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TROLL! IN THE DUNGEON! Just thought you ought to know." Quirrell said before fainting on his face. Everyone was silent for a moment.

"AAAAAAAHHHHH!" The crowd yelled. Chaos reigned in the great hall as children screamed and paniced.

"SILEEEEENCE!" Dumbledore yelled, silencing the crowd. "Prefects! Escort the students to the common rooms and keep the doors locked. We will alert you when the threat is over." Dumbledore said before summoning the professors to his side. As they marched through the doors, the prefects took control of the students.

"Quickly, one behind the other. Everyone together!" The prefects ordered. The Slytherins and Hufflepuff made it to their rooms the fastest, being a level below the great hall. "Go to your rooms! We will be here in case the Troll shows up." Gemma said to the others. Harry motioned to Daphne and Tracey to follow them to their room.

"Surprising that we actually followed Dumbledore's orders, since the troll was reported to be down here." Harry said as they sat on the beds. Selena was in Harry's arms, purring as Harry petted her head.

"Yeah, why did we do that?" Tracey realized.

"Because he is the king." Harry said. Daphne and Blaise looked at him confused. "Dumbledore is the leader of the light and hailed as this millenniums Merlin. People assume the sheep mentality and follow him near blindly." Harry explained.

"Then why did you go along as well?" Daphne asked.

"Because things don't add up. Actually a few things don't." Harry said.

"Like what?" Daphne asked.

"For one, what was Quirrell doing in the dungeons. Next, how did a Troll get in, and down to the dungeons for Quirrell to "find"?" Harry asked.

"Are you suggesting Quirrell let the Troll in?" Tracey asked.

"I am. And think about it. There are Wards to stop powerful creatures from entering the castle. And while Trolls are strong, they are not smart enough, or subtle enough to get in without more than just Quirrell finding it."

"Also, his behavior was very strange when alerting the school." Harry explained.

"He didn't stutter." Blaise realized.

"He also fainted, onto his face. Now I'm no expert, but people don't faint onto their faces unless they are on a slope." Harry said. Everyone sat in silence.

"I have a thought." Harry said. Everyone turned their attenion to him. "You remember, how at the beginning of the year, Dumbledore said that we should avoid the third floor?"

"Yeah he said that it was forbidden." Tracey said.

"That's the thing, he didn't say forbidden. He said out of bounds, unless you want a terrible death." Harry explained. "Two things stick out from that statement. He said out of bounds, as if it were a type of game. He also informed us of a danger in the actual castle. The troll could have been part of the danger, but escaped."

"So if there is a danger and its a game, who are the player's?" Daphne asked.

"And what is the prize?" Blaise finished.

An hour later, the students were let out of their rooms. "The troll's been taken care of." Snape said to the crowd, a wave of relief decended on the Slytherins. "Class is still in session tomorrow, so I recommend getting some sleep." Snape informed before leaving the common room.

"Wonder how they got rid of the Troll?" Blaise said as they re-entered their dorm.

"Well, there are a few ways. Outsmarting it, using blades, or they could have talked to it." Harry said, laying on his bed. Selena crawled up and laid on his stomach.

"Talk... to it?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah. Every being has a language. Dragons, Giants, even Trolls." Harry said. Blaise shook his head.

"You're one weird bloke Harry." Blaise said before they went to sleep. The next morning, the Gryffindor's were buzzing with excitement.

"Any idea what's got them so upbeat this morning?" Daphne asked.

"Actually, I heard something from Pansy." Tracey said. Everyone turned towards the excited girl. "She said that the Troll was killed by Damien Potter and Ronald Weasley while they protected Hermione Granger." She explained.

"First, how would Pansy know this the morning after? Second, that is very improbable." Harry deadpanned.

"You don't pay much attention to the house politics do you?" Tracey asked.

"More like I don't care all that much. Only when it pertains to myself or to my friends would i really care." Harry said. Every smiled at their friends loyalty.

"Well, Pansy has quickly become the gossip queen of Slytherin." Tracey explained.

"So she's annoying but usefull to keep around." Harry said.

"Uh, basically." Tracey said. "But why is it near improbable that Damien and Ronald beat a troll?" She questioned.

"Very simple. Neither Mr. Potter nor Weasley are strong enough to kill a troll. Knock it out maybe, but kill, no." He explained.

"But there's rumors that The children who lived are being trained by Dumbledore." Blaise said.

"I have no doubt that they are. But Dumbledore clearly has not taught Damien the importance of manners, or fitness." Harry continued. "Besides every rumor should be taken with more than a pinch of salt."

The three glanced at the Gryffindor table. Weasley was boasting about something, while Damien stuffed his face, waves of pleasure from all the praise could almost be seen radiating off his body. Someone leaned over to him and whispered in his ear. A look of disgust passed by his face as he looked right at the four.

"He's just as prejudiced against us as Malfoy is against muggleborn." Harry said, giving a snort towards Damien.

After charms class.

"Mr. Thornwood, the head master sent a note for you." Flitwick said, levitating the charm over towards the child. Giving his thanks, he read over the note before heading towards the head master's office.

"Ah, Mr. Thornwood, I'm glad to see you got my note." Dumbledore said. In the corner of the room stood Ron, Hermione, and Damien.

"What do you want Professor?" Jarry sighed.

"Don't talk to the professor that way!" Granger shrieked. Harry rolled his eyes and glanced towards Dumbledore.

"Mr. Thornwood, you're brother here wants to reconnect with you. But I am sad to hear that you do not believe Damien is strong." Dumbledore said, his eye's twinkling.

"I fail to see how this is any of your business Professor." Harry stated.

"Well, Damien is one of the children who lived, he's bound to be strong." Hermione retorted. This proved to be the wrong thing to say, as the room grew darker with Harry's anger.

"Let me inform you of something Granger. No one truely knows what happened that night, especially not Dumbledore. Further more, I honestly don't care much to "reconnect" as you put it, because I've not known him for years. And clearly," He said, turning towards Dumbledore, "the head master's duties are clearly not as heavy and difficult as people make it out to be if the professor here has time to worry about rumors and opinions." Harry ranted.

"But he defeated the troll!" Ron yelled.

"Ah, there is the truth. Defeated, a much more managable task than actually killing, as I'm sure you've boasted. Mr. Potter, if you would call off your lapdogs, that would be much appreciated." Harry snarled.

Damien's eye's narrowed, as he pulled out his wand. "Do not insult Ron and Hermione." He commanded.

"Trust me, if i wanted to insult them, it would be much worse than the lashing I gave them." Harry said. "Are we done here professor? I have places to go, and things to see."

Flabbergasted, Dumbledore took a moment to compose himself.

"Mr. Thornwood, it seems you are going dark, I wish you would try and reconcile with your brother and family." Dumbledore said.

"Don't give me that shit. Family is more than blood Dumbledore. As for Mr. Potter here, had he approached me instead like his sister did, then I would have been more than welcome to try and get to know him." Harry said before storming out of the room.

The rest of the semester passed in relative quietness. The four had speculated and observed Quirrell, watching for any indescrepencies in his behavior, or actions. Overall, he was extremely suspicious.

"So, what are your plans for the holidays?" Tracey asked. They currently were on the Hogwarts express on the way towards the station.

"I'm going home to Italy to see my family." Blaise said. Tracey nodded before looking over at Daphne.

"Probably just hanging around my home." Daphne said. Everyone's eye's were on Harry, who was petting Selena.

"Train. Talk to my master. My Uncle was talking about maybe going on a trip to find focci materials." Harry said. Tracey beamed with excitement at the news.

"Ooo, any idea where your going?" Tracey asked.

"I believe Uncle Moony said Orkney." Harry said. Tracey tilted her head in confusion.

"Where's Orkney, and what's there?" She asked.

"Orkney is an archipelago off of Scotland. A subspecies of Merfolk live there called the Finnfolk. They have powerful magic and shapeshifting abilities. A scale from one would be most interesting to experiment on for focci." Harry said with a smile.

"Well, it's good to see that you've passionate about your trade Harry." Tracey said with a smile.

"Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it." Harry said looking out the window. "Think I'll tell my master who he really is." Harry said. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, his eye's widened and he swore. "Why did I have to say that out loud?" He asked himself. The room fell into uncomfortable silence.

"Um, Harry. What do you mean tell your master who he really is?" Tracey asked. Before he could respond, the compartment door opened, revieling Malfoy and his goons.

"Well, well, well, Potter and the gang of misfits." He said looking at Tracey and Blaise. "You know Greengrass, you can still accept my offer, it's not too late to join me." Draco smirked. Daphne's eye's narrowed at the thinly veiled threat.

"How rude of you Mr. Malfoy. And not only that, you've broken a rule." Harry said not moving from his seat.

"And what rule is that Potter?" Draco asked, pulling out his wand.

"That any problem we have is settled in the common room. Now, I must remind you again, that my name is not Harry Potter. It Hadrian Thornwood, not that I give you permission to use my first name. But you've also threatened my friend here, not so subtly I might add. So I will ask just once that you leave. No harm will come to you, or Crab and Goyle." Harry said, his voice unwavering.

"And if I don't?" Malfoy asked. Harry smiled, his incisors on full display.

"Then the lesson you seem to have forgotten on our first trip to Hogwarts will be re-taught to you." Harry threatened. Malfoy went pale at remembering his broken nose.

"You'll regret this Thornwood. My father will hear of this." Draco said before leaving. Everyone was silent for a minute.

"Thank you Harry." Daphne said, breaking the silence.

"It was nothing. Part of the whole, protection thing." He smiled.

Daphne shook her head. "This is the second time you've saved me from Malfoy. I think you deserve a reward." She said before kissing him on the cheek. Blaise's jaw fell to the groud, and Tracey's eye's widened.

Harry just sat their in shock, at what transpired. Daphne giggled before opening a book and started reading. The rest of the trip was in relative silence as the train made it's way towards the station, the earlier question of Harry's master being forgotten.

An hour later, the train reached the station. "Now entering Platform 9 and 3/4!" The conductor announced. After helping the girls with their luggage, the four looked around for their parents. "Tracey!" Came a voice before a brown bullet shot towards her.

It was a very young boy, no older than seven, who looked quite like their friend. "Hugo! You've grown since I last saw you!" Tracey said hugging the boy.

"Indeed he has. He's going to be quite tall when he's all grown up." Came an woman's voice. A dark haired man and olive skinned woman broke through the crowd.

"Mom, Dad." Tracey smiled before hugging them. It was quite easy to see where Tracey got her appearance from.

"It's good to see you. You as well, Blaise, Daphne." Lord Davis said. "And whose this?" He asked, examining Harry.

"Hadrian Thornwood at your service, Lord Davies." Harry said shaking his hand.

"Ah, so this is the young boy we've heard so much about." Came another voice. They turned once more to see a tall, salt and peppered haired man, a woman who looked very much like Daphne, and and slighty younger girl that had some of Daphne's features, but looked a bit more like the man.

"Father, Mother, Astoria." Daphne said, her mask not coming off.

"Indeed, he's quite the mysterious fellow I would say." A sultry voice with an accent said from behind them. The group, save for Blaise jumped as they saw an olive skinned woman, with dark hair, and an hour glass figure. She was quite attractive.

"Salve Madre. Please don't kill my friends." Blaise said a bit amused.

"But where would the fun be in that." Mrs. Zabini said with a perfectly white grin. Harry felt like he was being surrounded by a shark.

"Well, since it seems I'm the odd one out, its a please to make you're acquaintance, Lord's Davis and Greengrass. And I can see where Daphne and Tracey get their looks from Ladies Greengrass and Davis. I would give you the same courtesy Lady Zabini, but I don't swing that way." Harry said with a grin. Blaise punched him in the shoulder as the others laughed at his misfortune.

"Mr. Thornwood, you have my thanks for going out of your way to protect my daughter." Lord Greengrass stated.

"Think nothing of it Lord Greengrass, Daphne is a good friend of mine, even if we've only known each other for a few months." Harry said.

"What's all this about protection? I hope you're using it Harry, don't want to become a father so soon." Came a joyous voice. Standing behind the Davis's was Remus.

"Uncle Moony. It's good to see you." Harry said hugging his uncle. "Uncle Moony, these are the Davis, Greengrass, and Zabini families." He introduced.

"A pleasure everyone. But we must be off, places to go and all that. Do you have your trunk?" He asked. Harry pulled his shrunked trunk from his pocket. "Good. Say your goodbyes, Harry." Remus said. After a few quick hugs and a promise to write, the two left the group before apparating outside the manor.

"Now, we leave in five hours to Orkney, so pack quick-"

"Tally Ho!" They heard before jumping out of the way as a carriage, manned by a frog in a suit, and pulled by a horse with a hat ran by.

"Are we on our way to Nottingham, to Brittingham, to Buckingham? Or any hammy hamlet by the sea? No!" The frog sang.

"Are we on our way to Devonshire, to Lancashire or Worcestershire? I'm not to sure we'll have to wait and see. Oh!" The horse continued. The frog jumped on the horses back and started to jump rope with the wip.

"Are we on our way to Dover? Or going merrily over, the jolly old road that goes to Plymouth ho? NO!"

"We're merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on our way to nowhere in particular!

We're merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on our way, where the roads are, most perpendicular." They sang.

"We're always in a hurry, We've no time to stall! We've got to be there. we've go to be there! But where? We don't recall!"

"We're merrily, meerily, merrily, merrily, merrily, on our way. And we may be going to Devonshire, to Lancashire, to Worcestershire! We're not to sure, but what do we care? We're only sure we've got to be there! We're merrily on our way to nowhere, at all!" They sang before dissapearing into a portal.

"What the hell was that?" Remus asked.

"I believe that was a singing Frog and Horse. But this is troublesome. Remus, I need to have a serious discussion with you and Grandpa." Harry said before they walked inside.