Chapter XII: Titles and Tails.

Harry kept walking down the large tunnels, having flashbacks to running for his life from the Basilisk, three years ago. He stopped at a split in the tunnel, and listened to the faint noises around them, hearing movement down both pipes, growing steadily fainter.

'Hermione, I think we'll need to come back at the weekend, with everyone.' Harry thought, turning back and jogging back to the central chamber.

'Why?' Hermione quickly asked.

"Because I think the Basilisk isn't dead, and I want to hunt it down." Harry said as he entered the chamber, Hermione smiled and they headed back up to the second floor girls bathroom.

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That weekend, Harry met Daphne and Tracey in the entrance hall, and together they walked into Hogsmeade, heading straight for the Three Broomsticks.

"Why are we going here Potter?" Daphne asked indignantly as he ushered them inside.

"Because I had one of my Harem set up a means of getting from here to Diagon Alley in seconds." Harry said, leading them over to the bar, where Tonks was busy serving some elderly wizards.

"Wotcha Harry" Tonks said brightly. "You need me for something?"

"Where's Rosie?" Harry asked immediately.

"In the back, why?" Tonks asked, handing three Firewhiskeys to the elderly wizards, who walked away, and took a nearby table.

"These two fine ladies, wish to join" Harry said merrily, pulling Daphne and Tracey closer to the bar.

"So they enjoyed the show on Monday?" Tonks giggled, before lifting up the bar surface, so they could walk behind it. "Go on through." Harry nudged the two Slytherins through and Tonks lowered the bar behind them, giving Harry a quick kiss on the way past.

"So how do we get to London?" Tracey asked, grinning when Harry led them into what was clearly Rosmerta's bedroom.

"You use that portrait darlin'." Rosmerta said, stepping out from a side-room, wearing only her bra, and a loose fitting skirt, with her pregnant bump clearly visible. Tracey and Daphne stared in disbelief at the older witch, whilst Harry fiddled with the portrait. Because she was wearing so little, they were transfixed by her pregnant belly, magnificent cleavage, and 'HP' tattoo that stood out against her pale pink skin.

"You've got Madam Rosmerta in your harem, and pregnant!" Daphne said, struggling to believe what she was seeing.

"Damn straight!" Rosmerta said, walking over and kissing Harry on the cheek, as he pulled the frame away to reveal a small passageway behind. "I've been around a while, and I have never had any man love me, the way Harry does. You are very fortunate to receive an invitation." Rosie then walked back into the side room, to get fully dressed.

"Come on ladies, there's much we need to do, for you to be inducted into the harem." Harry said, gesturing them into the passageway.

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"Ah Lord Potter, how good to see you again, what may I do for you?" Gonark said as he greeted them in the grand entrance hall.

"I've got two more witches to join my harem, and I wish to visit one of my vaults." Harry said, shaking the goblin's hand.

"May I enquire which one?" Gonark said, leading them behind the rows of tellers, and toward his office.

"Slytherin's Vault, I need to research something, and I have a feeling the information I need is in that vault." Harry explained as they stepped into Gonark's office, which felt smaller than last time.

"What right do you have to Salazar Slytherin's name?" Daphne said indignantly.

"Lord Potter-Peverell-Gryffindor-Hufflepuff-Slytherin, won the title when he defeated Slytherin's heir, and when he bound Narcissa Black, whose family has a faint line to that founder of Hogwarts." Gonark said proudly, pulling out Harry's inheritance form and handing it to Daphne.

"You're the Lord of Hogwarts?" Tracey said as her eyes ran down the lists of his inheritances.

"From January, yes." Harry said proudly. "Hermione is the heiress of Ravenclaw, when our baby is born; I essentially become regent until the child comes of age."

"Please sign here" Gonark said, drawing their attention to two pieces of parchment on his desk, with their names at the top.

"What exactly are we signing?" Daphne asked, eyeing the parchment with her name on it.

"The precursory form, to the permanent binding document, which you'll be legible to sign when you turn nineteen." Gonark said smiling politely. "This can be cancelled by your parents."

"Gonark, there's something you're not telling me" Harry said, realising that something was being hidden from him.

"With Miss Greengrass joining your harem, you've got six of the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight', directly or indirectly, connected to you."

"What is the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight'?" Harry immediately asked.

"The twenty-eight pureblood families listed in the 'Pure-Blood Directory' by Cantankerus Nott in the 1930s." Daphne said as she signed the document. "Basically the magical British families that were still 'truly pure-blood'. It includes: Abbott, Avery, Black, Bulstrode, Burke, Carrow, Crouch, Fawley, Flint, Gaunt, Greengrass, Lestrange, Longbottom, Macmillan, Malfoy, Nott, Ollivander, Parkinson, Prewett, Rosier, Rowle, Selwyn, Shacklebolt, Shafiq, Slughorn, Travers, Weasley, and Yaxley."

"You've now got; Abbott, Black, Greengrass, Parkinson, and Weasley in your harem, and that document states that you have Lestrange as a slave." Tracey said, pointing to his inheritance document, as she signed her form.

"Wait, shouldn't the Potter name be among them?" Harry asked, "It's a pure-blood line, plus I think I'm entitled to the Gaunt name through conquering Voldemort."

"You were, until Voldemort returned, and no one is sure why the Potter name wasn't included." Gonark stated, as he folded the documents away in his folder.

"Is there anything significant to having so many of them connected to me?" Harry asked.

"You're social position is significantly stronger, more respect on committees like the Wizengamot, plus a strong social connection across the entire Wizarding world." Daphne said proudly.

"And being Lord of Hogwarts won't provide similar effects?" Harry said cheekily.

"Having essentially a quarter of the Sacred Twenty-Eight connected to you will double your connections" Tracey said smiling.

"Alright, let's go to the vault" Harry said, looping his arms with Tracey and Daphne, as they followed Gonark to the carts.

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Daphne and Tracey were caught off guard, when the cart only stopped at the lowest point of the Gringotts caves.

"Isn't that a bit excessive?" Daphne said, as they slowly walked past the colossal golem that guarded the Founder's Vaults.

"Gringotts has many defences against thieves, this golem as been here since the founding of the bank." Gonark said proudly as they approached the Slytherin Vault, which was adorned with a large metal snake on its surface, similar to the Chamber of Secrets entrance. Harry ran his hand along the snake's back and spoke in Parseltongue to open it.

"What was the password?" Tracey asked as the vault door swung open.

"These vaults require four things to open; the blood of the Founder, a pulse from those wanting to enter, the correct password and hand movement or placement to open Miss Davis." Gonark said as they stepped inside. "What are you looking for Lord Potter?"

"Information on his pet" Harry said, carefully flicking through stacks of papers.

"Didn't you kill it?" Daphne asked, confused by why he was so interested in it.

"I thought I did" Harry said, picking out a dusty parchment, "but me and Hermione went and had a look in the Chamber, and we only found the head, not the body. Plus, I heard movement down there, and it was too loud to just be rats."

"You saying it's still down there and that muggle-borns are in danger?" Tracey asked, seemingly terrified by the prospect.

"It may be down there, but it needs orders before it attacks anyone" Harry said, skim-reading the notes on the old parchment, entitled 'Breeding Notes.' "Oh crap!"

"What?" Tracey and Daphne stepped forward and looked over his shoulder to read the notes.

The Castle nears completion, and the others are still refusing to not allow 'muggle-borns' into the school, so time is of the essence.

I have managed to splice non-reptilian properties into my project. It will be non-gendered, and able to regenerate from a fatal injury.

"Are you serious? The thing can't be killed? What did he splice into its DNA?" Daphne said, storming out of the vault, with Tracey close behind.

"Phoenix or Hydra DNA are the most likely, he theorises that if it was killed, it would form two from its corpse, half the size." Harry said, putting the paper down, grabbing a small box from under the papers, and exiting the vault, as the door swung shut and locked.

"That sounds like it's got Hydra DNA Lord Potter" Gonark said abruptly from outside the vault.

"So there are now two Basilisks living under the castle? What do you plan to do?" Tracey said, completely panic stricken.

"First, get you two marked, then rally the harem at the entrance, before we all go hunting for it." Harry explained as they got on to the cart.

"We're going to kill it?" Daphne said excitedly.

"No" Harry said quickly in response, "we're going to find it, and get it to obey me, not Voldemort."

"A Basilisk would prove a useful weapon against the Dark Lord, and enrage him that his 'ancestral symbol' is being used against him" Gonark stated.

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After getting both ladies tattooed with the 'HP' and the lightning bolt over their hearts, they hurried back to Hogwarts, when they stepped through the portrait; they found Rosmerta waiting for them.

"Tonks has gone up to the castle already, I'm staying back, I'm not risking the baby down there" Rosie said defiantly.

"You won't be, I got these from the Vault" Harry showed the small dusty box, "Salazar said that he used these to stop the snakes attacking him by accident."

"How many have you got?" Rosie asked, clearly unsure.

"Enough for all eighteen of us" Harry said brightly. "Salazar says he gave them to his followers, when they first bred the Basilisks." Rosie smiled and grabbed her jacket.

"Let's get going then; I've already shut up shop for the evening." Rosie said cheerfully. "Most know better than to argue with me, especially whilst pregnant."

Together they walked up to the Castle, quickly making their way to the second floor bathroom, where they found the others waiting for them, including Fleur.

"I came as soon as 'ermione told us, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing" Fleur said as Harry gave her an odd look.

"Well it's good for us all to be in one place." Harry said warmly, before he stepped up to the column of sinks.

§ Open §

He turned and saw every woman's jaw drop as the entrance revealed itself.

"One by one" Harry said, before jumping down the hole, he heard several screams moments later, which told him they were following his lead.

When they each reached the bottom, Harry heard multiple variations on the word 'disgusting' as they landed in the pile of animal bones. Last down was Hermione, who wasn't phased by the bones and quickly walked past them, toward the central chamber.

"We'll pair up to pin the snakes down, Tracey and Daphne will have to be paired with others, as they don't have the link." Hermione said, as the group made their way into the main chamber, after Harry opened the inner door.

"What link?" Daphne snorted.

"We can communicate telepathically, and are able to apparate to another if they're in danger, even in Hogwarts." Luna said cheerfully.

When they reached the main chamber, they gathered in front of the large stone face of Slytherin, and Harry stood between the group, and the skull of the Basilisk he killed.

"Alright, everyone takes one of these" Harry said, handing out small pendants with a snake charm. "According to Slytherin's notes, these will identify you as a friend, if you find one of them, try and get it cornered."

"Corner something that's that big?" Pansy said pointing at the skull behind Harry.

"These ones will be half the size" Hermione reminded her, as they all put on one of the pendants.

"Right, everyone take a different tunnel, Tracey you go with Pansy, Daphne come with me." Harry instructed, Hermione frowned in annoyance, 'she's hiding something, this'll help me find out what.' he told Hermione over the link, she smiled.

"Alright everyone, stay in contact, and watch each other's blind spots." Hermione said, as she paired up with Ginny. "They won't attack, but our presence will make them curious." With that they split up; Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Daphne heading down the tunnel Harry had searched previously, before splitting at the intersection.

"So Potter, why did you want to be alone with me?" Daphne asked smugly, as their illuminated wand tips searched the dark tunnel. "Wanted me all to yourself?"

"I get the feeling that there's something you're not telling me, concerning you joining my harem" Harry replied, his tone calm and collected. "And please call me Harry."

"Well Harry, the reason I joined so willingly, is I want something extra from you." Daphne said as they rounded a corner, and froze, as something moved above them. "And Tracey will always follow my lead."

'It's above me' Harry said over the link.

'We're on the other's tail, no pun intended' Lavender said excitedly.

"What is it?" Harry asked when the two of them continued moving forward.

"I want you to add my sister Astoria as well" Daphne breathed. "She's currently in a marriage contract to Malfoy, but with his family name in the shitter, I don't want her to drag our name down."

"Your father won't object?" Harry asked quickly.

"He died shortly before she started at Hogwarts, and mother died giving birth to her. I can't undo the contract as it was in his will." Daphne said sadly, Harry stopped moving and hugged her for support. "I know I'll be going against his wishes, but I must think about the family name, that's what he'd truly want from me, and the last thing we need is to be tied to a fallen family like the Malfoys." Suddenly she hugged him. "Please Harry."

"Well unless Astoria is muscular, Bulgarian, with a shaven head, Draco won't be interested in the contract either" Harry said softly. They pulled apart as they felt movement beside their tunnel.

'Zey're heading for the central chamber!' Fleur said excitedly, 'all converge there.' Harry grabbed Daphne's arm and they ran back to the chamber, where the others were standing by the skull again.

"Where are they?" Harry yelled as they ran over to them.

"In zere" Fleur pointed at the small lake in front of the statue. Harry stepped slowly toward the edge, and stopped.

§ I am the heir of Salazar Slytherin, vanquisher of the first Slytherin Basilisk. I command you to reveal yourselves, and swear your life and service to me! §

On cue, the two Basilisks burst from the water and towered over him, he instinctively closed his eyes, and the others copied.

§ We cannot harm the heir of Slytherin, we swear to serve you master §

Harry opened his eyes, to find both Basilisk heads were now level with him, resting on the stone floor either side of him. Harry cautiously reached out and caressed their scales, making them hiss softly.

"Is it weird I can understand them?" Cho said uncertainly.

"You probably picked up Harry's Parseltongue ability, similar to learning fluent French thanks to Fleur." Hermione said, the ladies talked excitedly amongst themselves, but some kept their eyes on the two Basilisk's fangs. "Will you harm us?" she asked, noting the other muggleborn and half-bloods uncertain attitudes toward the two Basilisks.

§ Are you master's property? §

"They're my harem, witches bonded to me, she is my alpha." Harry said, realising they seemingly understood English. "She is Muggle-born though."

§ We will only harm them, if they harm master §

"Fair enough" Pansy said bluntly, she noticed that Daphne and Tracey were giving her confused looks. "Basically, you can look at them, because you're with Harry, and we can understand them through him."

"And they won't harm us, if we don't harm Harry" Luna added, stepping forward and caressing the left one's snout. "Though their fangs are still poisonous."

"Do you have names?" Harry asked, the right one shook its head. "Are you male or female?"

"They're both female" Luna said instinctively. Harry had learnt not to question when she just knew something, because she was often right.

"How about Manasa for you" Harry said stroking the left's scales, "and Medusa for you." Harry stroked the other's scales as he addressed it.

§ Master honours us with names, we accept them § Medusa whispered.

"Are you aware of what is happening in the castle at the moment?" Harry asked, wanting to understand his new pets.

§ We taste much anger, conflict and emotion, focused on one elderly half-blood virgin, Umbridge. § Manasa hissed.

The ladies all giggled, Pansy quickly whispered what the Basilisks had said to her fellow Slytherins, and they laughed. Manasa tilted her head in confusion.

"Dolores Umbridge is a half-blood teacher at the school, essentially as a spy for the Ministry" Harry explained as the witches continued to giggle. "She's obsessed with order, and control, and has very pure-blood ideas."

§ Shall we kill her? § Medusa hissed coldly.

"No, not yet." Harry said quietly, but the statement made the others stop giggling.

"You can't seriously be considering using Manasa and Medusa to kill Umbridge?" Hermione scalded.

"Not kill, scare." Harry said defensively. "If she oversteps her bounds, I let these two run free in the plumbing, and spread rumour of the Chamber hiding more secrets."

"Good idea" Daphne said smiling, Harry motioned and the ladies took a few steps back, as Manasa and Medusa slid out of the water, and lay on the large central chamber's stone floor. The witches tentatively joined Luna in caressing the two Basilisks; their hisses of approval steadied the harem's nerves about touching the ancient monsters.

"Did Slytherin have somewhere he lived down here?" Harry asked, looking around at the numerous tunnels, Manasa shook her head.

§ We remember mentions of a Founder's Wing, where they lived before Slytherin went separate from them § She hissed softly, enjoying the witches caressing her scales.

"I'll research if for you master" Luna said quickly, from the other side of Medusa from him. Harry's mind wondered from that, and he stopped stroking the two Basilisks.

"Master? What's wrong?" Hannah asked, noting he was distant from the others.

"I don't want to leave them down here" Harry said slowly, looking at the two giant snakes. "I really want to take them up with us, and perhaps seal this place permanently behind us."

"You want to let two Basilisks loose in the castle?" Daphne said stunned.

"Is there some way to make them smaller, or shape shift them into smaller forms?" Harry said desperately.

§ Master, Slytherin was a genius with us; we were spliced with traits from other creatures, and imbued with abilities. Stand back. § Medusa hissed.

They complied and watched as the two snakes stood, and slowly shrank down, until they were in the form of humanoid women, with short, stubby tails, glistening skin, ass-length dark green, almost black hair, and reptilian eyes. Both were also completely naked, their rather curvy figures all perfectly shaped and defined.

§ Is master pleased with these forms? § Manasa asked, still speaking in Parseltongue.

"Very! Can you walk?" Harry said excitedly, he took a step closer as they took their first uncertain steps, catching Medusa when she tripped over herself.

"How are we going to stop the whole, eye contact equals death thing?" Tonks asked, admiring the Basilisks' human forms. Cissa waved her wand and summoned two pairs of glasses, and gently put them on, but quickly found out they didn't have ears. She cast a quick charm and they stayed in place.

"What will they do?" Harry asked, putting his arms around Medusa and Manasa for support.

"Block out their fatal eye contact, and disguise their reptilian pupils." Cissa smiled, as the other witches quickly moved in to help the two snake-women get accustomed to having legs.

"And how will we explain their sudden appearance?" Lavender asked as they closed the chamber door behind them.

"They'll stay with me, I'll claim their family friends who are helping me teach" Cissa said beaming, Medusa and Manasa looked uncertainly at Harry who nodded.