"Ok, Merula, from my notes, what do we know or theorize about the monster or what could be related to it?" Zarif asks as they were looking through books of creatures.
"What is Slytherin most famous for…Parseltongue and his pureblood supremacy views. Chamber monster most likely…snake of some kind? Spider's seeming to be fleeing the castle. Water at the scene of the crime," Merula reads.
"Ok. We also know that Harry, on the night of the first attack, heard something when we did not. Now we know he is a Parseltongue. So I think we can now assume that this creature stalking our school is a snake of some kind, right?" Zarif asks the five others at the table in the library.
"It fits all the clues…" Avae notes.
"Alright now. We can narrow down what it could be with this. Daxar, what possibles do we have so far?" Zarif asks the Slytherin boy with luxurious, wavy, gunmetal-gray short hair and is worn in a dignified style at the table with them.
"Alright. We have: Fenny Snake, Gigantic Serpent, Boomslang, Basilisk, Horned Serpent, Runespoor, Ashwinder, Sea Serpent, and Selma," Daxar lists off
"We can most likely mark off the gigantic serpent as it wouldn't even be able to fit inside the castle," Zarif says, reading how big this thing is.
"Serpent is out," Merula says, crossing it off the list.
"Can we also rule out any undocumented species?" Avae asks.
"A good point Avae," Zarif says to himself as Merula adds a large 'Possible undocumented snake species' to the list.
"I highly doubt it's an Ashwinder," Daxar points out.
"They die shortly after the fire goes out. Good catch Daxar," Zarif says flipping to their section and looking over weaknesses and how to handle them.
"What about the sea serpent? Does parseltongue work on them?" a slytherin girl, with luxurious, straight, chestnut hair that is medium-length and is worn in an attractive style asks.
"That is actually…I am not sure and not seeing anything to suggest it can't be talked with Parseltongue. All in favor of adding all a note beside all of those related to or are sea serpents as unsure if you can communicate with them via Parseltongue, raise your hand," Zarif says.
Almost all of them raise their hands, except for the ones too busy looking up the other creatures.
"Ok. Merula, add Onelle's observation to the notes," Zarif says.
"What about the Boomslang? It may be highly poisonous, but unless one has been highly mutated by magical means or if it is the offspring of one and some other magical creature, then I can not see it being the monster in the chamber," a slytherin, with thick, wavy, rose-red, very short hair and is worn in a bizarre, artistic style similar to Eranior's own, asks as she tries to read over the many versions of it.
"I am inclined to agree with her, but the possibility of the mutation is the only reason I am not crossing it out. Just going to add 'highly unlikely'," Merula says writing the note.
"Wait…the horned serpent can be spoken to in Parseltongue," Onelle says looking up from her book.
"Then we add that to a possibility…any other characteristic?" Zarif asks, walking around and flipping to that creature's section in the book.
"Well, it's jewel is said to be able to turn it invisible and fly," Eranior says turning to that section of his book now.
"Hum…that would explain why no one could find it if that is the creature…was it raining that night?" Zarif asks trying to remember.
"That's…debatable…" Merula voices and everyone nods as they seem to be trying to remember.
"Are you referring to the water on the floor?" Onelle asks.
"Yeah…it kinda sticks out to me for some reason," Zarif says.
"That reminds me…what can petrify all of them? Can any of these use spells?" Avae asks, trying to look through the list.
They all hum to themselves while thinking on it. Until Daxar spoke up. "Well…there are stories of the horned serpent using magic."
"…that isn't enough to go on though…it feel like the answer is staring us in the face, but we can't see it to anyone else?" Zarif asks leaning back in his chair sighing.
"Maybe…no…that can't be it," Merula says, flipping through the basilisk section.
The group fell silent and soon the bell was sounded. "Well, we best call it a night for now before Flitch or prefects start showing up," Zarif says.
"Yeah. I am not up for losing house points tonight," Merula voices as they all pack up.
"Meeting adjourned. We will meet again later," Zarif says getting up.
By next morning, however, the snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard so thick that the last Herbology lesson of the term was canceled. Harry fretted about this next to the fire in the Gryffindor common room, while Ron and Hermione used their time off to play a game of wizard chess when Zarif came down. "Morning you three."
"Morning," came the tired reply from all of them.
"For heaven's sake, Harry," Hermione says, exasperated, as one of Ron's bishops wrestled her knight off his horse and dragged him off the board. "Go and find Justin if it's so important to you."
Zarif said nothing as Harry headed out and he started warming himself up by the fire.
"What did I miss?" Zarif asks, wondering what happened in this time.
"Harry is a bit upset the way Justin reacted when he was talking to the snake in dueling class," Ron informs.
"Oh…I would think that definitively proves Harry can't be the heir of Slytherin," Zarif says shocking both of them.
"Of course he ain't," Ron defends. "What makes you think he could be the heir in the first place?" he accuses.
"I never did, but the whole school should know that him revealing it to the whole school means he can't be the one behind all of this," Zarif says.
"Hold on Ron. Why do you think that?" Hermione asks cutting off Ron before he could continue.
"Simple, the heir has been quite careful remaining hidden amongst the students. No way they would reveal they could speak parseltongue to the school so easily if they were trying so hard to hide amongst them," Zarif explains.
"And save Justin as well. Another house no less," Ron adds, now seeming calmer.
"Well, now that I am warmed up, I am off to see Hagrid," Zarif says starting to wrap his scarf tightly around him.
"Don't catch a cold," Hermione warns as she moves a piece and makes Ron groan as he loses.
Zarif makes his way to Hagrid's hut and notices something interesting. All of Hagrid's roosters were silent. When he took a look, he saw a lot of blood inside the coop. "Curious," Zarif says to himself as he heads for the front door and knocks.
Soon, he heard the sounds of excited barking and Hagrid calling. "Fang, calm down," Hagrid says before opening the door and seeing Zarif there.
"Hi Hagrid," Zarif says, his voice muffled a bit by his scarf.
"Oh, Zarif," Hagrid says gesturing him to enter.
Zarif enters and starts taking off his scarf as Fang looked excited. "Hi Fang," Zarif says scratching the hound's head. After a bit, Zarif turned back to Hagrid who was looking over the dead rooster on the table. "Problem with the roosters?" Zarif asks.
"Yeah, somethin's been getting into the coup. Killed all of them," Hagrid says.
"You know what is doing it?" Zarif asks.
"No, but I figure it's either foxes or a Blood-Suckin Bugbear, an' I need the Headmaster's permission ter put a charm around the hen coop," Hagrid says getting his winter gear on.
"I'll come with you if you don't mind," Zarif says.
"Course'. The more the merrier," Hagrid says smiling as Zarif put back on his scarf.
"You stay here where it is warm Fang," Zarif says petting the hound one last time.
Fang whines before barking once at them.
"I will send Merula your way soon," Zarif says smiling.
Fang growls happily.
Zarif follows Hagrid up to the castle, but, when he got there, he was held up by Merula. "Hey Merula," Zarif greets.
"Hey. Something happen?" she asks, seeing Hagrid's pondering expression.
"Nothing yet, but I just came from Hagrid's hut and Fang could use some company," Zarif says.
Merula smiles. "Sure. I can give the big guy some company," Merula accepts, very happy to spend more time with the lazy hound.
Zarif smiles under his scarf as he heads in to catch up with Hagrid.
While trying to catch up to Hagrid, Zarif had heard Peeves the poltergeist from somewhere a bit away. "ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"
"Oh no," Zarif says and starts running and, on his way, bumps into Hagrid and, as he calls out to him, Hagrid paid him no mind as he was rushing off. Zarif followed quickly after him and next thing he knew he was in Dumbledore's office.
"It wasn' Harry, Professor Dumbledore!" Hagrid said urgently. "I was talkin' ter him seconds before that kid was found, he never had time, sir…" Dumbledore tried to say something, but Hagrid went ranting on, waving the dead rooster in his around in his agitation, sending feathers everywhere, "it can't've bin him, I'll swear it in front o' the Ministry o' Magic if I have to."
"Hagrid, I…" Dumbledore tried to start but was cut off.
"…yeh've got the wrong boy, sir, I know Harry never…"
"Hagrid!" Dumbledore spoke loudly, getting his attention. "I do not think that Harry attacked those people."
"Oh," Hagrid says, the rooster falling limply at his side. "Right. I'll wait outside then, Headmaster." And he stomped out looking embarrassed.
"You don't think it was me, Professor?" Harry repeated hopefully as Dumbledore brushed rooster feathers off his desk.
"No, Harry, I don't," Dumbledore says, though his face was somber again. "But I still want to talk to you and you too Mr. Trazax since you are here," Dumbledore says as Zarif tried to sneak out of the room, stopping him cold.
"Uh…I have no part in this…" Zarif tries to explain.
"I wish to talk to you on a different matter," Dumbledore informs. "Now Harry, is there any you would like to tell me?" Dumbledore asks looking back to Harry who paused for a moment.
After a few moments, Harry spoke up. "No, sir."
"Very well. You can go, Harry. Now Zarif, I have gotten a report of Prefects and staff finding you asleep in the library late at night. While I commend your studying, I stress the importance of not being alone like that at times like these," Dumbledore says like a kindly grandfather.
"Well…tests seem more…killer…" Zarif tries to describe.
"I just ask you to study in your common room," Dumbledore says as Harry and Hagrid left.
"The one who did this is clever, wouldn't you say?" Zarif asks seriously now that they were alone.
"What makes you say that?" Dumbledore asks interestedly.
"They chose to attack someone when everyone thinks Harry had commanded a snake to attack when he revealed he was a Parseltongue. This will make all the students think it truly is Harry now. I'm not sure if they also planned for Harry to also be there when it was discovered, but it further reinforces that to many," Zarif says walking over to the now baby phoenix and picks it up out of its own ashes.
Dumbledore was silent for a few moments before speaking again. "You are correct in that Zarif. So who do you think it is?" Dumbledore asks.
"I don't know, but I am sure they are not in Slytherin like most who won't believe Harry is the heir. It would be too obvious and the one who is doing this is clever to not only get away with these attacks so far but also try to mislead the rest of the school with their choices. If no one from Slytherin is attacked, then it would be too obvious that they would be from that house," Zarif says and Dumbledore nods in agreement.
"Also, a part of me really is considering if a student really is doing this or…if they aren't being manipulated in some way or getting help from the outside," Zarif ponders, lightly petting the phoenix with a finger.
"You are pondering that too I see," Dumbledore says, a small smile gracing his lips.
Zarif was quiet for a while and that put forward a question that came to his mind. "Who would gain the most from this? It wouldn't be Voldemort himself. From what I understand, he is like a parasite right now trying to return to life. These events would not benefit him in any way. So who would it be?" Zarif ponders aloud.
"I assume you have someone in mind?" Dumbledore suggested.
"No, unfortunately, I don't. I need more information for that, but I have an idea where to start," Zarif says setting the Phoenix down before bidding the headmaster ado and leaves.
"Clever that one is," one of the portraits of former headmasters says.
"If he lives long enough, we may see him do great things," another comment.
"Good or terrible things though?" another asks.
The rest of the term seemed to pass quickly as the majority of students were sent into a panic and couldn't wait to reserve a seat on the Hogwarts express back home for the holidays.
Zarif, in this time, stepped up his research and learning all he could, even convincing Snape to further his instruction in the art of dueling as the dueling club hadn't met again. He then took this knowledge and helped Merula and the rest of her gang seeing as Harry, Ron and Hermione were too busy with one thing or another.
Then Christmas arrived and the plan was set in motion. There were not enough potions for all four Gryffindors so Zarif decided to stay behind in the common room, reading in his new maroon sweater he got from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as Autumn rested nearby on a stand, having been fed several owl treats.
When Ron and Harry came back Zarif was worried when Hermione wasn't with them, but soon learned why and was half horrified and half intrigued that she became what looked like a werecat. He then made them tell him word for word what Malfoy said and then when the two told him Draco's dad had told him not to talk about what he knew, his eyes narrowed hard and committed it to memory. Over the next months, he looked through all of what Lucius Malfoy had been up to. Taking clippings from the prophet on a comment he had given and looked up what legislation he had talked about that Mr. Weasley was trying to get passed, then it hit him. 'If that is what all of this is about…how would this affect that?' Zarif, after that, seemed a little depressed as he had hit another dead end. Then on Valentine's day, he was walking with Merula into the great hall when he stopped dead. "What?" Merula asks confused, seeing his expression.
"What the heck has he done?" Zarif asks in disbelief.
The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Worse still, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling. Both look to the teacher's table in disbelief and saw Lockhart, wearing lurid pink robes to match the decorations, was waving for silence. The teachers on either side of him were looking stony-faced. Both could see a muscle going in Professor McGonagall's cheek. Snape looked as though someone had just fed him a large beaker of Skele-Gro.
"Why…just why?" Zarif asks looking to Merula hopelessly for an answer.
"We can go…I…I'll grab some food and we can sit in the library," Merula offers, trying to get past the trouble of…all this.
"Who needs food? Let's go now," Zarif says before making a hasty retreat.
"Whoa," Merula cries out as she was pulled by her arm and taken away. She gives a wry smile but it falls as she sees something that made them both groan and just hurry past the line of dwarves.
"I am starting to pray he won't be here next year," Zarif says as they hid out in Hagrid's hut with Fang and Morgana as Hagrid was outside doing a bit of gardening.
"I am praying something like this won't happen again. Or I will sic Morganna on him. Right, girl?" Merula asks the pup and she barks at her as Merula held her up and they nuzzle noses.
"Will you help Fang?" Zarif asks the boarhound laying his head in Zarif's lap.
Fang gives a low growl as he doesn't move.
"Good boy," Zarif says scratching his head.
"I think it is time we head back. The sun is starting to set," Merula observes.
"Wish we can stay away longer. The longer, the better with that man," Zarif says, scratching Fang behind the ear.
"Agreed," Merula says.
"Alright, you two. Time to head to your dormitories. Rather not get you into trouble," Hagrid says coming back in.
"We were just about to leave. Take care you three," Zarif says before they leave.
Morganna barks happily before getting on top of Fang and curling on top of him.
Not long after Zarif got back, he learned about what had happened from Harry and what he saw in the book. Zarif didn't like it. He couldn't believe Hagrid would do that nor that this Tom Riddle who had answered him in his diary was telling the truth or at least leaving out details. For the next four weeks, he talked to the portraits and researched to try and find more. Beyond his time at school, Zarif could find nothing out except that he worked at Borgin and Burkes which was very strange for such a gifted student and who had offered by many people to get him a job in the ministry itself. It also didn't help that not even the next day, the room he was sharing with Ron, Neville, Harry, Jorden, and Lee was ransacked and the only thing stolen was the diary of Riddle.
Zarif sighed and, in the end, pushed this from his mind as he looked at the new subjects that he could take next year as he sat in the library, looking up a few things on these subjects with Merula and her gang. In the end, he decided to sign up for the care of magical creatures, something he was highly interested in. Study of ancient runes, which he already knew and was just padding out his schedule and credits. And finally muggle studies. Most of the rest choose a combination of similar things like Merula who choose the same except, instead of muggle studies, took arithmancy.
"It's about time should we head to the pitch?" Zarif asks.
"Yeah, I am interested if Hufflepuff can win against Gryffindor like last year," Merula says and many started to get up and leave, going in a separate direction.
Zarif and Merula on their way saw Hermione run past them to the library. "That seems a bit strange?" Zarif asks after they were halfway across the yard to the Quidditch pitch.
"A little seeing how she usually cheers Harry on," Merula says as they finish making their way into the stands and when they finally found good seats, Professor McGonagall came running onto the pitch with a megaphone before the match could even start. "This match has been canceled," Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium which resulted in boos and shouts.
"Could something else had…no…you think Hermione?" Zarif asks, color draining from his face now.
"We should have gone to her," Merula says, quickly getting up and Zarif following her as they rush back barely hearing from McGonagall again "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!".
"We go to her and stayed, we might end up in the same situation," Zarif tries to point out, but couldn't help shake the feeling they should have and at least help her fight back.
The two rushed through the castle until they got to the hospital wing. Both were hesitant to speak up to Madam Pomfrey as they stood there. Pomfrey understood why they were there and lead them to the newly occupied beds and there laid Hermione and a Ravenclaw prefect petrified, but still alive.
"Now it is personal," Merula said under her breath as the two visited with Hermione as Professor McGonagall entered with Harry and Ron. "Hermione!" Ron groaned seeing her.
"Mr. Trazax, Ms. Snide," McGonagall says a bit surprised but soon recovered from it. "I guess it is best you two are here as well. They were found near the library," McGonagall informs before pulling a small circular hand mirror. "I don't suppose any of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them…"
Zarif looked at the mirror and then something clicked. "Was it within arms reach for them?" Zarif asks quickly surprising the two adults.
"I believe it would have been, yes. Why?" McGonagall asks.
"I think she figured out what the monster was and the one behind this decided to silence her," Zarif informs as he racked his brain for all the details he and Merula's gang had looked upon magical snakes.
McGonagall's face reflected that she was now contemplating that as she looks in the mirror. After a bit, she looked to the four. "I think it is time you four go back to the common room," McGonagall says before pulling out her wand and did a jester and something flew out of it and out the door.
"Professor, can I go instead to see the headmaster?" Zarif asks causing all of them to stare at him. "I think I have an idea that he should know about," Zarif says.
"I'm sorry. But with this attack and this…monster possibly still roaming, it is a good idea to go back to your house common room," McGonagall informs.
Zarif looked like he wanted to argue but said nothing and soon professor Snape arrive and lead Merula away to the Slytherin common room and McGonagall lead the three boys to their common room.