Chapter Thirteen. – Accusation

It took nearly two months before Malfoy's wish came true. Apparently the third-year-Gryffindor-girl had been attacked in the library, leaving her in the same petrified state as her predecessors. Glancing over at the, for once very silent, Gryffindor table Harry couldn't help but find some amusement over the devastated expression on the youngest Weasley boy's face. Just a few days before he had heard the boy yelling at the latest victim, accusing her cat of eating up his rat. He could practically see the guilt eating him up from within, probably blaming himself for not being with her in the library. Like he would have been able to stop whatever monster his sister's possessor had let loose on the Muggle-born student population.

Harry's eyes unconsciously wandered over at the said sister. She looked rather pail, her eyes glued to the plate. Perhaps it wasn't the imperius curse after all. Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the blonde heir, practically glowing with glee, beside him. Too wrapped up in his story about how the heir had to have been at the New Years Ball and heard his wish Malfoy didn't even notice that Harry had left the table before he passed through the large entrance. One who did however was the redheaded third year he had previously been watching.

Before he even had reached the old staircase Harry was jerked back by the arm, forced to come face-to-face with a suddenly enraged Weasley, the earlier guilt and sadness almost completely hidden.

"I know it's you, Potter!" He hissed, his eyes blazing.

"Ronald, what a surprise." Harry showed nothing but amusement and a hint of annoyance at the obvious accusation.

"Shut up! I will prove it somehow. I know you're a parselmouth. 'Monie and I heard you, but you already knew that. Why else would you go after her?"

"You wound me, I thought we were friends." He mocked, ignoring the treat. If he had any proof he would have gone to Dumbledore already.

"I wouldn't be friends with you even if someone paid me to."

"Too bad, Malfoy was telling me last night how the headmaster was considering it. All these slimy Slytherins are having a bad influence on me." Harry informed him with false seriousness, "I need someone to show me the light. And from what I hear you, and your family, could use the extra income."

He had barely had time to finish his sentence before the now red-faced teen was launching himself at him, forcing Harry to duck. But before he could attack him again Crabbe and Goyle's familiar forms stood in front Harry, guarding him in much the same fashion he had seen them guard Malfoy during his past confrontations with the Weasley. It was first when two other Gryffindor boys had grabbed a hold of Weasley that the two goons felt confident enough in Harry's safety to move, giving Weasley a perfect view of Harry again.

"I know it's you!"

"So you said." Harry replied calmly.

"Only a parselmouth would be able to control the basilisk." At the flicker of surprise in Harry's eyes he continued with a smirk. "That's right, Hermione figured it all out. We know where the entrance is too, we heard you giving it commands before you left to give yourself an alibi!"

"Now, now, Ronald. Don't you think someone would have seen a giant snake slithering around the school?" he asked with a mocking mild voice as if talking to a child. Not allowing even a glimpse of the curiosity he felt to show.

"Like you don't know!" While mentally cursing himself for his stupidity, he looked at the Gryffindor as his little story was the stupidest thing he had ever heard.

"Let's pretend your little… discovery holds any truth at all. Why hasn't anyone been killed? A basilisk kills."

"Yeah, that must have been bothering you, your pet can't even fulfil your orders."

"This is ridicules." Harry told him, looking at him with bewildered amusement. "My mum was a muggle-born. I'm a half-blood. I'm the first Potter in centuries that has been sorted into Slytherin. I'm not of Slytherin's blood. As for a basilisk, or even the chamber being real to begin with, it's insane."

Seeing Weasley trying to launch himself at Harry once more, Goyle stepped up in front of him again, not moving an inch until the other two Gryffindor boys had dragged their housemate away and Malfoy stood by Harry's side with a wide grin.

"That was fun. Where did he get the idea that you were a parselmouth. I mean I would be a much better candidate. Everyone knows that we Malfoys have been in Slytherin for centuried, Blacks too!" Harry was amused to actually hear a bit of disappointment and anger in the young heir's voice.

"We are talking about a Weasley here, Malfoy." Harry told him amused. "You can't really expect him to actually use that pea size brain he has in his head. Now hurry up, we have Transfigurations next."

Tbc…

Sorry it has taken so long. But I did warn you. And yes, I know it's a short chapter but I figured it was better with a short update then no update at all. Hope you enjoyed it. And again I have to warn you that it probably will take a while until I update again, I have two huge test next week so I have a lot of studying to do. Hopefully i will find some time to write though… Now, review please!