Chapter Nine.

Hermione screamed, and Ron pulled her into a hug.

Harry rushed to her side too. "I'm sorry Hermione I didn't mean to scare you, it is dead I promise, it can't hurt you." The young man stammered, worried about his friends reaction.

"You fought that?" Ron asked in a low whisper."

Harry nodded.

"Bloody hell."

Severus grabbed Harry's arm and spun him around, pulling him into a tight hug too. "I believe I speak for us all when I say, if you ever do anything this reckless again, we will be forced to lock you in a room until... forever."

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "Why did you bring us here Harry?" She asked.

"Well Severus said in class that ingredients from the Basilisk were really good for potions but you couldn't get them anymore. So here one is, all for you. And I know Hermione would love the chance to learn about it and dissect it. As for Ron, I need you for a job. I haven't done this room at all. I figured we could start on the ceiling." Harry pulled out two brooms from a pocket and used his wand to put them back to the right size. "What do you think?"

All three of his companions were looking at him in a mixture of excitement and awe. "Harry, you can't just give this to me. You killed it it's yours. Have you any idea how much one scale of that snake is worth?" Severus asked in wonder.

"I don't know lots I guess. But if its mine I can give it to who I want, right?"

"Sure you can mate." Ron grinned. "Can I get a tooth? I can make it into a necklace."

Harry and Hermione laughed. "If you like. So, what about you Hermione you ready to get your hands dirty?"

Hermione grinned and started rolling up her sleeves. "I never liked this robe anyway."

Severus looked around the three grinning Gryffindors and sighed in resignation. "You three will be the death of me yet. I need my potions gathering kit, and probably a lot of refills for containers I'm in no shape to do this."

"Dobby." Harry called gleefully.

Dobby appeared. "Mr Harry Potter didn't tell his Dobby he was brining family to his chambers. Dobby will bring lunch."

Harry blushed. "Thanks, that'll be great latter, but now we might need some things to collect the snake. Can you get whatever Severus needs?"

"Anything you need just ask your Dobby."

Severus started listing off what he needed, Hermione listening eagerly.

Ron reached for one of the brooms. "What do you want me to do then Harry."

"You and I need to clean down the roof; we can put a shied up so the water won't drip on to them. Not that they'll notice. What do you think Severus will say when I tell him about all the skins I have its shed over the years?"

"He'll have a fit and declare undying love and devotion offer his hand in marriage if he can have them." Ron said with a straight face.

Harry grinned. "I can live with those terms."

The beauty of being a spy is you develop perfect hearing. Severus heard every word, and began to plan.