Author's Note:
It's been a long time since I've been truly productive, but this short piece nearly wrote itself. It's somewhat AU-nothing in the books contradicts the premise, but nonetheless it's a bit of a stretch. In all probability I'm stretching the mythology involved-but that can probably be fixed.
The words echoed in my head after Binns dismissed the class. "The Chamber of Secrets,"
When I came here, two years ago, I had dedicated myself to learning all the secrets possible that there were to learn in this place. A new mystery had now presented itself, and that, too I would solve.
I made my way to the library, and started reading. Books and tomes, one after the other, failed to yield any hint as to the location or the nature of this mysterious chamber.
Nothing, I thought, there's truly nothing there. I leaned back against my bed, my mood growing darker. Four years of searching, and there is nothing there. I had hoped that I would be successful, but that seems that is not to be the case. I must move on.
My hand idly flipped the page of the tome balanced on my lap. The legend was not real. No other conclusion was possible, though I had hoped that would be the case. The legend was not real-but I was determined to make it so.
It was ready. Two months to magically build the Chamber itself, another month to weave the spells that would protect it against intruders. Six more to hatch and feed the basilisk to its full length. Then summer came. My plans would have to wait. I made my way down to the Chamber night after night to ensure that my creature would be adequately fed during my absence. At the end of the term, I boarded the train along with all my fellow students. And I waited.
In September I returned to Hogwarts. It was a mere 25 degrees that day, abnormally chilly for late summer. I didn't mind much. There was so much else to be concerned about. I had hoped to be able to release the basilisk soon after arrival, but that was impossible. It was the beginning of my O.W.L. year, and I was busy with assignments for the first few weeks. By mid-October, though, the level of work had fallen off, and I was beginning to look for opportunities to open the Chamber.
It took only a day, however, to conclude that I should open the Chamber on Halloween. Best to do the task when there are few prying eyes around. I left the feast at the first chance, and made my way to the entrance.
I returned many times, for five months, to release the creature. Several students were petrified, and invariably their parents refused to let them return when they left Hogwarts to go home at the end of the year. But my good fortune came to an end. Halfway through March, I made my way to the loo where I hid the entrance. Stepping over to the sink, I spoke the words to open the way to the Chamber and call the basilisk, when someone shrieked behind me.
"What are you doing in here?" I flinched and cursed under my breath-but this was not the time to lose control. The basilisk was coming toward me, and I stood out of the way. The girl in the stall pushed the door open, and met the eyes of the basilisk. She collapsed, and I stepped over to her still body. I knew she was probably dead, but it was too risky not to make sure. Bending down, I grabbed her wrist and checked for a pulse. Nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief. I ordered the basilisk to return to the Chamber, and then left hastily. Better not to be around when the corpse is discovered.
I spent two more years at Hogwarts, but did not open the Chamber again. The risk wasn't worth it. Perhaps, though, I would be able to pass the secret along to others-but only time would be able to tell. I stepped on the train at the Hogsmeade station and found a seat for the journey back to London.