Oh. My. Goodness. Guys, I am so sorry that this has taken so long! So much has happened that I completely forgot I hadn't finished uploading this! I promise I'll try to make it up to y'all. It's been a hard couple of months, and honestly this wasn't my priority with everything else going on. But here ya go. I'll upload more regularly from now on, I hope.

As Harry's first Quidditch match neared, I made quite a lot of progress on the chamber. Once it started to get cold, I had to learn defrosting spells to be able to clean the stagnant water. I tried my hardest not to use magic to fix it up, because I knew I would appreciate it more if I did it with hard work. However, there were some instances where it was unavoidable, such as when I realized I'd need to figure out how to keep the chamber warm in the winter. So, when I went to research that, I decided to also read up on Quidditch in preparation for the first match.

Hermione had been helpful as well. She was willing to teach me all manner of useful spells, and hardly ever asked why I needed them. Once, I used the excuse that I wanted to clean my dorm, since it was in the dungeons and all. It was a complete and utter lie, of course. The Slytherin dormitories were impeccable, but it made sense to her, which was all I needed. After that, she helped me without question, probably out of sympathy if nothing else. Also, some of them I wanted to know purely for knowledge's sake, and that seemed to make her happy.

The day before the first match, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I were huddled around a bright blue fire Hermione had conjured, to keep warm. Snape limped across the courtyard. We immediately huddled closer, sure that the fire wasn't allowed, but that must have been enough to set him off. He limped over to us with a suspicious look on his face. He noticed the library book Harry had, and took it up.

"Library books are not to be taken from the school. Five points from Gryffindor. And Maia, I hope you know you must sit with your house at the game tomorrow. Otherwise you must get permission from the headmaster, or you will be docked points and given a detention." The he limped off.

That evening I went to see Dumbledore, desperate to be allowed to sit with my friends and support their team. I only hoped he would allow it.

I made it to the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office. I thought for a moment before I spoke assuredly, "Sherbet Lemon." The gargoyle came to life and jumped aside, just long enough for me to scurry up the stairs. I knocked on his door, and waited to hear him allow me to enter. I sheepishly peeked around the door as I stepped in.

His eyes twinkled. "What brings you to my office today, Maia?"

I sat across from him. "Well, Professor Snape told me that to sit on the Gryffindor side, I'd have to get permission from you."

"Ah yes, Snape is very strict on that. Especially since you're part of the Weasley's, Granger's, and Potter's group. I'll give you this," he wrote a pass and waved his wand over it, "It will allow you to sit with them whenever you wish, excluding meal times." He handed me the pass, and then we both stood. I said goodbye, then went to get more work done in the chamber.

By the time of the Quidditch match, I was sure that if switching houses was possible, I would probably have been moved to Gryffindor, but it wasn't so.

Hermione, Ron, and I walked out to the stadium together, giddy for our first game. I got a couple of strange looks for being the only Slytherin in that section, but I quickly shook it off.

The game was going well, until Harry's broom got jinxed. Hermione swore it was Snape, but when I looked, I also noticed Quirrel, only he looked less concerned for Harry's safety. I decided to go with Hermione to break Snape's concentration, knowing that if I was correct, and Snape was issuing the counter-curse, I had to break Quirrel's concentration as well. We made our way over, and as Hermione made her way to Snape, I made sure to knock Quirrel headfirst into the row in front of him, before continuing on my way. Harry righted himself before Snape even noticed he was on fire, and I saw his sigh of relief.

Shortly afterwards, Harry caught the snitch. Well, more like he swallowed it, but it still counted. The first game of the season was over. Gryffindor won, and Slytherin was bitter. Extremely bitter. Mostly. I wasn't, but I wasn't entirely sure I counted as fully Slytherin anymore. I wished I could have gone and celebrated with my friends, but the party was in their dorm, the only place I couldn't go.

Instead, I chose to go ask Snape about what happened with him and Quirrel at the Quidditch match. I made it down to his office without incident, then knocked, timid and slightly second-guessing this idea of mine. Then he opened the door and it was too late for me to change my mind.

"Miss Riddle. What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?" He opened the door wider, allowing me to step inside.

"I noticed your counter-curse at the match today. I also noticed Quirrel's jinx. Why was he trying to kill Harry?" Snape sighed and sat at his desk, gesturing for me to sit across from him. I did as he ran his hand down his face.

"The situation is complicated, and especially delicate, considering your... unique heritage." I frowned, cocking my head, waiting for him to continue. "Professor Quirrel is a follower of the Dark Lord. I suspect he is trying to bring him back, but I have it handled. You don't need to worry about it. Instead, you should continue to focus on schoolwork, and practicing your potions and DADA. If you need any help with either of those, feel free to come to me. I'm equally qualified in both."

I nodded, then stood to do, finally ready to work on my chamber once more.

I got to the chamber, but something seemed different. I heard something moving, and I brandished my wand, seeing nothing in the darkness. "LUMOS!" I called out, illuminating the chamber in front of me. I was quite startled to see the outline of a large snake coiled in front of the statue. Then I heard a voice speak to me in the strange language only I knew, and somehow understood.

"You are very small. How did you find this place little one?" The voice was feminine, almost motherly, and it came from the snake, which confused me even more.

"Um, I don't actually know, but apparently, my ancestor built this place. Who are you, and how long have you been here?"

She seemed to raise herself, even though I couldn't see her all that well. "My name is Alexia. That is the name Salazar gave me. He is the one who created this chamber you see, my home. I have been here since its creation. If you are truly who you say, his heiress, his only valid descendent of pure blood, I am your servant."

I gasped as she moved into the light. She was a bright, beautiful green. Her eyes were wide open, and I felt a chill the moment I looked into them. She blinked, then smiled as much as a snake can. "You are the true heir. Or should I say Heiress. No other could gaze into my eyes and live. None after you shall have any control over me, unless you choose to appoint your own heir. What is your name, little one?"

Her voice was melodious, and I couldn't help but wonder what she meant. I would have to research the legend some more. Or maybe she could tell me. "I'm Maia. Maia Riddle."

She snorted, tossing her head as I just sat there confused. "Well Maia, I should have known. I can almost smell him on you. I'm guessing Thomas is your grandfather?" I nodded. "Well, I'm guessing you know everything already then, don't you?"

I shook my head. "I've never met either of my parents, let alone my grandparents. I only know what I've been told, which was the basics."

She blinked. "Well, I'll have to teach you then. I've noticed you coming down here every now and then. Your power is what awoke me. I was dormant until you first opened those doors."

I cocked my head, finally lowering my wand. "Do you know how to turn on the lights in here?"

She laughed. "Yes. You only must say Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four. Reveal to me the entirety of your Serpent's Home. And then it should lighten."

I repeated the phrase, and watched as the room illuminated, and the statue began to move. His mouth opened, revealing a second cavern. I saw more movement, and was much more thoroughly confused. Alexia turned her head towards the cavern, gazing into the darkness beyond. "Serena, you may come out." Another snake slithered out, a little bit clumsier than Alexia. She was quite a bit younger, and for a moment I wondered where she came from. Then it occurred to me.

"Tom brought her here, didn't he?"

Alexia nodded. "I was still dormant, but he was able to wake me. A miracle, given his diluted blood line. He noticed how old I was, and worried I wouldn't survive much longer. He brought her in, partially because I didn't listen to him. She was quite a bit older, not a baby anymore. Not a clue where he found her. She won't tell me. She only listens to him. I stayed hidden. After a while, he just assumed I was dead. She never corrected him."

I looked at Serena. She was 20 feet long, and a sickly, poisonous green. Her eyes were bulbous and yellow. She looked every bit the monster of the legend, unlike Alexia, who was gentle and kind, considering. I knew immediately which of them was responsible for the infamous incidents in 1943.