Chapter Nine: Everything Is Going to the Snakes

Gohan massaged his head. Last night had been a long night full of explanations, arguments, and temper tantrums. Altogether, there had been three Super Saiyan transformations in Dumbledore's office. Vegeta had transformed twice: once in response to Dumbledore's restraining Gohan from killing the monster, and once in irritation to Severus Snape. The two, Snape and Vegeta, were so similar that one grated the other's nerves…and vice versa.

An exhausted Gohan sought out Harry's ki and shuffled toward Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. As soon as he entered, he was hugged fiercely. Then his face was slapped.

"You scared me to death, Gohan! Going after that monster! I thought I'd never see you again."

"Aw, come on, Hermione. I can handle it." Hermione glared at him. Gohan blinked stupidly. He stared at her. "Hermione, what happened to you?"

"Huh?"

"You feel different." Harry choked on his pumpkin juice. Ron snorted. Hermione shook her head, frowning. Then, her eyes widened.

"Oh…yeah. I've been meaning to ask you…did you go Super last night?"

Gohan started. "Uh, yeah. How did you know?"

Hermione smiled. Gohan stared. Suddenly, his mouth dropped open and he pointed at her.

"You can sense Ki?" he shouted in disbelief.

Hermione chuckled. "If you mean energy, then I suppose that is a correct assessment."

Gohan laughed earnestly. "Wow, that's great! No wonder you felt different."

Hermione blinked. Then she laughed. "Oh, that's what you meant when you said I felt different. You were talking about my energy."

Gohan stared confusedly. "Well, what else would I mean?"

Hermione blushed. "Oh, never mind." Ron and Harry exchanged grins.

...

Gohan stammered. "WHAT? You mean that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?"

Harry nodded. "That's what Dumbledore said when they brought Creevey to the hospital wing. They didn't know I was still awake. Dumbledore said something else. When Professor McGonagall asked who did it, Dumbledore told her the question wasn't who, it was how."

Ron shook his head. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Hermione scoffed. "Isn't it obvious?" Ron and Harry shook their heads.

Gohan nodded. "Dumbledore thinks he knows who has opened the Chamber," he said simply.

Hermione nodded, and then shook her head. "But we're missing something. If Dumbledore knows who's opening the Chamber, why isn't he stopping it?"

Gohan squirmed uncomfortably. He was getting close to the line. What should he tell? What shouldn't he tell? "Maybe…he's…protecting someone."

Harry laughed derisively. "You think Dumbledore is protecting the Heir of Slytherin?"

"No. But what if the Heir is using someone else…someone who doesn't know she's being used?"

Hermione shook her head. "That doesn't make sense, Gohan. Why would the Heir need someone else to open the Chamber if he or she was already here?"

A silence ensued. Gohan frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe the Heir is unable to do it by himself. Maybe he needs another."

"Well, that…could…be. But how can we be sure?"

Gohan looked at her. "While we're looking for the Heir, we should also look for someone out of place. The Heir is probably using this person against his or her will…possibly without his or her knowledge."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe you could ask Dumbledore-"

"Dumbledore's not going to tell me who it is," Gohan said, irritated. He was mad at him for not telling him the Chamber was opened before. "I already asked."

Hermione gasped, and Gohan jumped. He had said too much. "Um, Gohan," Harry said, "What do you know about this monster?"

"Don't look it in the eyes," Gohan mumbled uncomfortably.

Harry sighed frustratedly. "We know that already! What else do you know about it?"

Gohan fidgeted. "I can't. Even though I'm mad at Dumbledore, I have to trust him."

Harry turned away angrily. Hermione looked at Gohan with a pained look. "Gohan," she asked gently, "What can you tell us?"

Gohan frowned. "Well, so far it has only attacked when someone was isolated. It prefers stealth, so it's most likely to attack when corridor traffic is less. Its gaze is dangerous, potentially lethal. It has poisonous fangs that can also kill."

"What can we do to protect ourselves?" she asked.

"Stay in larger groups. Go out only during normal traffic times. Especially, don't go out late. Never go out alone."

"Hypothetically, what if we run into it?"

"Don't look it in the eyes. Run in the opposite direction. Shout, yell, and draw attention to yourself. If it senses the presence of enough people, it may retreat."

"But Gohan, if we yell, won't it give the creature more targets to look at?"

Gohan winced. "I didn't think of that. I guess that isn't such a good idea. DARN IT! I hate not being able to do anything! I just feel so…so WORTHLESS! WHAT'S THE POINT OF BEING HERE IF…IF…I CAN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?"

Harry's angry face softened a bit, realizing that Gohan was as frustrated as he was. "Gohan," he said gruffly. "Why can't you tell us about it?"

Gohan paced anxiously, hesitating. "Dumbledore seems to think that the Heir of Slytherin poses a greater threat than even the monster. He…wants to force the Heir out into the open. He…thinks the Heir is using an innocent person to carry out his wishes."

Silence filled the bathroom. Gohan knew he was going to have to tell Dumbledore what he had told them. He continued to pace until a tile cracked from the exertion. Then, he leaned against one of the stalls.

Harry scrutinized Gohan, who fidgeted uncomfortably. Harry shook his head. "He seems to trust you more that he does me."

Gohan shook his head musingly. "I don't think that's true. He probably thinks that my Saiyan mind can handle one more emotional trauma. He forgets I am half human. He probably just doesn't want to see you get hurt."

"Just like Dobby," Harry said bitterly. Harry explained who Dobby was, because Gohan looked confused.

"Poor fellow." Gohan said in honest concern. "I hope we can help him somehow."

"That was pretty close, Mr. Son. Any more information and you might as well have told them the creature is a-"Dumbledore stopped. Gohan snapped his head up angrily.

"You even know what it is?" He began hotly.

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes. And I'm afraid that I absolutely forbid you to tell them that I know. They are going to have enough problems sorting this out without being blinded with misplaced anger."

"Misplaced? I WOULD HAVE ALREADY KILLED IT IF YOU-"

"-hadn't told you not to? I wish I could tell you to destroy it, Gohan. But I cannot. I would be signing the death warrant of every single muggle and muggle-born in the world," he choked.

Gohan winced. "Are you saying that this Heir of Slytherin…is as bad as Cell?

"Worse in some ways. Even with his sadistic mind, Cell allowed you and your friends an opportunity to openly defy him. Vol…the Heir of Slytherin won't tolerate resistance of any kind."

"Is Vol his name?"

"Never mind, Gohan. Don't mention-"

"-that to anyone, I know," Gohan said in irritation.

"It's especially important-"

But Gohan had stood. "Anything else that you want to annoy me with before I leave?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "It's little wonder why Severus has taken such a liking to you, Mr. Son. Your naïve directness is so refreshing in a world full of lies. You and Severus have such similarities, regarding your emotional backgrounds. It's a shame he didn't meet you sooner.

"You have done considerably well, considering the burden I have placed on you. I am sorry, Gohan. I wish I didn't have to put you through this."

Gohan sat at his potions table with Neville, stirring his potion absently. He saw Harry toss something across the room. An explosion brought him out of his reverie. He saw Hermione dart around a corner. When she returned, her robes were bulging. Gohan looked away. Because he had been keeping so many secrets, he decided to stay out of their plans involving the Polyjuice potion.

After fixing student's various swelling body parts, Snape scooped a charred firework from Goyle's cauldron.

Snape snarled. "If I ever find out who threw this, I will personally ensure that the person involved is expelled!" He glared at Harry before rounding on Gohan. "And I'd like to see you after class, Son."

"Oh…okay."

When everyone after class had left, Snape approached Gohan. "You saw who threw that, didn't you?"

Gohan met his eyes. "Yes, sir."

"It was Potter, wasn't it?"

Gohan lowered his gaze. "I cannot say. I'm sorry."

Snape stared at Gohan for a while. Finally, he spoke. "I hope you have a good reason for this, Son. You do realize that I have to punish you? Withholding the names of rule-breakers is unacceptable at this school. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Gohan said dejectedly.

"One week of detention, and that's lenient. Consider yourself warned. Should you ever do this again, I won't be so…generous. I want to see you in the dungeon immediately after dinner. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Gohan stood to leave. "Don't look so upset, Son. You won't be fighting Cell during detention." Gohan stared at Snape in wonder. Turning, he smiled and left.

He caught up with his friends. "So," Harry asked."What happened?"

"Oh, I got a week's worth of detention from Professor Snape."

Ron looked horrified."And…you're actually smiling about that?"

Hermione snorted. "With everything Gohan has been through in his life? It's almost funny by comparison."

Gohan laughed musingly. "Yeah, funny."

Snape had been right about one thing: Gohan didn't fight Cell during the detentions. He dueled with Professor Snape instead. Gohan was surprised how strong Snape was with a wand; he went to bed a little sore for the first time in a year. But Gohan picked up things quickly. By the third day, Snape hadn't managed to curse him once, even when he was using nonverbal spells. Snape held up his hand, and Gohan stopped.

"I see we aren't learning much anymore, are we? Very well, from now on, I want you to defend without your wand."

Gohan blinked. "You mean, fighting?"

"Not exactly. I don't want to end up dead. I want you to block my attacks without using magic. Consider it an experiment. Get ready. Expelliarmus!" Gohan used an energy shield, but only managed to block a portion of the attack. The rest struck his chest, knocking him into the wall behind him. Gohan got to his feet.

"That's weird," Gohan said. Snape stared at him. "Yeah. Something similar happened when that giant snake tried to hit me with its eye beams. That must mean…that my energy shield is flawed in some way."

"Well, then, perhaps you should try to develop something less penetrable. I'll let you sleep on it. You may go."

"Come on, Gohan. Come to the dueling club with us?

"It's a waste of time for me, Hermione."

"Please?"

Gohan sighed. "Fine. But you owe me."

...

As Snape divided some people into groups, Gohan approached nervously.

"Professor, isn't it a bit unfair for one person to face me alone?" Snape stared, studying Gohan. He nodded.

"You may have a point. Miss Granger, Miss Bulstrode…change of plans. The two of you will team up against Son."

The large girl glared at Hermione, "Try not to get in my way," she snapped.

Gohan shook his head."You may not want to do that," he said concernedly. Lockhart gave the order to bow and begin. Bulstrode raised her wand.

"Langlock!" Gohan shouted. Bulstrode clutched her mouth, unable to speak because Gohan had glued her tongue to the roof of her mouth. Hermione shot a hex at Gohan, who deflected it easily. Gohan sent a stunning spell toward Hermione, who jumped away, being narrowly missed.

Gohan nodded toward Bulstrode."You may need her." Sighing, Hermione walked over to her "partner" and pointed her wand. Bulstrode flinched as Hermione freed her.

Glaring at Hermione, she said, "I'll work with you, but only because I have to."

Hermione nodded sternly. "Same here."

The two began attacking him in earnest. Over the next few minutes, Hermione had managed to graze Gohan's cheek with a tickling curse. Gohan managed to block and send curses despite squirming and giggling loudly.

Soon all three had stopped dueling, because Hermione was staggering around because of Gohan's Jelly Legs and Millicent Bulstrode was twirling like a ballerina. Gohan's laughter was uncontrollable now, partially from the tickling curse and partially from watching the girls.

Snape began "coughing" again as he watched the scene. Lockhart was telling people to stop, but no one listened until Snape stepped in. He causally flicked his wrist, "Finite Incantatum."

Silence would have filled the room, except that Gohan was still giggling softly. Hermione and Millicent shot annoyed looks at him.

After announcing he was going to teach them how to block unfriendly spells, Professor Lockhart singled out Seamus and Neville. Smirking, Snape suggested Harry and Malfoy be the pair. Gohan groaned. He liked Professor Snape, but he knew that he harbored a sore spot when it came to Harry.

As Lockhart bumbled out some silly exercise to Harry, Snape had pulled Malfoy toward him and whispered something in his ear, both smirking as if they had shared a joke. They took their positions. Malfoy bellowed, "Serpensortia!" Gohan froze in shock as a long, black snake shot from the tip of the wand. Harry didn't move; his eyes followed the snake as it slithered toward him.

Snape smiled. "Don't worry, Potter. I'll get rid of it-"

But Lockhart had reached it first. "Allow me." He pointed at the snake. A bang, the snake flew ten feet into the air before landing with a loud thud. Angrily, the snake turned on Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself to attack.

"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Harry hissed. The small beast started. Then, he turned his head back to Justin. Gohan shot between Justin and the cobra.

"You should have listened to him," Gohan said angrily to the adder. "You could have lived!" The snake exploded. Confused, Gohan looked over to see Snape's wand arm extended. He was staring at Harry. He wasn't the only one.

Justin looked at Harry with an angry, fearful gaze. "What are you playing at?" he spat at him around Gohan and stomped off. Gohan stood there, dazed. He had just used his super speed. He looked around. All eyes were on Harry. Maybe they didn't see.

He felt a tiny pressure on his arm. Looking down, he realized Ron was pulling him. Gohan looked up at Harry, who Hermione was tugging. Silently, both boys allowed themselves to be led away. Nobody spoke until they entered the common room.

Ron whipped on Harry."You're a parselmouth? Why didn't you tell us?"

"A what?" Harry asked.

"A parselmouth…you can speak to snakes."

"Ohhh…yeah, I know. I accidently set a boa constrictor on my cousin Dudley at the school once. It told me it had never been to Brazil. So? I bet loads can do it here-"

"No, they can't. It's a very uncommon gift. This is bad!"

"What's bad? If I hadn't told that snake to leave Justin alone…and Gohan even said-"

"That's what you told it?"

"Yes," Gohan said. Hermione, Harry, and Ron jumped, forgetting Gohan was there. "I heard him say it."

Hermione gasped, and Harry and Ron stared. "That means you're one, too."

Gohan shrugged. "Well, I've just heard it. I've never spoke it."

"But could you?" Hermione pressed.

"I guess. But I've never felt the need to."

Harry rounded on Ron. "You didn't hear me?"

"I heard you speaking Snake language…it sounded kinda creepy."

"I was speaking a different language? How can I speak a language without knowing I can?"

"Like Namek knowledge passing," Hermione mumbled.

Harry stared, confused. "What?"

Gohan nodded, understanding what she was getting at. "It sounds something like that. When Guru drew out my dormant energy, he also gave me a sophisticated fighting technique. For some strange reason, it felt like I always had it."

"Same here when Piccolo passed me Ki knowledge."

Harry shook his head skeptically. "So, you're saying a Namek planted all this in my brain?"

Hermione sighed. "No, Harry. All we're saying is that either the knowledge was passed to you in some way, or that you were born with it. Does it feel natural to you?"

He scoffed. "What kind of question is that? Why don't you ask Son, and leave me alone!"

But Gohan was staring out the window. As they continued to bicker, Gohan picked out a tiny dot sitting on the horizon.

Piccolo?

Yes?

Do you think it's weird for someone to talk to snakes?

Piccolo chuckled. Snakes aside, Gohan…I already think you're weird.

Hey! Huh? Wait a minute…you knew?

That you were exceptionally gifted when it comes to animals? That's a no brainer, Gohan.

But did you know I was a parselmouth?

Sigh. I suspected it.

How did you know?

Heh. After getting over your fears of predators, you still acted uncomfortably around snakes. Sometimes, I saw you act kindly toward snakes, but then you'd suddenly jump and act strange. I figured that it had to do with snakes because you never did that around other animals.

I never talked back to them.

I know. I sensed your hesitation.

What do I do now? Everyone's going to think I'm weird.

So? I think you're weird, but that has never stopped me from being your friend. It won't stop other real friends, either.

Gohan smiled. Thanks, Piccolo.

Any time, kid.