One step further

December was on its way, doubling the student workload and the thickness of its white mantle. With the end of the semester coming, many professors had given the fifth year essays covering everything they had learned since September to make sure they were ready. Tired of the rumors he was hearing around every corner of the school, Harry found himself spending more time in the Chamber than ever. Salazar was observing his apprentice learn and would occasionally comment on the topics he was studying. And Harry would listen. Often this would turn into a discussion around the matter and it reflected in Harry's grades. Even Hermione had grown jealous of his success. She wanted to know what book he had been reading because the major contents of his parchment weren't from any book in their official list. She knew it as she had read every single one.

There was still one room in the castle that Harry was still visiting and it was the library. But it was mostly to borrow books on matters suggested by Slytherin. He would then quickly go back to the Chamber.

On the last Saturday of November, he was practicing spells he had found in one of those volumes advised by Salazar. He was proceeding methodically. First he would cast the spell in the traditional manner, using his wand and voicing it. Then he would try it in silence and at last he would do it without his wand.

Salazar was proud, he couldn't deny it. It baffled him that this young man wasn't in his House. He had talent, resourcefulness and his presence here in the Chamber was the ultimate proof of his total disregard for the rules. And he wasn't breaking them for the sake of it. He was doing so to serve his own purpose.

When Harry mastered the last spell of his list, he sat down to rest a bit. He had abandoned the use of the Invigoration Draught as he was now able to manage his effort through his magical practise. Even if his results were promising, something was bothering him.

'How does one remember all those spells?' He asked after a few minutes of silence. 'I read most of the books you suggested, but I don't know how I will learn all of this on top of my classes. Am I supposed to carry a list or something?'

'Do you remember what I told you about spells during your first lesson here?'

'You said that they were limitations to our powers?' Risked Harry searching his memory.

'Exactly, young man,' said Salazar. 'Do you know why they are mostly formulated in Latin?' He gave a few seconds for Harry to answer. He didn't expect him to find one but to his great surprise, that he managed to hide of course, the boy said:

'I remember you talking about "affinity with magic",' started Harry a bit hesitant. 'I suspect that maybe Latin is the language that best fits the magical World?'

'Very good Mr. Potter,' said Salazar, satisfied by his apprentice's focus. 'The languages are different, especially if we consider their roots and the richness of their vocabulary. The consensus is that Latin is the fittest to interact with magic. This is why we teach them to young wizards and witches. But to my opinion, spells, enchantments, jinxes, even hexes, have been elaborated primarily to provide examples of what our impact on our environment could be with the use of magic.'

'When you leave Hogwarts you are supposed to have a good knowledge of the most useful and famous spells. You are also expected to be proficient in wandless nonverbal magic. This is after school that things become interesting.'

To Harry's mind, what he was hearing was already very interesting.

'By the way,' continued the old wizard. 'What is the path you wish to follow after school?' A gleam of interest had lit up in his eyes.

'Oh… huh,' stammered Harry who hadn't expected the question. 'I don't know, I was thinking about becoming an Auror or something like that.'

'An Auror is that so?' Repeated Salazar amused. 'Is this a career that suits your ideals? Are you proud of the Aurors of your country?'

Harry reflected on the founder's question. If he had to answer it today, he would definitely say that no, the Aurors today were a shame.

'Your lack of response shows what you really think,' teased Salazar. 'Why are you disappointed with them?'

This time, Harry didn't wait to answer and the words came very easily.

'They are blindly following the Ministry, without questioning its legitimacy or if what they say is true!' He said bitterly thinking about all the lies about him. 'Well not of all them,' he corrected, remembering Shacklebolt. 'But those who question the system have to hide their true opinion and follow orders anyways.'

'Harry Potter, are you the kind of person who follows orders?'

The boy's silence was enough for Salazar who straightened up and smiled contentedly.

'You might not be my Heir, young man,' he said quite solemnly, 'but my Heritage truly flows within your blood. And I am not talking about the Mark you received fifteen years ago. Have you ever thought about carving your own path? Finding your true purpose in this life by discovering, learning and better understanding the mysteries lingering in this World?'

'So far, I think I've got my fair share of adventure,' Harry chuckled. 'If I had to be honest with you, I'd say that doing nothing for the first time in my life without worrying about who wants to kill me would be a good enough future for me.'

Salazar's smile grew. This young wizard had no idea about the future awaiting him and he wished he had been alive to witness it. But for now Harry's answer suited him. The boy had realised that the myth he had built around the prestigious order of the Aurors wasn't as promising as it sounded.

'Let's go back to our original topic if you will,' said the founder in a silky voice. 'Would you like things to get interesting now instead of waiting until after school?'

Harry watched the little lion prance around the Chamber with a bright smile on his lips. Tonight, he had crafted his very first spell. Harry had decided to turn the small basilisk into a lion. He had of course asked for his authorization before. He didn't have the right to look into his books to find the suitable spell and Salazar had forbidden him to use his wand too. He had searched his mind for the Latin vocabulary he had acquired through his lessons and readings.

Lion… Leo, that was easy. But was about the transformation part? Even in English there were many terms to describe a transformation. Shape, modify, transmute, transfigurate, redesign, convert, the list could be very long. He had tried many associations in his mind and suddenly one emerged. Maybe there was an already existing spell better than this one to achieve his goal. But it felt so right, he had decided to cast it without discussing it first with Salazar first.

'What is the spell you thought about?' Asked Salazar.

'Leo Conflatorum,' answered Harry.

'Ah I see,' replied Salazar. He stood silent for a few seconds considering the lion, once basilisk, running aroung. 'You have an interesting sense of humor young man. Now turn him back , but this time do not use any spells.'

'How do I do that?'

'By now you should have a good idea of what constitutes a basilisk. As I said before, you need to visualize the desired outcome. You know how to transfigure a living creature and you know what a basilisk looks like. This should be enough.'

Harry looked at the lion, remembering the small basilisk it was a few minutes ago. He didn't want to fail. Of course, he didn't want to disappoint Slytherin, but he also didn't want to hurt the snake. He had grown fond of the creature. His gaze was now intense and he focused completely. He pictured the transformation in his head. What member would change first, how the process would happen. When he was ready, he turned toward the lion. He would have only one shot. He didn't know what he was doing but he was following his instinct. He mentally projected the scene he had built in his head toward the creature and under his mesmerized eyes, he watched the lion shape back into his basilisk form exactly as he had imagined it.

The basilisk shivered a bit to get rid of the remaining of his mane and hissed in approval at Harry.

'You did well,' said Salazar simply. The old wizard was even more rare in compliments than McGonagall, and Harry appreciated his comment all the more.

He was so content with himself that he completely ignored the usual glances on his way to his common room. He didn't even notice the shadow that watched him close the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets behind him.

When he arrived in his common room, he let himself fall on a chair near his friends.

'Hey mate,' said Ron, happy to see Harry had joined them at last. 'Where were you? I thought you wanted to come with us to study in the library?'

Harry understood that the true complaint was that he had abandoned him with Hermione on a study session for the whole afternoon.

'I'm sorry Ron,' he said looking for an excuse. 'I just needed a walk.'

'You've been taking a lot of walks recently,' said Hermione with an accusatory tone.

'I enjoy being on my own,' said Harry defensively. 'Look guys, I really appreciate what you're doing for me. But those are the only moments I can spend without being observed like a mad conspirationist.'

He saw he hadn't convinced any of them and it annoyed him a bit. But he noticed with relief that they were thoughtful enough to leave him alone and not push the matter.

'How are those extra sessions in Potions going on?' Asked Hermione to change the subject.

Harry gave her a look of gratitude and explained it wasn't that bad - yes Ron - and since his grades had been improving, he had decided to keep this habit.

'I don't know how you can stand being locked in a classroom with Snape twice a week.' Said Ron while shaking his head.

'Honestly, it's quite different from our common class with Slytherin,' answered Harry. `We are always three or four max during those sessions. And… I don't know, but I think he is making an effort down there.'

'It's true that he bothers you less and less in class,' recognized Hermione. 'It's quite funny you know? Because the Slytherins are really confused by that.' She said with a small laugh.

Harry laughed along with her. He wanted to defend the Slytherin House to explain that some of them were worth it, but he was so happy to be able to laugh with his friends that he decided to let it go.