Thank you all for the kind words and for being completely patient with me. Here is the next chapter of Tamer, and for a treat, the next one will be up extremely soon, as it's already written and just needs to be typed. (School starts again in about two weeks so no promises after that…school and a baby is hard. But it's my last semester so…) Anywho, enjoy peeps!
Chapter Next
It was an odd group that was gathered in the second floor girl's loo. All four heads of houses were present, as was Dumbledore, Remus and a large black dog.. Harry, Hermione and Ron were there, and so was an incredibly nervous Ginny .Harry had encouraged her to come as an attempt to get closure. The others were there to help render the remains of the basilisk, as it was his by right of conquest, and to explore the chamber. The boy was convinced it held more secrets than just a giant snake.
"Mr. Potter," Severus drawled. "I do hope we've been called here for more than watching you stare at a sink."
Harry turned and blinked at the scowling man. "I apologize. I was lost in thought." He turned back to the sink and hissed a command. Everyone present took a step back as the sink depressed and a massive pipe appeared. Another hiss and a staircase formed, leading down into the dark.
"Huh. That would have been useful before, mate," Ron pointed out.
Harry grinned. "I just couldn't imagine Salazar Slytherin sliding down a pipe." He waved an arm to his followers. "After you." Dumbledore led the way, the house heads following after. The kids came next and Remus and Padfoot brought up the rear.
Dumbledore and McGonagall had lit their wands, providing light in the damp tunnel. Harry took the lead, as Hermione and Ron stayed back to coax Ginny along.
The pile of rocks from the cave-in covered the giant snakeskin, so the adults—all of them, really, but Harry and Ginny—had no idea what they would be facing in the chamber. The adults, though, did manage to create a larger opening, stabilizing it so another cave-in wouldn't happen.
Harry sighed as they reached the doors with the snake carvings, steeling himself. If he was honest, he didn't really want to be here again. He felt for Ginny, really he did, but they both needed closure. He spoke the words to open the door and walked inside the chamber.
Professor Sprout gave a shriek at the size of the monstrous snake, which looked as though it hadn't been dead for more than an hour. McGonagall's hand was against her chest, and all the males were pale.
Hermione looked both startled and fascinated. "How has it not decayed by now?" she asked no one in particular.
"Stasis wards," Harry answered, recognizing the feel of the magic that permeated the chamber. "I didn't know what they were before, but I recognize them now. They were active in places at…home." He broke off before he could say "Haven"; knowing that names had power, even just the names of places.
"Good Merlin, Harry," Remus breathed. "I know you said the basilisk was large, but I was expecting ten feet, maybe fifteen. Not…"
"Over sixty!" Flitwick squeaked. "It has to be over sixty feet. And you beat it at merely twelve!"
Harry shrugged, not really paying attention. There was a puddle of blood, mixed with ink, at the wall near the head of the beast. His arm burned faintly at the memory, and he rubbed at it. Remus and Padfoot caught the motion, and exchanged concerned glances, but didn't call Harry on it.
Ginny had inched her way around the snake to take Harry's hand. She ignored the blood, the ink, and the adults in general, and tugged at Harry. "Come on," she whispered, her voice trembling a little. "Let's explore."
Ron, Hermione and Padfoot joined them, the latter nodding to Remus to let him know that he had it covered, as they made their way around the chamber. The other adults didn't even seem to notice—Remus aside—as they wandered about. The werewolf glanced their way ever so often, but seemed content to let Padfoot watch over the children as he helped render down the colossal snake.
Harry started hissing at the walls, asking them to open up any hidden doors. For a while, they had no such luck. And then, suddenly, an ornate door appeared, silently opening. Hermione mentioned something about horror movies and butlers, and Harry snickered. Ron and Ginny exchanged fond looks, and then glanced into the dark room.
Firstly, Harry cast a revealing charm, not wanting to get caught by any surprises. Getting an all-clear, the four kids and dog trooped into the room, Ginny and Hermione lighting their wands.
"Holy…" Ron muttered, looking around.
Books. Lots of books and scrolls covered with centuries of dust. Hermione took a step forward, studying the runes on one of the scrolls, her jaw dropping . "These are from the lost library at Alexandria," she whispered in amazement. The others all blinked at her, knowing the importance of that, but too shocked to say anything. They returned their attention to the rest of the room, and suddenly noticed the four large portraits on the walls, their inhabitants sleeping.
It was obvious to those in the room who those inhabitants happened to be. The sight of them caused Hermione to sink onto one of the dust covered couches, and Padfoot to drop to the ground in complete shock. Harry merely tilted his head to one side, while the two Weasleys gaped.
There was a man, tall and slender, with silky brown hair falling to his shoulders. His features were sharp, his fingers long. His robes were green, and there was a snake about his shoulders.
He was Salazar Slytherin.
A woman with curly black hair, drawn back in a braid, wisps escaping to curl about her pale face. Her features were regal, high cheekbones and plump lips, her nose upturned just a little at the end. Her robes were a deep, navy blue and a raven rested on the back of her chair.
Rowena Ravenclaw.
Another man, this one shorter and stockier than the first, but having a somewhat rugged handsomeness about him. He had short, bright red hair that was as unruly as Harry's, and his hands were scarred. There was a familiar sword at his hip, and he wore dark red robes, trimmed with gold.
Godric Gryffindor.
The last woman wasn't as regal as Rowena, but she had a definite beauty about her. She was of medium height and build, her blond hair pulled up in a messy bun. Her yellow robes hugged her slim body, and a badger peaked out from under her chair.
Helga Hufflepuff.
All four founders, sleeping peacefully in portraits that hadn't been disturbed in centuries. Obviously, Riddle hadn't found this place. He must have thought the basilisk was all the Chamber had held. Harry exchanged a look with Padfoot, who gave a doggy shrug. (And still, the other adults—minus Remus—hadn't noticed their absence, too involved in the carcass of the serpent.)
The light had slowly disturbed the portraits, and four pairs of eyes were blinking open. Green, blue, brown and gray in the respective orders of their paintings.
"Ho! Who comes to disturb our sleep?" Gryffindor grumbled, his voice low and rough.
"Only one who could enter my secret chamber, brother," Slytherin answered in a silky tenor. He eyed the four children and the animagus. "Well, look here. They are naught but school children."
"As we were once, Salazar," Helga murmured, her own voice smooth as honey.
"Come now, dears," the soft tones of Rowena murmured. "Tell us how you came to be here."
So, Harry told the story, not taking terribly long and skipping many details. Slytherin was aghast by the end of the tale.
"A basilisk?! In my chamber!?"
Ginny blinked. "So, it wasn't yours?" she asked timidly.
"Heavens no, child," Slytherin replied. "I wouldn't keep a beast such as that! Especially in a school filled with children!" He scowled. "That insane son of mine must have hatched the beast."
That brought some surprise. Apparently, all they had learned of the founders had been twisted over time. And so they started to learn the truth.
It was hors before the professors found them, McGonagall and Sprout a little frantic. And then they too were gobsmacked at the sight of the portraits and a short retelling of all they had been told.
It was decided that the portraits and books and scrolls would be moved and all the students would take a history lesson with the founders. It was about time that certain beliefs and rumors were laid to rest.
"You really like turned the wizarding world on its head, don't you Harry?" Remus murmured fondly as they left the Chamber and headed towards the ground floor. Harry shrugged, grinning widely.
"I have to get to Hagrid's," he said, moving towards the Entrance Hall. "I promised I'd help look after a new shipment of creatures."
"What are they?" Remus asked, showing his curiosity. He enjoyed listening to Harry talk about creatures; it was almost as awesome as watching him deal with them.
Harry shrugged again. "No one really knows, apparently," he replied. "It's some sort of mix breed. They're hoping Hagrid can figure it out."
"Huh," Remus grunted, smiling as he watched Padfoot chase a couple of first years out of the hall, the kids shrieking with laughter. "Well, good luck with that. Question, though. What are your plans for Christmas?"
Harry scowled. "I wanted to go home, but apparently I have to open the Yule ball. And I have to have a date."
Remus frowned at how upset Harry sounded. "Ask a friend," he suggested. "And then you can come home after the Ball."
"I can do that?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Bambi," Remus smiled.
There was a snort nearby. "Bambi?!" Malfoy's incredulous voice rang out. "You're really called Bambi?! Oh, this is just great!"
Harry blinked at the blond. "Did you do something different to your hair?" he asked innocently. "It looks different."
There was, of course, nothing different about Malfoy's hair, but the boy was vain enough to just about panic at the mere thought. He ran off, looking for the nearest mirror.
"Sorry Harry," Remus murmured guiltily. He knew what Harry would do with his newfound information.
"Don't worry about it," Harry said. "I can handle Malfoy. Are you coming next week?"
"Of course. Are you ready?" Remus asked.
"Hedwig says there's four dragons in the forest," Harry said. "So, I'm good. I'll see you at the task, Moony." He gave the werewolf a hug and ran off towards Hagrid's hut. Remus shook his head fondly and whistled for Padfoot.
Harry eyed the creatures with great interest. They looked like a cross between an ostrich, peacock and lizard—like Hedwig looked like a cross between an owl and a dragon. They were tall, two legged creatures with long necks and sharp beaks. They had wings covered in hard feather-like scales, and long, peacock-like tails. They looked awkward and graceful all at the same time.
"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione frowned, having joined him and Hagrid. "The Ministry has deemed them dangerous."
Harry frowned as well, patting one of the scaly heads. "Dangerous? But they're herbivores."
"Fudge got kicked," Hagrid grumbled. "Serves 'im right."
Harry gave a sigh. "I'll take care of it." It would take much to get the creatures to Haven. He'd have to get Luna down here to sketch them for him, though—he was terrible at drawing. His own creature grimore was filled with sketches by Luna. He would usually describe the creature to her and she would draw it (or parts of it) and he would write about it. It was an amazingly detailed book, and Luna actually had a copy of her own now.
Harry threw an apple in the direction of one of the brightly colored males, thinking through his plans to rescue the bird-lizards. Honestly, he thought they were probably an offshoot of the cockatrice.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"How what?" he asked back.
Hermione huffed. "How are you going to handle it?"
Harry grinned. "Same way we took care of Buckbeak." Hagrid looked a little startled, but Hermione grinned back and the subject dropped. The seven bird-creatures (four females and three males) would be saved.
End Chapter