Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor am I attempting to make any personal gain from this story.
Chapter 9: The Basilisk and the Tiara
At the bottom of the ladder Harry set off down the tunnel. It was just as he remembered it, floor covered in dead rats and similar small creatures and a giant, discarded snake skin. The only difference was that the ceiling was intact. He arrived at the door to the inner chamber. Leaving his broom behind, Harry opened the door.
Upon entering the inner chamber Harry opened the sack, gently placing the rooster on the floor of the chamber. He then cast a spell that created a strong odour designed to mask the smell of the rooster. Finally, he spoke in Parseltongue, "Come to me, serpent of Slytherin, I wish to speak with you."
Harry watched as the mouth of the enormous statue at the far end of the chamber opened. Harry closed his eyes, hearing and feeling for the Basilisk. "What is it you wish of me?" the Basilisk asked.
"Tell me your purpose in this school. Are the stories true?"
"My purpose is to rid the school of those who are unworthy. What are these stories you mention?"
"That you exist to kill muggleborns. That only those of pure blood are worthy of attending this school."
"That is true only those of pure blood are worthy of the privilege of learning in this great school."
"A pity, but not unexpected," Harry said as he turned to the rooster. "Finite Incantatum," he said, in English.
Immediately, the rooster started crowing loudly. The Basilisk screamed, throwing itself against the wall. The screaming stopped and the whole chamber shook as it crashed to the floor, dead.
Harry turned to rooster which was still crowing loudly and flapping around. Harry now wished he had secured a rope to the bird, trying to catch it now would be difficult. He watched as it flew around the room, passing right over the Basilisk several times before landing on its head. Harry realised it was looking the Basilisk in the eye and was that it was still alive. Feeling reassured, Harry stunned the rooster before approaching both animals. He then put the rooster back in the sack before aiming a cutting spell at the Basilisk's mouth. A large fang dropped out onto the floor.
Examining the fang carefully before picking it up, Harry noted that it was razor sharp and serrated, with tiny holes through which he could see the venom oozing out. Carefully, he placed the fang onto a clean cloth he had in his pocket. Next, he turned back to the Basilisk and repeated the cutting spell several times. Once he had extracted a half dozen fangs and placed them on the cloth he wrapped them up and put them in the sack along with the rooster. He then left the Chamber, picking up his broom along the way.
Returning to the foot of the ladder Harry made sure everything was secure before climbing up. After stepping off the ladder, to the sound of Myrtle celebrating his return, he closed the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
"You're alive," Myrtle said.
"Yes, the basilisk didn't kill me, I killed it," Harry said.
"How did you kill it?"
"With a rooster. Don't ask me how it works or why, it just does. The crowing of a rooster is fatal to a Basilisk. It doesn't make sense but there you go."
Myrtle nodded, looking happy. "So, what's next, Harry?" He thought her enquiry sounded a little too friendly for his liking.
"I'm going to return Hagrid's rooster to him then I'm going to bed. It is quite late and I'm meeting Susan Bones tomorrow morning," he replied before leaving the bathroom.
By the time Harry left the castle a cold wind had picked up making him shiver as he returned the rooster. Upon returning to the castle he flew up to the seventh floor and entered the Room of Requirement, lighting a small fire in the room in order to warm up a little. He couldn't help but marvel at the fireplace the room created to fulfil his wish but couldn't help but wonder if this was a possible way for someone to sneak into castle. It was basically similar to how Draco brought Death-eaters in the night Dumbledore died. Then he remembered the vanishing cabinet had not been created by the room so he relaxed his fears, deciding it probably wasn't a risk.
After warming up Harry retrieved the tiara. Briefly he wondered if he should attempt to find a way of repairing it after destroying the Horcrux but in the end he decided it was almost impossible. Only Phoenix tears could cure Basilisk venom and the only Phoenix he knew of was in Dumbledore's office. The less Dumbledore knew the better, Harry thought.
Placing the Tiara on a table top Harry pulled out one of the fangs he'd retrieved and raised it over the Tiara. Apparently sensing what was going to happen, the Horcrux tried to possess him, flooding his mind with terrifying images.
"Knowledge is power," screamed an image of a man with the face of a snake. "Put me on, I will show you the true meaning of power." Another image, this time of Harry wearing the Tiara and standing over the bodies Death-eaters and the Dursley's. Harry saw himself wielding the sword of justice over everyone who had ever harmed him. Everyone except Lord Voldemort he suddenly realised. That realisation gave him the power to break free of the enchantment.
Harry looked down at the fang in one hand and the Tiara in the other. With shock he realised he had been about to put it on. He put the Tiara back on the table and immediately drove the fang into it. A terrifying scream filled the room, rising to a crescendo of sound before stopping abruptly. The Tiara lay smoking on the table, a black tar like substance dripping from it. The tar was smoking as it ate into table top, taking several minutes before it finally stopped. The surface of the table was scarred permanently, Harry realised, even magic wouldn't be able to fix it.
Next morning Harry was woken by Ron. "Hey, Harry, wake up or you'll miss breakfast."
Harry yawned, "What time is it?"
"Breakfast time," Ron replied. "You sure you're alright?"
"Didn't sleep well. I had another vision." Harry climbed out of bed. "I should really tell McGonagall about it."
"What did you see?"
Harry dressed quickly while replying, "Wait 'till we see McGonagall. That way I only have to it once."
They went to Professor McGonagall's office but she wasn't there so they headed to the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall was having breakfast and talking to The Headmaster as Harry approached them. "Good Morning, Harry," Dumbledore said as they stopped by the staff table.
"Good morning sir, Professor McGonagall, I had a strange vision last night. I don't know what to make of it," Harry replied.
Professor McGonagall motioned for him to proceed.
"I saw a man but he had the face of a snake and glowing red eyes," Harry noticed at this point that both Dumbledore and Snape, who was nearby, were listening intently. "He was trying to give a crown, telling me that if I wore the crown I would have great power. He told me with the crown I could punish those who have hurt me. I definitely saw the Dursleys on the ground at my feet. But it felt 'wrong' I guess. So I forced myself to wake up."
"Are you sure it wasn't a dream, Harry," Dumbledore asked but Harry shook his head.
"It was too real to be a dream, sir."
"Very well, Potter, I suggest you get some breakfast. Mr. Bones will be here shortly to collect you," Professor McGonagall said.
As Harry and Ron were leaving Hagrid approached. "Good morning', Professor Dumbledore," he said. "Funny thing 'appened las' night. When I woke jus' now I found one o' my roosters unconscious. It'd been stunned."
Harry suddenly realised in his haste to get to the castle last night he had neglected to revive the rooster he had borrowed.
"Is it alright, Hagrid," asked Dumbledore.
"Yeah, Jus' a bit cold but he'll live. Bit odd though, innit."
"Indeed. I shall look into it after seeing Harry off later this morning. Harry, may I have a work with you after you finish your breakfast?"
"Of course, sir."
"What do you think Dumbledore wants?" asked Ron.
"Don't know. It could be about my vision, I guess," Harry replied.
When Harry finished breakfast he went back to the staff table to await Dumbledore was deep in conversation with Snape. Snape saw Harry first but Harry was prepared and put up the image of Dumbledore's death to mask his thoughts.
"Are you all packed ready to go?" asked Dumbledore.
"Nearly sir. I just need to collect my trunk from the dorms and then put on a warm cloak and I'll be ready to go." They began walking towards Gryffindor tower.
Dumbledore nodded. "Professor Snape has informed me you appear to have mastered occlumency. I refer specifically to that image you showed him of my death. You have used it to successfully block him from your thoughts."
Harry was very surprised but quickly thought up a response." What's occlumency, sir?"
"It is a technique skilled wizards can use to prevent others from seeing their thoughts and memories. Your method of using it appears to be to plant a false image that the viewer finds shocking and which will distract them from their objective. Who taught you that skill, if I may ask?"
"No-one taught me, sir. It is a natural ability I have." Harry glanced at Dumbledore and noted he had a worried expression. 'Wrong answer' Harry berated himself.
"Why choose that particular image, Harry. Do you have some personal dislike of Professor Snape?"
"Yes," Harry said, trying to shock Dumbledore with his honesty.
"May I ask why?"
"He's a bully. Haven't you noticed that he picks on students, belittling them rather than helping them?"
"Do you believe he bullies you?"
"He tried, but I was prepared. I'd been told what to expect from him so I pulled up that vision. It's another prophesy, in case you cannot tell, and it will happen if certain other things happen first." They had reached the common room so Harry left Dumbledore to get his things, leaving the Headmaster to think over what he had said.
Upon returning Harry hurried down to entrance hall, keen to avoid any further conversation with the Headmaster. Fortunately Mr. Bones was waiting for him there, passing the time in conversation with Professor Sprout, head of Hufflepuff house. Harry was happy to see Mr. Bones since it meant his haste had been justified.
"Harry, it's good to finally meet you," Mr. Bones said. "Susan has told us about you, of course and your face," he was looking at Harry's scar as he said it, "is known to all."
"Hello, Mr. Bones. I'm ready to leave as soon as you are," Harry couldn't wait to get away from Dumbledore. He turned to Professor Sprout. "Good morning, professor."
"Good morning to you Potter," Sprout said. "Well, I won't hold you up, Charles, I'm quite sure Susan is looking forward to meeting young Mr. Potter outside of school."
With that the two professors returned to the castle and Harry followed Mr. Bones to the main gate. "Have you ever apparated before, Harry," he asked
"No sir. How does it work?" asked Harry.
It's advanced magic that you learn in 6th year. All you have to do, however, is hold my arm once we are outside the gates and I can take you straight to our destination."
Once outside the gates Mr. Bones held out his arm for Harry who took hold of it firmly while holding his trunk with his other hand. For a few seconds Harry felt as though he was being squeezed through a tiny tube but then he was standing in the back yard of a medium sized house in a semi-rural setting. He could see a field beyond the nearby fence but beyond that were several more houses perhaps 200 metres or so away. He looked around, familiarising himself with the setting before turning back to Mr. Bones. "So that's apparition," he said.
"Yes. Not the most comfortable way of getting around but by far the quickest," Mr. Bones replied. "Sirius will be picking you up around 7pm. He knows the address. So, shall we step into the house?"
Harry nodded, enthusiastically.
