Chapter Twenty-One

"Keep your eyes closed Harry," Mia muttered as she led her blindfolded boy friends down the many halls of Hogwarts…destination: unknown.

"Like I have a choice," Harry muttered smiling as he heard Mia laugh. He was so happy that they were back together again, ever since last week. It had been quite a shock for half of Hogwarts who had assumed that they had broken up for good, to see them walking into Potions, hand in hand. Ron and Hermione…well, Ron…had taken it not as well as the rest of the school. They had cornered Harry after class once Mia had left to go talk to her uncle about something. They tried to talk him out of it, but Harry refused. It didn't matter if there was danger in being with Mia, as long as he could make her happy and her him. "Are we almost there?" he asked.

"Almost," Mia replied, taking his hand as she led him up some stairs. They walked down a hallway and through a door when Mia stopped him suddenly. "And…we're here!" she said whipping off the blindfold.

Harry looked around taking in the sight of the…girl's bathroom? He looked over at Mia who rolled her eyes and dragged him to the sinks…the ones that parted to reveal the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry looked at Mia even more confused, about to ask her why they were there when a moan suddenly filled the room.

"What are you doing here? This is the girls…oh hello Harry," Myrtle said, coming into their view. Then her gaze drifted to Mia, "Hi Mia!" she shouted, actually smiling, as she moved to hug Mia. Harry held in a laugh at the sight of Mia's face when Myrtle grabbed her, probably making her feel as if she were freezing. "Are we still on for Sunday?" Myrtle asked looking hopefully at Mia.

"Of course Myrtle," Mia replied smiling, "When have I ever missed our Sundays?"

"Never." Myrtle said, smiling. She turned and flew back into her toilet.

Harry turned to face Mia, eyebrow raised. Mia laughed, he looked so cute with that confused expression, "Myrtle gets a tad depressed …" Mia started when Harry threw her a look that clearly said 'a tad?', "Oh alright, so she gets very depressed and upset a lot. Anyway, I usually come to visit her on the second Sunday of every month I'm here, and I spend the day with her. It cheers her up and makes her feel like part of Hogwarts."

Harry nodded, "So what's this surprise you wanted to show me?" Harry asked, dragging the conversation back to the surprise she had been promising him for the last few days.

"Ahhh...boys and their one track minds…" Mia sighed, laughing as Harry shrugged. Mia shook her head at him, turning to face the sinks. "Open…" she hissed, sounding like a snake to anything and everything except Harry who heard her in plain English.

The sinks moved apart, revealing the entrance to the chamber. Mia smiled, and jumped in shortly followed by Harry. They slid for a few moments before gracefully landing at the bottom…well, Mia landed gracefully, Harry on the other hand fell unceremoniously onto his bum…

Mia laughed and helped Harry stand, "This way," she said, taking his hand and leading him through the twists and turns that led to the chamber. Harry shivered slightly as the large statue of Salazar Slytherin came into view, recalling the last time he was there. He hadn't noticed that he had stopped walking till he saw Mia ahead of him, standing right by the statue…the mouth slowly opening to reveal two small white glowing eyes…

Harry's heart stopped as he saw the glowing eyes…it was another Basilisk! He ran at Mia, throwing her behind him as he pulled out his wand awaiting the arrival of the basilisk. Boy was he surprised when he heard Mia laugh and push her way past him.

She crouched down before the opening, holding out her right hand to the creature, "It'sssss alright," she hissed, "He won't hurt you."

Harry's mouth dropped open as a small snake slithered quickly out of the hole and up to Mia's open palm. He was even more shocked when the snake crawled up her arm, coiling its tail around her right arm, and laying across her shoulders so its head was by her left ear.

Mia smiled, stroking the snake with her left hand. She turned to face Harry who immediately shut his eyes to avoid the deadly gaze. Even though the snake appeared to be a baby, the gaze could still do some serious damage.

Mia laughed, "Harry," Mia said in English, "Open your eyes." Harry just shut them tighter and shook his head no. "Harry…" Mia trailed; still he refused to open them. Mia stepped closer to him, her body just a hair away from his. Harry could feel his heart beat quicken as Mia leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "Do you trust me Harry?"

"Of course," Harry replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Then open your eyes." She said, stepping back.

Harry took a deep breath, slowly opening one eye…then the other, to find himself staring at the white eyes of the Basilisk…then it hit him…white eyes?

"I…I thought that basilisks had yellow eyes?" Harry asked, watching as Mia continued to stroke the snake.

"They do, but I couldn't very well have Salazar go on an unintentional killing spree could I?" she asked.

"I do not undersssstand…" Harry heard the snake whisper to its mistress.

Mia smiled at it, "Can we ssssspeak in Parssssletoungue, Harry?" she hissed at him.

Harry nodded, "How?" he hissed.

"Magic," Mia replied, "Sssssorcery…" she clarified.

Harry looked at the basilisk, watching as Mia gently pet it. "May I?" he asked.

Mia nodded, holding out the basilisk's head, which Harry tentatively pet. Salazar looked at Mia for approval, which she gave, before the snake slithered off of her hand and up Harry's arm to rest on his shoulders as he had with Mia. His tongue poked out to tickle Harry's cheek.

Mia laughed, "I think he likessss you." She said. Harry smiled as well, stroking the snake.

"How did you get him?"

"My uncle," Mia replied. "You would not believe what it took to get him to let you sssssee Ssssalazar."

Harry laughed, "Ssssso, how old issss he?"

"Only about 6 monthssss."

"But he'ssss ssssso ssssssmall," Harry said, gazing in wonder at the basilisk.

"Sssssorcery," Mia said again, "I didn't want people to be frightened by a fully grown bassssilissssk. Bessssidessss, he'ssss much easssier to care for at thissss ssssize."

They spent a few hours down in the chamber. Mia had had the opportunity to explore the chamber to it's fullest when she had discovered it. She showed Harry the many passages that could only be accessed through the chamber, ones that lead to the most hard to reach places. For example, there was one passage that led right outside the Divination room in the north tower; it was one which Harry wished he had found before his last year of Divination. There was one that led to an underwater cavern in the Lake, one that led to a clearing in the Dark Forest, and one that led right into the kitchens.

Overall, Harry had learned a lot about the castle and various facts about sorcery and the world it resided in.

At the moment, Harry and Mia had decided to take the passage to the Dark forest, wanting a place that they could go without having to worry about Ron or Hermione walking in on them…or spying on them…or glaring at them…

The clearing that they entered wasn't too far from the castle and actually had a path leading back to it. According to Mia, Hagrid had created it so for the Care for Magical Creatures class ages ago. They class would regularly take the path to watch the Unicorns gather there to be fed.

Right now there were still a few unicorns lying in the field enjoying the warmth in the air. Harry had taken Mia's hand as they started to walk across the field quietly, not wanting to disturb the unicorns. They had almost made it to the path when a Unicorn trotted up in front of them. It was different than the other unicorns; it had a silver chain around its neck, with a small pendent hanging on the end.

Mia slowly walked up to the unicorn, holding out her hand to it. The horse trotted closer to her, eagerly nuzzling it's nose into Mia's hand. That was all Mia needed for the next moment, she had her arms wrapped around the unicorn's neck in a hug.

"Oh, Aya…" He heard her mutter, "I missed you…"

The unicorn, as if able to understand the girl, nuzzled into her back returning the hug in it's own way.

A whinny in the distance drew the attention of the girl and the unicorn. They looked up to see what they assumed to be a male unicorn, looking in their direction. It shook its head in the direction of the forest, whinnying again. Aya seemed to acknowledge it and turned to look at Mia.

Mia smiled, hugging the horse once more, "I'm happy for you…" she whispered pulling away. "You found your prince and I did too…"

Aya seemed to understand and glanced over at Harry before snorting in what Harry hoped was approval, before prancing over to join the other unicorn in a gallop towards the forest.

Mia smiled watching her go, turning to Harry to take his hand and continue on. "That was Aya," she explained after a while, "My parents gave her to me when I was little."

Harry nodded in understanding, squeezing Mia's hand in comfort. They walked a little ways more till they were about halfway to the school when a noise made them stop. It sounded like a heard of horses running in their direction…but they couldn't see anything. For a moment, Harry feared that they were standing in the middle of a Thestral stampede. But then he say something in the distance that had Harry much more worried.

A herd of centaurs were making their way in their direction, led by none other than Bane. Harry tightened his grip on Mia's hand, not sure if it was to calm her fear or his own…

The centaurs stopped just a few feet away from where Harry and Mia stood…Harry fearful and Mia calm…

Harry took a deep breath, ready to deal with Bane. He knew that he shouldn't be anywhere near the centaurs after what happened last time…he'd almost been killed for being a boy going on man…

Once again he was shocked when Mia walked calmly past him, curtsying to the centaurs, "Hello Bane," she said politely as she stood, "How are you faring?"

Again Harry was more shocked by Bane's reaction. He bowed on one leg, "Good day, Mia." He said as he rose, "We are doing well, you?"

"I'm fine," Mia replied, "Just passing through with Harry." She nodded over to Harry, who gulped before stepping up to her side.

"Bow…" he heard in his head. He threw a sideways glance at Mia, who still remained smiling. So, trusting Mia, Harry bowed, "Good day Bane." Harry said standing.

"Keep eye contact…" Mia's voice said in his head again, "Don't back down…think of Hippogriffs…"

Harry looked right into Bane's hazel eyes, not blinking or looking anywhere else. He could see Bane studying him, sizing him up before nodding slightly and bowing as well. "Good day, Harry." He replied.

Mia's smile grew wider, "I wish you well Bane, but we must get back to the castle…" she said, nodding in respect.

Bane nodded as well, "I wish you the best as well." He replied, holding out his arm to let them continue.

As soon as they were a good distance away, Harry turned to Mia, "Thank you, I don't know what I would have done back there. They don't care for me much."

Mia shook her head, "No, you just misunderstand their intentions. They want respect just as much as anyone. Looking them in the eye as you talk to them, tells them that you are worthy to talk to as well. Treat them courteously, and they'll treat you the same."

After a few more moments of walking in a comfortable silence, with Mia resting her head on Harry's shoulder, and Harry's arm around her waist, Mia spoke, "You know Harry, I think it's about time we start your Occulmancy lessons. Just think," she said, "We'll be able to talk to each other anywhere…without Ron knowing…"

The grin on Harry's face widened significantly at the thought of sneaking right under Ron's nose. Shaking his head and smiling, he turned to look at Mia, "You are just full of surprises, you know that?" he asked.

Mia smiled and nodded, "And the fun in discovering them all."

Harry smiled more, "So when do you propose I discover the surprise of Occulmancy?" he asked. He was already training with Mia three times a week for building up his defense. She wanted to make sure he could handle himself physicall before mentally.

Mia stopped walking; hand on her chin as if thinking about it. "I know," she said, as if figuring it out. Harry turned to her, waiting for her answer. She grinned…

"When you catch me!"

…before running down the rest of the path and out of the forest closely followed by Harry…

A/N – Woot! I think there'll be about two…maybe three chapters left. Next chappy – A trip to the Ministry of Magic is more than anyone bargained for…