A few people have asked about the boa from the zoo. I actually forgot about him, so I think I will try to squeeze something about him in the chapter after the next; maybe Buraki has met him, Perhaps we meet him later in the story? Who knows, I 'll come up with something.

Chapter Four: And showed him a goblet with handles that talk

:What do I have to do?: Harry inquired a little nervously as he stood up.

:Ask the goblet, it should recognize it's own master's aura.:

:Ask it?:

Buraki nudged Harry towards the goblet's location. The teen lightly placed a foot on the thin stone, that was acting as a bridge to the small pillar, hoping it would hold him. Once reassured the stone wouldn't collapse out from under him, he slowly made his way across. When he reached the goblet Harry held his hand out to touch the basilisk-shaped handles, his fingers tracing the crests of one of the snakes admirably. Then, suddenly, the silver serpent moved to lean into the caress, startling Harry, :Um, hello?:

The "handle" turned to face him, :Hello my lord, It wonderful to finally meet you. My brother and I have waited for centuries for you to come here.:

:So it's true then, I am this 'Serpent Lord'?: The serpents both nodded

:But, I don't understand. What exactly am I supposed to do?:

This time the other handle spoke, :Don't fret little lord, you won't be expected to suddenly know all the answers. In fact, at first you'll act as the variable that leads to the settlement of magical dispute with even realizing it. Just be yourself, be Harry. Haven't you found it odd how your "luck" seems to get you into and out of every jam you've ever been in?:

He blushed bashfully at that last part, but the idea of only having to act as his self was a very appealing. :Oh, you knew about that did you? Wait, How do you know my name?:

:We know everything about our wonderful serpent lord, as we are apart of you even if the fated bonds are not yet completed.:

:Bonds?:

:We'll allow you to unlock your true magical potential by completing the bond and merging with you, but you'll have to learn how to fully wield it on you own with plenty of practice.:

Harry had to think weather or not he could or would do this. Having trouble deciding, he asked the major question that was bothering him even as simply the boy-who-lived, :If...if I accept this...position, will I have to...kill?:

The animated basilisks seemed to smile, :If you don't believe killing is the solution, then it won't be.:

That was basically all Harry had to hear, :Alright, I'll do it. How do we... complete the bond?:

:Like this: The miniature basilisks slipped from the goblet and curled around of each of Harry's wrists. Each of them then bit into where his pulse would be. Oddly enough, it didn't hurt him. He felt a very overwhelming, but soothing sense of freedom flowing threw him. He closed his eyes at the feeling. When he opened them again, he looked down and saw that the small basilisks we're now silvers tattoos. Their heads resting at his wrists, bodies curled around his forearms, and tails near his elbows.

:Wicked.: Harry stated in awe.

Hissy laughter was heard from the serpents now merged with his skin, :Our bond is complete, take a look.:

Harry looked down into the water below him, caught a glimpse of his reflection, and gasped. His pupils were slitted like a snake's and his irises were inhumanly more vibrant. He realized he wasn't even wearing his glasses (they had fallen off during the bonding) and could see perfectly. His shoulder-length hair was a deeper black than it used to be. Then he noticed he was still small but a lot more soft and petite looking. "I look like a bloody girl!"

He heard snickering originate from his arms, :But you look so adorable!: said the left snake.

Harry simply blushed and halfheartedly glared at the mark.

:By the way, we found something during the bonding: spoke the design on his left wrist. A black gem had materialized in front of Harry. He held his hands out to hold it. :It was an extra piece of soul that was clinging to yours desperately, we assume it was what caused the scar not to heal.: The teen had a strong hunch of whose soul it belonged to.

:It's Voldemort's isn't it.: It wasn't really a question.

:We can destroy it if you like, we've seen this kind of magic before.:

Harry thought for a moment. This was a piece ofVoldemort's soul! Perhaps destroying it was the first step to ending his threat. To ending the monster who killed his parents, Cedric, Sirius, and all those others. But the soul fragment, the gem in his hand, seemed to shudder; it was as if it were...frightened. Helplessness, that's what he felt, he knew the terrible feeling well.

:...No,: was his answer, :You said if I don't believe killing is the answer, then it won't be. Well even if it's Voldemort's soul and even if it's only a piece of it, I don't believe killing it would be right.:

:That's exactly what we were hoping to hear, You'll be a fine lord, Harry Potter.: The black gem was then magically embedded in the center of a silver chain that slipped around Harry's neck, tucked under his shirt, and hung level with his heart. :Now my brother and I will sleep and we'll awaken again when you truly need us. Young Buraki will be your guardian, or a sort of familiar, if you will. But before we leave you in his care we have one last thing to do. Place your wand in your hand.:

Harry did as instructed wondering what would involve his beloved holly, phoenix feather wand. He didn't have to wonder for long, as the head of the tattoo on his right hand moved to bite the wand. Now it was his wand's turn for a transformation. The wood, which he could sense was still technically holly, had turned a deep green, and had more of an elegant twist to it's shape. He noted that the wand was littered in small, darker green (nearly black) thorns.'Wow, it looks almost like a rose stem.' He move to touch the sharp looking thorns, and was surprised to find that they were actually soft and blunt. He also realized that the feeling of something missing was gone, his wand felt complete again.

:The phoenix core is now combined with basilisk venom. Funny, though we thought It would be harder than that to get the two cores to cooperate. However, It seems as though phoenix kind must want balance as well, or maybe just the previous owner of that feather.:

'Fawkes!'

:Now we must sleep. Good luck, little lord.: Then both basilisk markings fell silent, but each maintained a comfortable warmness where they rested.

Harry had left the pillar and returned to Buraki's side, :So what do we do now?:

Buraki looked thoughtful for a moment, :Well, you go to a wizarding school, yes?:

:In September, I attend Hogwarts, but for the rest of the summer I don't really have anywhere to go.:

:I know that place, or at least I know the forest surrounding it. Nasa lives there now, after I grew up. I still visit. We can go there, she'll know what to do.:

:How do we get there?:

:You'll just have to wait and see: The 42ft long anaconda winked at him. 'I didn't think snakes could do that.'

They headed towards the cavern's exit. When Harry and Buraki both left the cavern and walked out from behind the waterfall, they came face to face with a of row wizards clad in dark blue robes who were currently pointing wands threateningly at them.

Harry nervously waved and said, "Um,... Que pasa?"

I hope you'll liked it, but we'll actually get some action next chapter!

In case you haven't realized yet this story is not going to be 100% about snakes. In this tale snakes represent guardianship, protection, etc. Harry is meant to be a sort of peacekeeper.

Next: We meet the new foe...