Parseltounge

"Speech"

Thoughts/Telepathy

/flashback/

Map writing

Chapter 9

Halloween Fun

In the following weeks the rest of the school let the rumors about Kira die down somewhat. Ron Weasley tried to get back at the quartet, but was unable to prove they had done the prank. His feeble attempts at pranking them back were abysmal. The twins couldn't even seem to help too much. Nothing magical went unnoticed by the heirs and so most of the twin's pranking arsenal was ineffective.

Harry found quidditch practice to be quite rigorous and satisfying. He was still using a school broom in practice and was still beating Terrance Higgs to the snitch nine out of ten practices. Marcus Flint told Harry that he would fly as first string seeker so long as he got his broom before the first game. Harry felt sorry for Higgs, but the Slytherin way did not allow sympathy to get in the way of a win.

Neville and Hermione were semi-adopted by house Slytherin. Even Professor Snape left them out of the disparaging comments he directed toward Gryffindors. The rest of Gryffindor house seemed set on alienating the two wayward lions, whom Ron dubbed traitors. This caused the quartet and by extension the other first year snakes to watch out for the two lions. At meal times the two Gryffindors could be seen sitting with the quartet in the heart of snake territory more often than they sat with their own house.

The month of October came swiftly, punctuated by bouts of intense chill and heralded by the addition of seasonal decorations. The quartet decided a prank was appropriate to get into the season the day before Halloween. After carefully researching the illusion spells they wanted, they designed a number of creatures to instill fear, especially in the muggle-born. They settled for images of Freddy Kruger, Jason from the Halloween movies, and a couple aliens from the Alien movies as a start to the terror. Then a pack of werewolves would appear as a full moon lit up in the sky/ceiling. Following that a dozen or so vampires would invade the Great Hall. The final touch would be the gruesome image of the dark lord Grindelwald, covered in blood, riding through the hall on a thestral.

On October twenty-ninth Harry, Kira, Blaise, and Draco snuck into the Great Hall under invisibility cloaks and parsel-spells of invisibility. They set the illusion charms up and keyed them to be activated with a simple word spoken in Parseltounge. The illusions were set in locations that would instill the most fear possible. The muggle villains would appear near the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables while the vampires and werewolves would "attack" Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Grindelwald would ride directly up the center aisle, straight at Dumbledore. Once all the illusion charms where set the dark heirs used parsel-magic to hide them from detection. Both Parselmouths and their two cohorts fell asleep with evil smirks on their faces. Tomorrow would be fun.

October thirtieth dawned clear and cold. Many students took to wearing their dragon hide gloves in order to keep their hands warm. By the time everyone had settled down for dinner it became apparent that the Weasley twins had planned a prank as well. About half the giant pumpkins transformed into cackling hags and ragged wraiths. The startled hall fell into slight laughter. Just as everyone in the hall overcame being startled, a sub-vocal hiss activated the illusions.

Suddenly a muggle-born screamed. Everyone noticed the dozens of additions almost instantly. Since all the illusions were 'programmed' to attack, chaos ensued. Freddy lifted his bladed hands in the air and smiled a twisted feral smile. Jason took a slow step toward the Hufflepuff who screamed, raising his machete as he did so. The aliens opened their mouths wide, the little feral alien tongues extended out of their mouths, snapping as they did so. The charmed ceiling had a huge full moon appear as a pack of eight werewolves materialized near the Slytherin table. Thirteen vampires appeared near the Ravenclaw table and moved toward the bookish students.

Prefects and some of the older students tried stunning the illusions only to have the stunners go through them. The Ravenclaws and Slytherins figured out they were illusions and started casting strong "finite incantatem"s. Only the quartet, teachers, and adopted lions noticed the cowering headmaster as 'Grindelwald' rode down on him. Filius Flitwick disbanded the illusory dark lord. The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff prefects noticed how easily these things actually were to banish and soon the only decorations remaining were the normal Halloween decorations.

Albus stood. His persona took the full power of the defeater of Grindelwald, the demeanor of one of the most powerful wizards alive. His voice rang out, demanding attention, "When I find whoever cast these illusions, I guarantee their points will not only suffer tremendously, but they will be lucky to only have long and arduous detentions. If any of you know who did this please inform your head of house or myself. This prank," he spat the word prank, "is worthy of expulsion." He sat back down.

The great Hall burst into whispers. The prank, as well as Dumbledore's reaction to it, was the main topic of discussion. It was generally agreed that while quite scary the second prank hadn't hurt anyone and was in fact very much in keeping with the Halloween spirit. The Weasley twins found themselves wondering who their competition was. They were also somewhat curious about the muggle horror villains. Many purebloods received an education that night about muggle horror and sci-fi movies.

There was an air of excitement when October thirty-first dawned gray and overcast. The ominous clouds hung low over Hogwarts and promised a tremendous thunder storm that night. In spite of the chill and dreariness of the day most of the school was outside. The quartet waited out under a stand of trees near the lake for Hermione and Neville. They were not to see their adopted lions that cool afternoon in spite of the plans made the night before. Both lions were waylaid by Gryffindor prejudice before they made it as far as the meeting with the quartet.

Ron Weasley confronted Hermione granger with loud, harsh and cruel words in the middle of the common room. Hermione was unable to retort or refute his words because most of the common room agreed with him. Hermione felt agony cut into her heart deeply and she fled the tower in tears. She huddled in a stall inside a first floor girls' restroom. She spent most of the day crying. It was one thing to know a few people within your house hated you; it was another to be hated by your entire house.

Neville tried to follow her and was hexed with an immobility spell. Ron, Dean, and Seamus then proceeded to take him to the unused haunted girls' bathroom. There they put a dress on him before tying him to a stall. The left him there, with his wand just out of reach, and enjoyed a 'traitor' free day.

Late afternoon brought Pansy over to the quartet, who was just starting to worry about their friends. She said, "You might be interested to know that moaning Myrtle is cackling about a boy in drag in her bathroom. One of the Hufflepuffs said it's Longbottom. I didn't check, but I thought you might like to know." She then flounced off to rejoin Millicent. While Slytherin house had semi-adopted the two lions, they did not protect them quite as much as they protected their own. It was by unspoken agreement that the house informed the quartet of anything they found out about the two lions.

Kira looked at the other three. Without vocal prompting all four stood and strode purposefully toward the castle. Using secret passages they made their way into Myrtle's domain very quickly. Myrtle was tormenting Neville with stories of her time at school as the pudgy boy kept whispering, "Please get me help," over and over again.

Harry said, "Why Myrtle I'm wounded," he placed his hand over his heart, "I thought you liked serpents not lions."

Myrtle stopped and turned toward the quartet, "You bullies leave me alone!" She then dived into 'her' toilet.

Draco untied Neville and asked, "Who did this?"

"The weasel trio," said Neville as he sank down to the floor. He had been tied in a standing position and was exhausted.

"Don't worry," said Blaise, "we'll get them back."

"Most definitely," added Harry.

"Where's Hermione?" asked Kira.

"You mean" he looked and saw she was not with them. "She ran off crying before the trio did this to me. Weasel said some really mean things to her and the rest of the house agreed with him."

"Damn!" exclaimed Kira.

Harry pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he said as he tapped his wand to the map. He then unfolded it and said, "Most magnificent Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail could you help us locate Hermione Granger of the lion house, she is in distress."

Writing appeared in the script the heirs recognized as padfoot's The fuzzy headed one is in the far corner of the first floor girl bathroom. By the way, is she single?

Harry laughed, "Yes, but she is only eleven and you are much older by now."

The script the heirs knew belonged to Prongs wrote Forgive the lowly dog for he is constantly in heat and any cute girl is his possible victim.

Including the lovely Blaise and Kira added Moony's precise script.

Hey I resemble that remark commented Padfoot's script.

The quartet laughed slightly and Harry said, "Thanks, mischief managed." The map cleared and he said, "Well let's go find her."

"Actually I have a better idea, let Blaise and I go find her while you three raid the kitchen and head down to the clubhouse with it. That way we can have our own private feast without the animosity of the rest of the school causing Hermione more distress." Kira suggested to the quartet.

"Sounds go to me," said Draco. "Harry, why don't you lead the way?" The five youths stepped out of the bathroom and then split into two groups heading in different directions.

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Severus Snape sat quietly in his place at the head table. He sneered at the students boisterously enjoying their feast. He noticed the absence of six students and was somewhat surprised. His serpentine quartet and their two adopted lions were missing from the festivities. He noticed how smug the first year Weasley looked but didn't fear the boy had successfully done anything to his snakes. He unfortunately felt some concern for the two lions. He was certain his snakes would find them and turned back to Albus who was trying to engage him in conversation. That was when he noticed Quirrell was absent as well.

At the lion table Ron Weasley was enjoying his food and plotting his next 'prank' to take down Granger and Longbottom another notch. The twins heard their younger brother and decided to stay out of it. They believed in fun pranks, like Halloween, not humiliating harmful hate crimes. Percy was too far away to hear his youngest brother, but he was wondering where the fuzzy haired traitor and her sidekick were.

The snake table was just as alive as any other, but for a different reason. Pansy had informed the entire house of where the quartet was and what the lions had done to their own. A few of the older students offered to prank the weasel's gang. Pansy agreed that was a good idea, but cautioned them to wait until the heirs came to the great hall before doing so. The serpents began to weave subtle spells to torment the lions with. The raven and badger tables were much less agitated, but enjoying themselves just as much as the other two tables.

The double doors of the Great Hall burst open and a disheveled Professor Quirrell ran up the aisle between the raven and lion tables. "Troll in the dungeons, thought you'd like to know." He then promptly fainted after squeaking out the warning. Screams and chaos erupted in the hall. Severus slunk out the side door as Albus sent sparks into the air with his wand. The chaos quieted.

"Prefects lead your housemates to your dorms. Teachers come with me." He commanding presence once again reminded people why Albus Dumbledore was one of the most powerful and respected wizards alive.

However the effect was lost on the Slytherins because if they followed his orders it would lead them to their death. The Slytherins gathered around their prefects and one of them said, "Like hell we'll walk quietly to our deaths in the dungeons. Alright listen up, the troll is in our domain so we head away from there. Follow us to the astronomy tower and stick together. Move quickly now." The snakes nodded and quickly headed out of the great hall.

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Blaise and Kira entered the first floor girls' bathroom. The last stall in the far corner was closed.

"Hermione?" called out Blaise. "Are you in here?"

"Go away," came her muffled reply.

"No," answered Kira as she walked to the closed stall. "Now come out here or I'll open this door with parsel-magic."

The two female snakes heard a sigh and then the bolt was unlocked. The stall door opened and Hermione glared at them. The effect was ruined by her puffy eyes, tear stained cheeks, and red nose. Kira reached out a hand and dragged the emotionally tattered lioness into her arms. Blaise enveloped both of them in a hug so that Hermione was sandwiched between the two serpents. They stood like this for a while as Hermione cried against Kira's shoulder. Soft words of comfort were all that could be heard besides the sobs.

After about an hour Blaise said angrily, "We'll teach Weasel a real lesson."

Kira added, "No one harms our friends."

Hermione whimpered, "You shouldn't do that, I'm not worth it."

Both snakes stepped back. Blaise knew Kira was about to explode. Kira gripped Hermione's shoulders and caused her sapphire orbs to glare into the other girl's light brown eyes. "You are worth it! You are our friend and a very talented witch! You are a very special person and far better than Weasel could ever hope to be! If I EVER hear you degrade your worth again you will regret it. If I EVER hear another degrade you, they will know the pain of crossing the dark heiress. Understood?"

A shocked Hermione nodded her head. Never had anyone been so emotionally supportive nor protective of her before. Her parents had always been too busy and she had never had real friends before Neville and the quartet. Blaise said, "Good. Then you had better clean yourself up so we can join the boys in the clubhouse for our mini Halloween feast."

Hermione smiled tentatively and moved to the sink to wash her face. As she did so, Blaise told her about the 'prank' Weasel's trio played on Neville. All three froze as the stonework shook and a disgusting scent reached their noses. All three drew their wands as the door flew into the bathroom. The highland troll who entered looked around.

The three girls' eyes widened. They seemed frozen. Blaise whispered, "Oh shit!"

Hermione whimpered.

Kira sent a thought to Harry A fucking troll just entered the bathroom. Hurry and help us. She then said out loud, "Split up and we'll try to stun it together. Let me be its focus."

The troll swung its club at them as the girls dodged in every direction. Kira stayed in front of it so Hermione and Blaise could flank it. It grunted angrily and swung again at Kira. The martial artist youth used a sink to leap away from its attack. The sink was smashed and a spray of water erupted from the broken pipes. "Stun it!" commanded Kira as she dodged again.

Blaise lifted her wand, as did Hermione. "On three," said Blaise, "One, two, three, Stupefy!" Hermione's voice joined hers. The two streams of red light hit the troll.

It shook its head in confusion, but before it could continue to react Kira hissed Desist breath Induce Death. The troll dropped its club. It clutched at its throat and fell heavily to its knees. It completed its fall, gasping and twitching in a vane attempt to breath.

Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Dumbledore entered as the troll twitched its last moment of life. The three professors looked at the three students. "Why did you disobey?" asked Dumbledore.

"Disobey what headmaster?" asked Kira.

"I told you to return to your common rooms with your prefects," he responded.

Severus Snape glanced at Albus. Is he mad? The troll was supposedly in the dungeons. If my Slytherins were stupid enough to obey that would have gotten them killed. Plus how were these three to know anything when they weren't at the feast. I wonder where Potter, Malfoy and Longbottom are.

"How were we supposed to know that when we never went to the feast?" asked Kira. "We've been here the last hour, comforting a friend because of the prejudices of her housemates."

Minerva looked scandalized. Severus asked, "And why were your three male cohorts not at the feast either?" He spoke before Minerva or Albus could say anything more.

"They were waiting in the common room," responded Kira. Brother, do not come to the bathroom. The professors are here. Meet us in the Slytherin common room.

Sure thing sis he thought back.

Professor Quirrell entered then and fell to the ground grasping his heart. Albus asked, "Is it dead?" Quirrell nodded his eyes wide with fear. He didn't need to look at the dark heiress to know she had killed it. He just wondered how. Albus wondered the same and almost gleefully commanded the three students, "Present you wands." Albus then used "prior incantato" to reveal the last spells cast. They were 'stupefy' 'stupefy' and 'finite incantatem'.

"How did it die?" asked Albus. Quirrell, Minerva and Severus all wondered the same. Albus was looking directly at Kira as he asked his question.

She smiled, "Not by an unforgivable."

"I require and answer," Albus ground out in frustrated anger. Minerva couldn't remember him ever using that tone with anyone. Quirrell wondered at his anger. Severus was displeased with his tone directed toward one of his Slytherins, especially since she was the dark lord's daughter.

Hermione said, "She used parsel-magic and if she hadn't we would be dead right now." The young muggle-born saw in that moment the desperate man Blaise had mentioned those weeks ago in the chamber. She realized in that moment that Dumbledore was not the pure light wizard everyone made him out to be. Some of her innocence was lost in that moment of clarity.

Albus suddenly seemed to notice the presence of Hermione as well as his professors. He replaced his grandfatherly affectation. Wand-less magic flooded the room, subtle manipulative magic. Kira hissed through closed lips and dispelled what tried to touch Snape, Granger, Zabini, and herself. The old headmaster said, "I see, five points Ms. Riddle for dispatching the troll and an additional five points to each of you for supporting your friend. Now Severus, Minerva please escort these students to their common rooms."

"Can Hermione join us in the Slytherin common room?" asked Blaise in her most pleadingly sweet voice.

"If professor McGonagall agrees, I have no objections," replied Severus. He had been expecting the request and was glad his students didn't disappoint him.

Albus frowned as Minerva said, "No go right ahead professor Snape."

"This way," said Severus as he swept from the bathroom. The other professors were left to clean up the mess made by the troll. A few steps out of the room Severus began to limp slightly.

"Professor, are you okay?" asked Kira.

"Yes Ms Riddle," he replied without turning around.

"What happened to your leg?" asked Hermione, using her Gryffindor lack of tact.

He spun angrily but before he could retort Kira said, "Please forgive Hermione's lack of tact Professor. Perhaps you would allow me to heal your wound?"

He scowled, "And how exactly would you heal anything when you are only a first year student?"

Leg wound heal without infection. Cause this now at my direction. Kira hissed and waved her hand at his wounded leg.

Severus felt the warmth, itching, tingling, and slight pain of healing. He looked down and saw his now unmarred leg through his torn pant leg. The skin was pink but otherwise there was no evidence of the horrible bite wound. He was amazed. He looked back up at Kira.

"That's how," said Kira cheekily and then walked past him. She continued toward the dungeons while Hermione and Blaise fell quietly in step beside her. Blaise was doing everything she could not to laugh; she had never seen Snape so flabbergasted. Hermione was still attempting to process the look of absolute shock she had seen on Snape's face; her mind just couldn't grasp the concept of that facial expression on the man who only knew how to scowl.

Severus gathered his wits and followed. He couldn't recall a time when his masks had fallen so completely. His amazement at her abilities doubled and he vowed to keep a closer eye on the dark heiress; he intended never to be surprised by her again. As the four people arrived at the Slytherin entrance, Severus wondered how Kira was going to keep the password a secret from Hermione. She answered that when she hissed at the snake carving.

Kira hissed Godric Gryffindor is a moronic password. The snake carving hissed back I fully agree heir, enter. The three girls entered; Severus followed. Inside the Slytherins only paused enough to notice who had entered and then returned to their party. Severus noticed the Butterbeer, but chose to not notice.

Harry called, "Over here," from one of the corners. The three girls headed toward the three boys waiting for them.

Severus said, "Ms. Riddle, I will speak with Professor McGonagall about Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Granger staying here the night. I will inform you of what she says shortly."

Kira nodded, "Thank you, professor." Both knew he would never thank her for healing his leg, but he was showing his gratitude with this gesture.

Severus strode from the room and the quartet gathered with their two lions for an evening of fun. The rest of Slytherin house decided that night that Hermione and Neville were serpents from that day forward. As a house rule only those worthy of the house of snakes ever entered the common room. The heirs clearly felt the two lions worthy and the others had observed enough to agree. Severus returned about a half an hour after he had first left. He informed the six students that the two lions could stay the night. That night Hermione and Neville learned what it meant to be Slytherin.

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Review responses:

Shadowface Thank you and hope this was soon enough.

Jadzania Voldemort did kill quiet a few people, and he caused a lot of other deaths then those by his hands (including the deliberate deaths of some of his death eaters). The heirs admitted that he had flawed methods in the beginning. He doesn't want what's best for "everyone"; he wants what's best for the DARK (the creatures as well as practitioners of dark magic) His current methods will be much less bloody, but when has any human revolution been bloodless. As for Dumbledore supporting a joining of muggle and magic worlds, yes he probably would, but he would not allow the DARK to have equality. Dumbledore is one of those people who ascribes to the DARKEVIL.

tori Sirius is mentioned in the first chapter and again by Dumbledore later on. I will tell you this he won't show up until much later in this fic; but there will be more in the subsequent installments. He will forever be a marauder at heart. Thanks for the 3 reviews.

Miss Lesley Thank you. I am doing my best to update rapidly, but as I've said I'm an abysmal typist.

I'm glad you don't think Kira's a Mary Sue; I'm trying to avoid that.

Harry's story is something that will be revealed in time, once trust is complete.

The six will to great things eventually. There is much more to Neville in this fic(once other years are done) than he has been in cannon†including an eventual relation with a Slytherin (smiles) but I'm not telling who

Draco and Blaise never took muggle martial arts; they were much more immersed in the wizarding world than the heirs. The heirs also have come to love the peace and control martial arts give them; as yet Blaise and Draco have not experienced that. I may have them take up the martial arts in the future, I don't know.

Kage Mirai Thank you very much. Here's more.

Ciara Thank you. As I've said this is a very convoluted story once it is all revealed. I have read both types of story and have enjoyed them enough to try my hand at something similar, just with my insanity mixed in. I made Myrtle his sister as one of many major deviations from cannon and the fact that he was able to feel the need to avenge another led to eventually him being able to regret(some things/ not much) Also Tom fell in love, that will ground a person's insanity quite well if the other is sane. You'll see more when I get to Yule/Christmas break. As to sending howlers†he'll probably leave that to their mother, after all only Slytherin and the two adopted lions know who Kira's father is.