That night in Gryffindor Tower, while Alucard was reading his book on advanced Transfiguration he heard a sift pop from upstairs on the boys side. Alucard instantly puts down his book and strains his ears to find the source. He listens to sounds coming from that dorm and realises Harry's dorm had a weird muffling quality that wasn't there the previous day.
Alucard speeds up the stairs and goes to open the door, but finds it locked. Alucard pulls out his wand and points it at the door lock.
"Alohomora." Alucard says, then frowns when nothing happens. He tries again to no effect. Alucard points his wand at the lock again and puts more power into the charm. "Alohomora!" The lock doesn't budge and Alucard growls at the door. He crouches down and peers into the keyhole as his eyes flash red.
He nearly sighs in relief when he is able to actually look through the hole. His eyes rove over the room before spotting Harry talking to a house elf. Alucard's eyes narrow in confusion as the elf tries to bang it's head on Harry's bed post, only for Harry to wrench it away and hold it still. 'That's probably Dobby.' Alucard realises as Harry starts looking angry with Dobby.
Both of them start yelling at each other, but Alucard with all of his hearing, can't hear any of what they are saying. Alucard then sees Neville shift in his sleep, and Dobby seems to notice it as well, because he disappears, returning sound to the room and unlocking the door. Alucard gets back down to the common room and picks up his Transfiguration book again, letting Harry go back to sleep.
The next morning the four of them slipped out of the Great Hall after breakfast, letting Alucard guide them away from anyone patrolling the hallways to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where they had decided was the safest place to brew the potion in secret. Alucard had overheard Flitwick talking with McGonagall about a first-year Ravenclaw who had been Petrified last night, and decided it was a good time to start making the potion.
They enter the bathroom quickly before closing and locking the door and moving to squeeze into one of the stalls, Alucard crouching on the top of the toilet to make space so the first-years could fit properly. Alucard creates a fire in the toilet bowl using some bluebell fire and pulls out a small copper cauldron. He starts by filling the cauldron with an Aguamenti before adding three measures of fluxweed and two bundles of knotgrass.
He then stirs the mixture four times in a clockwise motion, then waves his wand over the top,checks the time on his watch, and sits back to listen to Harry explain the conversation he had with Dobby the night before.
"So, the Chamber was opened before..." Alucard says, putting his chin in his palm.
"I wonder who could've done it before?" Hermione thinks outloud.
"That settles it!" Ron declares triumphantly. "Lucius Malfoy must have opened the Chamber when he was at Hogwarts! And now he's taught dear old Draco how to do it. Wish Dobby told you what was in the Chamber, though. I still have no clue how it's sneaking around the school with no-one noticing."
"Maybe it can make itself invisible!" Hermione theorises excitedly. "Or maybe disguise itself - I've read about Chameleon Ghouls."
"All of the creatures we know of that can turn invisible or disguise themselves either aren't dangerous to people, or hunt using sharp claws and teeth." Alucard says. "They're normally quite small ambush hunters." Alucard glanced at the potion then his watch to check how much time had passed. 'Forty minutes left.'
"You know..." Ron says, turning to look at Harry. "Dobby stopped us from getting on the train, and sent the Bludger after you, right? It seems like if he doesn't stop trying to save your life, he's going to kill you. At least if Alucard isn't there to help."
The news about the Ravenclaw girl that was attacked had spread quickly by Monday, creating an air of suspicion and rumours flitted through the air. First-years moved moved around in tight groups, scared of being attacked when alone. Alucard kept a closer watch on the three, knowing that all three of them could end up being targets.
Alucard also stopped Neville from buying a multitude of strange and bizarre objects that were supposed to serve as protections against Slytherin's monster. Alucard had pointed out that he was in no danger, being a Pure-blood.
"They went after Filch first." Neville squeaks as the fifth-year Ravenclaw swiftly moves away from the two. "Everyone knows I'm almost a Squib!"
"Neville, relax." Alucard says gently, putting his hand on Neville's shoulder. "You aren't almost Squib. If you were a near Squib you wouldn't be doing so well in Herbology, would you?" Alucard asks, making Neville look at him in surprise. "Magical plants can sort of sense if the person tending to them has magic. The better they like the magic, the calmer they are."
Neville looks at him in surprise before nodding and rushing off, a new bounce in his step.
"Can they really?" Hermione asks curiously. "I haven't read anything about that."
"Dunno, there are some people who think they can." Alucard shrugs, turning to face the other direction. "Even if it isn't true, Neville still has a talent in Herbology that beats out yours and mine. He just needs to be confident in his abilities."
In the second week of December McGonagall came around, as usual, to take the names of those staying over Christmas. All four signed their names up, having heard Malfoy was doing the same. The holidays would be practically the perfect time to use the Polyjuice potion against Malfoy. Alucard just needed to wait on the arrival of the Bicorn horn and Boomslang skin before he could finish the potion.
The ingredients arrived that Thursday, meaning they would have to wait until Lunch and after lessons before they could continue with the potion brewing. Alucard slipped off during Lunch, leaving the three at the Great Hall, to add the Boomslang skin and powdered Bicorn horn before letting the potion brew for the next 18 hours, meaning the potion was entering it's last stage of brewing.
The next day the potion was ready to use, they just needed the pieces of the people they would transform into and a plan on how to get into Slytherin's common room with Malfoy. Alucard put the thick, mud-like potion into three bottles, cast a stasis charm on all three to stop them from going off, and hid them in his room.
A week later the four were returning from the second-year's Herbology lesson, escorted by Alucard, when they came across a throng of people gathered at the notice-board, reading from a piece of parchment. Seamus and Dean, two Gryffindor second-years, beckon them over. Alucard looks over the crowd, being the naturally tallest of the four to read the parchment.
"They're starting a Duelling Club!" Seamus informed the other three. "The first meeting's tonight! I wouldn't mind duelling lessons, they might come in handy..."
"You reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?" Ron asks, even as he reads the sign with interest. "Could actually be useful."
"It'd also be good to see where we stand in terms of of year groups duelling skill." Alucard says. "Figure out who to pick fights with. I'm definitely going."
The other three agreed eagerly, so at 8pm they hurried back into the Great Hall after dinner. The long house tables had vanished and were replaced by a long, golden table that sat against one wall. Most of the school had attended, everyone with their wands on their person and looking around curiously.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" Hermione says, following Alucard through the crowd. "I heard Flitwick was a duelling champion when he was younger, maybe it'll be him."
"I don't smell him here." Alucard says. "Though he would be one of the best to teach us."
"As long as it's not-" Harry began, only to end in a synchronised groan with Alucard as Lockhart struts up onto the stage in plum robes, followed by Snape. Lockhart waved an arm for silence and smiled at the crowd.
"Gather round! Gather round! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me?" Lockhart watches people at the back nod before he continues. "Excellent!"
"Professor Dumbledore has graciously granted me permission to start this little Duelling Club, to train you all up so you can defend yourselves, in case you have to like I have in my travels, which you can read in my books!" Lockhart says, then grandly gestures to Snape. "Allow me to introduce my assistant, Professor Snape! He tells me he knows a little about duelling himself, and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin."
"Snape's going to murder him." Alucard grins, watching the match closely, and actively ignoring Hermione's shocked face.
"Now, I don't want you to worry! You'll still have your Potions Master when I'm through with him!" Lockhart says, flashing a smile at the crowd before turning to face Snape. Snape had a look of complete loathing etched into his face, murderous rage in his eyes. Alucard was actually impressed Lockhart hadn't soiled himself.
Snape and Lockhart face each other and bow, Lockhart low with unnecessary amounts of hand twirling, and Snape with a short sharp incline of his head. They both then raise their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you can see, we are both holding our wands in accepted combat positions!" Lockhart informs the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will both cast our first spells. Of course, neither of us are aiming to kill."
"Shame." Alucard mutters, watching as Snape bares his teeth at Lockhart. Hermione whacks Alucard's shoulder, then ignores her stinging hand pointedly.
"One - two - three!" Lockhart says, they both swing their wands up before bringing them down to point at the other.
"Expelliarmus!" Snape says loudly, his wand launching a large blast of red light that slams into Lockhart, sending the man flying backwards as his wand lands in Snape's hand. Lockhart crashes into the wall behind him and drops down onto the floor. Malfoy and some Slytherin's cheered for Snape, and Alucard had to hold himself back from doing the same. Harry and Ron exchange gleeful grins.
Lockhart stumbles to his feet, his wavy hair was standing on hair and his hat had disappeared into the crowd. Lockhart shakes himself slightly before tottering back onto the platform.
"Well, there you have it!" Lockhart exclaims, getting his hat back from Lavender Brown. "Thank you, Ms Brown. That was a Disarming Charm! As you can see Professor Snape has my wand! An excellent idea to show them that, but if you don't mind me saying, it was very obvious what you were going to do. It would have been easy to stop you, if I had wanted to. However, I believed it would be instructive to show them..."
Snape's glare had reached new levels, finally making Lockhart finally notice it.
"Enough demonstrating on our part!" Lockhart says, quickly getting his wand back from Snape before moving away from him. "I believe splitting the students up into pairs of two to practice the Disarming charm would be the best course of action! Professor Snape, if you will help me..." The two of them walk of the platform and start sorting the students into pairs in their respective years.
Snape reached the group of four before and looked between them with a smug grin.
"Let's break up the dream team." Snape says silkily. "Weasley, with Finnigan. Potter..." Snape looks up for three more students, then smirks. "With Malfoy. Granger, with Bulstrode. And Juvatich... pair up with Carmichael." Snape then stalks off as Alucard turns to Eddie Carmichael. The two of them move to give each other and the people around them some space.
"Face your partners!" Lockhart calls out, having gotten back on the platform. "And bow!"
Alucard bows lightly to Carmichael, who bows back slightly deeper. The two of them then slide into their respective duelling stances. Alucard turned his torso sideways while tucking his left arm behind his back, holding his wand towards Carmichael in his right, and slightly bent knees. Carmichael copies Snape's stance from his 'duel' with Lockhart.
"Wands at the ready!" Lockhart shouted. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent - only to disarm! We don't want any accidents! One... two... three!"
"Expelliarmus!" Alucard incants instantly, spearing his wand forward with a swish of air. A red jet of magic launches from his wand tip and into Carmichael's chest, sending the surprised boy to the ground, while his wand flew to Alucard in a gentle arc. Alucard catches the wand before blurring to Carmichael to help him off the floor and return his wand.
Alucard then stands up straight and looks to the other three, noticing Bulstrode had Hermione in a headlock. Alucard blurs to the two and easily pries Bulstrode's arms open, to the girl's surprise, allowing Hermione to move away to try and catch her breathe. Alucard pushed Bulstrode to the ground and goes to check on Hermione. He grabs Hermione's wand from the floor and gives it back to her.
"Stop, stop!" Lockhart shouts, getting ignored by the fighting children. Snape then takes charge with a large wave of his wand.
"Finite incantatem!" Snape says, canceling all of the spell effects. A greenish haze hovered over the area, Neville and Justin were panting on the ground, Ron was apologising to a ashen-faced Seamus, Carmichael was rubbing his back with a small grimace. Alucard noticed that multiple people were bleeding from the smell in the air.
"Dear, dear..." Lockhart says, skittering between the aftermath of the duels. "Up you get, Macmillan... Careful, Miss Fawcett... Pinch it for a second, it'll stop bleeding, Boot..." Lockhart got back to the raised platform and looked around.
"I think we should show you how to block unfriendly spells." Lockhart, glancing at Snape's face before looking away quickly. "Let's have a volunteer pair! Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you?"
"A bad idea." Snape says, gliding closer like a large bat. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest of spells. We'll be sending Finch-Fletchley to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox. How about-?" Snape's gaze snaps to Harry with a gleeful glint.
"I volunteer." Alucard calls out, stepping up to the platform. Everyone moves slightly away from him as whispers skirt through the crowd. Snape glares at Alucard as Lockhart looks slightly disappointed before smiling again and turning to the crowd. Harry looks at Alucard in surprise,
"Okay, excellent! Who wants to volunteer to be Mr Juvatich's partner for this demonstration?" Lockhart looks around the hall, hoping for someone to step up.
"I believe Warrington would be a good match." Snape says, staring at a boy a year older than Alucard who had brown hair. Snape subtly gestures for Warrington to hurry up when he looks hesitant, making the boy step forward and onto the platform with his Head of House. Alucard stepped up next to Lockhart and watched Snape lean over to whisper something to Warrington, not bothering to listen in.
"Now, Mr Juvatich." Lockhart says, pulling out his own wand. "When Warrington points his wand at you, you do this." Lockhart then waves his wand in a tricky sort of wiggle before dropping it altogether. "Whoops, my wand is a little excited." Lockhart says as he picks it up, Alucard notices Snape smirking at Lockhart. Lockhart then smiled at Alucard before stepping off the platform.
"Scared?" Warrington asks cockily from his side of the platform. Alucard doesn't deem to respond and simply moves into his duelling stance, Warrington grunts and does the same. Warrington's stance was more aggressive, with him leaning on his front leg and his wand was farther forward than Alucard's.
"Just do what I did." Lockhart advises from the side of the platform and Alucard looks at him incredulously.
"What? Drop my wand?" Alucard has to ask, but Lockhart ignored him in favour of starting the duel.
"Three - two - one - go!" Lockhart yells, Warrington immediately moves to attack, but Alucard was quicker.
"Protego." Alucard casts calmly, slashing his wand down in a harsh line, letting an invisible shield erupt in front of him to reflect Warrington's Knockback Jinx. He drops the shield and casts two spells before Warrington could react. "Flipendo, Expelliarmus." A bolt of blue, followed by red launches out of Alucard's wand. The blue slams in Warrington and sends him flying towards the end of the platform, but also sent him too high for the Expelliarmus to hit.
Warrington slams into the ground, somehow keeping his hold on his wand. He rushes to his feet and glares at Alucard before waving his wand at Alucard.
"Serpensortia!" He yells, launching two large black snakes out of his wand tip. Alucard looks at the serpents with slight interest as they raised their heads in preparation to strike, slithering around the edges of the platform to get on either side of him. There were screams as people quickly rushed away from the platform.
"I'll get rid of them for you." Snape says lazily, clearly assuming Alucard wasn't sure what to do.
"Let me!" Lockhart interrupts, waving his wand at one of the snakes, letting the second one lunge at Alucard. The first snake launches into the air before slamming back down and hissing angrily, turning to attack the nearest student. Alucard raises his left hand to catch the second snake's neck before it was able to bite him, he looked into it's black eyes with his red ones, making it fall limp in his hand.
"Sha selasham." Someone hisses, making Alucard spin around in surprise, only to find Justin Finch-Fletchley on the ground in front of the first snake, which was now docile, and Harry staring at the two of them. Everyone else had frozen at the sight of Harry speaking Parseltongue. Justin's face took on a look that switched between anger and fear.
"What do you think you're playing at?" Justin yells at Harry. Then, before Harry could say anything, Justin turned and stormed out of the hall. Snape stepped forward and vanished the wo snakes with a wave of his wand, making them turn into black smoke. Alucard jumps from the platform and reaches Harry as Ron and Hermione do.
"Let's go." Alucard says, pulling Harry along, Ron and Hermione following them quickly. Everyone moves out of their way like they were frightened of catching something. They sped through the school in silence, letting Alucard lead them to the common room in record time, where they put Harry into an armchair.
"You can speak to snakes." Alucard starts, sitting down opposite Harry. Harry nods with a confused face.
"Yeah, I can." Harry agrees. "I mean, it's only the second time I've done it. I accidently set a boa constrictor on my cousin at the zoo once - long story - It said it had never seen Brazil, and I accidently set it free. That was before I knew I was a wizard..."
"A boa constrictor told it had never been to Brazil..." Ron repeats faintly, falling into a nearby chair.
"So?" Harry says. "I bet loads of people here can do it!"
"Actually, no." Alucard sighs. "You're more likely to find people who can speak Mermish, I know Dumbledore can, so do my parents and I. But Parseltongue, snake language, is extremely rare. It's also seen as a sign of a Dark wizard or witch in Britain."
"This is bad, Harry." Ron groans.
"Why's it bad?" Harry asks crossly. "If I hadn't stopped the snake from attacking Justin-"
"Is that what you said to it?" Ron asks. Harry looks at him in surprise.
"What?" Harry then turns to Alucard. "You guys heard me... you where there."
"We heard this; 'Sha selasham.'" Alucard repeats the hissing sound. "To us it sounded like you could have been saying anything."
"I spoke a different language?" Harry asks in shock. "How can I speak a language without knowing the language?"
"It's a magic skill." Alucard explains. "Like my speed and strength. It's just a part of you, so you're able to do it naturally."
"Then what's so wrong with it?" Harry asks grumpily, not seeing why everyone was making a big deal of it. "If it's like Alucard's strength, why is everyone so upset about it?"
"People are scared of things that have a Dark history." Alucard says. "That's why people use to fear vampires, and still fear werewolves. Parseltongue was one of the things Salazar Slytherin was famous for. It's also something Voldemort claimed to be able to use."
"That's why Slytherin's symbol is a snake, Harry." Hermione finally says quietly.
"Exactly." Ron sighs. "Now people will think you're his great-great-great-great-grandson or something..."
"But I'm not." Harry says, panic creeping slightly into his tone.
"Of course you aren't." Alucard reassures him. "The Potter family is older than the Slytherin family by a couple hundred years. I seriously doubt you're related." Alucard then leans towards Harry with a grin. "You think you could teach me Parseltongue?" Harry's shoulders become less tense as he shrugs at Alucard.
"Sorry, but I have no clue how I did it." Harry responds.
"Then what did you say to the snake, exactly?" Alucard asks. "I'll start learning it by memorising the words, then if you figure out how to speak it at will, teach me."
"Sure, I said 'Leave him'." Harry says. Alucard nods and leans back into the chair with a large grin.
"It'll be fun to learn such a rare language." Alucard mutters to the three.