Hello readers! Sorry I have taken so long. It's because my computer got a virus and it has been hell trying to get back everything. In fact I have had to rewrite all story updates all over again. My computer had to start from scratch all over again. I was even working on a book for public reading or in other words being published and sold in stores. Unfortunately that won't happen any time soon because of loosing all my files and work.

Okay enough of my moping . . . I'll continue with the story.

Maneerra POV

I was startled when I realized that Harry my soon to be adoptive son collapsed from the death like creatures most commonly known as Dementor's. They were the kind of creatures that brought out your worst fears while continuously playing them back. They were monsters and the only ones who could make any basilisk shake in their own scales.

There must have been at least twenty or more flooding into the narrow passage. I could feel the cold and my worst fears began playing in my head.

I was seeing myself killing that girl more then fifty some years again. I began seeing my beloved yelling and screaming while tears streamed down his face as he had heard of the news that I was no more. My heart began to ache then and all the years that I had not gotten a chance to let him know I was here. In the end it was because of my cowardice that I had missed out on saying anything to him.

Another memory from the past surfaced. This one however was the one that finally made me collapse to the floor, sobbing.

Flash-back

Above a lake stood a beautiful castle. It's torrents reaching toward the skies as if it were trying to touch the stars. At the very doorstep stood three people hugging one clad in a traveling cloak.

"Salazar! Please don't leave us. You have done so much that . . . . please . . . just don't leave us." A beautiful woman dressed in different hues of yellow said. Her face was rosy and full. In fact she was usually the one to cheer everyone up on depressing days. Her bright smile and caring heart could warm, even melt the most coldly of men.

"I still can't believe that you're leaving us. Then again you are a Dark Wizard so nothing can possible stop me from letting you take leave to go home. However, I wish you well old friend in hopes that there will be no hard feelings." A man standing next to another women who in turned pursed her lips as if trying not to say something that she would regret. The man was dressed royally in red in gold. In fact he had a sword hanging from his hip and most assuredly knew how to use it.

"I must go for there is nothing left here but bad memories and my forever-aching heart. I lost something here that I know I will never ever be able to replace. All I can do is take my leave so that I can pick up the pieces of my life so that I may live again. Inside I will always remember my beloved and so a part of her will always remain in my heart . . ." The emotion was strong in the air that even the forest seemed like it wanted to cry out in anguish. Even with the sun shining down the air blew cold heralding the coming of winter. All this and more were said from the man who was finally leaving.

"I love her . . ." Salazar said. One tear escaped his eye and traveled down his face.

"One so strong as you are will find that which you have lost. Once found there will be a great ending to the days of our known lives. It will be a thousand years into the future when a new Dark Lord has come and gone and time of truth will finally be known. All things will once again be set right at the coming of the one true, King Basilisk." A Lady dressed in shades of blue said. Her eyes were vacant as if she were seeing something that everyone else could not. In a matter of moments she blinked her eyes and began to faint. The man dressed royally caught her before she could hurt herself from a deadly tumble down the stairs.

"Rowena! Are you all right?" The royally dressed man said. A twinkle in his eyes told of mischief making and also a doom hidden behind the brilliant look.

"Godric! Don't even dare! I am warning you!" Rowena yelled.

"Oh pooh! You're no fun, Rowie!"

"Ahg! I hate when you use that name on me. My name is Rowena not Wren, not Rowie, not Owe and certainly not Weena. Now if you will excuse me!" With that Rowena went up to the man leaving and embraced him.

"I hope that wherever you go that you will be able to mend your broken heart. Remember that you can return to Hogwart's any time where we will accept you."

"Thank you. You and Helga are the only ones who seem more accepting of me leaving then that Godric does."

"That is a rather exaggerated way of saying that I care, Salazar. I do care and I feel so awful about this whole affair with Maneerra and all. You and her were just the sweetest of couples. Picnicking at the lake and love under the star's vigil twinkles. It is no wonder that you miss her. Salazar, please, if you can just remember the happier days then it will be all the more easier for you to move on." Godric said.

No one expected Salazar to hug Godric but he did. In fact he sobbed into his chest for a love that was no more. A love that could not ever be replaced by another for both their hearts were bound as one.

End Flashback

Later in the Hospital Wing

"I am sorry but I don't know who she is Albus. She is rather healthy and certainly not very old. I'd say she was about somewhere in her early thirties."

"I am sure that we will find out her identity when she wakes. Till then we have only to wait. As for the dementor's I do not know who put those creature in the castle but I hope the guilty party will come forward."

"Should we let his other friends know that he is all right?"

"Of course Madam Pomphrey. It doesn't due to worry them any further." With that Madam Pomphrey left to her office to Floo Professor McGonagall.

Groan

Harry POV

"Where? Oh!"

"I see that you are awake, Harry. How do you feel?" Albus asked.

Harry couldn't help but cringe. Being to close to the Headmaster was beginning to make him sick. He could feel waves and waves of energy rolling off him like smoke coming from a furnace.

"I'm feeling a bit better but what about Ron and Mr. Lockhart? What about mom?" Where had that come from. I mean did I really say that. Uh! Oh! His energy is coming off stronger. Can't he see that I am cringing because of his high energy level. Wait a minute! When did I ever know anything about energy levels? Another thought came to my head and a new question arose.

"Where's Maneerra? Is she all right? You didn't have the auror's take her did you?"

"My dear boy! Calm down! Everyone is fine. Those who were petrified have all ready been healed including Hermione. Harry, you and a young women have been asleep for more then a week. Seeing you wake makes me curious. Has the monster been killed in the chamber?"

Why the . . . He can't possible be serious, right! His expression is certainly saying otherwise. Should I really answer that?

"Did you?" Those simple words were enough to make me want to say everything but a small part of me cried out. I can't! If I told him about Maneerra who knows what could possible happen to her. Thankfully there was a distraction that I didn't think could ever happen.

"Headmaster! Ah! Good, you're here. I thought I would have to scour the entire castle for you. I have news from the Ministry of Magic. In fact he is in your office awaiting your council." A tired but serious Severus Snape said. A few dust bunnies fell off his cloak as if he truly had been scouring the castle, but; Harry was willing to bet that is more like taking points off students in the hallways.

"Thank you Severus. I am sorry to take my leave but I will call you to my office when you are finally up on your feet." With those final words the Headmaster left the hospital wing.

Professor Snape looked at me and seemed to be calculating about something. I could detect though a hint of fear in the air though.

"Mr. Potter is there anything that you would like to tell me that you do not wish to tell the Headmaster?" Professor Snape asked in a tone that definitely wanted an answer.

"I . . ." I can't believe that he is asking me to answer that. He must really think that I am that desperate.

"Harry, please! I wish to help you but your not making this any easier. In fact I don't even know why I bother. I had hoped that you wouldn't be like your father but your beginning to prove me wrong . . ."

"How can I really trust you with anything when I hardly know you. Yet, whenever I go to your class you mock me as if I was my father. What did he do that was so horrible that you hate him?" A glint of malice appeared in Snape's eyes but what he said hit more home to the reality that I thought would never be.

"Your father was a pompous bastard who took pleasure on making my everyday a living nightmare. He only got worse throughout the school year. His friends were not completely bad except for Black but he too is another story. As for trust! I would like you to trust me because a few things have finally come to light that will change your course of study here in this school. I didn't know that you were supposed to be in my house and therefore under my protection. If you are willing I will vouch for you changing houses." With those words Snape finally took a seat next to my bed and hung his head.

I could feel how tired he was but I didn't know whether I really should trust him. A lingering feeling of wanting to try urged itself to finally make me say everything.

"When I was in the chamber I looked into the eyes of a basilisk but something happened that I almost don't want to believe myself. It turned out that the basilisk was a she and . . . I . . . She somehow turned me into a basilisk and now I can change at will into one. I can now sense others emotions and their energy patterns. I also found out that the she too could change her form to human, which was her original form. She said that she was turned into a basilisk by one of the founders called Godric Gryffindor. Salazar built the chamber so that she could live here in peace inside the castle. Her name is Maneerra and I am wondering if she is up or not."

Snape was looking at me rather curiously. There seemed to be a question that was ready to be said but someone else came in the Hospital room.

"Malfoy!"

I know I could really go further with this chapter but why not save it for the next. After all even more things will come to light in the next chapter.

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