The Gryffindors were a bit surprised when Ernie McMillan dropped into the seat across from Harry. After the events of the Duelling Club the night before and the whispers this morning of Harry's Parselmouth abilities, most students were going out of their way to avoid the Second year wizard. Behind Ernie stood Padma, Susan, Hannah, and Justin. The four grouped in behind Ernie.
"So, Potter, am I right thinking you are not the Heir of Slytherin?" he bluntly asked.
"Mmm, no." Ernie looked shocked. The entire Hall fell silent as they tried to listen into the conversation. Had Potter just admitted it?
"Then you are the Heir of Slytherin?" Ernie asked trying to clarify.
"No, sorry. I said 'no' meaning 'yes'."
"'No,' meaning 'yes'"? Look, I want a straight answer. Are you or are you not the Heir of Slytherin, yes or no?"
"Um, no."
"'No', you are, or 'no' you aren't?"
"Yes"
"Enough!" Hermione exploded. "We have a lot of students scared right now and we don't have time for your stupidity!"
Ernie gave her a mock frustrated look. "Well, there is still some confusion as to whether or not he's the Heir of Slytherin. "
Harry rolled his eyes in frustration. "That's not true."
Ernie leaned forward and jabbed his finger into the table. "That there isn't any confusion, or that you're not the Heir of Slytherin?"
"Either. Or both."
"Just give me a clear answer!"
"Certainly! er- What was the question?"
"Are you the Heir of Slytherin?"
"No!"
"Ernie smiled. "Okay, I just wanted to clear that up."
The students (and some teachers) were trying to digest this conversation when Ernie and Harry started to laugh.
"Honestly!" Hermione huffed. "You two with your stupid movie quotes! You have half the Great Hall completely confused as to what just happened. How is that supposed to make any of this better?"
"I made Harry laugh," Ernie answered with a cheeky smile. "We know Harry too well to believe any of that rubbish. The Heir of Slytherin wouldn't be watching Muggle cinema, be best friends with a Muggleborn, or a Half-blood himself."
Hermione huffed again and went back to eating her meal. While she disapproved of Ernie's method, she did appreciate the loyalty he had shown Harry. It seemed like the entire school, including some of the professors, were willing to believe Harry was the Heir of Slytherin on the flimsiest of evidence. It seemed like only Harry's closest friends hadn't fallen into line with that view. She had not read much on the subject of mass psychology but it did seem a bit startling to the thirteen year-old with how fast the students moved from venerating the Boy-Who-Lived to vilifying Harry Potter.
....
Scottish air in January was cold and crisp. The light wind blew around the dusting of snow spotting the ground. With the new moon, the grounds around Hogwarts were dark with only the distant stars and a few remaining lights from Hogwarts providing light. It was well after midnight and the grounds were silent.
Harry enjoyed this time. He missed his time alone in the woods back in Surrey. He loved having friends but the castle walls often felt like they were closing in on Harry. The Beast wasn't able to come out too often due to the risk of exposing his secret. So he cherished these times when he could enjoy his furry form. The silence of the night was not as silent to his ears as the nocturnal inhabitants of the Forbidden Forest went about the night's routine.
The centaurs stayed close to their camp with guards in place while the giant spiders, wolves and other predators were stalking the forest. A small tribe of forest trolls lived near the centre of the forest not far from a pair of Welsh Green dragons that had somehow escaped Ministry (and Hagrid's) notice. Fluffy now made his home deep in the forest and was thrilled to see his playmate from last year again. Harry found dozens of species living inside the forest, some he recognized from Muggle myths and others he had no clue.
School had been tense lately with someone claiming to have opened the Chamber of Secrets and attacking students and the odd demon-cat. No one had been killed so far, but several students were petrified in the Hospital Wing including Justin F-F, Colin Creevey, and Lavender Brown. Harry had tried to find the monster but hadn't been successful. He'd heard the whispering words but had no sight of the creature. The monster's scent was throughout the castle. It smelled somewhat reptilian to Harry but not like any snake he'd smelt before. It was mostly snake but also something else. The only way he could describe it was it didn't smell natural. Hermione was trying to identify the creature but nothing fit the creatures that petrified their prey.
Harry thought of the old movie "Clash of the Titians". Medusa was half-snake/half-human in that movie and her gaze could turn people to stone. But people turned to stone were dead. Petrification was more like an over-powered Stunning Spell or some kind of stasis. None of the snake or snake-like creatures Hermione had found in the library could do that without leaving wounds like bite marks behind.
The Beast loped easily towards the forest edge. The cold air felt comfortable through his fur. He had to force himself not to howl his excitement of the chance to be free for a bit.
His path took him not far from Hagrid's hut. He wasn't too concerned. This late the gentle half-giant would be fast asleep and Fang knew Harry in either form and wouldn't bark.
"Hello Harry Potter," a voice greeted him.
The Beast skidded to a halt. From near the chicken coops appeared a young girl he barely recognized. He'd seen her with Ron's little sister and knew she wasn't a Gryffindor but that was about it. How had she known who the Beast was?
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone I saw you. It is a good night to be out. Have you seen and snallicks in the forest? Or a snorcrak?"
Harry dropped back into his human form. "How did you know it was me?" he asked.
"Did you change?" she responded in a slightly distracted voice. "I am afraid I haven't quite been myself. I don't even remember deciding to go for a walk tonight but I don't mind since it meant I got to meet you."
Harry wasn't sure how to respond to that. "Er- I am Harry. What is your name?"
...
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