I walked up the tower Dumbledore's office was in, stopping in front of the Stone Gargoyle guarding the entrance. 

"Lemon Drops", I said. The Gargoyle dropped and revealed the staircase leading up to his office. The room itself was interesting. The walls were decorated with bookshelves and in the center, there was a desk with papers thrown about. What caught my attention was the Phoenix next to the desk.  

 I reached my hand out walking closer. The phoenix seemed to share my curiosity. It turned its head to look at me and whenever I'd tilt my head it would mirror my actions. 

"I see you've met Fawkes", I turned around to see Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape coming up the ladder. 

"You have a Phoenix?", I ask. 

"Yes, Fawkes here is my familiar not unlike you and your cat Kuro", Dumbledore said walking over to his desk and taking a seat. "Now to what I wanted to discuss", Dumbledore said. McGonagall and Snape had made their way to the chairs not that far away. 

"I need you to use your ability to help patrol the halls at night, and to watch any students wandering alone", Dumbledore said with no glimmer in his eyes as he normally had. 

"wakarimasta", I said. I turned around prepared to leave as someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Snape and McGonagall standing next to me. 

"Ablus, I disagree with having him patrol late at night especially alone", McGonagall said looking down at me. 

"Kaiyo wouldn't be the one patrolling. I am merely asking for his shadows to watch over the halls in the night", Dumbledore reasons. 

 "And how long would they need to patrol the school grounds", Snape asked. 

"Only till the monster or its master is found", Dumbledore answers. The two didn't seem to be satisfied with his answer, but reluctantly accepted it. 

"If that is all may I return to the dorms", I say. 

"Yes, that is all, Severus make sure he returns to the dorm safely", Dumbledore says waving us off. Snape followed me out of the tower, and back to the Dungeons. I was about to head up the stairs when he called out to me. 

"I hope there won't be an incident like last year", he said looking at me with an expression I didn't understand. Chuuya-san would often have the same expression. 

"I course", I said heading up to my dorm. 

I made my way to the door of our dorm. I was about to knock but stopped myself before my knuckles could touch the door. They should all be asleep by now, right? I opened the door to see everyone asleep. Draco was sleeping on his stomach, close to the edge of the bed with an arm hanging off. Blaise was sleeping on his back lightly snoring as he occasionally tossed and turned. Theo was sleeping on his side, on his side table there was a half-open book open with a bookmark in the middle. 

On my bed, Kuro was curled up slightly shivering. I walked up lightly rubbing Kuro's ears, He moved around a bit but didn't wake up. I pulled the blanket up covering his bottom half, and he stopped shivering. 

I walked into the bathroom the room illuminated by a dull glowing stone on the ceiling. I let the water run into the tub, brushing my teeth as I waited for the water to rise. I finished just as the water filled most of the tub up. I took off my clothes throwing them in my laundry basket. 

I let my body submerge in the warm water, letting the lower half of my face sink under the water. I closed my eyes and let my head slip under and for just a moment it felt like the world was at peace. No monster, no Port Mafia, no magic. Nothing. 

I lifted my head above the water to get a breath of air. Looking at the clock in the corner of the room I got out, the water dripping off my body. I pulled the pug at the bottom of the tub, the water draining. 

I got out, drying myself off before putting on my sleepwear. I opened the door to see everyone still asleep. I slowly walked over to my bed and got in without waking Kuro giving him a light pat before falling asleep. 

====================================================================

I woke up earlier than everyone usual, but I was up much earlier than everyone this time. I could see from our window the sun hadn't even risen, and the water was still dark from the lack of light. 

I need to spread my shadows throughout the school so I might as well do it while the sky is in my favor. I grabbed my running clothes. My pants, tank top, and a jacket. I pull my wand in its holster, my handgun and knives in their sheaths and holders, and left the dorm walking past the empty common room and out into the halls. 

"能力：影が這う場所", I said stopping in front of one of the many hallways in Hogwarts. The shadows started to give a faint black glow. The shadows started to shift as my ability took form. The shadows moved from the walls gaining a physical form, red eyes opening the light trailing behind, jumping from the walls and running for a moment before jumping back into their place, their eyes closed, shifting back as if nothing happened in the first place. 

I waited to make sure they stayed before moving on to the next hallway. Looking out the window I didn't have much time. The sun was rising, the night sky was fleeing from the rising sun on the horizon. The sky was a melting pot of pink orange and yellow, invading the night sky. 

I finally finished. The shadows of Hogwarts itself were alive. I was near the Great Hall breakfast was already laid out for the students, enchanted to stay fresh and warm for the duration of time before classes start. I walked in, no one was inside not even the teachers. I walked over to the Slytherin table, downing a glass of water before leaving. I was walking along the hallways to the Slytherin common room when I heard someone coming around the corner. I stopped to see Lockhart turning the corner. 

"Ah Kurayami, what are you doing this fine morning?" he said looking at me. 

"I was just going for a run. I like to try to stay in shape", I responded trying to look away. 

"Ah, I see", against my better judgment I look at Lockhart. I froze. He was looking up and down my body, practically scanning me. 

"I need to get going", I said rushing past him. I could hear him saying something, but I didn't stop. Entering the common room I fell to my knees feeling the stone floor scrap against my skin as my legs lost all strength. There was a light pattering on the floor before I felt the familiar touch of a paw on my leg. 

"Come on let's go", I said taking a moment before walking to our dorm. I quickly took a shower and go ready for the day putting on my uniform before waking everyone up. They all scrambled to get up as I met up with Pansy in the common room. 

"What did Dumbledore need to talk to you about?", Pansy asked while we waited for the guys to come down. 

"Just to see if this situation had any effect on my status as a foreign exchange student", I lied. Pansy seem to accept it, if the nod was any indication. 

"How are you still taking so long in the bathroom? You don't even gel your hair anymore!", Blaise yelled walking over. Theo was yawning while putting on his outer robe. 

"Like I've said it takes time to look this fabulous", Draco says flipping his hair with a smile. Theo and Blaise collectively rolled their eyes. 

"Come on you lazy lumps we're going to miss breakfast at this rate!", Pansy yelled to them. Kuro was waiting on the couch and took that as a sign to run over. He pawed at my leg and I picked him up cradling him in my arms. 

"What do you guys think of the chamber of secrets?", Draco asks as we all walked. 

"I think whoever is doing is doing us all a favor, getting rid of all the mud blood", Draco says. 

"Don't call them that...", I said. They were all careful about blood purity around me, but it would slip through at times. 

"Right... sorry", Draco said. 

"Are you going to be okay? I mean you don't even know if you're a muggle-born. What if the heir comes after you?", Blaise asks. 

"I'll be fine", I said turning to face them. 

"Are you sure? We don't mind coming with you", Pansy says coming over and placing a hand on my shoulder. All I do is nod in response.

We all walk into the Great Hall and sit at the end of the table near the teachers. I put a spoonful of scrambled eggs on the plate and one piece of toast. I was starting to feel the effects of my ability. My mind was flooded with desire from my own shadow. I was breathing heavily and my hand was cradling my head as I ate. 

We all ate together. Blaise and Draco were still jokingly arguing about Draco hogging the bathroom. Theo would occasionally comment on how he had to wait on both of them. I would chime in at times to try and keep the illusion. 

Eventually, we all finished and left for transfiguration. I returned to the common room to grab Kuro. McGonagall had told us to bring our familiars for the next class. Kuro was reluctant, to say the least, but caved after I promised to let him play in the forbidden forest with the unicorns. 

We made it to the classroom and scattered around. Pansy sat next to me in the middle row near the front. McGonagall came into the room and started the lecture. 

"Today, we will be turning animals into water goblets", McGonagall said as Kuro tried to run off my desk. She tapped the bird in front of her three times and the bird turned into a goblet. I could sense Kuro's fear grow and I was worried if this was even safe. 

"Now, who would like to go first...Mr. Weasley?", McGonagall says calling out to Weasley. He attempts the spell only to have it work halfway. His rat turns into a half goblet, half rat creation with the goblet having fur and a wiggling tail. I let Kuro out at that moment. I explained to McGonagall that I wasn't comfortable with Kuro being my 'test subject' for the lesson and she provided me with a temporary animal to use for the lesson. 

When class was half over I managed to transfigure the owl McGonagall lent me into a sliver goblet. The rim was decorated with light blue gems that varied in size, The midsection had details that resembled snowflakes and snow. The bottom of the goblet had a white base to mimic the snow after. 

"Great job Mr. Kurayami, 5 points to Slytherin", McGonagall says before turning her attention to Granger, who raised her hand.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?", McGonagall calls. 

"Professor, I was wondering if youcould tell us about the Chamber ofSecrets?",  Granger asks. The class goes silent. 

"My subject is Transfiguration", McGonagall says obviously trying to steer away from the topic. 

"Yes, Professor. But there seemsto be very little written aboutthe Chamber of Secrets. For thoseof us with a personal interest in the subject, that is... disturbing", Granger explained trying to get more information on the chamber.  

McGonagall then started to explain the history of Hogwarts that lead to the creation of the chamber. The school was founded by four wizards/witches. They each establish a house that students are now sorted into using the sorting hat. The founder of Slytherin was a Pureblood that disliked the fact that the other founders wanted to allow muggle-born witches and wizards into Hogwarts. He created the chamber as a defense against muggle-borns. 

As class ended I left the group to head into the Forbidden Forest. Kuro would've gone straight to the Unicorn herd. I started to walk along the path I usually did. It was the most straightforward path to the heart, but before I could take another step, I could hear leaves crunching behind me. I decided to move around the tree slowly increasing my speed little by little. 

I managed to lose whoever was behind me and looking back all I could see was someone with ginger hair and the Gryffindor uniform running away.