[a/n] Actually, it's still possible Hermione MIGHT have told on Harry, in his best interest of course. But, Dumbledore could've found out other ways. For now it's a closed issue.

[a/n2]Last ending was a tip of the hat to Old-crow. Excellent storyteller. One whose writings got me interested in Susan as a character. Ends all his chapters that way, so I thought why not. And, no, to answer a review, Old Harry lived a long fruitful life and died in August 1991.

[a/n3]~~ = Parseltongue

2nd Year [pt4]

In the Great Hall students and staff were gathered for breakfast. Flitwick, as the highest ranked present, had just finished the weekly announcements and food appeared. Even though he wasn't present, two of Harry's habits had become fairly well copied. No Table contained only members from one House and, while the standard food was still in the majority, it was hardly the only fare. The first to notice the absence was Hermione she asked "Where's Harry?"

"'Was 'hind 'e inda CommRm." Answered Ron around a mouthful of bacon.

Everyone in sight glared, same thought dominant, Neville voiced "Chew then talk."

"uff yeself 'nvlle." The redhead fired back. Ginny smacked him in the back of his head.

"Someone else is missing too." Neville noted "Lockhart. He never misses a meal."

Flora Carrow, sitting with Ron's older brother commented "Much like your baby brother, there, Fred." It wasn't loud enough for Ron to hear over his crunching.

Abcij

"Potter the rotter! Wha'cher uptah? Skipping brekie? Uptah Mischief!" the specter zipped around him.

Harry stopped, not seeing anyone, answered quite truthfully "I'm going to chat with the horror in the Chamber of Secrets. Wanna come along?" he ended with a smirk.

"NNNNOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo!" howled Peeves as he fled.

Harry could've sworn he heard something as he reached the door. He stopped, looked around, walked back to the corner, peered around? No one. He shrugged and had to steel himself. This was forbidden territory. The forbidden forest was less …well… forbidden. This was a girls' bathroom! He was armed with the weapons his Diary told him to bring, a sword swiped from one of the suits of armor and a rooster, his hand clamped on its beak. "I feel like an idiot." He complained "You'd better be right about this, old man." And the boy could've sworn the pages against his belly giggled.

"Whoooooooooo's hereeeeeeeeeee!" a voice echoed.

That was already addressed by his Diary. He answered "Hiya Myrtle. I'm Harry Potter. Come on out, I don't bite. Well, not ghosts anyway."

"Hehehehehe!" she giggled girlishly "Mymymymymy aren't you a cute boy!

Harry's cheeks tinged red. He scuffed a shoe and muttered "Thanks. So are you. I don't mean no intrusion. I just need to get into the Chamber."

"Like the girl did?" asked Myrtle somewhat eagerly "If you die down there, you can share my toidy. Heehehehehehe!"

Harry gaped at her, answered "Thanks Myrtle. I'll just be going. Be back soon." He found the spigot with the snake engraving and hissed at it ~~Open~~ And backed away as machinery ground, clanked and revealed a totally dark hole in the floor.

"And here, Mr. Potter, is where our story ends." Gloated Lockhart "I'll tell the world how you came to me with the tale of the Chamber of Secrets. How you were able to open it with your Parseltongue ability. But the moment it opened, the horror within took your memory before I could vanquish it."

Harry spun to…unfortunately…face a wand pointed right at his very nose. He sneered "You don't even know what's down there, you fraud."

"I've been looking forward to this ever since you cost me all that money, boy." The Defense professor growled back. He wildly waved his wand and explained "I'm particularly good at memory charms. Say goodbye to your memories, boy! Oblivi!"

Harry's favorite spell to date was "Rectusempra!" he got it in under all the waving and bragging. He watched the spell blast the professor into the far wall and suggested "Hey, Myrtle, when he wakes up scare the dickens out of him."

*Cackle* the ghost squealed happily.

Harry would later learn Myrtle had scared Lockhart multiple times, causing several passouts. And multiple bumps on the back of the head. This, combined with the incomplete memory spell, caused the professor to suffer a near total memory loss. All he seemed to remember was that he is famous. Anyway, Harry jumped down into the hole, the slide he actually found quite enjoyable. After walking through a tunnel full of skeletons of small creatures, mostly rats, Harry arrived at a door with snake carvings, he hissed ~~Open~~

Another series of clanks, grinds and squeaks led to a Chamber. The dominant decoration of which was a huge face that could only be Salazar Slytherin.

~~Open~~ 'No apparently not' Harry tried and failed. His Diary was glowing.

Here we go kiddo. In Parseltongue, say Speak to me Salazar Slytherin Greatest of the Hogwarts Four.

"You have got to be kidding me." Harry rolled his eyes. He waited for an answer, but none was forthcoming. So? What could he do, but obey.

The carving's mouth opened and the huge head of a snake poked out, looked around and more of the body followed, it was huge. The whole thing slithered out, reared up leaving much of its body on the Chamber floor and was still taller than Harry.

"Holy Moses!" the boy gasped as the monstrous shadow fell on him. He looked straight up into the face and smiled sheepishly, hissing ~~Hi there, my name is Harry Potter. I mean you no harm, but I am prepared to defend myself.~~

The basilisk seemed to grin as it replied ~~Hello snack.~~

~~Snack?~~ gulped Harry, barely containing his fear. He held up the rooster, showing that the only thing restraining it was his left hand clamped on its beak. He gathered his courage and went on ~~I trust you know the effects of one of these on one of you.~~

This time the huge snake shuddered and nodded ~~You are here to kill me, then, speaker?~~

~~Just a precaution.~~ he hissed back ~~You stop calling me snack, and we can talk. You petrified some of my friends.~~

The basilisk nodded ~~Your name? I am Sally. Named for my original master.~~

~~You mean Salazar Slytherin.~~ Harry clarified ~~He, along with three others founded the school above us. I am Harry Potter. And the others you attacked are students here. Is that what you are supposed to do?~~

Sally shook her head vigorously ~~Not at all, Harry! Never! Salazar bred me to protect everyone in his place. I was told those I attacked sought the downfall of his great work. The one who told me was of his bloodline. And I'm supposed to obey any such. None who have spoken to me were not—until you. You do, however, have a scent as well.~~

~~I don't know whether I'm related to Salazar, or not.~~ Harry acknowledged, he guessed it was possible ~~Anyway, I'd hope you wouldn't attack anymore of my fellow students. And I do have another favor to ask of you as well.~~

She laid her head right in front of him, perhaps a friendly gesture- or was it intimidation- regardless ~~You have not ordered me…as the Slytherin did…that is most polite. I will consider your request.~~

~~You were being controlled by a book cursed by the one who last had you killing.~~ he answered ~~I have that book. I came here to ask you to destroy it. Your venom is one of the deadliest poisons we know.~~

Sally smiled, showing her fangs ~~Gladly, little human, hold it out for me.~~

~~You won't?~~ asked Harry.

A wordless hiss that could only be called a laugh, then Sally answered ~~ Trust is a two way street, Harry Potter. I am doing as you request. You do what I request.~~

Harry did so, braver than he felt, he deliberately and with gallows humor, watched as the giant snake- REALLY GIANT -especially close up, tilted its head, moved forward and bite.

"What? No! NO!" a wisp of a ghost of a handsome teenage boy appeared and attempted to seize the impaled Diary. The spectral hand simply passed through the solid object. He had less substance than Peeves. He screamed horribly, light burst through his body, spun around impossibly, then he exploded in a flash.

"UnBLOODYbelievable! As Ron would say!" Harry cheered "Buhbye Voldemort!" he danced around happily for a minute. Then he switched to Parseltongue ~~Thank you very much Sally! Very VERY Much! I should return to Hogwarts soon.~~

Since a basilisk could be said to smile, she could be said to frown as well ~~You are then done with me, Harry Potter? You go back to your life? Leave the creature in its hole?~~

~~I would not do that, Sally.~~ he replied ~~Remember, I have a rooster here, that is a danger to you. There are many on the grounds. I must find some way to make you safe and make sure no one is threatened by your presence.~~

Sally nodded ~~What you say is wise, Harry Potter. I will attack none that do not attack me. I only have one need, food.~~

~~Thank you. Sally. My friend. I promise to figure out something about food.~~ the young wizard exhaled a breath he did not know he was holding. He shook with unspent adrenaline. Further, was sure his life had just got a lot more complicated. Especially as he had no idea exactly who he could tell what to. A whole lot of people probably had to be told different parts of the truth, and some probably, outright lied to. It was quite a physical workout climbing back the way he'd come, so he could finally relax.

Abcij

Harry, as Winter ended and Spring began, had a lot on his plate. There were no more major Diary inspired events, but dealing with the presence of a 60 foot snake right under a school full of his schoolmates was a real problem. He didn't even wish Snape or Malfoy got eaten… well he did occasionally dream about it and wake up grinning. Lucky Sally didn't need large meals, despite her size. There was final exams to study for, too. Somewhere along the line, his conversation with Luna intruded and he realized in taking Riddle's Diary, he'd stolen from Ginny. That began to bother him, and the more he thought about it, the more he began to brood. Even exercising, which he'd slipped on a bit, didn't quiet his conscience. He wasn't even aware that he'd begun to avoid her.

"Potter, I find I owe you some thanks." Pansy Parkinson said, rather sourly "Seems Professor Boothby expected we would be using the normal Defense coursebooks, instead of Lockhart's library. Blaise told me and I started reading from them after Christmas. I never would have got even an A on the pre-final. So, thanks."

Blinking at the female Draco in surprise, he replied "You're welcome. Good luck on finals."

"Well, that was interesting, huh guys?" commented Neville with a conflicted look.

Hermione was grinning slightly "I think it was very nice of her. The usual Pansy wouldn't even have acknowledged it or offered Harry any credit."

"She's still a pug-faced bitch." An unhappy Ron muttered.

Hermione slapped his arm "Ronald! That's not nice! And Pansy IS pretty. In-uhh-her own way."

"I'll talk to you guys later." Said Harry as he, with a full mind, walked off.

Up in his office, Albus Dumbledore followed the path of Harry Potter through the school. While hardly forbidden, the boy going into a barely used loo on the second floor was quite irregular. Particularly as it was a girls' loo. His eyebrows went to his hat when the boy suddenly vanished.

Abcij

~~Hiya Sally.~~ Harry waved a careless hand at the basilisk and flopped down in the couch he'd transfigured from the bones of a centaur.

The sixty foot snake eyed her human with some annoyance ~~You clearly have yet to take my advice, Harry Potter.~~

~~Yeah yeah, I know.~~ he grumbled. ~~You just don't understand what it's like. I mean, I stole from her!~~

She laid her head in front of him and less than gently flicked her tongue across his legs ~~Silly boy! I have told you time and again! I know everything that has happened in this castle for a millennium! Honesty and chivalry are the only way to resolve your problems. Have you even told young Albus about me? No.~~

~~Dumbledore young?~~ he emitted a hissing laugh ~~I don't trust anyone over 40 or so…humans that is. He looks about twice your age.~~

Sally hissed pleasantly, lifted her head and laid it on the couch lightly ~~Telling a girl how young she looks is very good flirting, Harry Potter. The females of your kind will just adore you. Don't forget to tell them about their eyes!~~

~~Cut it out Sally!~~ he complained, blushing. He lifted his knee, bumping the underside of her armored jaw ~~And get off me!~~

The basilisk whined a bit then hissed ~~Very well. To business then. All of my old scales are in one spot, I filled a barrel with venom like you asked and thank you for cleaning all the old rat skeletons out of here.~~

~~Wow! That stuff will be worth a fortune!~~ he looked at a room stacked floor to ceiling with what, to Sally, was garbage ~~Alright. Ginny tonite, Dumbledore as soon as Sirius can get here.~~

Abcij

In the Gryffindor Common Room a red-headed witch was studying her favorite subject…Potions. Or, at least apparently, she didn't really need to study for that class. She was using her textbook as a cover for trying to figure out where her year went wrong. By her reckoning Ginny Weasley started with too great new friends, her penpal who turned out to be the famous Harry Potter; and Tom, who inhabited her Diary. Tom was an older boy who went to Hogwarts long ago. He was full of great advice and helped her with school in ways even Percy didn't know. One day, her Diary vanished….off the face of the Earth it seemed…..No one she asked knew about it. She'd even asked Slytherins about it, letting them make fun of her she was so desperate. And, for some crazy reason, just after she lost Tom Harry stopped being her friend. Not all at once, but little by little, he was virtually out of her life now.

"Hi Ginny. Can I sit with you?" asked Harry as he approached the window.

Without speaking, she pulled her legs up on the pane and rested her chin on her knees.

"Doing good on your exams, Gin?" he asked, uneasily.

She didn't look up from her book as she replied "It's a free country, you can sit where you want. I don't have to talk to you."

"I deserved that, I guess." He sighed "I—"

She cut him off "You what? Were too busy studying? You seemed to manage letters just fine. Let's just say I'm a whole lot less impressed with Harry Potter than I used to be. Now, shut up and let me study."

"I'm sorry Ginny. I really am." He apologized with a defeated sigh "I didn't even realize I was until a friend told me, and it took even longer for me to understand why and I'm even more sorry for that, too. I know it was going to hurt you and it was wrong, but it was still the right thing to do even if I did it wrong."

About halfway through his speech, she looked up, and when he stopped she impatiently demanded "What the bloody hell are you babbling about?"

"Ron would be so proud." He snorted "But on behalf of Hermione….Gin! Language!"

Ginny's look was just plain stony. "Shut up Harry!"

"Right. Sally promised confession is good for the soul." Harry told himself before continuing "So…. Here goes…..It was me. I saw your Diary on the bench that day. I took it."

Ginny knew of no Sally in the school. But then her wondering was interrupted by his admission. She went beet red. Only her desire to keep it secret kept her from screaming. Instead, she whispered harshly "If you think Fred and George are bad, wait'll I get going! I assume you have some kind of reason!"

"He told you his name was Tom Riddle, right?" asked Harry. After her angry nod of agreement he continued "His full name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. He grew up to become Voldemort."

Anger gone, Ginny's eyes popped out, her mouth hung open then she looked terrified. As suddenly as it was gone, it was back as full fledged fury. She jumped up, slapped Harry across the face. Hard! And screamed "LIAR! I HATE YOU! BASTARD!"

"Well, that could've gone better." Harry quipped, mostly to himself, though just loud enough for some nearby to hear.

After seeing her run in tears, Ron was incoherent with anger. Every inch of visible skin was tinged red. He snarled "Wha'd you do to my sister!" And flung himself at his best friend.

"That is some hard head. Sleep it off, Ron." Primed after Ginny's surprise slap, which he really could have dodged, Harry took a leap to the left. He replied to his prone friend. A bit of stone was broken off the windowsill. With the rest of the Common Room looking on, he glared, unafraid, at the other three Weasley boys.

They made a rather intimidating circle around the younger boy, arms crossed and Percy demanded "Exactly what just happened between you and Ginevra?"

"I rather think that is her story to tell." He affected a Percy-like tone.

The twins weren't able to keep amused snorts behind their lips, but then closed in threateningly. "Perhaps we should"

"just beat it"

"out of you." They growled.

Harry gave a shrug and retorted "You can try."

"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall came on the scene

Prefect Percy answered "Just talking school and homework, Ma'am."

"In a manner of speaking. Professor. I told Ginny something she didn't really want to hear, and her brothers all got Daddy complexes about it." Harry clarified, rather to their distress. There wasn't a Gryffindor not hiding a giggle behind his or her hand.

The stern Head of House frowned "I see. And perhaps you will clarify that, Mr. Potter?"

"With respect, Ma'am. No it wouldn't. it is Ginny's story to tell." He answered bluntly. Was refusing a McGonagall 'request' even allowed? "But I would ask you to contact Sirius with a request to meet with Dumbledore as soon as possible.".

She reflexively asked "What does this concern?"

"Well, ordinarily I might just leave it at personal business" he said, looking around with a bit of malice "But let's just say there's some truth to the Heir of Slytherin rumors." Needless to say, the rest of the day was very interesting for him.

Abcij

It amused Sirius to keep them waiting until the next day. Especially once Harry assured him no one's life was at risk. And Harry appreciated the minor prank. It was even better when, in the Headmaster's office he pompously declared "It trust this will not take up too time. I do have important business at the Ministry to attend to."

"It is your brat, mutt, that set this meeting. And therefore any agenda." Snape sneered "Why exactly are we here, Potter?"

Sirius jumped in before Harry could "You weren't invited Snivilus."

"Snivilus?" queried Harry with a grin.

Dumbledore frowned "Come, Sirius, let us allow childhood grievances in the past. Harry, I assure you Professor Snape has my utmost trust. Now, please, what is on your mind this morning."

"Well, sure, Albus." Answered Harry "Except that my guardian does have the right to decide if Snivilus- was that it Sirius?- stays or not?"

Highly displeased, Minerva put in "It is inappropriate to refer to the Headmaster by his first name Potter!"

"Well, he uses mine, McGonagall. What's good for the goose…" he countered flippantly.

Dumbledore's glare was withering "Enough of this. Now, you asked for this meeting Harry. I invited Professor Snape on this occasion. What news have you of The Heir of Slytherin?"

"Harry, do not answer that question as long as Snivilus is here." Sirius ordered. To which, the boy apparently nodded meekly. "We can stand here up to ten minutes, then I will have to leave and well… you know my conditions for discussions with my Godson."

Severus again displayed a sneer and said "You have always been as rotten as your leader, Black."

"My Father was a great man!" yelled Harry, pushing out of his seat.

Severus countered contemptuously "Your father was a swine."

"I hear that from Malfoy all the time!" now Harry was really mad "And my mother was a Mudblood whore, right! Well both your parents were greaseball arseholes! Just like their son!"

For a second, Severus was in one of his own worst memories. It only just showed on his face, then was gone "That will be two hundred points for insulting a professor, Potter."

"He leaves, now!" snarled Sirius with a canine intensity "Or we do. And, Harry is right, a little complaint is sometimes more fun. As it is I am learning a lot from reviewing the records of points. You'll have my full report before I take Harry on a well deserved vacation."

Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his nose and finally relented "Severus, go. Harry I expect you to apologize to Professor Snape."

"After he does." Harry shot right back "In front of the school."

Something on a shelf suddenly exploded. The Headmaster was shocked, he hadn't displayed accidental magic since he was a boy. When the Potions Professor was gone, he scolded "Harry I hope you understand you have guaranteed a powerful enemy today."

"Snape was my enemy the day he saw me." Harry countered, then brought a bound leather book out of his robes pocket [He deliberately put it there, instead of with his own Diary] and asked "Do you recognize the initials on this?"

Minerva was mildly frustrated "Surely you cannot expect-"

"Hush, Minerva." Said Dumbledore "Tom Marvolo Riddle. It is his handwriting, stylized as well. And he was the best Transfiguration student I ever taught. The only class he excelled better in was Defense. Head Boy the year you started, if my memory recalls."

Harry rolled his eyes impatiently "Stop with the mystery!" And wrote in the air, just as Old Harry described TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE. Then waved his wand. The letters rearranged themselves to I AM LORD VOLDEMORT

McGonagall flinched. Sirius was surprised but not fearful. Dumbledore just nodded knowingly and asked "How did you come by this Harry?"

"I've been researching everything available anywhere about Voldemort." Harry lied, but it fit his high grades and studying reputation "I found his true name. Actually Minerva McGonagall, you returned to your maiden name after your husband died, was a Second Year when Tom was Head Boy. Anyway, a girl was writing in it, and recognized it for what it was."

She blinked, shocked "T-t-tom is You-Know-Who? He was s-s-so nice."

"That's what they said about Hitler." Said Harry, pointedly. "I think some magical echo still remains on it?"

Dumbledore waved his wand over the Diary for a minute, then nodded "It does indeed, Harry. Very dangerous dark magic my boy. You should have involved a professor at once."

"Who?" he demanded derisively "Snape? And I don't trust either of you."

The Headmaster took the opportunity to raise his issue "About your Aunt and Uncle. I have spoken to them and they have agreed to accept you back. Now, related to that, it was only under the condition of certain ummm…. Monetary considerations-"

"He's paying them, Harry." Sirius translated.

Dumbledore head shook slightly "More precisely. I advanced Vernon and Petunia from my personal funds. Gringotts apparently received instructions changing access privileges, so Sirius I suppose I need your authorization as Harry's guardian to reimburse my account for the expense and the regular weekly payment while you're staying-"

"Harry, what do you know about this?" asked Sirius, already knowing the answer.

Shrugging, the boy answered "Oh. The goblins told me someone was paying the Dursleys to care for me. Since I decided I was never going back I told them to stop any pay to them."

"You are not of age Harry. It was wrong of you to leave your Aunt and Uncle." Lectured Dumbledore "And, also not being of age, you cannot make major decisions on your account. Nor did the Goblins act appropriately in following your directions. Now, Sirius, if you please."

Again, the former convict deferred "Harry, perhaps you could explain that to the Headmaster."

"Gladly." He gritted his teeth "You see, the Dursleys treat me about the same as a House Elf by one of the Dark families. So, even before Sirius was freed, I decided I was done being a slave. I never will set foot in that house again. Not even if Sirius wasn't around. I'd go where I spent the past two summers."

Dumbledore shifted tactics "And where exactly was that, Harry?"

"None of your business!" he snarled, deliberately looking away "And don't try that Legilimency shite either!"

To this, McGonagall snapped "Respect, Mr. Potter! And watch your language."

"Would you like to deduct points, Minerva?" asked Sirius, coldly. "Our appeal will detail EXACTLY why Harry told off the Headmaster. Is Rita Skeeter still after a good story?"

At a cue from her boss, the Deputy Headmistress backed down. And he changed subjects "Back to the matter of The Heir of Slytherin, Harry am I to take that you know something about the Chamber of Secrets? Would it, by chance, be in what is famously known as Moaning Myrtle's bathroom?"

"Yes. How did you know?" Harry was suddenly worried.

At this Dumbledore grinned "Apparently we both have a secret the other wants."

"Not really, Albus." Sirius interrupted, and cryptically added "Think about the map, Harry. How he knows isn't important. The question is can he get in?"

Dumbledore was displeased, he'd hooked the boy's interest and had his opportunity snatched away. If only Sirius hadn't been present he would have obtained some useful information. Without a noticeable gap, he acknowledged "True, I do not. Professor McGonagall, we should make it a priority to gain access to the Chamber as quickly as possible. If you will have all of the staff join me."

"You won't be able to get in." said Harry, with a self-assured smirk "You need a Parseltongue. Salazar did a real good job with the magic there."

"I stand corrected. Professor, have the staff join myself and Harry." Dumbledore amended.

Sirius grinned as he pointed out "Is that wise now, Albus? It is near curfew. I wouldn't want to see Harry get in trouble."

"No penalty will accrue on this occasion." Said Dumbledore, mildly irritated. His eyebrow twitched when the former convict just smiled.

Abcij

In the second floor girls' loo was Sirius, Harry and a mob of professors. He shook his head "Uh-huh. Too many. Sally might get nervous. Me, Sirius and Dumbledore. Only because he is the headmaster."

"Potter, you do not dictate to us. Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Snape growled.

Remembering Dumbledore's commitment, he retorted "Sod off Greasy! You can't punish me here!"

"Harry is correct on this occasion, my promise could be interpreted that way." He sighed.

To which Harry grinned happily and waved "Buhbye Snivilus. Now, Professor, Sirius, wands please."

"Just what is down there, Mr. Potter?" asked McGonagall.

Harry mischievously replied "Remember what you said about the Chamber of Secrets? The horror within."

"Sounds like fun." Answered Sirius cheerfully, twirling his wand before dropping it in the boy's hand.

Snape growled "Are you going to let this child get away with impugning your authority?"

"Hey Myrtle!" Harry abruptly yelled "Sevvy over here, he's an intruder!"

The murdered Ravenclaw came out of her u-bend screeching and flew maddeningly fast circles around the Potions Professor, who stumbled about, yelled, tried to aim his wand, and eventually fell into a toilet.

"Thank you Harry, that was fun." She giggled, then kissed his cheek.

Sirius winked "Way to go kiddo."

"Aww…bugger." Harry complained with a blush "Now, nobody but the three of us. Myrtle, if they're any trouble ask Peeves for help. Ok?" he blushed when the ghost cuddled him. Turning away, he hissed ~~Open~~

Sirius openly gaped at the roughly forty-foot skin that was one of the first things they saw. That, along with more than a dozen skins of other sizes, were very intimidating. "Harry, you and I are going to have a talk about looking before you leap. Did you really face something this big?"

"Oh no." Harry answered "Sally is much bigger. She likes to spend most of her time behind that sculpture." He hissed at some length and the basilisk …well… slithered out of the mouth.

The pair of adult wizards covered their eyes reflexively. They heard a barely audible grinding of the snake moving, then more hissing in two different voices.

Then Harry laughed "Sally says you need to watch where you're going. Open your eyes, she won't look directly at you. Don't you know a basilisk's stare is only deadly when they want it to be?"

"How did you survive the first time, Harry?" asked Sirius. Still shading his eyes.

He replied "I'm a Parseltongue. The eyes can't hurt me." Then he had a rather lengthy hissing exchange "Headmaster, Slytherin did put Sally here a thousand years ago, but as a protector to the school. The attacks both this year and in the 40s were a misuse by Voldemort. Sally is fairly content with the rats that come in here from time to time, but just wishes she could get out for a little variety. NOT, she promises, human flesh. I mentioned the Dark Forest as a place she could hunt."

"Centaurs, Unicorns and Merpeople in Black lake should not be eaten either." Dumbledore said.

After translating that, Harry said "Sally agrees to your requests, young wizard. Her words."

"I accept the comparison." Dumbledore replied with a light chuckle "This is a remarkable chamber. Amazing that it went undiscovered through all the centuries, dozens of headmasters and thousands of teachers."

Harry explained "Sally said because we were too young for it. She doesn't mean you or me. She means people and most of us still are. So far, she knows of three. Three? Who? Well, that's not nice! What do you mean when the time is right? Fine be that way! She says it's time for us to go."