Magical Origins

Chapter 26: Stalking the Snake Lair

Harry returned to the Slytherin common room and everyone clapped as he entered. Artemis raised an eyebrow at him telling him she told him so.

"The Heir of Slytherin, everyone!" Several Slytherin's shouted as they raised Harry's hand up.

"Ow, I'm still healing." Harry said.

"Sorry," They said.

Harry sits down and looks at his arm. Lily really did a number on him. He wasn't sure if he would heal properly. Half his face was covered in paste. The Slytherin's were all talking excitedly about having a parselmouth in their house once again. Many thought the glory days of Slytherin was upon them.

The rest of the school avoided him like he was a plague. Even worse, if the rumors were true… Justin Finch-Fletchley was hiding the Hufflepuff Common Room, believing he was the next target.

Today Harry manage to avoid the school and was in the library doing some light reading.

"I told Justin that he would be safe in our common room, in case Potter really decides to go after him," Ernie MacMillian said. Harry paused when he realized they were talking about him.

"You really think Potter is the Heir of Slytherin?" A girl with blond hair said. Harry recognize her as Hannah Abbott with her best friend, Susan Bones.

"I don't know. He's the one who made You-Know-Who disappear…" Susan Bones began.

"Susan, he's a parselmouth. Ever since these attacks began, Justin has been on more and more on edge once it got out that he's a muggleborn. He's scared. You know as well as I do, that a Parselmouth is the mark of a Dark Wizard. They called Slytherin himself Serpent-Tongue!" Ernie said. The Hufflepuff second years paused at his words. Ernie went on. "If that's not enough to convince you. Think about this, Potter has jinxed and hexed Filch's cat ever since he got here. Then he had some run-in with Filch, then we know that Filch's cat was attacked. That Creevey was badgering and annoying Potter. Next thing we know, Creevey was attacked too."

"He's been nice though…" Hannah began.

"No one knows how he got rid of You-Know-Who. He was only a baby when it happened," Ernie said. "He should have been blasted to smithereens, only a really powerful dark wizard could have survived that," Ernie then drops his voice until it was barely a whisper. "That's probably why You-Know-Who tried to kill him in the first place. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him…"

"You sound like Weasley." Harry as he makes his presence known. He reveals himself to the Hufflepuff's and looks at them. They all back away as if they afraid he would have petrified them in an instant.

"Weasley may have been after you since you've got here," Ernie began "but he's not wrong. You haven't exactly…"

"Done what?" Harry said as he leans against the bookshelf and smiles at him. He undoes his smile and gives a 'tch' as he eyes his burn face. "I'm going to make that bitch pay for burning me." Harry mutters.

Harry says nothing as he looks back at the Hufflepuff students.

"You're going after Morris next aren't you." Ernie said.

"You've really lost marble. Why would I attack Lily?" Harry said calmly.

"You just said…" Ernie said.

"If I'm going to do something, it will be in front of the entire school to see. I don't need to sneak around to petrified people to get my revenge." Harry stately calmly.

"What do you want?" Ernie asks.

"You seem to be convince that I'm after Justin Finch-Fletchley." Harry stated in a calm tone of voice. The Hufflepuff's eyes open wide as if their worst fears have been confirmed. Harry sighs, this was going to be difficult. "You can relax. I know the parselmouth freak everyone out. But all I told the snake, was to leave Justin alone."

"How do we know you weren't egging the snake on?" Hannah said slowly.

"For what purpose?" Harry asks.

"We all saw you approach the snake and speak to it. And in case you're getting any ideas," Ernie said calmly. "I can tell you that my family goes back nine generations of witches and warlocks..."

"Don't care." Harry said calmly. "I find this whole blood thing stupid. I don't care if you're pure-blood, half-blood or even muggleborn."

"That's not what I heard." Hannah said slowly. Harry turns to look at her sharply. "I've heard you hate those muggles you live with…" she said slowly.

"I'm going to kill Weasley one day." Harry mutters. "I have no problems with muggles or muggleborns. My relatives on the other hand, that is a separate matter. If you lived with them for a day you would see why," Harry stated in a calm voice.

The Hufflepuff's said nothing more but stares at Harry. Harry turns head and begins walking away. But not before sharing one small bit of... advice.

"Let me tell you two things." Harry said calmly.

"Going to threaten us?" Ernie said sharply.

"It's up to you how you take this. The first, the only person in this school who can themselves my best friend is Lily." Harry stated as he turns back to look at them. "The second, is I'm not the only Parselmouth in the school." The Hufflepuff's eyes open wide. "Why don't you think about that?"

Harry said nothing else as he turns and walks away. Leaving behind the confuse and stun Hufflepuff's. With nothing else to do, Harry immediately heads to Slytherin Common Room.

However, the moment he turns the corner he saw something that instantly made his blood turn cold.

Justin Finch-Fletchley had a look of fear on his face. To make matter worse he was petrified stiff. It was clear he was on his way to the library. However, that wasn't the only person with him. The Gryffindor Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick was floating beside him. He wasn't silver white anymore. He was smoking and black.

Knowing full well what would happen if he was seen here, Harry throws on his invisibility cloak and disappears from view.

Harry didn't stop and quickly hurried to the common room. He took off his cloak as soon as he arrived. No one took notice of him and he quickly went to his dorm.

Just as he puts his invisibility cloak away, Peeves could be heard screaming at the top of his voice.

"Attack!" Peeves cry could be heard throughout the castle. "Attack! Attack! Another Attack! No Mortal or Ghost is safe! Run for your lives! Attack!"

Harry gets up and walks with the Slytherin's to the source of Peeve's scream.

It didn't take long for the school to gather around and let out a gasp of shock at the sight of Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick.

"Professor," Lily began.

"It's out of my hands." Professor McGonagall said.

"Oh Morris you Porris, you're a rotter, oh what have you've done, you'll killing off students and think it's fun…"

"Enough Peeves!" Professor McGonagall snaps.

Everyone was dismissed as they took Nearly Headless Nick and Justin to the Healer Wing.

Weeks past and the Hufflepuff's were so convinced that Harry was the attacker that they tried ambushing in during his breaks. The Slytherin's however, didn't take this lying down and rushed to Harry's aid causing a full battle to happen between Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Thankfully though Professor Sprout, who in the past has been kind to Harry, was telling her house off for their rude behavior. Even if she could still be seen giving Harry a cold look.

However, the biggest shock was the person speaking in Harry's defense. It wasn't coming from Artemis Wynter, rather it was Lily Morris who spoke strongly in Harry's defense telling the rest of the school that it couldn't have been Harry. She refused to listen to reason and started jinxing and hexing students when she discovered they were plotting to ambush Potter.

However, the school was in a panic. The double attack had sent shockwaves of fear throughout the school. Fortunately, something happened that caused a lot of students to give a sigh of relief. The Winter Holidays had begun and countless students were going home.

In the second bathroom Ron, Hermione and Lily were going over their plan.

"I don't know why you defend him Lily. A parselmouth is the mark of a Dark Wizard." Ron said.

"He isn't evil Ron!" Lily snaps. She was getting tired of hearing Ron labelling Harry as evil.

"The sooner we get a confession, the better off we'll be." Hermione said as she finishes stirring the potion together.

"How are we going to do this?" Ron asks.

"Crabbe and Goyle should be in the Great Hall pigging out." Hermione said in a matter of fact voice.

"What about you?" Lily asks.

"I've already got mine." Hermione said proudly. She pulls out a vial with a hair in it.

"Remember Millicent Bulstrode wrestling me during the dueling club? Well I got her hair." Hermione said beaming with pride. All you two needs to do is get Crabbe and Goyle to eat these. It will take them out for a few hours, because we can't have the real Crabbe and Goyle showing up when we questioning Malfoy and Potter. Once we get the confession we tell the Professors," Hermione said.

"I'm going just to prove to you guys that Harry is not the one behind these attacks." Lily said in a matter of fact tone.

"When he admits it, you'll see…" Ron mutters.

"Lily, I don't know why you defend Potter, but Ron is right." Hermione said slowly. Lily turns to her sharply, almost as if she couldn't believe her ears. "Potter has attacked Mrs Norris since he got here."

"Almost all the students hate Filch!" Lily protested.

"Then Creevey was badgering him at breakfast. You know as well as I do that Potter was close to cursing him. Then we found out Creevey was petrified too." Hermione said.

"So would you if someone wasn't leaving you alone." Lily mutters.

"Potter is the one likely opening the Chamber. He hates muggbleborns…"

"No he doesn't." Lily snaps.

"He attacks you all the time." Ron points out. "And Hermione."

"You know as well as I do that Hermione annoys Potter. And he can't stand the fact that I'm actually better than him." Lily said.

"It doesn't matter, we need that confession. It's ready." Hermione finally said.

Finding Crabbe and Goyle was easy. Getting them to each the sleeping draught cakes as also easy. Hiding them in a storage closet wasn't.

"These guys are huge." Ron said who easily towered over Lily. Lily didn't know why he was complaining.

Lily and Ron plucked their hairs before returning to Hermione in the bathroom.

"Ready," Lily said as she drinks Goyle's hair in her potion.

Lily could feel her body changing. She walks out of her stall and looks at a replica of Gregory Goyle. Ron comes out and looks like Vincent Crabbe.

"This is freaky." Ron said.

"Hermione, come on…" Lily said in Goyle's voice.

"Go on ahead." Hermione voice said.

"Come on Hermione," Ron began.

"I'll catch up later." Hermione said.

"Come on, we're wasting time." Lily said as she walks out.

"Come on." Lily said as she takes the path down stairs.

"Where is the Slytherin Common Room?" Ron mutters.

"The Slytherin Common room is in the dungeons." Lily said.

"How do you know that?" Ron asks.

"I pay attention." Lily snaps. Not revealing that Potter told her where it was ages ago. As well as the password.

"Look here comes a Slytherin now…" Ron said happily.

"Excuse me, we forgot where are our common room is…" Ron said in best Crabbe like voice.

"Our common room?" The girl said as she eyes the two carefully. "I'm in Ravenclaw." She said as she walks away in confusion.

"Idiot." Lily said.

"You can't blame me for trying." Ron said.

"Do you honestly believe Crabbe would be polite?" Lily said.

"Oh right, sorry."

Lily lead the way to the Slytherin Common Room and quickly tried to get there as soon as possible.

"What are you two doing?" Percy Weasley said as he walks up to them. Lily could have sworn he looked a little flushed.

Neither answered, as they weren't sure how Crabbe and Goyle would respond.

"There you two are…" Draco Malfoy said as he runs up to them. Lily couldn't help but be please at the sight of Malfoy. "Have you two been piggy out in the Great Hall all this time…" Draco stops short when he notices who was with them. He sneers at Percy. "What are you doing here Weasley?" Draco snarls.

"I," Percy said as he puffs out his chest. "Am a School Prefect. And you best show me the respect I deserve or I'll land you in detention." Percy said.

"Back off, or I'll tell Wynter what you've been up too." Draco sneered. Percy flushed red before he storms off.

"That Peter Weasley…" Draco mutters.

"Percy," Ron said automatically.

"Whatever," Draco said as he takes off to Slytherin Common Room. Lily and Ron follow him. Both happy he had come along.

They past two stone gargoyles that seem to be guarding the corridor. They stop at a wall.

"What's the password again?" Draco said.

"Pureblood." Lily said automatically.

The door did not open.

"The password change last week, remember Goyle. Oh yeah, it's Legacy!" Malfoy said as the door opens. They walk in and immediately they could see, Harry Potter seated by the fireplace with the window above him, the window illuminated a green light down upon him. He was reading a large book that Ron recognized immediately as a Book of Shadows. Ron grins his teeth in frustration.

"Wait here, there's something I want to show you." Draco said as he hurries to his dorm. He disappears down the tunnel to his dorm.

Ron and Lily took a look around.

The common room was very empty. It was also very large. They could see six tunnels. Two sets seem to lead to upstairs for Prefects. While the lower tunnels where set for first through fourth years. While O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s students were split off for them rest, as Fifth, Sixth and Seventh years had their own tunnel.

Near Harry, a door opens and Artemis Wynter walks down into the common room. Ron gaps at her, she was so beautiful.

She walks over and grabs Harry's drinks and drinks from it.

"Pumpkin Juice? Did you run out of Butterbeer?" Artemis asks Harry.

"Ran out last week." Harry admitted. Artemis says nothing as she pulls up a chair and sits next to Harry.

Draco came running back.

"Look, my father just sent it to me." Draco said happily.

Ron and Lily look at the newspaper clip; Arthur Weasley was under investigation for illegally making muggle items use magic.

"Isn't this great!" Draco said in an excited voice.

Lily and Ron gave a fake chuckle. However perhaps Crabbe and Goyle were so slow Malfoy took no notice. Draco sits down and sets the newspaper down.

"Father is rather pleased." Draco said slowly. "But he is also concerned." Draco said slowly.

"Do not hate, Draco." Harry said from behind his book.

"Hey, Malfoy…" Ron began.

"What Crabbe?" Draco snaps.

"Do you have… any idea who is behind these attacks?" Ron said slowly.

"How many times have I told you already? I don't. Father's instructions were clear on this matter. Keep my head down and don't attract the attention from the Heir of Slytherin." Draco said.

"What about you Ha…Potter." Lily asks.

Very slowly, Harry looks up and gives a harsh, cold stare at the duo.

"Since, when…" Harry said softly. "Did I give you permission to speak to me." Harry's voice may have been ice as Ron and Lily took a step back.

"You know better than to speak to Potter." Draco snaps. "Or do you not remember the last time you thought you both could get the better of him."

"I can teach them again if they desire." Harry said.

Artemis said nothing but she did have an amusing look in her eye. Ron and Lily said nothing.

"We're only curious." Ron said slowly.

"I may be a Parselmouth…" Harry said as he returns to his book. "But even I don't know. Though I won't deny if Granger gets attack I'll smile." Harry said with a smile on his face. Then his face turn into a scowl.

"Tch, it still hurts." Harry mutters as he brings his hand to his burn face. The burns were almost gone as it showed signs of healing.

"It's healing nicely though." Artemis said as she looks at it. "It's almost gone." She added.

"I'm surprise Morris didn't get expelled for her attack on you. Dumbledore really does have a soft spot for..." Draco began but Harry threw him a sharp look. "For muggleborns." Draco said slowly.

Harry continues to glare at Malfoy.

"I didn't say it." Draco said hastily.

"No, but you were about to," Harry hissed.

"I'm sorry, but you have to admit that…" Draco began but Harry shuts his book.

"I've told you, muggleborns aren't the problem. It's people like Granger who walks around acting like they know everything we don't. People like her need to be put in their place. Besides, the Great Families don't have to worry about muggleborns. They are other matters that require our attention. People like that Arthur Weasley who wishes for the witches and wizards to join the muggle world." Harry said.

"That's disturbing." Draco said as he wiggles his nose in disgust.

"We have our own world to worry about. Now this Arthur Weasley wants us to use magic to start solving the muggle world problems. He would have us bow down to the muggles for his own enjoyment." Harry said sharply.

"He petitioned to have his bill pass again. What is your stand…" Draco said slowly.

"I've already spoken to my Regent Lord; Lord Samuel Wynter." Harry said. "We are not going to start solving muggle problems as we got our own to worry about. House Potter will not see that bill pass." Harry said strongly.

"That Weasley is insistent though." Artemis said.

"Then I'll remind him that he owes me a debt and I want that bill removed. I don't know why he keeps coming back with it." Harry mutters.

"I love it, you got the entire Weasley family in the palm of your hands. Oh, that Ron Weasley and Percy must hate being in your debt." Artemis said as she smiles at the thought.

Harry laughs. It was a bark of a laughter. "Oh, I'm sure the Weasley's are going to hate it. But a debt is a debt, I just need to figure out what I should make them do." Harry said.

Ron shook his hands in anger.

"How has Lockhart been around you?" Harry asks looking at Artemis.

"I stop going to his classes like you suggested. However, he still finds way to corner me." Artemis said as she sighs. "I can see why my mom hates him. He is insistent that I come to his classes more often."

"Lockhart is a joke." Draco said. "Even my own parents don't like him."

Lily suddenly grabs Ron and quickly bolts out the door.

"Why did you…" Ron said.

"Your hair is turning red." Lily said as her body began to shrunk.

They did not stop until they return to the second floor lavatory.

Harry said nothing as he watches Crabbe and Goyle run out the common room.

"What's with them?" Draco said in surprise.

Harry however notice the red hair forming from Crabbe's hair.

"Hey Artemis." Harry said as he beckons her over. She leans over and Harry whispers in her ear. She only grins as she gets up and walks out the common room.

"What's going on?" Draco asks in confusion.

"Let's just say that the Gryffindor Trio are in serious trouble." Harry said as Draco looks at him in confusion. Harry returns to his book.

Lily and Ron grabs Hermione who had turn into a human cat. They had open the door to see Artemis Wynter standing there. Her smile was on her face.

"Well, well… this is a surprise." Artemis said calmly as she looks at the trio.

"We need to go the Healer Wing, someone gave Hermione…" Lily said.

"Polyjuice Potion with a cat's hair… correct." Artemis said as she looks down upon them. The trio were silence.

"This is very interesting, as I know someone broke into Professor Snape's personal cupboards and a large amount of potion ingredients were stolen. Not to mention you're hanging around where Filch's cat was attack. This is very interesting." Artemis said with that smile on her face. "I think twenty points from Gryffindor is required."

"That's nothing." Ron said.

"Twenty points each." Artemis said. "And detention for a whole week. Now take Miss Granger to the Healer Wing, while I go fetch Professor Snape." Artemis said as she turns to collect her head of house leaving behind three fearful Gryffindor's second years.

Author Notes: Thanks to AresLaw for beta'n this chapter. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Please R&R