CHAPTER 6: The Secret
Scorpius read his Magical Theory essay once more. Professor Bletchley assigned a 30cm essay of the first fundamental law of magic. In their third year this Magical Theory subject would be advanced by numbers and numerology as Arithmancy. Scorpius would definitely take that lesson later. Of all the first year subjects, Scorpius loved Magical Theory and History of Magic the most. When he wrote about it to his parents, both said he was very lucky not to have the ghost professor who taught magic history so ridiculously anymore. Instead, they got Professor Fawley, head of Hufflepuff house – a decent teacher who had travelled the world studying much of magic histories that had ever existed around earth.
When Scorpius was satisfied with his essay, he turned to his best friend beside him. Albus was having fun watching the Marauder Map. The map undeniably was truly brilliant. He discussed it with Rose a lot trying to figure out what kind of spells to use for the map to be able to locate every wizard at Hogwarts. Rose wanted to expand the map's capabilities to Hogsmeade. But they weren't allowed into Hogsmeade yet and neither of them was good at drawing, not even Kellan.
Right after the ownership of the map fell into the hands of Albus two months ago, the four of them had been exploring all the secret places and paths at Hogwarts. Albus and Rose agreed not to waste time learning all the secrets, because at Christmas it would be returned to James. And now at the end of the year – a day before holiday, they had studied all about the map. Scorpius was beyond grateful, not many people knew all the secrets of this magic castle even after seven years of study. Kellan was even flabbergasted and like Scorpius feeling lucky to be involved in all their adventures, even if only to discover where the kitchen was.
"Why so serious?" Scorpius asked his best friend.
Albus looked up, and then scolded, "Finish? If you don't notice, that's for holiday homework."
"Well, I'm done now," he said mockingly. "So what's on your mind?"
Albus didn't answer right away. Scorpius immediately knew that his friend was considering something, so Scorpius just waited. After a moment, Albus said slowly, "Did you know that my Dad was a Parselmouth?"
Scorpius knew. Scorpius also knew after the war, the chosen one could not use that ability anymore. Honestly, he knew a lot about Harry Potter. He couldn't help not to admire the wizard who conquered Voldemort. He asked his father, did some research, read a lot of books and old news, however Albus didn't have to know all of that. It would be embarrassing, so he just nodded.
Albus was still gazing, "Did you also know that he once opened the Chamber of Secrets?"
Scorpius frowned, "I read about the possibility. And my father said there were rumors about it in his second year, but no one really ever confirmed it."
"Do you want to go down there?"
Scorpius was open-mouthed. "Yes," he said automatically, "You know where it is?"
"I know, but we might not make it in. The password was in Parseltongue."
"And you can speak the snake language?"
"No," Albus said, "But, Uncle Ron once told me and James how to pronounce it, we can try."
"Now?" Scorpius looked at the time, it was half past ten already. They never break the curfew. Actually they never break any rules – that was for Gryffindors.
"Yup," Albus began standing. "I've checked there are no prefects anymore in the corridors. Come, we still have to find a broom. If we could open it, we'd need one."
They ended up looking for a broom in the room of requirement on the seventh floor. Albus then led Scorpius to the left wing towards the second floor.
"Why now? Why have you never mentioned the chamber to us before?" Scorpius asked his best friend who was checking on the map once in a while.
"It doesn't matter, I'm telling you now. We might not even get there. Besides," he paused for a moment, "Only James and I know about this. Uncle Ron told us just to show off. But, I know James wanted to try it – and he knew I wanted to try it. I'm sure James never made it though, otherwise he would have told me."
"Teddy and your sister do not know about this?"
"Lily's the baby in the family. Uncle Ron will never use Parseltongue in front of her. And Teddy, never is the curious one unlike me and James."
"But why all of a sudden now?"
Albus smiled, "Let's just say, I just want it now. And you and I are both Slytherin, we deserve to go down there more than James."
Scorpius knew though the meaning behind Albus' words. Once again his best friend wanted to share another secret with him. A secret that not even Rose or his other cousins knew about. How Albus valued their friendship continued to move Scorpius. If Albus was his brother, he could hug him right at the moment. But even Scorpius never saw Albus and James embrace each other, and that kind of affection was foreign for Scorpius. So, he only shook his head and continued smiling.
"Don't think too much, Scor. And like I said, we might not even make it there," his best friend smirked at him, his green eyes full of mirth.
Albus took him to the second floor girls' lavatory. It was a haunted toilet, in fact the corridor itself was a forgotten passageway, not many students passed by – not on purpose like the two of them for sure.
"In a girl bathroom?" Scorpius raised his eyebrow.
Albus chuckled, "Uncool, right? But you must admit it's very effectively hidden and unimaginable."
"Right," Scorpius shook his head.
When they entered, they saw a spacious toilet, in the center of which was several sinks arranged in a circle.
"Harry?" a shrill voice surprised Scorpius and Albus.
It was a ghost – a student girl ghost. She didn't look pretty – even in a ghost form, big pimples could be seen on her cheeks and nose. Her expression changed from momentarily delighted to miserable after seeing both of them.
"You're not Harry," she said angrily. "Who are you imposter!? And why you're here?"
"You must be Myrtle Warren, nice to meet you," Albus smiled politely. "I'm Albus Potter, Harry's son."
The ghost frowned, "Liar! I know Harry's son. His name's James and doesn't look a lot like Harry – not like you, you even have his beautiful green eyes." Then she looked even more miserable, "James promised me that he'll visit. Harry also promised. But it never happens." And to Scorpius horror, she began crying. Big shadow tears came out from her ghost eyes – she even looked uglier. "That's what always happened – made a promise to Myrtle but broke it easily, no need to care about her feelings because she's insignificant and nobody!" snapped Myrtle.
"Well, I'm sorry about James, but I'm not like him," Albus responded kindly. "He's my brother and always a git. I'm Harry's second son, and people always said that I'm indeed a copy of my Dad. I'll never break a promise too," he added smoothly.
Myrtle approached quickly, her face was very close to Albus. "Well, hello Albus," she giggled, blinking flirtatiously. "You're so handsome like your Dad. What do you want?"
"Doing what James did," Albus said with a smile.
"Ah, he never succeeded though," she squirmed un-prettily, making Scorpius want to throw up. "I wanted to help a little, but he kept ignoring me. Do you want my help, Albus?"
"Of course, it's very nice of you, Myrtle. And James is just a git, never mind him."
She continued giggling, "You're very kind – warmer than your father, nicer than your brother." The ghost turned her attention to Scorpius and was shocked. "And you must be Draco's son then, am I right?" she whispered.
Scorpius was actually surprised that this ugly ghost knew about his father. But following Albus and thinking that she might be able to help them, he said with a charming smile, "I am. You know my Dad?"
Her expression was full of longing, "Draco will always be my best friend. He needed me, he always confided in me. He even once cried before me, and I always comforted him."
Scorpius choked on hearing it. Maybe one day he could ask his father. "Well then, my father's best friend is my friend too," he smiled softly to the ghost. Scorpius could even feel Albus' invisible smirk towards him.
"A son of Harry and a son of Draco," Myrtle sighed very satisfied. "Then, what we're waiting for? Try it!"
Albus walked over to one of the sinks that had a snake-engraved on it. Next, he tried and said, "Open."
All Scorpius heard was a hissing voice. They waited a moment but nothing happened.
"Try saying the second syllable longer with more Ss," Myrtle said.
Albus tried again, still nothing happened.
"Umh, I think it's not shas but hus."
Again Albus tried – nothing.
"Maybe, emphasize the last syllable."
None.
"No, too much! Make it like a singsong."
Not yet.
"The first syllable, bring more e."
Fruitless.
"Don't rush it, Albus," the ghost said annoyingly. "When Harry said it, I could even feel the magic. But of course you'd think that I couldn't, because I'm just a ghost!" she cried.
Albus paused for a moment, then earnestly said those hissing words again.
This time, it sent chills down to Scorpius' spine. He could feel the magic from the word. Next second, the sinks began to move. The snake-engraved sank, in fact, sank, right out of sight, leaving a large pipe exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into.
Myrtle squealed cheerfully, Albus thanked her heartily, and Scorpius couldn't help but be dumbfounded. 'It's real, wow,' he thought to himself.
Albus reached his Mokeskin pouch – a gift from his Aunt Hermione, and surely full of undetectable-extension charm that could even put five brooms inside – and took out their borrowed broom from the room of requirement, got on it and had Scorpius ridden on the back. After saying another thanks to the ghost, both dove far down into the pipe.
"Wow," Scorpius unwittingly revealed his inner voice.
Albus laughed loudly, looking back at him, "Who would have thought tonight would be an adventure to the Chamber of Secrets? If James heard about this, he'd go completely bonkers!"
"You of course!" Scorpius shouted. "You're planning all this, aren't you?"
"No, never!"
The two burst out laughing.
Next, they landed in a large tunnel, full of bones on its floor that led to a secret corridor. Here and there of which were wide plumbing like the one they passed leading to all waterways at Hogwarts. They walked slowly through the corridor while looking around.
"So," Scorpius said nonchalantly, "The bones were the monster's leftovers?" His heart couldn't help but skip a beat at the sight of the remains bones.
"Yes," Albus whispered. "The Basilisk," as then they halted in front of an old and shed Basilisk skin in the middle of the hall.
"Of course, Salazar would have naturally and undoubtedly chosen the king of the serpents," Scorpius grumbled gazing at the giant snake skin – it's up to 50 feet in length. Then he shook his head amazed, "And you said that this monster was killed with a Gryffindor sword by your father who was only a year older than us at the time?"
Previously on the way to the seventh floor while picking up the broom, Albus had already shared the whole story of the Chamber tragedy in his Dad's second year to Scorpius. About the attacks of Muggle-born students including Aunt Hermione, about Tom Riddle's diary which possessed his Mum, and about his Dad's adventure to save his Mum from Riddle's memory and Basilisk.
"Yes," Albus answered full of admiration to his Dad – well, both of them were.
"Let's take this hide," Scorpius said thoughtfully.
"We don't really need the money, though," Albus said, shrugging.
It's true. Even if Potter's vault wasn't as rich as the Malfoys, everyone knew the Black's vault was inherited to Harry Potter after their last descendant Sirius Black died. And his Dad also told him the story of the Lestrange whose fortunes also passed to Potter-Weasley and the ministry after the war. Lestranges and Blacks added that the Potters vault was clearly more than Scorpius family's fortune. To be fair, they both also James came from the richest wizarding family in England today. Their respective trust fund itself could buy them anything or get them anywhere they want. So indeed, money would never be a problem.
"We don't," Scorpius responded. "But who knows, maybe someday you'll need them for armor if you want to be an Auror like your father. You can even give it to him as a gift one day. And I also want to ask if Ollivander might need it for the core of his wand-crafted – even if I've never heard about any of it, or maybe my father need it for one of his potion-invention, or I don't know yet – I've to research all information about Basilisk. See, can't you imagine how important these hide for the purpose of magic knowledge itself? It's over a thousand year old!"
Albus chuckled, "You right. Let's pack them later. Lily might need it too one day."
"Lily?"
"Oh, she's a potions maniac – just like James in quidditch, she's into potions. I suppose your Dad too then, about potions?"
Scorpius paused for a moment, "Yeah," he hesitated. "My Dad produces high-grade potions twice a year for the ministry."
Albus caught his friend's doubts, "You can tell your Dad about this. I don't mind."
"Okay," Scorpius said slowly. "Will you tell your Dad?"
"Sure," he smirked. "One day."
They now halted at the entrance of the chamber – a heavy steel hatchway door with seven snake-shaped locks on the front. Albus said the same hissing voice, an eighth snake slithered around the door's edge which slithered the seven locks backward and made the door opened. Now, the two Slytherin were standing at the end of a long, dimly lit chamber. Towering stone pillars of the entire length of the chamber were the snake heads, rose to a ceiling of the two long pools on the right and left side, casting long black shadows through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place. The head of Salazar Slytherin's statue was at the far end.
"He carved his entire face along the wall," Scorpius stared incredulously. "Vanity," he smirked.
"This chamber shows the peculiarities of our dorm, though – water, greenish, definitely chiller with more giant snakes," Albus commented.
"Speaking of giant snakes, the stench here is unbearable!" Both of them stumped quietly to the end of the room where afar the Basilisk skull lay unshaken on the side of the other pool at the bottom of the Slytherin's statue.
"Can you cast the bubble-head charm?" Albus asked, feeling a little disoriented by the stench.
"I'm never as good as Rose in charm."
Albus chuckled, "Oh, if she's here, she might as well start cleaning too."
"You read my mind. This chamber definitely needs some well cleaning spells." Scorpius paused for a while, then, "Linky!"
Pop!
A house-elf appeared before them. She wore a baby-pink tutu dress complete with large ribbon in matching color on her head.
Albus was astonished.
"Master Scorpy," she chirped – her voice so high full of concern. "Why is calling Linky? Is Master need Linky's help?" her big yellow eyes widened.
"Nothing's wrong, Linky," Scorpius said reassuringly. "Is it okay you're here? I just meant to try to call you," he grinned, "Looks like it worked."
"Linky will always answer her master's call! The headmistress of Hogwarts can know if she tries to find out." She looked a little nervous, "Other house-elves will know if I is too long in here." Then she started to look around, "Where is us, Master Scorpy? Linky is ever been in Hogwarts, but never in this greenish room."
"Well, we're still at Hogwarts, but way below the castle. Linky," Scorpius kneeled before the pinky-clothes elf, "This's a legendary chamber, full of historical heritage. Can you clean up a bit? Can you do that for me?"
The elf's face lit up, "Oh, it is very simple Master. Linky can also freshen the air."
Scorpius beamed. "Do all that then," he patted the elf's head slightly. "Oh, and Linky, please pack the snake skin on the corridor outside too. Use your magic, don't touch it, it might still be poisonous."
Linky nodded and started working.
"Your elf's wearing a pink tutu," Albus looked bewildered.
Scorpius chuckled, "I gave those to her last year. She loves it very much."
"Your family did my Aunt Hermione's new policy of house-elves welfare?"
The new welfare included autonomously payment, days off, and clothing. Although there are still many house-elves who half-heartedly accepted this revolution, the British wizarding society who own them must follow the ministry's regulations.
Scorpius raised his eyebrow, "Of course. Did you expect us to go behind the ministry and abuse our house-elves?" he smirked.
"No," Albus said hastily. He sighed, "Maybe the tutu's just too much for me. Hogwarts elves wear simple white uniforms."
Scorpius only laughed harder, "We let them wear whatever they want."
Albus smiled, "Doesn't it amaze you how house-elves can break all wards and spells just to do the main basis of their magic – obeying their master's orders?"
"Always," Scorpius grinned. "It's an ancient magic – happens independently of efforts by wizards. It's part of the magical-ness of the universe itself."
Albus chuckled at Scorpius' fondness of magic knowledge. Then, he lit up, "So, Scorpy?" Albus sneered copying the elf's pet name for Scorpius.
"Shut up! She, practically, babysits me since I was a baby. I can't be cruel enough to order her to stop calling me that!"
Albus laughed, "Admit it Scor, you love it! Should I call you Scorpy from now on?" Scorpius could only glare – Albus shook his head amused and said again, "Well, I can't wait to see these house-elves of yours and their mini-apartments in your Manor."
Scorpius didn't comment, only grimaced a little. Finally, they both stood in front of the Basilisk skull.
"Al!" Scorpius choked. "The fangs have never been harvested! And the horns too!"
"It's been more than twenty years. You think they're still valuable?"
"Definitely! Come on, let's harvest them."
In the end they had more than forty fangs and two horns lying on the floor.
"Can Linky keep all of this in your Manor? Albus asked. "We can't bring them back to our dorm and I can't take them to the Meadow either."
"She can," Scorpius nodded. "Don't worry. I have a private potions lab that's separate from my Dad's main laboratory. She'll make sure nobody notices, and I promise won't do anything to them without you."
Albus smiled genuinely, "Just parts everything in half evenly. Use your part as you wish, give it to your father if needed. But keep mine in your lab, yeah. I might not use it for now."
"Al," Scorpius looked torn, "I could do 30:70 even 20:80. This's your father's right, yours, I'm quite happy already even just to make sure these don't go to waste."
"Shut up, Scor. It's done, just take your share," his best friend grinned. Well, Albus Potter's definitely the best friend one could ask.
Changing the topic, Albus said again to a still disgruntled Scorpius, "My Dad told me that the Basilisk came out from Slytherin's mouth. The Riddle's memory used Parseltongue to control the Basilisk and asked her out."
Scorpius looked up to the huge statue face. "Do you think you could try the last password just to open it?"
"That's what I've been considering since we entered."
"Try then."
Albus nodded, and said earnestly to the mouth of the statue, "Open."
To their shock, the mouth opened.
Albus took his broom and got on, "Come on, Scor! Even my Dad never went there."
Scorpius rode on the back, Albus took off and flew to the statue's mouth. "Do you think it's a good idea to go inside?" Scorpius asked just before Albus flew in. It's very dark.
"Well nothing would happen, the Basilisk's dead," Albus said simply.
Both of them automatically lit up the room, "Lumos," and landed.
It was a cave – a wide snake nest. There's nothing there beside another old and shed Basilisk skins.
"More hides, nice!" Scorpius grinned.
Just then the statue's mouth was closed by itself.
Scorpius squealed uncontrollably, "What did you do?"
"Nothing," annoyingly to Scorpius, Albus' voice was restrained. Albus then said the password in Parseltongue. Nothing happened. He tried again, twice, fivefold, still none. "You try, Scor," again his best friend's voice was steady.
Scorpius was starting to panic. He tried to copy the language though. But, he himself knew that it's so incorrect. "I did wrong, I can't imitate like you do," the voice rising from his mouth was high. "What do we do? What will we do?" he panicked.
Albus sighed, "I think the Parseltongue should be said from outside not inside. Or, it's not as simple as open? Hmm…"
"So?" Annoyed and panicked, Scorpius gaped. Why Albus could still relax was beyond Scorpius' mind. There they were, inside a dark and smelly unknown cave which happened to be where the serpent's king had hibernated for hundreds of years and with no way out. It's really not funny if they had to be stuck there forever. Shit! He forgot to befriend someone who was almost a Gryffindork.
Albus began pacing and looking around with the light from his wand. "It doesn't make sense. How if Salazar or the heir went inside here, to put her to sleep? How could they go out if the password couldn't work from here?" he rambled. "And is this only for her nest? I wonder…"
"Albus!" Scorpius yelled. "Why are you so calm? How do we get out of here!?"
"Alright," Albus sighed again, "Maybe there's only her place to hibernate. Maybe it needs more than a simple open. Well, I should ask Uncle Bill to ensure." He turn to Scorpius at last, "Fine, you can call Linky now, Scor?"
"Who?" he said stupidly, "Ah, right," his face must be blushing now. Fortunately it was dark so Albus didn't have to see it. How could he forget about his house-elf? Silly. Scorpius sighed, "Linky!"
Pop!
"Master Scorpy, what is you doing here? Playing with his friend in the king serpent's nest?" the pink-tutu elf squawked, hands on her small waist. "Only the speaker is safe down here, especially inside this cave."
Scorpius grumbled.
Albus was intrigued. "So, a simple 'open' can't work here, Linky?"
Linky turned to Albus, her eyes widened. "Linky is not know, young Master. Linky only knows this chamber is full of snake's magic."
"Just call me Albus, Linky," Albus said kindly. "Now, can you feel any magic in here, any wards or spells?"
The elf shuddered, and slowly she walked to the smooth flat ground surrounded by piles of circle stones that should have been where the Basilisk coiled. She was facing one of the piles, snapped her finger, and then piles of rocks crumbled, ground excavated and a treasure chest was visible in the not-so-deep dig.
Albus reached over and opened it – not too big at about 20 inches long.
"Linky, light up the cave," Scorpius ordered his elf. Linky did it and suddenly it felt as bright as being in the great hall. Scorpius looked over his best friend's shoulder into the chest. Nothing was there, only a black cloth.
Albus turned to Scorpius shrugging, "I'm sure Riddle had taken all the treasure inside. But how to know the hiding position without a house-elf?" he wondered.
"Linky says, the king serpent will tell the speaker, Mister Albus, sir."
"Ah, you're right, Linky! How smart!" Albus beamed making Linky blush.
Scorpius took cloth out of the chest, "It's a book – an old parchment book. The cloth wrapped it." Scorpius carefully opened the book, "It's in Latin. I know very little."
"What do you think it's about?"
"I'm sure it's just someone's journal, but who knows maybe it's Salazar's and I do want to know what he wrote. Let's take this," Scorpius grinned.
Albus chuckled amusedly.
"Why do you think Riddle left this?" asked Scorpius.
Albus shrugged, "Maybe he only cared about the treasure and the heir's power. Maybe there were other books full of dark magic that he'd taken already. You said this is only someone's journal, what use was a diary to the Lord Voldemort?"
"You're right," Scorpius sneered. "How shallow, this journal would be full of history and knowledge." Scorpius shook his head, turned to his friend, handing him the old book, "Put this in your pouch, I don't want it to be away from me." Albus smiled and did what he asked. Scorpius said again smirking, "Now, can we go back to the dorm? It's more than enough adventure for one night."
They asked Linky to pack all the old hides, and to take them out of the cave back to the chamber. Scorpius ordered the elf to bring all parts of the Basilisk – they got more than 40 fangs, 2 horns, 3 hides – to his private potions laboratory in the Manor.
"Thank you again, Linky. And it's so good to meet you, you did the finest job to the chamber, it's very clean and fresh!" Albus praised.
"Oh, Mister Albus is very kind to Linky. It is an honor, sir," the elf blushed.
Scorpius chuckled, "You can go back now, Linky. Albus and I will take the broom, you better not be inside the castle. Remember don't tell any of this to Mum and Dad," glancing awhile at Albus, he added to his elf, "Not even about Albus, got it?"
Linky nodded. "Be good, Master Scorpy. Linky will see her Master in the morning." With that she disappeared.
Scorpius looked around, Albus was right, the chamber had become clean. The stains and water on the floor had disappeared, even the pillars of the snake's heads were shining. The water pool couldn't be clear but it's not as cloudy as before. The Basilisk skull was left as it was as a monument, but the stench was gone, the air was fresh. Scorpius grinned. This was how this historical chamber should be.
"So…" Albus said.
Scorpius turned to look at his friend. Albus was staring at him, his expression was unreadable.
"You asked me before, haven't I told my family about you. And I said I did by letters," Albus said. "Have you? Did your father know you befriended a Potter, or about me in Slytherin too?"
Scorpius' heart was pounding. He couldn't answer right away.
"Right," Albus said, again without expression. "Come on, it's already half past one." He got on his broom. Scorpius couldn't argue climbing behind him.
They flew in silence. No! Not in silence. Everyone nearby should be able to hear the rumbling in his heart. He was an idiot. This is Albus, his best friend. Why not just tell him everything right away? Scorpius didn't want to lose this friendship. Maybe he was a coward.
When they landed in the bathroom, the secret door automatically closed. Looking around, it's like nothing just happened. The moaning ghost was fortunately not there, so Scorpius could talk without being disturbed.
"Al," he started.
Albus sighed, "It's alright Scor. I didn't mean to force you to say anything. I'm just a little shocked maybe, that's it."
Now, if he really lost a friend this good, Scorpius was a complete idiot.
"You don't force me – I do want to tell you. I just thought it'd be easier to tell everything after the holiday." Scorpius walked to one of the windows, and sat at the ledge – Albus followed. "It's nothing serious, really," Scorpius said nervously. "I just want to tell my Dad in person about you, and Rose, and all your cousins and brother."
Albus raised his eyebrow, "That's it?"
"I," Scorpius paused. "Al, the relationship between me and my father is complicated, not as simple as you and your family."
"Right," Albus said patiently, "Make me understand then."
"You promise you'll be open-minded about all this?"
Albus gazed at him for a while, then slowly nodded. "I will, for you. But, remember Scor, if this is about purity – Rose's Mum (my Aunt) is a muggle-born. My late grandmother Lily was one."
For a while they just stared in silence. Both Slytherin maintained not to let out any emotion.
"It's never easy being raised as the son of death-eater, Al," Scorpius began. "There's a moment when I was ashamed of my father. Once, I called him a coward," he choked. Scorpius leaned his head against the window wall. "Dad was furious, Mum's so sad, and that day we moved to France. Again I thought how cowardly he was to always hide or run away. However, French was a healing time for my family, far from England – from society that loves to judge all death-eater families. I regretted my attitude toward him, so we talked a lot, spent more time together. He told me his reason following Voldemort, he told me my grandparents Malfoy and Greengrass viewpoint on Muggle-born. It's about heritage, history, legacy, so much more than the lunatic of the dark lord who called himself Voldemort that brought blood-purity as his agenda, even though his real mission was power and immortality."
"So," Albus concluded slowly, "You agree with your family then?"
"You see, it's not about who's right, who's wrong, nor do I agree with this-with that. They're not wrong if they want to keep their inheritance with another family who both value the magic history of England since the days of Merlin and Morgana – or the 4 founders, and not with a Muggle family who knows nothing. On the other hand, it's also very wrong to hate Muggle-born and reject them, even though they're a wizard like us, part of our world. It would be wrong to hunt them instead of sheltering them," said Scorpius full of emotion. "There'll always be white and black in this universe – both exist and both don't need to eliminate each other. And I'm done judging or choosing, Al."
"Yeah, but not everybody's like you, Scor. To be blunt, your family was standing beside the madman who hunted the Muggle-born. If that happened again, where would you stand? If you choose to associate or even marry someone your family thinks doesn't value their heritage, you've to choose – and what'll you choose?"
Scorpius sighed, "My family has paid for their mistakes – well maybe not enough yet for my grandfather Lucius," he mumbled, "And they'll never repeat the same mistake. As for your other question," Scorpius continued, "If you live in a Muggle world, people with different backgrounds, ethnic, or religion even principle could live together as a family, as beloved. And if one member chose to change, to move, or to be different, they don't leave or judge – instead respect each other's choices."
Scorpius turned to his best friend. Albus' eyes were full of acceptance and understanding. How lucky he was to have this boy's friendship. "I don't want to choose, Albus," said Scorpius. "Therefore, I would like to speak to my father directly. I want to see with my own eyes how he'll react. Is it like he said that he regrets all his past and he loves me enough to respect all my choices? Well, we'll see – I'll see."
Albus grinned, "How do you know so much about Muggle society?"
Scorpius laughed – all his anxiety was forgotten. "I took Muggle primary education in French. I love learning about their history and citizenship, I hate science."
Albus followed laughing. "Well, for me I hate math!" He smiled, "Your Dad had no problem schooling you with Muggles?"
"Oh, not right away, but he managed. See? We both learned how to respect each other's choices since I was so young. Like I said, it's not easy to live by people's judgement. I used to try so hard not to hate or be ashamed of him, and he's done his best to prevent it so that I wouldn't have to feel the broken father-son relationship he has with my grandfather. And I do love and respect him," Scorpius looked up again, staring to nothingness.
"You're nervous if your father's reaction tomorrow isn't what you expected," It's not a question but a statement. Scorpius stayed silent. "Well," Albus said, "Let me tell you this. You don't have to choose. I'll always be your friend."
Scorpius was flabbergasted. He looked at his amazing friend.
"No matter how angry or upset your father will be, he can't touch you while you're at Hogwarts. And let's agree there'd be no running away or disowning your father no matter what. We have plenty of years before age to get your father's acceptance for the Potters-Weasleys. Maybe it starts with me, then Rose, one day you should invite me to meet your Dad."
"One day, Al. You might ask me to sacrifice myself, and I have to agree with you, because of everything you've done for me."
Both of them burst out laughing. Whole five minutes they laughed and laughed.
"What is this?" Somebody walked into the toilet. "Albus? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"Neville!" Albus jumped up and yelled in surprise.
"Professor Longbottom, we can explain," Scorpius tried but halted – at a loss as to how to find a way out.
"Well?" Neville raised his eyebrow, folding both his hands on his chest.
Both Slytherin could only gawk.
Neville shook his head, sighing, "Is this about the Chamber of Secret?"
"You know about it?" Albus gaped.
"Sure," he answered nonchalantly. "Did you make it?"
"Y-yes."
"Are you really?" he wondered. Then, to Scorpius' confusion the Herbology Professor smiled, "You should tell James, he'll go mad." Neville laughed, "I caught him once, but he didn't make it."
"Neville," Albus approached tugging the professor's sleeves desperately, "Are you going to tell Mum?"
Neville was amused, "So does that mean it's okay to tell your Dad?"
"Better Dad than Mum," Albus muttered, but Neville and Scorpius could clearly hear it. "No, of course not," Albus said, "I prefer you'll tell nobody. Please, Godfather."
"Oh, using the godfather card, aren't you?" Neville chortled. "Fine, no telling your parents. But detention – first day after holiday, 7 PM, at my office, both of you."
"N-no reducing points?" Scorpius asked nervously.
"Why Mr. Malfoy? Do you wish for that?"
"No," Scorpius answered hastily. "You're very kind and generous, Professor. I admire you. Especially how is it you always know where or when James – and now Albus are trying to open the chamber."
"Witty," Neville smiled. He turned to his godson, "If you must know, I put the alarm spell here, so whenever somebody tries to access the chamber, I'll know."
"Why?" Albus was puzzled.
"Harry and I discussed and agreed on the dangers of unattended, Al," Neville explained wisely. "Now, as long as I like this discussion, it's almost two in the morning. Let me ask you two. Are you okay? Nothing terrible happened down there?"
"It's brilliant! A worthwhile experience! The stench though – unbearable," Albus grinned.
Neville shook his head, "I changed my mind. I'll give the punishment tonight. Let's go to the hospital wings."
"What? Wait, what are you going to do?" Albus was frantic, Scorpius was also bewildered.
The three of them arrived at hospital wings.
Madam Goldstein coming out from her private quarters approached them, "Neville, what is it? It's two in the morning."
"Glinda, sorry to bother you this late. I found these two boys in the girls' bathroom, and couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes before I got there. Maybe they got jinx or something. Can I leave them in your care, they should sleep here tonight. Give them something to cool off?"
"Of course, leave them to me." She took Scorpius and Albus to the beds, began examining them, and went to her lab to take some calming draught potions.
Albus was thunderstruck. He knew exactly what his godfather was doing.
Neville though amused at his godson's expression, "So, get some sleep you two. You don't have to come to my office for detention anymore. And I think we agree that there'll be no more adventures to the Chamber after this." Winked and shuffled Albus' messy hair, he chuckled leaving them after saying his goodbye, "I'll see you on Christmas, Al."
"What's your godfather doing?" Scorpius asked after the professor left.
"Creating a humiliation rumor," Albus hissed. "Tomorrow all the students will think that we're being pranked and couldn't stop laughing for hours in the girl's bathroom!"
"What?" Scorpius whispered harshly, "Who will tell the rumors?"
Albus only pointed to some of the paintings that were watching them and all the events earlier.
"Oh no," Scorpius whined.
"I can't believe him!" Albus grumbled at the thought of his godfather.
Madam Goldstein approached them nagging nonstop, "Cannot believe this. And in the night before holiday, pranking others, very irresponsible. Do you think this is your brother and cousins doing, Mr. Potter?" she asked Albus sternly.
Albus could only shake his head, Scorpius was still holding his head in his hands.
"Poor boys," she said pitifully, "Must be exhausted from laughing for a few minutes – could be hours and in the girls' bathroom! Drink this you two, and get some sleep."
"Argh…" again, both of them could only grumble and whine.