his classroom ones. Once he showed the professors he knew what they were working on that day he was allowed to read ahead. Like the year before Harrison was considered a prodigy by all of his professors. Harrison alone earned Slytherin house a hundred points in the first week much to Ron's annoyance.

Harrison noticed Hermione and Luna growing close and the two appeared to mentor one another. Luna would show Hermione advanced spells and Hermione would walk the younger girl to her classes. At first Hermione was annoyed that a younger witch knew more magic than her but she soon got over it, her love of learning was more important than a small amount of jealousy. Luna was firmly on his father's side and if she grew close to Hermione that would be one more person to convince Hermione that the dark side is better than the light. Draco, Leo and Cass still didn't like Hermione but Harrison honestly didn't think that'd ever change. Blaise was more or less indifferent towards her and the others liked her but hated her muggle heritage.

The first Saturday of the school year Harrison received a letter from his dad about Bill and Charlie. He had opened the letter with slight trepidation, either they would be on his fathers side or he'd be reading about their deaths in the Daily Prophet soon. Normally he wouldn't care but he did consider the Weasley twins friends and he didn't want them hurt. Harrison had been pleased to read that both Bill and Charlie were more than willing and had been in fact happy when the Death Eaters came. Apparently their mother was worse than Harrison had thought and had thoroughly turned them against Dumbledore and the light with her nagging and constant praising of Dumbledore. And neither boys liked her archaic views on how all dark magic is evil and everyone who practiced it was as bad as the devil.

When the first Hogsmeade weekend came around Harrison had observed Percy when he returned to the castle. The prefect had seemed more smug than usual and walked with an air of superiority that was usually reserved for Slytherins. Harrison had smirked for he knew what that look meant, the Death Eaters had a new member. His assumption was correct, that night he had received a letter from his father informing him that Percy swore an oath to take the dark mark once he graduated. For now the red head would gather information from within Gryffindor house, Tom said the Death Eater he sent told him that Percy had been eager to join. Percy was extremely ambitious and knew joining Voldemort was the smart thing to do, power to him meant more than anything and knowing his two older brothers had taken the mark only made the decision easier.

Ron had spent the first two weeks of school trying to get back at the Slytherins who he knew caused the spiders. The Slytherins vehemently denied having any part of it but Ron didn't believe them. Harrison personally found his attempts at payback amusing. Ron pulled his wand on them several times but never succeeded in ever cursing any of them. Blaise suggested showing Ron some spells just to make it actually challenging but Harrison just rolled his eyes because knowing Blaise he was serious.

Fred and George saw the spiders filling the Gryffindor table as a challenge to come up with something better. For the first week of school the twins wreaked havoc on Hogwarts. Everywhere Harrison looked students were walking around with flashing robes, pig tails and neon colored hair. The Weasley twins even devised a spell that caused whoever walked under a specific doorway to float for five minutes, Harrison was actually impressed with that feat. The professors however didn't find the twins amusing, they lost a hundred points and received two weeks worth of detention. Fred and George both said it was worth it. However detention didn't stop them, they only did when Harrison threatened to skin them alive after turning all of the Slytherins hair scarlet and gold, including Harrison's.

Quidditch tryouts for Slytherin took place on the third Friday of the school year after having been postponed due to conflicting schedules. Harrison didn't think there would be any changes to the team so he wasn't surprised when he saw the team roster the next morning. Everyone from last years team was still on the starting team, the only differences were those on the reserve team. Harrison sat in a large plush green chair near the exit to the common room as he waited for Marcus to come up from the sixth year dorms. Ten minutes before breakfast was due to start the older boy came up talking animatedly to Abraham Montague and Alexander Dolohov.

"Marcus," Harrison said getting their attention. "I need to talk to you guys."

The three sixth years exchanged curious looks before walking over.

"What's going on?" Alexander asked as he took a seat across from Harrison.

"I didn't want to tell any of you until after I got the seeker spot on the team, just in case someone tried out who was better than me," Harrison said. "I didn't want you to think I was trying to buy my way onto the team."

"What are you talking about buying your way on?" Marcus looked confused. "You were our starting seeker last year, you wouldn't need to buy your way on."

Alexander and Abraham looked equally confused.

Harrison shook his head before running a hand through his hair. "Well I wanted to make sure, you all know how Gryffindors like to gossip." The three teens nodded. "Back to my point, my dad bought the entire team Nimbus 2001's."

"You're joking?" Alexander said looking taken aback.

"Nimbus 2001's?" Abraham asked for clarification and Harrison nodded.

"No, I'm not joking and yes, Nimbus 2001's," Harrison said amusedly. "My father bought them as part of my birthday present."

"This is perfect!" Marcus said enthusiastically, reminding Harrison momentarily of the Quidditch obsessed Oliver Wood. "We're the best team at Hogwarts, but with Nimbus 2001's we'll be unstoppable."

"I never thought I'd say this but I love the Dark Lord," Alexander said seriously.

Marcus and Abraham looked at their fellow year mate as though he'd lost his mind. Alexander realized what he said and grimaced, he slowly turned to look at Harrison as though reluctant to see his reaction.

Harrison rolled his eyes. "I'm not mad." Alexander looked relieved. "I'll bring the brooms to the first Quidditch practice."

"Tell your father the entire team thanks him," Marcus told him before standing up. "I've got to go tell the rest of the team."

After the sixth years left Harrison stayed where he was and watched the flames lick the sides of the fireplace. The flames looked like they were dancing and Harrison could hear them crackle. He didn't look up until he heard Draco call his name.

"Are you ready to go to breakfast?" Draco asked.

"Yeah," Harrison said pushing himself off the chair.

Harrison walked with his friends in high spirits which were immediately lowered when his least favorite red head stepped in front of him. The Slytherins had just exited the dungeons into the ground floor of Hogwarts where apparently Ron, Dean and Seamus had been waiting for them. From Ron's words Harrison assumed word had already gotten out about the new Slytherin brooms. Harrison was surprised, it normally took an hour or so for news to spread through Hogwarts. Sometimes he really hated the ghosts and portraits' need to gossip.

"Bought your way onto the Quidditch team Riddle?" Ron asked viciously.

Harrison eyed the red head with disdain, he didn't enjoy wasting his time with the worthless Gryffindor. Harrison only wanted to deal with him when he was in the mood to watch the idiot get himself into trouble and now was not one of those times. He wanted nothing more than to make Ron beg for mercy before snuffing him out in the most painful way possible. A cold smile crossed his lips as he thought about destroying Ron's life and watching the boy destroy himself as everything he loved fell.

"I don't need to buy my way onto the team," Harrison drawled. "I unlike some people have talent." He paused to enjoy watching Ron's face turn red. "I however don't deny providing my fellow team mates with Nimbus 2001's. But it's hardly my fault that I'm rich and my father can afford the best. Just because you live in destitute in that hovel you call a home doesn't mean the rest of us do." His smile grew when Ron's fists clench. "And can I help it that my father enjoys buying me things? No, I can't. So why don't you and your little friends go do us all a favor and jump into the Black Lake."

"I'm sick of you being such a bastard," Ron snapped. "All of you are evil and no one else sees it!" The Slytherins exchanged amused looks causing Ron to point a finger at them. "See? I know you're all up to something but around everyone else you act all innocent. Even Percy and the twins like you guys, but I don't because I know you're up to something. You all hide who you really are but I know that you're really evil."

Harrison's eyes narrowed slightly and they shone more than usual, in that moment they were brighter than any killing curse ever was. He wasn't evil and he didn't appreciate the most ignorant fool in the world calling him that. It was one thing for his friends to jokingly call themselves that but the word infuriated him to no end. He wasn't evil, he was dark and there was a huge difference. Just because he was willing to kill and torture didn't make him evil. This was war and in war you do things that not everyone agrees with. Now more than ever he wanted to curse Ron so bad he would never be able to move again. He was truly get sick of dealing with him on an almost daily basis.

"And you two agree with him?" Harrison asked in a quiet tone trying not to let his anger show. Seamus and Dean nodded. "Well, for your information we aren't evil you ignorant buffoons. And if I were the three of you I would keep your opinions to yourself and shut your bloody mouths." By the end of his sentence his voice was so low everyone had to strain to hear it.

"Don't threaten us," Dean said angrily.

"It didn't sound like a threat to me," Blaise said nonchalantly.

Ron turned to Blaise and smirked. "You're going to be just like your mother." Harrison saw Blaise's eyes take on a dangerous glint. "How many husbands has she killed now? I heard my parents talking about it over the summer, how no one is able to prove her involvement. I reckon she sleeps with the Aurors or maybe she pays them off with all of her blood money."

"Don't say a word against my mother," Blaise snarled.

"Or what?" Ron said mockingly.

Harrison eyed his best friend carefully, he knew how defensive Blaise got when people spoke about his family. He personally wanted to rip Ron's tongue out and he knew Blaise must be angrier. Harrison was slightly curious as to why Arthur and Molly would be discussing such things where their children could here. Although it didn't really matter what they said, Aurora Zabini would never be arrested for anything. Harrison was also surprised that Ron was actually keeping up with their verbal comments, normally his vocabulary consisted of 'shut up' and 'I'll get you'.

"Or I'll rip your tongue out and feed it to Leo's bird," Blaise threatened. "And in case you were wondering, yes, that was a threat."

Ron's eyes narrowed and he pulled out his wand. "Bombarda!"

Blaise stepped out of the way of the spell causing it to hit a pillar sending shards of marble to the floor. Blaise pulled out his wand and sent the same spell flying at the red head. Harrison and the other second year Slytherins immediately moved out of the way, Ron deserved to get his ass kicked by Blaise.

"Protego!" Ron shouted. "Tarantallegra!"

Blaise chuckled darkly as he deflected the spell. "The dancing feet spell? Really?" His large lips formed a sneer. "Pathetic spell for a pathetic wizard."

Harrison watched as Blaise cast a verbal slicing hex at Ron who barely managed to dodge it. Harrison knew if Blaise wanted to he could send Ron to the hospital wing in a body bag. However they were all warned against using dark or extremely advanced magic in front of anyone who wasn't dark. Harrison watched Blaise closely to make sure he wasn't casting anything too advanced and was pleased to see he only used general dueling spells. Dean and Seamus stood off to the side with their wands drawn and pointed at the other Slytherins, none of them were fazed in the slightest.

"Bombarda! Bombarda!" Ron said waving his wand through the air.

The second spell went flying at Daphne who barely managed to move of the way in time. Harrison felt his blood boil as he stopped Daphne from falling to the ground. Her eyes went wide and he could tell she was genuinely shocked. Harrison noticed that his other friends looked furious and now all had their wands pointing at the red head.

"You'll pay for that Weasley," Draco growled. "Reducto!"

The spell hit Ron square in the chest and he went flying into the wall, his wand went soaring into the air and landed in front of Blaise. Blaise mockingly raised his wand and pointed it at Ron's before casting the same spell Draco did causing the wand to shatter into a hundred pieces. Ron's eyes went wide and he went bright red, he jumped up and ran at Blaise. The Slytherins weren't expecting a physical attack and Blaise slammed into the wall. Harrison felt like an idiot for not being prepared for a stupid muggle style attack.

"Reducto!" Dean and Seamus yelled at the same time.

"Protego!" Harrison yelled and a large shield formed in front of the Slytherins.

Behind Harrison Ron was repeatedly punching Blaise while the Zabini heir tried to push him off, but he was disoriented from his head smacking into the wall. Harrison turned around and saw blood pouring from Blaise's now crooked nose and a black circle forming around both of his eyes.

"Stupefy!" Harrison angrily shouted at Ron sending the red head into the wall. He turned towards the other two Gryffindors who just cast cutting hexes. "Stupefy! Stupefy!" The over powered spells sent Dean flying into a statue of a sixteenth century alchemist and Seamus into a marble pillar.

"Blaise," Jenna said worriedly as she bent down to examine him.

"I'b goin kilb hin," Blaise said, his words not coming out properly.

Harrison cast a diagnostic charm Narcissa had taught him over the summer. "Both his nose and jaw are broken," he said fuming.

"Weasley's going to pay for that," the usually cool headed Leo snarled.

Harrison knew Leo must be angry if he was losing his cool. Harrison didn't know how to heal broken noses, it was something his father said he wouldn't learn until this next summer. He bent down and helped Blaise up, the boy winced as Harrison lifted his arm over his shoulder.

"Your shoulder must be dislocated," Theo said with a glare towards the unconscious Ron.

"We should get you-" Tracey began but was cut off.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" Violet demanded.

Harrison turned and saw Violet, Anastasia, Marcus and Abraham standing at the end of the corridor. Blaise looked up and Anastasia's eyes momentarily widened before turning into slits, Harrison was surprised she could still see out of them. The sixth year stormed over to them followed by her friends.

"Who did this to you?" Anastasia asked in a no nonsense tone.

"Weasley," Draco spat.

Anastasia looked at the unconscious red head and her eyes swept over to the other two Gryffindors, her lips went into a straight line. Harrison could tell she was trying to decided if she could kill Ron and get away with it. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at Blaise's face.

"No," Marcus said quickly. "Don't heal him."

"Excuse me?" Anastasia asked coolly. "If you think I'll let my brother-"

Marcus cut her off. "They won't get punished if he's not injured, we'll take him to Professor Snape."

Anastasia didn't look happy but she nodded stiffly. "Fine, but he's not walking there." She waved her wand. "Mobilicorpus." Blaise's body immediately stiffened and flopped back so he was floating four feet off the ground face up. "Bring the Gryffindors."

Marcus, Violet and Abraham each cast the same spell on the Gryffindors. As they walked back into the dungeons Harrison saw Marcus bang Ron into the wall more than once, Abraham did the same to Seamus. Violet didn't do anything to Dean but Harrison could see that she wanted to. A few minutes later they knocked on Snape's door before walking inside.

Snape was sitting at his desk grading papers, Harrison could see him crossing a lot of things off an essay with a quill. There were cauldrons in a large sink washing themselves, water was being swirled around and cleaning brushes were scrubbing off dried on ingredients. The room smelt strongly of coffee and lavender extract, Harrison guessed Snape had been up all night brewing something that needed the latter. The professors head snapped up and his eyes landed on the bleeding form of Blaise, he immediately stood up.

"What happened?" Snape demanded as his wand appeared in his hand. He strode forward and waved a diagnostic charm.

"Blaise was physically attacked by Ron Weasley," Harrison informed him. "We were just getting ready to take him to the hospital wing when Anastasia, Violet, Marcus and Abraham showed up. Marcus suggested we come to you so we immobilized Blaise and brought the three Gryffindors who attacked us."

"What did you do to provoke them?" Snape asked as he cast several healing charms on the now standing Blaise.

"Nothing," Pansy said causing Snape to raise a disbelieving eyebrow. "We really didn't, we were walking to breakfast when they came up to us." She paused and glanced sideways at Harrison. "Ron said that Harrison bought his way onto the Quidditch team." Marcus and Abraham exchanged vexed looks. "Harrison told them he didn't and then Ron began to say horrid things about Mrs. Zabini."

"He what?" Anastasia interrupted. "What did the little wretch say?" Her blue eyes looked like chips of ice and her normally calm exterior had shattered.

"That mum either slept with the Aurors or paid them off to cover up all of her husbands murders," Blaise said angrily.

Anastasia whipped out her wand and pointed it at the unconscious and floating Ron. "Cru-"

"No!" Snape shouted as he sent Anastasia's wand flying into his hand.

"Why did you do that?" Anastasia demanded, her black hair was crackling from her magic.

Snape's black eyes glinted. "The Unforgivables are picked up by the Hogwarts wards, you would've been sent to Azkaban."

"He would've deserves it," Anastasia hissed.

"You'll be able to get him back in time," Snape assured her silkily. "For now keep your curses legal and non lethal."

"Fine," Anastasia ground out. Violet put a hand on her arm and slowly Anastasia's calm mask was back, she took her wand back from Snape as Marcus enervated the Gryffindors.

"Wha-what happened?" Ron asked groggily. He sat up and his eyes widened at all of the death glares looking at him.

Dean and Seamus stirred and they both slowly sat up. Seamus immediately paled upon seeing Snape and Dean's brown eyes went wide.

"You three will follow me to Professor McGonagall's office," Snape said dangerously. The three Gryffindors stared at him. "Now!" They scrambled up and Ron winced at the fast movement. "You should go to breakfast." Snape said to the second years before looking back at the Gryffindors. "Keep up." He turned towards the door and stalked out.

"Are you okay?" Anastasia asked her brother.

"I'm fine," Blaise said through gritted teeth. "But Weasley won't be when I'm through with him."

"We can't harm him majorly," Harrison said quietly causing everyone to look at him. "Believe me, if I had it my way we'd kill him slowly and painfully. But we all have a part to play and we can't be seen randomly attacking our fellow students for no reason. We can attack him if he comes at us first and we can do minor things-" He was cut off.

"But until your father takes over there's no maiming or killing him," Theo said regretfully and Harrison nodded.

"I hate having to pretend to be innocent," Pansy said annoyed. "I want to cut him into little pieces."

"It'll be worth it in the end," Tracey sighed.

"I hope so," Pansy murmured.

Several hours later as the Slytherins walked into the Great Hall for lunch Harrison looked up at the hourglasses that held the house points. Gryffindor was in the negatives once again, Harrison smirked as he saw the fifty black stones sitting in their hourglass.

"They're only fifty in the negatives?" Draco asked incredulously. "After what that weasel said and did?"

"They had one hundred and fifty," Theo reminded him. "They must've lost a collective two hundred."

"Gryffindor house is going to throw a fit when they find out why they lost all those points," Leo grinned devilishly.

Leo was right, halfway through lunch Harrison's head immediately snapped up when he heard shouting.

"You lost two hundred points again!" A tall seventh year Gryffindor yelled at Ron, Dean and Seamus. "Until you three came we hadn't been in the negatives since 1978!" He rounded on Ron. "Not even your brothers cause this kind of trouble!"

Harrison could see Ron from where he was sitting and he saw the red head look at a scowling Percy who shook his head and looked away.

"I swear on Godric Gryffindor that you three better behave! If we come in last place again..." A different seventh year Gryffindor threatened.

Harrison glanced up at the staff table and saw all of the professors watching the scene, he was surprised McGonagall or Dumbledore hadn't stopped it. He looked at McGonagall's face and saw that she looked furious. Well, maybe that's why she hasn't done anything yet. Apparently Harrison assumed to soon because McGonagall soon stood up.

"Enough!" McGonagall shouted effectively stopping all berating towards the three second years. Her gaze bore into all of the Gryffindors. "Everyone go back to your lunch or leave the Great Hall."

There were some angry mutterings but everyone did as the stern professor said. Harrison noticed that all of the Slytherins were glaring daggers at Ron, and he knew that word of why they lost those points had gotten out because usually they loved when Gryffindor lost a large amount of points. Harrison's attention was diverted elsewhere by Odette who wanted to know the whole story. Everyone within ear shot turned to look at him. He exchanged a look with Blaise who shrugged carelessly. Harrison internally sighed and began telling them all what had transpired.

"Leave it to a Weasley to fight like a filthy muggle," Castiel Blackthorn spat.

"And I thought Weasley's couldn't sink any lower," Peregrine Derrick shook his head.

Harrison dipped a slice of bread into his tomato soup as the Slytherins discussed the fight. Ron, Dean and Seamus walk out of the Great Hall looking embarrassed a few minutes later. Ginny quickly rushed after them looking worried. He smirked when he saw most of the Gryffindors glaring at their backs, he would enjoy watching the boy be ostracized by everyone but his two little friends and sister. If the looks on his friends faces were anything to go by they were thinking the same thing.

Quidditch practice soon began and with the new Nimbus 2001's the Slytherin Quidditch team looked like no more than green blurs as they flew through the air. He was positive that the Quidditch cup would once more belong to Slytherin. Harrison was walking to the Quidditch pitch for practice one Saturday morning in the beginning of October when he heard a voice that caused him to stop in his tracks. The voice was enough to chill his bone marrow, it was a voice of breathtaking ice-cold venom.

Come...Come to me...Let me rip you...Let me tear you...Let me kill you...

Harrison recognized it immediately as Parseltongue and a cruel grin slowly spread across his face. This was the first sign that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened. He had been wondering for awhile when the diary would possess Ginny and cause her to set the basilisk free. He knew there was nothing he could do to speed things along so he continued to practice. All the way to the Quidditch pitch he visualized Ron being killed after looking into the basilisks bright yellow eyes.

Harrison was almost to the pitch, he could see the tall gold posts and stands when shouting reached his ears. He quickened his pace and walked the rest of the way up the small hill until he could see the entire Quidditch pitch. The rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team was in a shouting match with the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Marcus and Oliver Wood were almost nose to nose and Abraham Montague's green robes were disheveled. Harrison wondered what had caused a full blown shouting match and as he got closer he could hear what they were saying.

"Go fuck yourself Flint!" Oliver yelled furiously.

Harrison could see Marcus smirk from where he was. "Why don't I fuck one of your pretty little Chasers instead?"

The Gryffindors instantly went into an uproar while the Slytherins looked on in smug satisfaction. Cormac McLaggen pulled out his wand and sent a cutting hex at Marcus who quickly stepped out of the way. Katie Bell pulled out her wand and shakily pointed it at Marcus. Fred and George looked torn when they saw Harrison and he was glad they weren't joining in the fight.

"You disgusting pig!" Angelina Johnson yelled.

"I'll see Professor McGonagall about this," Oliver added angrily as he held back Alicia Spinnet.

"Did I miss something?" Harrison asked innocently.

Everyone turned to look at the second year and Cormac's eyes immediately narrowed. For a second Cormac looked like he would physically strike him but in the end he just pointed his wand between his eyes. Harrison didn't react to the wand in his face with the exception of cocking his head to the side.

"Actually you did," Cormac spat. "Today was supposed to be our day to practice and your slimy teammates won't leave the field."

"Actually McLaggen we booked the field," Harrison said condescendingly. "But I'm sure we can leave and come back another day." Harrison's teammates shot him angry and surprised looks. "After all, your team needs all the practice you can get." Their looks of anger and surprise morphed into ones of mirth. "Especially with those dreadful brooms you all have." He glanced at the twins and nodded almost imperceptibly to show he didn't mean anything towards them, they returned the gesture. "Cleansweep fives?" Harrison grimaced. "I didn't know they still sold those horrendous things."

"Shut up you arrogant bastard," Cormac snapped.

"Me arrogant?" Harrison chuckled. "Your just as bad, I at least have a reason to be."

"Oh and what's that?" Cormac sneered. "Last time I checked all you were was a junior Death Eater!"

The reaction to Cormac's words was immediate. All of the Slytherins pulled out their wands and barely a couple of seconds passed before spells went flying. Jets of light were shooting towards both the Slytherins and the Gryffindors. Shields were being put up and Alicia and Katie bumped into each other as they simultaneously moved out of the way of curses sent by Marcus and Alexander.

"Steleus! Slugulus eructo! Locomotor wibbly!" Harrison slashed his wand through the air at Cormac.

The third year Gryffindor fell to the ground as his legs turned to jelly. Cormac opened his mouth to cast a spell but before he could he sneezed violently, and a second later he turned green. In less than ten seconds he was sneezing while simultaneously vomiting up large green slugs. His blue eyes were wide as he waved his wand frantically trying to undo the curse as slime dribbled down his chin. Harrison wrinkled his nose before sneering at how pathetically easy it was to beat Cormac when he didn't use any advanced spells. In fact he was sure any half decent first year could use the spells he just did.

"Anteoculatia!" Oliver yelled and the spell hit Alexander who had been blocking a spell sent by Alicia.

Large brown antlers began growing out of Alexander's head but the sixth year didn't pay any attention to them as he twirled his wand and sent a spell right back. The white light hit Oliver square in the chest and the Gryffindor went flying and landed on his back twelve feet away.

"Calvorio!" Harrison incanted and the spell struck Angelina.

Angelina's hair fell out causing the girl to become distracted. Black hair littered the grass and soon Angelina crumpled to the ground courtesy of Peregrine Derrick. Marcus pointed his wand towards the twins who were the only Gryffindors left standing. Fred and George had watched the scene unfold without pulling out their wands.

"Don't," Harrison said sharply and Marcus hesitantly lowered his wand.

Harrison looked around at the five unconscious Gryffindors and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was quite sad that they could beat them when it had been obvious to Harrison his friends had refrained from using anything harmful because they were at Hogwarts. He couldn't wait until they could finally use dark magic on them, they really wouldn't stand a chance.

"Enervate them and then let them have the field," Harrison said as he picked up his broom. "Ravenclaw gets the field soon and there's no point of practicing now." He glanced at Alexander who still had large antlers growing out of his head and his lips twitched.

He didn't care about seeing if the Gryffindors were okay or not so Harrison began walking towards the castle. A moment later George and Fred appeared on either side of him. Harrison glanced sideways at the twins as he adjusted his hold on his broom.

"Shouldn't you two be back on the pitch?" Harrison inquired.

"Oliver won't be in any mood to practice," Fred said.

Harrison wasn't surprised when Fred finished his own sentence. Whenever it was just the three of them they usually didn't talk back and forth. He nodded before eying each twin in turn.

"Why didn't you two come to your teammates defense back there?" Harrison asked as if he didn't really care what they answered.

"We didn't want to attack you," Fred shrugged.

"You've been great to us and you see us as more than just pranksters," George added.

"But if we attacked our teammates all of Gryffindor would turn on us," Fred pointed out.

"We didn't want to do anything unless we had too," George said seriously.

"But we'd be on your side if we had to pick," Fred told him.

Harrison felt gratitude at their words because he could tell they meant them. They always told him they'd be on his side, he just hoped when he told them the truth they would still feel the same way. He didn't want to admit it but he wouldn't want to kill the twins, he considered them to be good friends and the last thing he wanted to do was raise his wand to them. However if they chose to side against him then he wouldn't have a choice because his father would most likely make him kill them.

"But we didn't want to get in any more trouble," George said.

"We already have detention for a week for that prank we pulled on the Hufflepuffs," Fred complained.

"Who knew Sprout wouldn't find turning her students hair purple funny?" George shook his head.

Harrison snorted as they entered the entrance hall to the castle. He paused when he saw George and Fred look around warily.

"What's going on?" Harrison asked suspiciously.

"We have something for you," George said as he gestured for him to follow.

Harrison raised an eyebrow as he followed the twins into an abandoned classroom. The room was airy and smelt like mold and chalk, there were chairs and desks pushed up against the back wall. Several curse words were written in bubbly writing on the chalk board and Harrison knew it must've been Peeves. Harrison leaned against an old wooden desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

"What do you have to show me that we needed to come in here of all places?" Harrison asked.

George put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a worn piece of parchment.

"You want to show me a spare bit of parchment?" Harrison asked incredulously.

"This isn't just any piece of parchment," Fred said looking insulted.

"This here is the secret of our success," George said feigning hurt.

"Well you see Harrison-" George began, his eyes holding a mischievous twinkle.

"Back in our first year-" Fred picked up where George left off.

"When we were young, carefree and innocent-" George added causing Harrison to suppress a snort, he doubted whether the twins had ever been innocent.

"We let off a Dungbomb in the corridor and it upset Filch for some reason —"

Harrison gave them an amused look as they continued to speak back and forth. He had no idea where they were going with this story or what it had to do with a bit of parchment but he found it entertaining.

"So he hauled us off to his office and started threatening us with the usual —"

"Detention —"

"Disembowelment —"

"And we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets marked Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."

Harrison raised his eyebrows; I'm so sure they couldn't help it. "Let me guess, you two opened the drawer?" He asked dryly.

"Well, what would you've done?" Fred asked.

"Touché," Harrison said with a slight twitch to his lips.

"George caused a diversion by dropping another Dungbomb; I whipped the drawer open, and grabbed — this," Fred said waving the piece of parchment around.

"This little beauty's taught us more than all the teachers in this school," George said with a smirk.

"You're winding me up," said Harrison, looking at the ragged old bit of parchment.

"Oh, are we?" asked George.

Fred touched the parchment lightly with his wand, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Harrison didn't bother to suppress the snort that time.

At once, thin ink lines began to spread like a spider's web from the point that George's wand had touched and Harrison's eyebrows rose into his hairline. They joined each other, they crisscrossed, they fanned into every corner of the parchment; then words began to blossom across the top, great, curly green words, that proclaimed:

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP.

Harrison had to force himself not to react; he knew those names. All of the Death Eaters call Peter Pettigrew Wormtail and he recalls Severus telling him James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin called themselves the Marauders when they were in school. However, he had never heard of any map they made before and it looked as if it showed every detail of the Hogwarts castle and grounds. He assumed they must've created it when they were in school.

On the map there were tiny ink dots moving around it, each labeled with a name in minuscule writing. Astounded, Harrison bent over it. A labeled dot in the top left corner showed that Dumbledore was pacing his study; the caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris, was prowling the second floor; and Peeves the Poltergeist was currently bouncing around the trophy room. Harrison also noticed several secret passageways up and down the corridors, some even leading into Hogsmeade. Harrison was genuinely in awe of the artifact, something like that would come in handy. However as he scanned it he noticed that the Chamber of Secrets wasn't on it, not surprising since only a Parseltongue can open it and everyone thinks it's a myth. He also couldn't see the Room of Requirement, a room he had used several times to practice dark magic. He guessed they either hadn't found it, Harrison only knew of its existence because of his father, or the rooms unplottable.

"It shows where everyone is in the school," Harrison said amazed.

"Yep," George grinned proudly.

"And you're just going to give it to me?" Harrison asked incredulously.

"We don't really need it anymore," Fred shrugged.

"And besides we know where all the secret passages are," George added.

"How do I get it to become blank again?" Harrison asked as he took the map from Fred.

Fred tapped the map with his wand. "Just say, mischief managed."

Several weeks passed and Harrison was curious as to why nothing had happened yet concerning the Chamber of Secrets. He had taken to watching Ginny sometimes and it was obvious to him that she had written in the diary. She was slightly paler than usual and she wasn't spending time with anyone other than her brother on occasion. His friends were just as curious as he was although they rarely talked about it for fear of being overheard.

On Halloween Harrison and his friends watched as skeletons danced around the Great Hall. The hall had been decorated with giant pumpkins large enough for three grown men to sit in, live bats fluttered around near the ceiling and candles floated all around the room. The tables were filled with large turkeys, plates of ham, mashed potatoes and gold bowls filled to the brim with apples.

"Can you believe the homework Lockhart assigned?" Blaise sneered. "A poem, a bloody poem."

"I think he becomes more idiotic as time goes on," Leo stated. "I wish we could drop his class, I have much more important things to do than listen to him prattle on about himself."

"Says the boy who rivals Lockhart in terms of vanity," Cass said slyly before smirking when her twin narrowed his eyes.

"Don't you dare compare me to that fool," Leo said pompously. "I unlike him have a reason to be vain." He ran a hand through his short black hair.

"Maybe you two can compare hair care tips," Cass suggested as though she hadn't heard him.

"You-" Leo began in a dangerous voice only to be cut off.

"Did you see Ronald's feather catch fire today during Charms?" Harrison interrupted casually.

Cass and Leo stopped their death glare staring contest and turned to look at him. Harrison knew mentioning their common 'enemy' would stop their fight from escalating. A few days ago they got into a huge fight in the common room and blasted three chairs and a table to pieces, and Harrison wasn't in the mood to repeat the experience.

"It was the best part of my day," Leo divulged. "His eyebrow completely burnt off."

"He looks even worse than usual," Cass said scathingly.

Half an hour later Harrison and his friends left the Great Hall with their stomachs aching from eating too much candy. The corridors were crowded with students making their way to their respective common rooms. The noise level was higher than normal since everyone was in high spirits thanks to the feast.

"Next weekend is the first Quidditch match of the season," Tracey pointed out. "Are you excited?"

"Of course Harrison's excited," Draco said snidely.

"Draco," Harrison said warningly causing the blonde to glower. "Why have you been such an ass today?"

"Weasley was getting on my nerves more than usual," Draco answered with a hint of annoyance.

"Well don't take it out on us," Tracey said slightly hurt.

Draco glanced at her and the cold look in his eyes lessened. "Sorry."

"Forgiven," Tracey grinned.

Harrison stopped upon hearing the chilling Parseltongue again causing Blaise to bump into him.

"Harrison what the hell?" Blaise demanded.

So hungry... for so long...kill...time to kill...I smell blood... I SMELL BLOOD!

"The basilisk," Harrison murmured.

Harrison's friends immediately looked around for any sign of a giant snake. Harrison's head snapped towards the nearest corridor when he heard a scream. He exchanged looks with his friends, he noticed an excited gleam in both Leo and Blaise' eyes.

"Should we see what's going on?" Blaise asked smirking.

"Yes," Harrison said before leading them forward.

Harrison and his friends walked down a dark corridor lit by flaming torches. There was a chill in the air and he could hear fervent whispers. Something was shining on the wall ahead; he could see it high on the wall above everyone's heads. They approached slowly, squinting through the darkness, pushing passed people. Foot-high words had been daubed on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED

ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE

Harrison wanted to grin from ear to ear but he knew that wouldn't be smart. Instead he adopted a look of both innocence and confusion, he saw his friends doing the same thing. He looked around at the sea of pale students and saw confusion, worry and scared looks on their faces.

"What's that?" Harrison heard a little girl ask, sounding horrified, his head snapped up. Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat, was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket. She was stiff as a board, her eyes wide and staring.

There were several loud gasps and a group of first years burst into tears. He saw older students pulling the younger ones towards them and covering their eyes. The Ravenclaws were muttering furiously with their heads put together. He glanced towards a group of Gryffindors and saw them glaring daggers at several older Slytherins.

"What's going on here? What's going on?" Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs. Norris and fell back, clutching his face in horror. "My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked.

"Argus!" Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past all the students who were gathered around and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket. "Come with me Argus," he said to Filch. Dumbledore's eyes found Harrison's and he stared at him intently as if trying to ascertain whether or not he was behind the attack. "Everyone else return to your dormitories." He said after a minute and Harrison forced the relief he felt to not show on his face, if Dumbledore suspected him he'd be constantly watched.

Harrison saw Lockhart step forward eagerly. "My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free -"

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore. The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did Professor McGonagall. Snape glanced briefly at Harrison before following after the other professors.

Harrison and his friends immediately pushed past the large group of students and made their way to the common room. They were silent the entire way but Harrison could tell his friends were bursting to talk about it. Once they entered the common room Harrison led them to the second year boys dormitory. He made sure neither Crabbe or Goyle were in the room before casting silencing and locking spells.

"It's finally opened," Leo said as he gracefully sat at the foot of his bed.

"I wonder who will die first," Blaise said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"I hope it's Weasley," Draco said grinning.

"Why wasn't Mrs. Norris dead?" Jenna asked frowning.

Everyone looked towards Harrison as if awaiting an explanation. Harrison reclined on his bed and began loosening his green and silver striped tie.

"Because she didn't look the basilisk directly in the eyes," Harrison explained. "She must've only seen its reflection through the water."

Leo looked as though he just realized something. "Which is why she was only petrified."

"That's why she was all stiff," Tracey murmured to herself. "You only die if you look directly into its eyes."

"Exactly," Harrison said.

For a few days, the school could talk of little but the attack on Mrs. Norris. Filch kept it fresh in everyone's minds by pacing the spot where she had been attacked, as though he thought the attacker might come back. Harrison had seen him scrubbing the message on the wall with "Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover", but to no effect; the words still gleamed as brightly as ever on the stone. Harrison knew he shouldn't waste his time, the writing would only disappear when the basilisk was put back to sleep or killed. When Filch wasn't guarding the scene of the crime, he was skulking red-eyed through the corridors, lunging at unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detention for things like "breathing loudly" and "looking happy". Cormac McLaggen complained loudly about receiving a detention for "not walking properly".

The Slytherins and the Ravenclaws on the dark side were the only students who seemed unfazed by the incident. Those on the dark side knew that Harrison was Voldemort's son making him an heir of Slytherin, he was asked multiple times if he had opened the chamber. Every time he was asked he would answer in the negative before excusing himself to walk away, finally they all took the hint and stopped asking. Some of the Slytherins took to sending the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors superior and knowing looks upon which they would receive suspicious and hateful ones. The animosity between Slytherin and Gryffindor was at an all time high because of it. Several duels broke out in the corridors between the older students that had to be broken up by the professors.

Harrison noticed that Dumbledore would watch him intently at meals. He avoided the headmaster and made sure his face never gave away what he was thinking. Harrison made sure to always be with at least two people so if another attack occurred he wouldn't be blamed. He would also make sure to talk to his friends from the other three houses in front of the professors, especially the Weasley twins, Neville and Hermione.

A few days after Halloween Professor Binns explained to Harrison's class the legend of the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione had asked about it and after some prompting the professor had given in. Harrison rolled his eyes several times through the drawn own speech that made Salazar Slytherin out to be some sort of psycho. Although he did have to reluctantly admit it was the most interesting History of Magic class he had ever experienced.

The day of the first Quidditch match of the season came and the entire school was buzzing with anticipation. As eleven o'clock approached, the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium. It was a muggy sort of day with a hint of thunder in the air. Harrison cast mild warming charms on his green Quidditch robes and dragon hide gloves.

As they walked out onto the pitch, a roar of noise greeted them; half of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were cheering for Slytherin, the other half for Gryffindor. Ever since Harrison and his friends began hanging around with several Hufflepuffs, the Hufflepuffs have been less wary of the Slytherins, or at least some of them. A large majority were hesitant to be unguarded around the Slytherins after the attack on Mrs. Norris. Harrison could see Luna wearing his practice jersey, it hung down to her knees. He could see his familiar lounging around her shoulders, Nani's head bopping up and down. Hermione was enthusiastically waving a green flag with a serpent on it back and forth, Draco was glaring at her from a few seats down.

Madam Hooch, the flying teacher, asked Marcus and Oliver to shake hands, which they did, giving each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than was necessary. Lucian Bole and Peregrine Derrick smirked threateningly at the three female Gryffindor chasers. Harrison looked at the Weasley twins who were wearing Gryffindor Quidditch robes that clashed horribly with their hair, they gave him a nod. He knew what it meant, they were his friends but they wouldn't go easy on him. Harrison smirked, he didn't want or need for anyone to not do their best while playing against him.

"On my whistle," said Madam Hooch, "three ... two ... one ..." With a roar from the crowd to speed them upwards, the fourteen players rose towards the leaden sky.

Harrison flew up until he was level with the tallest of the golden goal posts. His eyes scanned the gray sky for any hint or flicker of gold. He ignored everyone around him and blocked out the commentary from the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan until he heard the Slytherin section in the stands burst into loud cheers. He turned his broom around towards the Gryffindors goal posts and saw Abraham Montague pump his fist into the air while Oliver Wood scowled.

"Slytherin scores!" Lee Jordan announced. "Ten to zero." The Gryffindors boos could be heard mixed in with the cheers. "Alexander Dolohov with the Quaffle, he passes to Marcus Flint who passes back to Dolohov." Once again Harrison tuned out the commentary.

Harrison flew lower before having to zoom up as a Bludger came soaring towards him courtesy of Fred. Before he could blink a second Bludger was shooting towards his head from George. Harrison immediately pulled his broom right and shot down towards the dew covered pitch. It was times like these he wished those two had been sorted into Gryffindor, they could give Peregrine and Derrick a run for their money. He couldn't blame them for sending Bludgers his way, the first rule of Quidditch was to take the Seeker out first.

Harrison flew around the pitch several times and watched as Slytherin scored once more. He was hovering in the middle of the pitch when someone slammed into him. He gripped his broom tightly and snapped his head around to see Cormac sneering at him. He felt his temper rise but his face didn't show it instead it remained set in a neutral expression. He also pushed down the urge to knock him off his broom, that would see him in detention for a month or worse.

"Riddle," Cormac spat his name.

"Cormac," Harrison rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be trying to find the snitch instead of bothering me?"

"You should know that I'm a Pureblood," Cormac stated pompously.

"Your point?" Harrison drawled as he scanned the sky for the snitch.

"I don't want you to get any ideas that you can get away with petrifying me," Cormac said warningly.

Harrison stopped his search for the snitch and turned back to the third year Gryffindor. He knew he shouldn't have been surprised that Cormac suspected him, but he was somewhat, and he was definitely surprised to be called out during a Quidditch match. He was internally frowning, he would have to resort to drastic measures if Cormac let slip his suspicions to anyone.

"I don't have anything to do with the chamber opening," Harrison said forcing himself to sound insulted.

"Maybe you don't, but you know who did," Cormac sneered. "You're a Slytherin, and everyone knows it was a Slytherin who opened the chamber."

Harrison felt relief wash over him. So Cormac doesn't necessarily think that it was me, just that it was a Slytherin. He snorted as he imagined the pompous prats face if he knew a first year Gryffindor had opened the chamber, albeit both unknowing and unwilling. Cormac gave him a furious look and he assumed it was because of his snort.

"Harrison!" Marcus yelled angrily. "Stop talking and start looking for the snitch!"

Harrison felt like an idiot for talking during a match, he knew he shouldn't have allowed himself to be distracted. He ignored the annoyed noise Cormac made in his throat as he shot off in search of the snitch. He could hear the wind rustling in his ears and he could tell that someone was flying directly behind him. He smirked because he knew that it was Cormac so he immediately pointed his broom down and shot towards the ground. He lifted his hand out as if reaching out for the snitch and out of the corner of his eye he could see Cormac's hand. He almost laughed at how easy it was to trick the older boy.

"Harrison Riddle has spotted the snitch," Lee Jordan announced. "Cormac McLaggen is trailing right behind him."

Harrison was now ten feet above the ground but he didn't stop his descent. He flew until he was two feet from the ground before he pulled his broom up just in time, his shoes skimming the grass as he heard a crash followed by gasps. He made a one eighty and saw Cormac laying down on his back with his leg twisted at an awkward angle, shards of what was once a broom laying all around him. Harrison smirked, he knew the tip of Cormac's broom must've hit the ground or else his broom wouldn't have shattered.

"Riddle performed the Wronski Feint," Lee said sounding grudgingly impressed. "McLaggen appears to be injured and his broom is in pieces."

Madam Pomfrey could be seen running from the professors box with her wand in hand. McGonagall was walking at a brisk pace behind the school nurse. Those cheering for Gryffindor team were shooting the seeker worried looks and some of the first years were crying. The game however didn't stop because Oliver Wood failed to call a time out. Harrison flew up and did a double take when he saw a flash of gold, he shot his hand out and felt wings beat against the palm of his hand. He lifted the struggling snitch into the air and there was silence for a minute until everyone realized what happened. He couldn't help but feel that his catch was anticlimactic, but he won and that was all that mattered to him.

"Harrison Riddle caught the snitch," Lee said dejectedly. "Slytherin wins two hundred and fifty to thirty."

The Slytherins and those cheering for them immediately broke into yells and whistles. Harrison flew to the ground and was immediately pulled into a bone crushing hug from Marcus.

"Congratulations!" Odette yelled as she wrapped her thin arms around Harrison.

"You did brilliantly," Ophelia said kissing Harrison on the cheek.

"McLaggen looked miserable," Blaise smirked. "I thought he was going to cry."

"Party in the common room," Abraham Montague announced.

"Get the firewhiskey," Anthony Dolohov said quietly to Callum Warren but Harrison heard him anyways.

"Save me a dance Harrison," Selene Dolohov winked.

Harrison noticed Daphne glare at the pretty fourth year as she walked away with Callidora Rosier and Sienna Draven. He didn't dwell on in too much however because Hermione knocked the wind out of him. He saw Theo pry the Ravenclaw off of him when she didn't let go.

"I was so scared," Hermione said with slightly wide eyes. "I thought you were going to crash."

"I was fine Hermione," Harrison said with a hint of patronizing. "I know how to fly."

Hermione frowned before it turned into a look of relief. "I know."

"You fly very well," Luna cut in her blonde hair blowing in the wind.

"Thank you," Harrison said giving her a roguish grin.

"Come on Harrison," Peregrine said slinging an arm around the second year effectively stopping the conversation. "It's time to party."

A week later Harrison was sitting on his bed flipping through pictures he had just had developed. He smiled when he stopped on one with him and Daphne playing wizards chess in the common room, he could see the roaring fire crackling behind them. Daphne had a look on intense concentration on her face and Harrison couldn't stop himself from thinking that she looked cute. He shook the thought away and flipped to the next one, Cass and Leo had been throwing light hexes at each other when Blaise had taken the picture. Leo had a long tail and a scowl on his face while Cass laughed and jumped over Blaise's book bag. He snorted when he saw the next one, Hermione, Luna and Harrison were smiling at the camera while Draco kept turning towards Hermione and glaring.

Harrison found empty pages in one of his photo albums, the one Padma had given him, and began using a sticking charm to hold the photos in place. He had just finished sticking a photo Luna had taken at the recent Quidditch match when the door opened and Draco walked in. Harrison looked up and he could tell that the blonde was both excited and curious.

"What's going on Draco?" Harrison asked as he closed the leather photo album.

"Sev wants us all in the common room," Draco answered. "He didn't say what it was about but I think there was another attack."

Harrison immediately stood up from his bed and grabbed the green cloak that was folded on his trunk. He fastened on his cloak before following Draco into the full common room. Everyone was quiet as Snape stood intimidatingly in front of a roaring fire. He sat down in the empty seat next to Theo as the rest of the students trickled in.

"I have an announcement to make," Snape said in his usual silky voice. His eyes roamed over all of the students before he spoke again. "A student has been petrified."

Harrison stared at Snape as the edge of his lips pulled up into a smirk. Finally, his fathers plan was coming along brilliantly. As long as he didn't get blamed he was content to let it play out. However Harrison wasn't dumb enough to think that Dumbledore wouldn't increase the attention he gave to him. He was waiting for the day he was called to the headmasters office or the day he would finally feel Dumbledore attempting to look into his mind. Although he wasn't sure Dumbledore would do the latter unless he didn't have another choice or if he got desperate.

The room had broken into whispered conversations. "Silence!" Snape snapped, and everyone turned to look at him. "The student who was petrified was Justin Finch-Fletchley, a second year Hufflepuff." Harrison's smirk grew, he didn't like that mudblood. "As your head of house, I was told to inform all of you to be careful. It would also be best if you would all walk in at least groups of two or three for the time being. Before any of you ask, we don't know what is causing these petrifications, but rest assured we are trying to find out. That is all." He then walked towards Harrison. "Harrison, I need to speak with you outside." Harrison nodded, exchanged looks with his friends then followed Snape outside.

Before Harrison could speak Snape held up a silencing hand. "The headmaster wants to see you in his office."

Harrison felt his stomach twist uncomfortably. He knew that this would happen sooner or later but he had been hoping for later. He had so far avoided having to speak with Dumbledore and he wasn't looking forward to being in the same room as him alone. Harrison was extremely powerful for a seventeen year old let alone a twelve year old, but he was just that, a twelve year old. He would feel completely safe with his father there but without him he was vulnerable. He internally grimaced when he realized that he sounded like a coward, and he wasn't a coward. He put an expressionless mask on and nodded his head once.

"Remember everything your father told you not to tell him," Snape said after throwing up several charms. "Answer the questions he asks as best you can and be your usual charming self." He gave Harrison a warning look. "Don't try to out smart him Harrison." The twelve year old nodded once more. "Very well, I shall escort you."

Snape and Harrison walked in silence down the quiet halls until they reached a large and extremely ugly gargoyle.

"Ice mice," Snape said with a hint of disgust.

Harrison snorted, the Weasley twins hadn't been joking when they told him the headmaster used sweets for password.

After saying the password the gargoyle sprang to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two. Behind the wall was a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward, like an escalator.

"I will wait down here," Snape said. He looked as though he was staying behind against his better judgement.

Harrison felt a hint of annoyance, he wished Snape could come with him but from the beginning he hadn't thought he'd be able to. As he stepped onto the staircase, Harrison heard the wall thud closed behind him. He rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last Harrison saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. He schooled his features into ones of innocent curiosity and slight awe. He ignored the small amount of hesitation he felt as he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Dumbledore sat in his office with his chin resting on his steepled fingers. His half moon spectacles were perched precariously on the tip of his crooked nose and his purple and silver robes glittered in the light from the orange flames burning in the ornate fireplace.

Dumbledore's office was a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat — the Sorting Hat.

The parts of the walls that didn't hold portraits were filled with floor to ceiling book shelves. Old tomes from the time of the founders sat next to books written about modern Transfiguration. These shelves also held many books that Dumbledore had removed from the restricted section after he became headmaster. He didn't think students should be looking through books such as Secrets of the Darkest Arts or A Guide to The Dark Arts.

Standing on a golden perch behind the door was a decrepit-looking bird that resembled a half-plucked turkey. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix was close to his burning day. The majestic creature normally had beautiful crimson feathers with a golden tail as long as a peacocks and a gleaming golden beak.

Dumbledore hadn't moved from the position he was in now since he returned from visiting Justin Finch-Fletchey in the hospital wing. His mind was even more full than usual and thought after thought floated through his head. Most of his thoughts were centered around one person, Harrison Riddle.

The second year reminded him so much of Tom Riddle in looks and intelligence but from what his staff told him he was the complete opposite personality wise. As far as the headmaster knew no one except for Severus knew that Harrison Riddle was the son of Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore had kept it that way because he didn't want them to treat him differently than they did any other student, and if word got out that Voldemort had an heir there would be an uproar. When Dumbledore first learned about Harrison he had set Severus the task of finding out everything he could about the boy. Snape had reported that Harrison spent most of the time with his godparents, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.

Dumbledore hadn't been surprised upon learning that information, he had never pictured Tom raising a child after all. It also gave the headmaster hope that the boy had a chance to join the light or at least stay neutral in the war. If the boy had even half of his fathers powers he would be a formidable foe. Dumbledore had continued to inquire about Harrison but according to Snape he was the same as every other child with the exception of being gifted both intellectually and magically.

Dumbledore had subtly asked about Harrison to the boys professors the previous school year. All of them had said the same thing, Harrison was a prodigy. Dumbledore had felt worried upon learning that he was able to perform every spell in class perfectly the first time. From what Dumbledore heard Harrison showed even more promise than Tom had at his age and that was frightening. If Harrison were to join his father than not only would the boys soul be ruined but the dark side would have a powerful warrior.

Dumbledore had become even more worried every time he heard about the confrontations between Harrison and Ronald Weasley. It seemed that at least once a week Harrison and his group of friends would get into a fight with Ron and his two friends. His worry lessened slightly however upon learning that Ron started the fights nine times out of ten and the other times it was usually the young Malfoy. He had thought it would be Harrison getting into trouble, but instead it was Ron who he had to use all of his influence in order to keep from being expelled after the dragon incident.

Dumbledore had watched Harrison's interactions during his first year and had been surprised when he befriended not only a Longbottom but a muggleborn. He had thought for sure the Slytherins were going to pull a cruel joke when he saw Harrison speaking to Hermione Granger. He had been taken aback upon seeing them truly become friends. Never in his life would he have thought the son of Tom Riddle would happily befriend muggleborns or even Hufflepuffs. Dumbledore had observed Harrison's growing friendships with Susan Bones and even shockingly the Weasley twins. Some of the Slytherins in his year didn't seem happy with his choice in friends, such as Draco Malfoy. However Daphne Greengrass and a few others didn't seem to mind so much.

Because Harrison seemed so different from his father Dumbledore had been willing to allow him onto the Slytherin house Quidditch team. Tom hadn't played Quidditch in school, in fact he thought it was a frivolous waste of time. Dumbledore thought that one more difference between the two would be a good thing. Harrison seemed to thrive at the sport just like he did with everything else.

Dumbledore had been shocked and suspicious upon learning that Tom adopted Luna Lovegood when it was his Death Eaters that killed her father. It was one thing for him to have his own child it was another thing entirely to adopt someone else's child when you were the one that made them an orphan. He had tried to have the custody of Luna switched to someone else but with Lucius Malfoy and half of the ministry backing it, it was a lost cause. He had made sure to assess the girl when she arrived at Hogwarts. She was sorted into Ravenclaw which had been a surprise, he had thought she'd be in Slytherin. According to Filius she was extremely intelligent and far above her classmates. He had thought about calling her to his office to observe her for himself, but without a reason to he didn't have an excuse. Dumbledore didn't know yet what Tom was planning with her but he wasn't going to stop until he found out.

Dumbledore could still remember the day he realized the Philosopher's Stone was missing. He had learned from Minerva that Quirinus was missing and he immediately entered the chamber on the third floor. He had been furious to find the stone gone. He hadn't yet been able to finish the final protection, the Mirror of Erised stood off to the side of the large chamber and the stool the stone had once been on was void of the blood red stone. Dumbledore had cast spell after spell and searched the room for hours before coming to the horrible conclusion that the stone was gone. He knew then that his suspicions had been right, Quirinus had been sent by Tom to get the stone. He didn't want to think about what he could do with the stone. Dumbledore knew about the Horcruxes but that didn't mean the stone would be useless to Tom. He could use the stone to make his Death Eaters immortal or at the very least heal their fatal wounds. Not to mention that the stone could turn any metal into gold.

Dumbledore had been forced to tell the Flamel's that their stone was gone. Nicolas had been furious and in the end Dumbledore swore to get it back. He spent weeks sending out members of the Order to various locations he thought Tom might've hidden the stone but to no avail. Nicolas and his wife died a few weeks before the start of Harrison's second year, and Dumbledore felt grief because he knew it was partially his fault. He still felt sick every time he thought about Tom possessing the stone. A part of him wondered if Harrison knew about it, but he didn't give it much thought. He didn't think Tom would trust a child with a secret as important as that, and Tom had always been one to keep things to himself.

Dumbledore's mind wandered to the reason he was sitting where he was. The Chamber of Secrets was opened once more, a chamber that hadn't been opened since Tom Riddle's sixth year at Hogwarts. He could remember the day Myrtle died like it had just happened, he knew it had been Tom who opened the chamber but he had no proof. Armando would never have believed a student like Tom could be capable of something so horrible. On Halloween when Dumbledore saw the words on the stone wall written in blood declaring the chamber open once more his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Harrison.

Dumbledore's first thought upon seeing the second year was that he was the one who opened the chamber. He wasn't as certain as he had been fifty years ago in regards to Tom but he had a feeling the boy knew something about it. Harrison had looking confused and innocent but Dumbledore knew all too well how good of an actor the boys father could be. He didn't want to jump to conclusions and he didn't want to alert him to his suspicions. Dumbledore settled for watching him, but he had a feeling Harrison knew when he was being watched. During tonight's attack Snape said Harrison was in the dungeons so it couldn't have been him but that doesn't mean the boy didn't know who did it.

Dumbledore looked up when he heard a knock on the door. He sat up straight and waved his wand, the large door opened to reveal Harrison wearing an emerald green cloak. The boys short black hair was neat as usual and his eyes glowed killing curse green. He walked with an air of confidence and slight arrogance but not in a way that yelled he thought he was better than everyone like Leo Lestrange, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini did. Harrison looked more as though he knew he was powerful and intelligent but didn't need to prove it to anyone. The young boy strode towards his desk taking long strides. Harrison stopped a foot from the desk and Dumbledore saw his eyes closer than he ever had before, upon looking into them he was reminded of someone he once cared for but who died long ago. Lily Potter, the boy had eyes that looked just like hers had.

He felt questions begin to stir in his mind. Why does the boy have her eyes? I've never seen eyes as green before except for on her? Can Lily be his- He cut himself off, he knew that it was impossible for Lily to be the boys mother. After all, Lily Potter only had one son and he died eleven years ago. Dumbledore pushed all thoughts and questions from his mind as he gestured for Harrison to sit down.

"Sit down Mr. Riddle," Dumbledore said kindly. "Lemon drop?" He held out a glass bowl filled with the muggle sweet.

"No, thank you," Harrison replied in a respectful tone. "May I inquire as to why I'm here headmaster?"

"Yes, yes, of course," Dumbledore said as he placed a lemon drop on his tongue. The sour flavor hit his senses as he swirled the sweet around in his mouth. "How are you enjoying Hogwarts so far?"

Harrison looked curiously up at him. "I'm enjoying it so far, however I find the classes to be easy."

"Yes, your professors tell me you always come to class knowing the material," Dumbledore said as he eyed Harrison carefully. He tried to read the boys reactions but his expressions seemed to be very controlled.

"Yes," Harrison said slowly. "I don't mean to sound rude headmaster, but I don't think you called me here to discuss whether I prefer Charms or Transfiguration."

Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I did not." He stopped chuckling and turned serious. "I know it wasn't you who opened the Chamber of Secrets." He paused to read Harrison's reaction but the boy didn't so much as raise an eyebrow so he continued. "However, I would like to know if you know who did?"

Harrison stared at the headmaster as if trying to formulate a response. "I don't." He adjusted a long emerald snake necklace that hung around his neck. "What makes you think that I would?"

Dumbledore peered at Harrison over his spectacles. There were several different ways he could approach this situation, the downside was he didn't know what the boys response would be to any of them. It was as though he was playing a game of chess, but he couldn't see the other players moves. Dumbledore remembered Snape telling him the boy hated dishonesty. If he wanted the boy to choose a side other than his fathers he would need to earn his trust. He decided to be as honest as he could while only telling him what he wanted Harrison to know.

"I know who your father is," Dumbledore said, his eyes showing no sign of a twinkle. Harrison reacted for the first time since entering the room, his green eyes seemed to glow as his posture stiffened slightly. "I don't see you as Tom Riddle, and I don't believe in blaming the son for the sins of the father." Harrison ran a finger down the emeralds on his necklace absentmindedly as his body relaxed. "I however do know that being his son you're an heir of Slytherin, and that he might have told you how to open the chamber."

"And that I told a friend," Harrison cut him off with thin lips. "I did no such thing headmaster." Harrison sounded slightly hurt. "I didn't open the chamber nor do I know who did. As for my father..." Harrison trailed off with a frown before shaking his head. "I saw him some growing up but I spent most of my time at Malfoy Manor. I'm not like him nor do I want to be." Harrison stood up quickly. "May I go now?"

Dumbledore frowned slightly at the quick mood swings in the boy. Although Dumbledore couldn't blame him, he most likely would've reacted the same if he were in Harrison's place. He eyed the boy trying to see if he was telling the truth. He didn't seem to be lying and if he was acting he was even better than Tom had been. Dumbledore leaned back and his frown turned into a small smile.

"Yes, you may go," Dumbledore said kindly. "But know this," Harrison looked at him, "if you ever need someone to talk to or if you need help you can come to me. My door is always open, and help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." Harrison nodded slowly before turning around.

"Good evening headmaster," Harrison said politely from over his shoulder.

"Good evening my dear boy," Dumbledore said in a happier tone than he'd used all evening.

Dumbledore watched Harrison closely as he left his office. He would need to continue watching the boy for any signs he hadn't been truthful, and he would need to have Severus find out more about him. He ran a hand through his long beard as the door closed behind the second year. It was at times like these he wished he wasn't against use Legilimency on students.

Harrison walked down the spiral staircase leading from Dumbledore's office with a smirk. The old man had been so easy to manipulate, he stiffened his body and fidgeted towards the end and the headmaster fell for it. Harrison could've laughed when Dumbledore gave him those parting words. His smirk faltered when he realized that one day Dumbledore would realize he'd been played. Harrison knew he'd have to be even more careful from now on.

"Well?" Snape asked impatiently once Harrison stepped off the staircase.

"It went good," Harrison told him with a glare. "Will you be seeing my father tonight?"

"Yes," Snape answered. "There's a meeting in twenty minutes."

"I'll give you the memory and you can take it to him," Harrison said as he conjured a flask after making sure no one was around. He concentrated on the memory and copied it before extracting it and placing it in the vial. "Here," he handed Snape the vial, "give that to my father."

Snape took the vial and put it in his robes.