I don't know how a whol chapter went missing for so long. They'll be 14 now, I'm pushing everything up.
Chapter 6:
It was a happy Lusca who walked back to the castle. She had been visiting Charlie and the dragons in the Forbidden Forest, it was always nice to see the listener. The dragons loved him to, which was fairly uncommon. She met her brothers and smiled as they slipped through the halls.
"Second floor bathroom right?"
"That's what Ginny said." Harry murmured.
"You like her don't you?" Lusca grinned. "Will you ask her to the ball?"
"Yes." Harry answered bluntly.
"Good." Logan said as they entered the cool bathroom. "She's nice, accepting, there aren't many like it. Meanwhile I'm stuck wondering if there are any nice guys hereā¦"
"Ask Blaise Zabini." Lusca said, stepping up to the sink. "Tracey's mentioned him. He doesn't seem the bad sort."
This was true; Blaise was quite and thoughtful, with a mother known to the Beings as well as to the wizards. Tracey had mentioned him when Logan had asked, as casually as possible, whether there were any decent guys at Hogwarts or if they were all like Ron.
Open. They hissed, staring at the sinks. Then, Stairs. A moment later, there were three lamia sliding down the cold steps into the Chamber of Secrets.
Ginny had told them the story, shaking as she did so, with her friends sitting close to her and the triplets listening carefully. She had been possessed by a diary holding what the triplets guessed was the spirit of Voldemort. When, near the end of the year she was brought down to the Chamber, Luna who had noticed something wrong with her friend, had gone to Tracey and Susan, the only two, aside from Hermione who was petrified, who were nice to her. Together the three found the Chamber with a tracking charm Susan knew and a murmur of Parseltongue from Luna (she was rather good at mimicry) and found Ginny unconscious with Tom looming. Tracey and Susan had fought him off, dodging the basilisk at the same time, which now that they thought about it had had his eyes closed. Luna had sized the diary, and with one careful throw, sent the diary into the huge snake's open mouth. They wonder if it had had venom on its tongue or something, because Tom had screamed in pain and was gone, waking Ginny. The basilisk slithered away and the four had told nothing to the teachers who only found them an hour later in the hospital wing but that Hogwarts would not need to be closed. Along with Hermione, the girls were now inseparable.
The triplets grieved for Ginny, possession was a dangerous practice for the host especially when they are made to carry out events such as that. But they were very interested in the basilisk that remained in the chamber as well, and tonight they would meet him.
From the girls' descriptions in was a him, females were generally a slightly duller green, though they could have been wrong. They felt the second eyelid that protected their eyes underwater slid into place and hissed Great One, three of your kin seek an audience.
The great mouth opened. From the black depths a great head emerged. The thick body slid across the stone floor until it encircled the triplets, who tucked their own tails closer; gold, blue-green and black together. His scales were a bright, poisonous green, and a red plume rose from his head. His eyes were tightly closed.
Why do you close your eyes Great One? Lusca hissed.
I have no second lid. He was old, that much was clear, from his voice and great length. All snakes grew for as long as they lived, but their growth did slow after a certain age, forty feet was the average if the basilisk was healthy (it was also the average for a lamia). His voice was a hissing rasp, like sandpaper. I would not wish to harm you.
We are lamia Great One. Logan said respectfully. We carry our own protection. The second eyelid that shielded their eyes from water and wind was also protection from the basilisk's deadly glare. What good was it if a queen could not look her king in the eye?
His great yellow eyes opened, his head descended until it was level with theirs. So you are. I have not smelled a lamia in a great many years. They called me king, and you queen-he smiled. I smell the sea in you, blue-green-gold one. I hear the echo of command in your voice. You are true royalty.
Lusca smiled. Female lamia were more common then the males, and much stronger. Many were water elementals, but only a few could do what Lusca could, and command any serpent. It was a rare gift, spread out over the creatures. There were those among the birds and various mammals as well. Lusca could command not only her own kind, but also Ashwinders, dragons, and basilisks.
It is truly an honor to meet you. She replied. My brothers and I have never met a basilisk. What is your name?
It has been a long time since anyone has asked my name. He whispered sadly. I am Makar.
They spoke long into the night, during which time they discovered that Makar was truly regretful of the death of Moaning Myrtle and the petrifactions he had caused. Years alone, mostly sleeping and getting little food when he needed it had left him a little unfocused, and when Voldemort had told him that there were people defiling the school that his human Salazar had worked so hard to build he had gone a little mad. Consuming the diary had cleared his mind. They also learned that Salazar, while he had been worried at the damage muggles could do to their society had never hated muggle-borns, merely feared their influence and wished to involve their parents as little as possible. It was he who had gotten the status of security passed.
I promised to protect the students. He said. But it is cold here, more suited to one of you than me. Logan winced. While his siblings would enjoy the cold and wet cavern, he would not. He feared the water to much, he dwelled within the forests. I moved down here out of necessity, and then I slept. I am from the desert; I miss the sun and the heat.
Perhaps, when we leave here, we could bring you to our school. Harry suggested. It is often cold there, but there is an island nearby, hidden from the world. It is very hot there, and home to a female basilisk named Pandra. We have never been able to meet her but the fae made that island for her to live. Perhaps if you to got along they would be able to ensure you'd survive there as well? We can add to the protections of Hogwarts if that is what you fear.
Makar was overjoyed. That sounds wonderful, young Harry. In the meantime, could you perhaps bring me some food? Mice and rats and the occasional bird are not all that filling.
The triplets scowled, their new friend had been eating far too little. "Edna." The small house elf, clothed in a neat green dress, appeared with a faint pop. House elves were well cared for at Aspasia, servants but also family. Sometimes, when one who could learn elf magic arrived, they would teach them. Edna had looked after the Green pod for years, cleaning up the little messes and cooking, though one of the pod often joined her. Her mate Charles was a potter, and sometimes would give them lovely green-glazed mugs.
Makar closed his eyes and Edna carefully avoided looking at him. Harry kneeled so that he was her height. "Edna, this is Makar. He hasn't been fed well." That would certainly get her attention. "Could you bring him several large cows and maybe a few sheep?"
No sheep please. Makar spoke, his eyes still closed. The wool makes me nauseous. Is it possible for them to be alive?
Harry nodded, than remembered his eyes were closed. Yes. "Alright, no sheep then. Some pigs. Say, three cows and three fat pigs, alive. Be careful, he was born without the protective lid, but he will try to avoid looking at you."
Edna nodded. "Edna will be bringing the food to Mister Makar." She squeaked. "Will Mister Snake be needing this every day?"
Logan asked Makar, who replied I don't know how often I'll need to eat.
Just that for now then, we'll visit you later this week, see if we can work out a schedule. We also have two snake friends who would be glad to visit you if you would like.
I would love the company.
Logan gave his words to Edna, who vanished. The three left, shifting to human form once they reached the bathroom.
"Well that was fun." Lusca remarked, and her brothers laughed.
