Authors Note: I planned to use this story to practice keeping things short (My boss complains that written reports from me are too much to read!) anyway. I thought it's a nice story for a one shot...I failed miserably. It's five and an Epilogue...mostly so I won't have to say six. I was thinking to just leave it as one just so I had succeeded but I doubt anyone would call it short... oh well. I hope you enjoy any way.
warning: Slash ( Eventual Harry Severus though I thing the weirdness of age difference and teacher student is pretty much not there thanks to Harry timetraveling and things starting when both are kind of sixteen...in a way at least) / depression/ thoughts of suicide (Never going through with it though Harry does make himself a poison but never actually takes it.) / kind of character death but not really. The Basilisk in the chamber will play a bigger role and personally I hate that she had to die now so I kind of warn you that the Basilisk Harry meets in the past will die!
Things will happen as they must
Chapter one
Out of time
Harry can't remember a time he was more terrified. He's with Dumbledore in a cave and Inferi are attacking him and Dumbledore doesn't seem able to do anything when suddenly a strange power rushes through the cave and a voice says "Learn as much as you can and change only what won't be notice. And rest assured that Voldemort is not an heir of Salazar Slytherin. In fact I highly doubt Salazar was ever born as such. Someone else pretender to be him."
And then findfire flared all around him before with a massive bang that has his ears ringing Harry feels like every molecule is ripped from his body before everything turns black.
He has no idea how much time passed when he wakes up. Everything hurts but not too bad. It's just like he overworked every single muscle in his body. Including those in his digestive system and other organs. Even his heart hurts a bit with every beat and breathing has never been this painful either.
Still he looks around but sees only forest and a bit of coast line. Not even the cliff he was at. No sign of Dumbledore either much to his disappointment. Harry slowly gets up and despite the fact that he isn't in school he uses a point me spell to get north hopping to find his way to Hogwarts. And if the ministry comes to destroy his wand he'd at least be found and might be able to talk his way out of this. Right now, he's seen as the saviour so he might get off easy.
But sadly no one comes.
During the first day he doesn't get very fast. He probably could have gotten further if he hadn't been in so much pain at the start but at least it got better quickly and he was lucky enough to find some berries he knew are eatable and even an apple tree with ripe apples around. He collected from all as much as he could carry and even used his robe as a sack to carry some more apples. Who knows when he'll find more.
During the night he makes a small fire to stay warm. He uses magic to start it and once again hopes that the ministry can find him with the trace. That hope is minimal since he hasn't been found so far despite a few more point me spells but this time he'll stay put so it might work.
The next day the fire has burned out by the time he wakes up and Harry continues his journey north. Sometime past noon, he had eaten an apple for lunch already, Harry sees a bird fly by only for it to suddenly drop dead and a smallish snake of about half a meter quickly moves towards it and eats it. Apart from the size it looks exactly like the Basilisk and seeing that it came from the direction the bird flew towards and how it suddenly was dead Harry is worried.
He quickly takes out his wand but instead of angering it he tries to talk to it. The other one had listen to Tom Riddle, maybe if this one hasn't got a master yet it might listen to him. The odds aren't that good since a Basilisk is hatched by a toad, meaning it's unlikely to happen naturally. Still, it's worth a try. "Hello. What's your name?"
Harry keeps his eyes closed just in case. "Name? What is a name? And how come I understand you. I couldn't understand the others like you. They just screamed. It hurt my ears. Will you hurt my ears?"
"No my beautiful friend." Harry replies hoping to befriend it. A Basilisk on his side might be helpful. "I won't scream! But will you please not look at me? I'd rather not drop dead like that bird and I think I'd be a bit big for you to eat anyway."
"I'll leave my inner lid closed. I often do that when hunting crawlies. It's much more fun. But feathers always get to high for it." Comes the hissed reply and carefully Harry opens his eyes to look at the Basilisk, hoping the snake didn't lie.
He can still see the yellow eyes but through some thin and milky skin. "Can you still see well enough." Just in case it makes the snake open those lids Harry closes his eyes again for now. "I don't want to die but I don't want to risk that you overlook something."
"I don't mind seeing less. My taste tells me enough without my sight. You taste strange." The snake says and Harry opens his eyes again.
The snake is right by him and now starts to curl around his leg to get up. Harry nearly shivers in fear. He takes a deep breath. This Basilisk might be dangerous but smaller than the last and seems friendly enough for now. "Do I? Maybe because I'm a little scared. I saw one like you before today but there was one like me who could talk to it. He made it attack me and try to kill me. I nearly died."
"How did you stay alive?" The snake asks curiously.
"I had help. The Basilisk died. I'm sorry it did. It had to because it had hurt others before and tried to kill me and even had killed others. I mean, it's fine to eat birds or such. You know feathers or crawlies but I wouldn't like them hurting my friends. Those I know and love. I wish I could have calmed that snake and talk it out of hurting me and others. But I couldn't, so my help hurt it and I had to kill it. I'm sorry." Harry explains deciding to be honest. If Voldemort tells it the truth later he'll lose it's trust later and that would be worse.
"Helping others is silly." The snake muses "And if it came after me I'd kill it too."
"I don't think helping is silly." Harry smiles at the snake that by now is around one arm and its head on eye level. Maybe with this he can get it to help him "If someone or something tried to hurt you, I'd protect you. And if you will do the same we'd both always be stronger together. But we'd have to trust each other that we won't help one that is stronger to get a stronger partner."
"Wouldn't it be smarter to get a stronger partner?" The snake asks.
"Not if I would look for one too!" Harry tries to explain "We both would constantly fear the other turns on us. And that would not keep us both safe. And I think it's good that we can talk with each other and are different. I can stop others from screaming, though it might take a moment."
"That does make some sense." The snake replies. "I'm willing to try. But about the taste, there was a bit fear, less than with others, but that isn't what is strange. There is something I never tasted before."
"If I knew what it is I'd tell you but I can't taste that well. Part of the difference between us. I go mostly by what I see and hear. My name is Harry by the way. I think we need to find a name for you." Harry tells and starts to continue on his way.
"You haven't explained what a name is."
For a moment Harry wonders how to explain and then starts with a question "You called what I know as birds feathers, and animals that crawl crawlies. What do you call those like me? Because I can explain name better when I know."
"Screamer." The snake replies. "Though only those that don't talk like you. I guess you'd be a talker or speaker."
Harry grins, finding the name fitting. "Well, imagine we run into another speaker. How will you tell us apart! What you call us kind of is a name. But the name for a race. Like we call all animals with a similar body like yours snake or you all that fly, feathers. But there are different snakes like Viper or Boa constrictor. You would be a Basilisk like the one I saw before. Now my race gives a name for a single individual like my name is Harry. The other speaker that controlled the other Basilisk, though control is probably a bad word for it. I wouldn't dare try to order you and try to control your actions. But that's beside the point. My point is the other speaker was named Tom. My friend is named Ron. He'd be a screamer though. Another friend is Hermione and than I have more friends like Neville, Sean and Dean. They are all screamer. But they have a name just for themselves. So how should I call you?"
The snake looks at him for a moment and then says "How would you name me?"
"I don't know. Are you a female or a male?" Harry asks.
"Female! What are you?"
"Male." Harry replies "And Harry is a name for males. Some names are supposed to be for males and some for females. Some work for both."
"Why?" The snake asks.
"Because they are always used that way." Harry shrugs "I'm not even really sure why. I even know that some countries think that a name is for males and another thinks that the same one is for females. How about I tell you a few I like and you see what you like most. And maybe it helps if you tell me what kind of name. Like Harry is a rather normal name nothing fancy or such. Some have longer names or really old or modern ones. Some are supposed to make them sound strong or tough or even scary. I'm not sure that always works but for animals like you some people use names that describes them. Though some use very misleading ones. I know one who named a huge dangerous three headed dog Fluffy!"
"Fluffy is certainly out of the running." The snake sounds amused. "But if describing is okay, how about Hunter? I like to hunt."
"I like the name but we would call a male that hunts hunter and a female one that hunts can be called the same or huntress. I think if I tell others that your name is Hunter most will think you are male. So I'd suggest to call you huntress that way everyone knows you are female." Harry points out.
"Huntress." The snake replies thoughtfully before bobbing its head "I like it. I shall be named huntress."
"Than I must say that I'm very happy to meet you huntress. And I think you have chosen a very lovely and fitting name." Harry compliments her.
"You should have chosen a better name yourself. A plain name for someone who could kill one of my kind is ridiculous." Huntress points out.
Harry grins "My race doesn't usually get to choose. Our parents choose, you'd have to complain to my parents not to me."
"Than I shall do that." Huntress replies "Bring me to them."
"I would if I could. But sadly they died." Harry sighs.
That is followed by a long discussion about the meaning of the word death and all possibilities for what will happen after someone dies. Ranging from nothingness apart from turning into fertiliser for plants, something Huntress dislikes, over rebirth, something that Huntress considers okay as long as she can still hunt, to afterlife, which Huntress would prefer so she can hunt down Harry's parents and complain about his boring name.
That night Harry has to explain about fire and why he might need it and that he tries to keep it safe for her. Huntress very much likes the flames and Harry quickly finds out that there was no reason to worry the flames might scare her for she slithers right through a few times to bask in it's warmth and doesn't get hurt by it at all.
The next day huntress looks at a few more birds, without her inner eyelids, than she'd eat. Just to provide for Harry. He isn't sure how to prepare them though but when he sees a village towards that evening he asks if she can hunt a dear that way. They find one quickly and with one look from huntress it's dead.
They walk inside with the dear over Harry's shoulder and the dead birds in the robe turned sack. He's not even inside when, with a feeling of despair, Harry notices that something is very wrong. The clothing reminds him of old movies and everything is rather dirty. The houses also are small plain and old in structure and style. Very old. One glance is enough to tell him that he's either in a really realistic medieval play or, and sadly that is much more likely since he doubts they'd get realistic enough to let things look so filthy, he went very far back in time. At least his dirty appearance won't stand out. Neither the fact he's carrying dead animals to trade. He looks until he finds something that looks like an inn and just hopes he can communicate with them.
Huntress stays hidden under his shirt for now. "Hello." Harry tries walking up to the innkeeper. "I have a dear and some birds and wanted to ask if you'd trade them for a place to sleep and food for tonight and the morning."
The man looks thoughtful and with a strange accent says "show the birds."
Harry does and the man grins and takes out a big knife asking "Maybe I should just take them."
"That be an option, although a foolish one. I think it's only fair to warn you, if you really try that, it's would only be fair for me to try and take this inn off your hands and trust me, you don't want to mess with me." Harry replies certain that the man will laugh at him because he's a bear of a man and easily twice the size of Harry.
He's right, the man does laugh and says "Since the old stick waver Lord Selvin Slytherin died childless no one cares for law so I might as well take what I want. And you bite sized little guy can't win against me and we both know it, so just hand it over everything you got and I'm kind enough to let you keep your life.
Harry takes out his wand since apparently the statue of secrecy isn't that high on anyone's priorities if it even exists already. "Are you sure? I could easily burn the joint or just ask my friend to help me. Oh and screaming makes her edgy so I'd stay quiet. Huntress why don't you come out and let him see you, I warned him not to scream."
The snake comes out and Harry grins at the pale man saying "For now I don't think I want to sleep here and certainly don't trust you to feed me but unless you want to find out just how painful and deadly a bite from my friend Huntress is, you'll give me plenty of coins for these birds and dear and tell me where else I can buy provisions."
The man takes out some coins, explaining where the market is. Harry takes the coins handing over two of his three birds and grudgingly the man hands over more and Harry drops the dear. "That's all I can spare."
"Than use the meat wisely to get more and I'll keep my bird." Harry replies and hisses. "Keep an eye on him Huntress and if he attacks just open your inner lids and kill him." Still grinning Harry adds for the man. "Huntress is a Basilisk. Which means she's got some magic too. It's in her eyes. If she opens those milky inner eyelids and looks at you, you'll drop dead. She'll watch you while I go out. I suggest you keep your eyes closed or don't do anything she night see as threatening. And don't think you can attack on hearing alone. Her poison is also very strong!"
With that Harry turns around and looks for the market Huntress stays where she can be seen but most just avoid Harry once they see her with him and apparently get that she is somewhat under control.
"Thanks for your help Huntress. Anything I can do for you in return?" Harry asks.
"Your company is more pleasant than I thought. See this as reward for the fire you have me last night too and talking to the race of screamer and keeping them quiet. It's also nice to have you carry me around. You are more useful than you think." Huntress replies.
"I thank you for that." Harry replies and muses about Lord Selvin Slytherin. Dead and childless and that voice he had heard said Salazar wasn't born. Someone had pretended to be him. Maybe Harry can change history and fix things. But than again, he was advised to change what won't be noticed. Should he even listen to that voice? And how will he get back to his time?
Harry finds a very nice but poor looking older lady at the market with a few things she's trying to sell. A man takes one of her breads laughing when she asks for the money he owns her.
Harry frowns and takes out his wand again saying "Accio coin purse!" the man's money flies towards Harry and he easily catches it and gives it to the old lady. "I'm sure the man won't mind you keeping the money for the trouble he caused. And how much would a loaf of bread and some cheese be my dear lady?"
The woman looks surprised but them smiles "Oh my, the old Lord Slytherin managed to father a child after all!"
Harry looks surprised and decides to just go with it but get some information by playing dumb. "I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about."
"Lord Selvin. He was a very good man. He used to travel a lot and whenever he can he punished those people like you did. Just with you one would never know when he might appear. It kept some more people honest. He was a wizard and had a snake too, though a different one. Can you talk to your snake too?" she asks him and waves him off when he holds out some coins but Harry still puts It on the stand before her. She surely needs it more.
"I can. Her name is Huntress because she likes to hunt. Hunts some for me too because she started to like me. We only met recently though." Harry confirms. "Why did you say he had a child after all. The innkeeper had mentioned him but as childless. The innkeeper wasn't as nice as you so we didn't chat much. I did introduce him to Huntress though, seemed a bit scared of her."
"The old Lord Selvin Slytherin could talk to snakes too. The only wizard in Britain that could as far as I know. A good man but after every skirt he could get. Never fathered a child, though he outlived three wives all younger not that he was ever true to either. Poor man always wanted a child and even left his castle protected from other and open only for any wizard that can speak to snakes to inherit it. Certain that with all his exploits he might have an illicit child at least somewhere and that it would have the gift too. You look just as good as the old Lord did in my youth."
The way she wings Harry is almost certain the Lord had been successful if he was after her skirt. "I thank you for the compliment dear lady. Seeing that I have neither father nor mother as far as my memory serves and how my Aunt, my mother's sister, always complained that my mother is to blame for the fact that they had to feed me, that might even be possible. My aunt was not as good looking as you are now even in her youth, so she might have been jealous of my mother too. But even if you are mistaken, I thank you for the story."
"You should go to his castle. Who knows you might be able to claim it and be the next Lord Slytherin." She smiles.
Harry laughs "I'm no Lord. And I wouldn't know where to look for it."
"If you go north until the river, follow it to the east until the bridge and then north again until you find a lake. The castle is on it's shore so just follow it but go to north west along it's shore. The forest along the shore on the other side of the castle and further north past the castle itself is very dangerous. A wizard might be able to pass it but you shouldn't tempt the fates. Be careful young man."
"I will be. Though with Huntress by my side there won't be much that can harm me." Harry smiles. "I might need more supplies though."
"There is a village just south by the bridge. You'll see it and the innkeeper there is my son. He's a good lad, if you promise to stop by I'd give you something to pass to him and he might make you a good price if you tell him I send you." She says and takes out an old being medallion. "And do tell him that I miss him dearly and want to see my grandchild so he is to hurry and find himself a wife already. And later about two days north of the bridge you'll find another village close to the castle. I don't know anyone there but I believe there's a wizard's shop there so they might be friendly to you."
"I'll give your son your message my dear lady." Harry grins and takes the medallion.
After Harry left the village and he camps a little outside. At first, he planed to leave a fire out worried the villagers might did him otherwise. Those guys certainly might try to come after him. Huntress assures him that she can keep them both safe but only if she stays warm. Apparently she'll sleep when it gets cold and doesn't need to rest if it's warm no matter how long. The next morning he sighs. The innkeeper and four other bulky villagers including the man who had taken from the old lady are dead close by. Harry doesn't bother to ask Huntress about it. They probably wanted to get rid of him having seen his fire and found him easily. He doesn't feel to bad, he had warned the innkeeper and is sure that the others are probably no loss either considering they came in a group to kill him in his sleep.
Harry just takes his things and let's Huntress slither up and asks "How was your night, apart from those foolish screamer?"
"Lovely. I had two crawlies I could hunt. I enjoyed their taste!" Huntress replies.
Harry looks through the man's pockets and takes their coins and water bottles as well as a bag which he magically expands. After that he places all their food in it too.
Once he is done he walks north hoping to have more luck on the rest of his journey.
It takes the better part of the day to find the river and he is about to make camp when he finds the bridge and sees the village in the last light of the day. The sun is just down by the time Harry enters it and quickly finds the inn. He once again walks to the innkeeper happy to feel more secure that he won't be in trouble this time he asks "Is this your inn?"
"It is, why?" The man asks wearily.
"I meet a lovely lady on my travels and she gave me directions towards her son who is the innkeeper here. She asked me to pass this to you and said you might give me a fair prize. Oh and fond greetings from your dear mother, she wishes to meet her grandchildren and such says you will have to look for a wife soon."
The man groans "I moved villages to avoid her nagging and still she manages. Well, it was kind of you to pass this to me instead of keeping it. If you buy food as well I'll let you have a room for free. It's empty anyway."
"Sounds more than fair. What can you offer for dinner?" Harry asks curious.
"Wine, bear or water to drink and we have stew, vegetable soup or parsnip with wild boar."
Considering how dirty the water of the dead villagers had been Harry chooses to forgo drinks and only have the water from the bottles which he had replaced with Aquamenti. For food he orders the parsnips with boar. At least there won't be any river water still included.
He truly enjoys the food. It's not as great as Hogwarts food but certainly better than what little he had recently. He even asks for a second plate and happily pays for both before he goes to bed. There is no fireplace in the room but Huntress is sure it will be warm enough in his bed for her to stay awake and protect him. She doesn't like sleeping in an inn as much as staying outside though but admits that a bed is a nice change and since she wasn't hungry it was okay. She prefers a fire though.
The next morning Harry eats some sausages and bacon with some egg and again asks for a second plate. Who knows when he'll get proper food again. Once he is done though he pays and gives a generous tip to the owner. He currently has plenty thanks to those thugs and the innkeeper was very nice.
After that Harry crosses the bridge and walks due north despite the road from the bridge leading west. It takes over a day before he finds the lake and almost until sundown until he sees what must be the next village. He can see the castle in the distance and is almost certain that it's Hogwarts which means the village is Hogsmead.
Unsure if he can get into the castle he decide to go to the village first. He has no more supplies apart from conjured water and a few apples. Huntress has offered to catch him something but Harry still wouldn't know how to make it somewhat eatable. He did keep the skin she sheded during the first night past the bridge though. If there really is a wizarding shop he might be able to sell it.
He looks around the village which is smaller than it used to be in his time, or rather will be, but it has a magical apothecary.
The three broomstick is also already there but Harry has no idea if it's owned by a witch. He goes to the apothecary first asking the clerk "Good evening, I was wondering if I could trade some of the Basilisk skin I obtained for some empty phial and maybe a few general healing potions and some coins."
"Basilisk skin? Do I look stupid?" The man grumbles and Harry grins. Somehow the man reminds him of Professor Snape, just a good bit older.
"No but why don't you have a look?" He takes out the skin while Huntress is curled up under the robe he can wear again now that he has a proper bag. And it is getting colder so far north and towards the end of Autumn, or at least Harry guesses it's the end of that season considering that the times he found apples he didn't have to climb. Most lay under the trees.
The man inspects it mumbling "I must say it certainly looks convincing." He takes out his wand trying a finite only to have it repealed back. The man looks surprised after avoiding his own spell mumbling "It's legit!"
"Of course it is. And if you make me an offer I can get more." Harry smiles at him.
"And how would you do that? Do you know where one lives? I know my cousin tried to bread one a year ago near London. It killed him right after hatching and was never seen again. A few skins showed up as far as I heard and it seems to have travelled north. We're hoping the cold will kill it off before too many died but it was quiet for month now."
"I guess you havened heard than. It killed five people that tried to kill a lone wizard who attempted to abide the law and made two of them act honestly instead of like lowly thieves." Harry replies.
"How would you know. And what did it do to that wizard?" The man wants to know.
"Oh Huntress is very fond of that lone wizard by now. She's cuddled under his robe as we speak." Harry points to where he feels her head adding "I was told I might be able to claim that castle by the lake shore. Can you tell me more about it?"
"A parselmouth can pass the wards and the will said the next one to pass them shall be the next Lord Slytherin and own the castle and all within. It's been a few years though. The old Lord died 14 years ago on his last travel. Still trying to produce an heir. I must say, you do resemble him a bit. Do we have to hide our wives and daughters again?" The man asks sounding very upset.
"I'm an honest man." Harry promises. "I don't intend to lay with any woman that is not my own. I can't make promises, who knows what comes in the heat of a moment, but so far I managed to stay true to my honour."
"Let's see off how long." The man grumbles. "You look too much like him. Man like you, that have an easy time with the ladies, always get used to taking what is on display."
"In general that might be the case but I'm not like others and wouldn't know my father. I do know what it's like to grow up without one tough and will at least try to ensure that no child of mine will have that fate." Harry assures the man.
The door to the shop opens and a young girl of maybe fourteen walks in. She has dark hair and eyes and milky skin. She looks rather pretty. "Mother send me, she said to get you to close shop and come over for dinner, grandfather."
"I'll be there as soon as I'm done with this fella." The grouchy old man replies while the girl looks charmingly towards Harry.
"And what can you offer me for this?" Harry asks pointing at the skin.
"I doubt I can afford all but I see what I can spare for half of it." The man replies and gets out some filled potion phials. Harry reads the labels. Some healing potions, pepper up, murtlap essence and one scale grow. After that the man adds 50 empty crystal phials in a case saying that the crystal is resistant to Basilisk venom unlike most glass phials. On top of that does he add 50 gold coins. Before asking "I think that should be enough for lets say this much?" He holds his hand over the skin indicating a bit more than 3 fifth of it. The girl looks upset at her grandfather clearly thinking he's trying to swindle the newcomer and even opens her mouth ready to complain.
"I believe we both know it barely covers the smaller part you indicated." Harry replies before she can, only to hear her complain that it covers even that by less than half but Harry ignores her. "But I like you and I don't need the skin while I might need those potions and I can certainly make some easy money having Huntress with me. Also this particular Basilisk has cost you a family member though I dare say, by his own stupidity. But still, I'm willing to make the deal you suggested and if I can talk Huntress into giving some of her venom I give you a phial as well. In return I hope that you'll give me a good deal should I ever require assistance. After all I don't know if I can really get into the castle and certainly not what I'll find there and I'm afraid I'm not much of a chef and probably starve to death in that case. Maybe if I'm nice to you, you'll be nice to me on occasion."
"You know what, venom or not, you are invited to dinner. You look half-starved already." The old man replies with a hint of a smile "Can't let such a lucrative potions supplier die on me and my daughter is organising the food anyway." He turns to his granddaughter saying gruffly "Go tell your mother that I'm bringing a guest and stop making him pretty eyes. At least until we know the castle is worth it."
The girl just rolls her eyes but obediently leaves. Harry just grins. "She seems to be a nice enough lass. But I'm afraid she might get her hopes up for nothing. I'm not really interested in relationships of any kind right now."
"If that's so she'll get over it in time. Now, you have to tell me one thing before we go to dinner. Why did you have to ask her for venom, she's yours now isn't she?" The man asks.
Harry laughs. "Huntress only needs to look at me to kill me. The same goes for all that want to kill me in my sleep as I pointed out. Angering a proud creature like her by treating her like a slave gets you real dead real fast. I don't know her for very long and have to see if I can sweet talk her. But I'm willing to try now as I said."
Harry takes one of the crystal phials and hisses "Huntress my dear, I have a request, but don't feel like you have too."
"What do you want?" Huntress asks.
"There are a few Potions that require Basilisk venom. This man here can brew them and would pay me a pretty penny. Well normally, this time I offered to ask you if you'd be willing to part with one to make him kind of indebted to us. So, he'll help if we ever need a healing potion or such. A Potions master is very handy. But for that to work I'd need you to let me get a few drops of venom from your fangs into a phial I have her. Just what you can spare. Wouldn't want to leave you dry before you want to hunt again." Harry explains as detailed as possible to make her agree and showing that the choice is with her. He really doesn't want to risk her getting angry enough to leave him or worse kill him. "I can assure you though that there is no potion that can protect from your venom apart from Phoenix tears so this won't help him fight you. He could make a poison to kill me but I'm sure you'd taste it in the air and could warn me and since it wouldn't hurt you and he must think you'd kill him if I couldn't talk to you and prevent it, I'm sure he won't even try that and rather be grateful and help us when needed, also he can make poisons that can kill me without your venom. To be honest, I am kind of hoping you'd part with some on occasion so I can buy things I'd need to survive. Humans need a lot from others. We are a bit complicated."
Huntress moves towards the phial and Harry opens it to let her tongue flick around and inside it until she opens her mouth and lets her fangs be seen clearly. Harry quickly gets a bit from each fang before he says "Thank you Huntress that is plenty for now."
"I could spare more and don't mind as long as you are sure it won't protect him from me." She hisses.
"I happen to know that a thousand years from now no one can protect themselves from your eyes or venom. At least not if you look at them directly. If they see a reflection they turn to stone and can be healed but that doesn't require your venom either. It's just how it is." Harry shrugs. He closes the phial and hands it to the man saying "Huntress was happy to provide it in the hope you'd help us when needed."
"As I said, I'd be foolish to let such a valuable source perish." The man repeats.
Harry finishes packing his purchases along with the left-over Basilisk ski and then follows the man out of the shop where Harry waits for him to lock the door behind him. After that he is lead to the three broomsticks where his granddaughter is standing by the counter. A similar but older looking woman is with her on the other side of the counter and smiles at them entering. The old man sits at a table and Harry joins him. The woman brings the old man something that looks like butter bear and roast beef with parsnips before turning to Harry saying "So you are the mystery visitor my daughter can't stop talking about. Now, what can I bring you? I heard my father invited you, which by the way is a first, he isn't the most sociable man around."
"I find him very accommodating." Harry grins "And I think I'll have the same as he does, it looks and smells mouth-watering."
"Will you be staying here tonight?" she asks.
"I doubt Huntress would appreciate it. She prefers the open and I want to go over to the castle and see if I can get in." Harry gives a friendly smile for the young granddaughter who brings his food and drink along with a flirtatious smile asking if she can do anything else but Harry just waves her off with another smile. She looks nice but he isn't even sure how long he'll be in this time and rather not get too close to anyone.
"The odds are in your favour. It's been years since I saw a Parselmouth and that one didn't have such a valuable snake." The old man says.
"Well. Huntress truly is special and very much aware of that." Harry grins.
"She seems fond enough of you. Willingly giving you venom." The man points out.
"since she is female, I might truly be a son of Selvin Slytherin and just have inherited his way with the ladies. At least the serpentine version of them." Harry musses.
The old man laughs. "Better you use it on Huntress than my grandchild's innocence. But you must tell me your name, I know that of your Basilisk companion but still do not know yours."
Harry has no more time to consider it further but seeing as someone apparently will pretend to be Salazar, it might as well be him, at least for a while. If another shows up, he can still tell him that he wanted to meet him and tried to lure him out that way and so Harry says "My name is Salazar. And since I have no father and my mother died when I was barely a year old I don't even know any possible family name."
"If you claim the caste that would change to Slytherin anyway. No one would dare deny you that claim." The old man says. "My name is Severus Slughorn by the way. My daughter is Thalia Snape, her husband Sebastian died five years ago and their daughter is Amelia Snape. I believe she wouldn't mind changing that to Slytherin either though. And as long as she isn't used for some fun I don't mind."
Harry blushes "That's very kind and I'd be a lucky fellow but for now I have to see what the castle holds and get my life in order. I just left my aunt's place, or rather escaped. We never got along and her husband was worse. I don't think I'm up for stating a family just yet."
"Poor lad. Well, you deserve a bit of luck. But if it doesn't work with the castle, you can come back and help me at the shop. I could use a pair of strong hands and my daughter and granddaughter are busy with the inn that belonged to my son in law."
"I was told that my abilities with potions are abysmal but my teacher for the basics was abysmal at teaching I believe. Great at Potions brewing, but couldn't explain well and I believe compared to him you'd have the patience of a saint. And I don't mean to say that you seem particularly patient, on the contrary, but you can't possibly be worse than him." Harry laughs.
"I'm willing to try and teach you, but only if we start with basics again. If those aren't properly taught the rest can't work out." The old man says.
"I'd be interested in learning either way. Even if the castle is filled with gold. I'm not one for lazing around." Harry explains "But I might do a few other things on the side if the option is there. I don't mind helping out in the shop either. At least not for a while or even taking over until your granddaughter has a child that might follow in your footsteps."
"Might be your child too." The man grins.
"A few moments ago, you wanted to lock all the females away and now you're playing match maker?" Harry rolls his eyes. "Don't you have a son or grandson who could take over That you try to win me for the job?"
"Two grandsons, older than Amelia, but those two are always traveling. Though I heard a rumour that one might marry a lass from London and stay in the city. Won't help much with the shop. The other, well Thomas doesn't seem too keen on the ladies. I doubt he'll ever find a wife and produce a child."
"Maybe he's like Lord Slytherin and will leave a string of children behind." Harry points out.
"I wouldn't wonder about a string of broken hearts he might leave but not a single one will belong to a female I'm afraid. That's kind of why the boys started to travel. Can't fault them for it." The old man sighs "Sebastian didn't like that his son was making eyes towards the male travellers coming through and was putting pressure on him to marry a lass from around here. Thomas ran away and his older brother Marcus helped him to keep him safe." The old man sighs again clearly upset by the story. "Sebastian died trying to find them and bring them home. Thalia and Amelia don't blame the lads but they haven't been home since. They send word occasionally but that's all."
"If I ever get to London, I will tell Marcus to stop by. Or if I run into Thomas I'll tell him. Though I'm not sure I'll travel much." Harry says wondering why they aren't apparating. He doesn't ask not sure how long that travel method existed.
Author's Note: I hope you guys like it. personally I love Huntress. But I advice not to get to attached. As pointed out in the warning. Huntress is the Basilisk in the chamber of secrets. She will die there how that happens.. well you'll see later but I'm sad about it.