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"Hermione," Harry said, not moving an inch.

"What?" Hermione responded.

"I thought you said the basilisk was dead."

Everyone slowly turned around to see the eyeless monster sniffing down at them, the puncture wound still visible. The monster's teeth revealed themselves so slightly as the beast flicked its tongue out to taste the air.

"It was," Hermione said, her jaws slack as she stared up at the snake.

The snake flicked its tongue once more, slowly lowering its head as it sniffed the air, producing a low guttural sound. No one moved. No one made a sound. No one breathed.

Hermione closed her eyes and turned her head, her face scrunching in fear, as the basilisk sniffed her closely, nearly sucking in her hair. Harry watched the monster out of the corner of his eye, his heart fluttering as he heard a whimper escape Hermione's throat. His eyes widened as the basilisk raised its head and opened its mouth, slowly lowering his jaws over Hermione.

Without giving his actions a second thought, he loudly ran away from the group and down the chamber. The basilisk's head snapped in his direction, and it hissed loudly before slithering after him. Harry hid behind one of the large pillars, breathing heavily. He could hear the scales scratching up against the cold stone floor. The snake was on the other side of his pillar, but Harry could tell by the loud sniffing that it would come around the pillar and swallow him whole. He tensed, his grip tightening on the egg, prepared to run.

A loud whistle cut through the air, and the basilisk snapped its jaws in Draco's direction, who ran down the chamber and towards a large pipe. The snake followed.

"Harry!" Hermione called out, catching the basilisk's attention. "I get it now. The noises in the walls, the black mambas – none of it was the price for Sam's request – this was! The rest of it was just warnings for what Sam was about to pay for."

"That doesn't make sense – wouldn't the price always be the same?"

"It was the same for an interrupted demand. You and Sam were both attacked by black mambas. If you had completed the whole task, this would have been your price. But those snakes were just warnings to the real price."

The snake dove for Hermione, biting down on empty air as Hermione ran away, screaming as rock crumbled from above due to the impact of the snake colliding with the stone. The snake sniffed the air and turned its head side to side.

"Guys, in here!" Ron called out, having found a large enough pipe for everyone to crawl into. Inside was like a tunnel system, and the four ran deeper into it, taking a turn that lead to a dead end, grates blocking their way out. They all froze as the snake's loud sniffing echoed and vibrated off the walls. Everyone held their breaths once more as the massive animal slinked by their tunnel, searching and listening for its prey.

When it was far enough out of smell and hearing range, Ron spoke up.

"We have to get out of here."

"What about the egg?" Hermione asked, taking the blue dappled, golden egg from Harry.

"We take it with us," Harry suggested. "You said it felt warm, maybe it's still alive. We can't leave it here to die."

"If it's not already dead," Draco said.

"What are we going to do with it?" Ron asked. "Hide it from all the professors?"

"We can't give it to them," Hermione said, "they'll ask too many questions. We could be expelled!"

"Oh, now you think about that."

"Guys, it's coming back!" Harry yelled as the snake hissed loudly at the end of their tunnel and lashed out. The four pressed themselves up against the sides of the tunnel as the snake rammed into the grates, blowing them out of place and across the chamber. They clanged on the ground and the basilisk snaked after the noise.

The four ran out of the tunnel, their footsteps luring the basilisk's attention away from the grates. It chased after Draco, who paused long enough to pick up a rock and throw it away from him. The snake spun its head in the sound's direction and went after it. Draco hid behind a pillar and breathed, feeling sweat trickle down his forehead

"How do we stop it?" Harry asked, the snake now coming his way. "We can't keep taking turns distracting it forever."

"I don't know!" Hermione said. "How do you kill something that's already dead?"

The snake was growling as it rushed for Hermione, only to be struck by a rock in the face. The snake winced and tilted its head. Ron tapped loudly on the wall as he ran down the chamber, the snake following, towards another large pipe, throwing the rock aside as he crawled in to safety, the snake looking in the direction of the noise and back at Ron repeatedly.

"Maybe the same way you kill a basilisk," Draco suggested loudly so the snake would move towards him instead of pursuing Ron.

"How do you kill a basilisk?" Harry asked. "That would be really nice to know."

"Well," Draco frowned. "I only know about a rooster's crow."

"Where the bloody hell are we going to get a rooster?" Ron asked, jumping out of his pipe and running to Harry's pillar.

"Maybe we don't need a rooster," Hermione said. "Maybe a spell. A charm?"

Harry ran away from the pillar once Ron stopped, leading the basilisk. He ran into water at the end of the chamber, flooding from a pipe most likely, realizing his mistake as it only slowed him down. The snake was right behind him now, and it snapped at the air. Harry slipped and fell into the water, the snake arching its neck above him, sniffing harshly before bringing its wide-open jaws down. Harry screamed.

Water splashed Harry's face as Draco rolled next to him, holding up a long, thick stick that the basilisk bit on, holding its jaws open. The snake moved its jaws a couple times to try and break the stick, then thrashed its head around.

While it was distracted, Draco pushed Harry and the two crawled away, stood, then ran to join the others, sprinting for the chamber's entrance.

"Any spells?" Harry asked through huffs.

"There's a charm we learned," Hermione informed, cradling the egg tightly against her, "that can mimic any birds cry as long as you know the right words, but I can't think of a rooster. Not Ibis, not Aquila, not Olor . . ."

A large crack and the basilisk spat out the stick pieces. It hissed as it spun around and let out an angry screech, dropping to the ground to slither after the four, who just reached the ladder and began climbing, Hermione going first.

"Hurry!" Draco rushed as Ron went next, then Draco. Harry found a rock and threw it at a side wall away from them, but the basilisk was not fooled this time. As Draco made it over the last step, the basilisk lunged forward. Harry dropped to the ground, believing it was after him, but instead, a loud cry pierced his ears. Harry rolled over in time to see the snake pull Draco out of the entranceway, biting down on his cousin's leg. Draco managed to grab the rungs of the ladder, while Hermione and Ron pulled on Draco's arms.

Harry felt his chest crush his lungs. He remembered the charms lesson Hermione had been referring to and shouted: "Gallus! It's gallus!"

Hermione let go of Draco's arm, whipped out her wand, and said, "Gallus Vocatio!"

Hermione's wand vibrated as it produced sound waves. The loud cry of a rooster in the morning sprang out of her wand and filled the air around them. Harry covered his ears but kept his eyes open to see the basilisk release Draco and screech, shaking its head as blood pooled out of a hole on either side. The basilisk fell to the ground with a thud, dead once more.

Harry took in several deep breaths, pushing off shaky hands to his feet. Draco's pained moans had him climbing up the ladder and out of the chamber. Hermione and Ron were sitting next to Draco, who was sprawled out on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his trousers pulled up on his leg. His left leg was mangled where the basilisk's teeth had sunk in. The skin and vessels around the wound were turning black. Hermione was in tears, while Ron was pale faced.

"He doesn't have long," Hermione said. "What are we going to do?"

Harry walked up to Draco and kneeled at his side. He grasped Draco's hand, giving his cousin a reassuring squeeze. He knew what he had to do. He knew the only way one could cure a basilisk attack. And he was glad he had given his father such a gift for Christmas last year. But this meant they would be found out.

Sam, Harry thought loudly, Draco's hurt. We need the vial of phoenix tears from Dad's lab. Please, hurry.

"Sam is coming," Harry told everyone. "I sent him a message. He'll be here soon."

"We're going to be in so much trouble," Ron said.

"But we need help," Hermione argued, wiping away some tears. She looked over at the egg they had managed to keep unharmed. "This was a terrible idea. The egg will probably die anyway. And one of us still paid the price. I'm so stupid to think my plan would have worked."

"Hey," Draco managed to gasp out. "But what if it doesn't? Then we saved it. This wasn't for nothing."

"Glad to see you're looking on the bright side," Harry smiled weakly, wincing at how black and dead Draco's leg was starting to look.

"I'm not actually," Draco smiled back, giving Harry's hand a squeeze. "I'm thinking about how red our arses are going to be after Uncle Sev deals with us."

Harry groaned dramatically, "Why did you have to bring that up?"

Draco chuckled then gasped in pain, fighting back more tears.

Harry, I can't find you, Sam's frantic voice entered Harry's mind. Keep reaching out to me, it'll help me pinpoint where you are.

Okay, Harry thought, feeling nervous now, but don't go mental. We were just trying to help, honest. We didn't think things would turn out this bad. And we're sorry.

There was silence but Sam had not shown up yet, so Harry kept thinking.

I have your tooth. I didn't steal it, I swear. It just showed up under my pillow. I didn't even know I had it until after you had already questioned me. We just wanted to know what was so dangerous that Dobby would want to keep me away. Harry looked at Draco's face and closed his eyes. Please hurry. Draco doesn't have much longer.

I'm here, Harry.

A white mist and a vial flew around the four children, circling twice before landing next to Harry and solidifying into the three-tails. Sam caught the vial that dropped in front of him and handed it to Harry. Popping off the stopper, Harry carefully aimed four drops into Draco's wound, admiring how quickly the black death seemed to reverse itself, even the skin wounds healed. Draco seemed to breathe easier, and Hermione and Ron gave smiles of relief.

Draco hissed as he sat up and moved his leg warily, the rolled down his pajama trousers. He gave Sam a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Sam," he said, "and you, too, Harry. That was some quick thinking."

"I couldn't lose you, Draco," Harry said. "Then I'd have to face Dad alone."

All four laughed in relief until Sam cleared his throat, glaring at them, his ears flat and his three tails twitching agitatedly. Everyone's laughter died down and they gave Sam apologetic looks.

: First things first, Sam snarled, staring directly at the tooth Harry had around his neck, you will give that back to me.

Harry gulped, then removed the necklace and held it out to Sam. The fox stared a moment longer, his eyes narrowing. Then, he shook out the fur around his neck and leaned towards Harry, allowing him to slip the necklace over the fox's head. Harry did so quickly to avoid any sudden nips from the fox.

The tooth glowed blue for a second once more, then returned to a resting state. Sam sighed loudly, his head and ears dropping.

: What am I going to do with the four of you? He asked aloud, shaking his head. Do you have any idea how close to death you all came? And for what? A little nighttime adventure?

Harry saw Hermione discreetly cover the egg with her cloak, shivering slightly as she was left in an outer robe and pajamas. Harry figured now was not the time to discuss the egg – they were all in enough trouble as it was, and he was sure no one would let them keep it anyway.

: Up, all of you, Sam barked, standing and leading the way. We're getting out of this wretched place.

Everyone stood and followed Sam, Hermione cradling the egg, though to anyone who did not know of it, it looked like she was just carrying her bundled up cloak. They followed Sam back to the large pipe they had all fell down. Harry looked up in the pitch blackness.

"How are you getting us all up there?" he asked.

: Did you honestly think I came alone? Sam asked, sitting down as a figure floated to the ground, arms crossed, and a glare plastered on his face.

"Children," Severus greeted, giving each child a quick once over with his eyes.

"Good evening, Professor," everyone said glumly.

Severus snorted unamused.

"Good morning," he snapped, "you four are lucky I sent Sam ahead of me or one of you would be dead right now! I cannot believe that . . . I can't even . . . you know what? We'll continue this lovely conversation when we're all in a safer location. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, to me."

Hermione and Ron stepped over to Severus, who pulled them against his side and flew up the pipe. Sam kept an eye on Harry and Draco until Severus returned for them. Flying up the chamber sent a slight chill down Harry and he shivered. He could feel how tense his father was, and he knew the man was refraining from taking a switch to his son and godson right then and there. Once back in the girl's bathroom, Severus waited for Sam to mist out of the pipe before he placed several deterrent and protective spells over the large tunnel. He set up a few alarm spells and, after ushering the four children outside of the bathroom, placed a Out of Order sign on the bathroom, locking the door and placing yet another alarm.

Then, he and Sam had a quiet conversation amongst themselves. After a few minutes, Sam nodded and misted off.

"Sam is reporting to Professor Dumbledore," Severus explained, "the events of tonight and what you four have been up to. I have asked that the headmaster refrain from informing the staff and sending out letters to your parents just yet. We all need to have a serious discussion."

"Yes, sir," the four said, keeping their heads down.

Harry handed over the vial of phoenix tears to his father, who took it and pocketed it as he gave his son a disappointed look. Harry felt sick and lowered his eyes.

"Follow me," Severus said, leading the way to his quarters.

Harry looked over at Hermione. No one seemed to have questioned her carrying her cloak rather than wearing it when she was obviously cold. It did inform him that his father was furious beyond making reasonable observations. Wonderful. He would never be able to sit again after the night – or morning – was over. He bit his lip and followed behind Draco in silence. Once at his father's quarters, Severus motioned to the sofa and everyone squeezed themselves onto it. Severus towered above them, giving them his famous Snape glare.

"I want an explanation," was all the man said.

Everyone took turns telling the story, Harry starting off with how he had found Sam's tooth after visiting his father yesterday morning, then taking it to the library to meet with Hermione. Hermione took over and explained how they did research on the tooth and discovered that it was called the Dragon's Tooth of Requital and why, as well as coming up with the plan to finish Sam's task. Ron took over explaining how he distracted the Prefects on night watch by using the twins smoke bombs and then continued up until he almost revealed the egg, at which point, Draco cut him off and explained there was nothing in the chamber but the basilisk, which came alive and attacked them, biting Draco in the process.

Harry spoke up again to inform Severus that Hermione had saved Draco from being eaten by using the Bird Call charm, while Harry asked for Sam to come with the vial of phoenix tears to heal Draco. Once the story had been told, they waited for Severus to say something.

Severus looked like he was ready to spit fire. The man paced the living room, then disappeared in the kitchen for a while.

"What's he doing?" Ron whispered to Harry.

"Probably encouraging himself not to chop us up and use us in his next potion," Draco answered, enjoying the pale look on Ron's face.

"Most likely having a nightcap or two," Harry said, easing Ron's worry. "He does that when he's really mad but doesn't want to do something he'll regret."

"What do you think our punishment will be? Detention? A letter to our parents? Loss of points? Expelled?" Hermione's voice seemed to shudder more with each word she said.

"I know what I'll be getting," Harry muttered, Draco nodding in agreement.

Everyone fell silent when Severus returned to the living room, but instead of talking to the four, he went straight to the fireplace, threw in some powder, and stuck his head in. His voice couldn't be heard, leaving the four wondering who he was speaking to. Ten torturously long minutes passed, then Severus pulled out of the fireplace, sighed, then stood in front of the children once more.

"I have just spoken with Professor McGonagall," he told them. Hermione sat up a bit straighter, dreading his next words. "She has put me in charge of your punishments for this incident. We have both decided it best to leave this event off school records for the safety of the other students and to keep word of mouth from spreading. That said, no points will be taken, and no one is getting detention."

Hermione relaxed, as did Ron, but Harry and Draco gulped.

"However," Severus continued, "Professor McGonagall has agreed to a more traditional Hogwarts punishment approach for your actions tonight, and I cannot agree with her more. So, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, I will inform you of your options: you may be escorted home to your parents at eight o'clock this morning, where they will be informed of your actions by your accompanying professor. Your parents will then decide on your punishment themselves."

Harry looked over at his friends, who had both paled at the very thought.

"Or you will allow me, as a Head of House, to handle your punishment. And my punishment will be a ruler applied to your backsides. The decision is yours."

Ron's face turned as red as his hair, as did Harry's. He couldn't believe his father had just threatened to smack his friends. Hermione was looking down at the cloak resting in her lap, fiddling with the edges. She licked her lips then looked up at Severus, meeting his eyes.

"I'll take the ruler," Hermione said, surprising the other three boys. "I don't want my parents to know about this, sir."

Severus nodded, then looked at Ron, who looked at his slippers and said, "I-I'll take the r-ruler, too, sir."

Severus nodded again.

"Very well," he said, "Harry, escort Miss Granger to your room, then you report to my bedroom. Draco, you go to my study. Mr. Weasley, you stay here."

Everyone shuffled to their feet and did as Severus instructed. Harry led Hermione to his bedroom, watching as she hid the egg under Harry's bed, keeping her cloak wrapped warmly around it.

"I hope it'll be warm enough," Hermione said.

"Beats being in that cold, damp chamber," Harry remarked. "That was brave of you to take a smacking from my dad rather than going home. Why?"

"If my parents hear about what happened tonight, I can kiss Hogwarts goodbye. Besides, you've survived your dad for years. It can't be that bad. And when it's done, it'll be all behind us."

Harry's face turned red, but he nodded in agreement. A hand fell on his shoulder and he looked up at his father.

"My room, now," Severus said, giving him a push in the right direction.

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

Harry walked towards his father's room, pausing when the door to his bedroom shut. He stared at the wooden structure, focusing his ears to hear what was going on. But when he was met with silence, Harry figured his father put up silencing spells around the room. That was nice of him. Harry felt bad for his friends, and very embarrassed that it was his father dealing out the punishment. He sulked into his father's room, closing the door behind him, avoiding Ron's looks.

How could his father agree to something like this? What if this ruined his relationship with Ron or Hermione? They were going to hate him now after Severus was through with him.

Harry fell into his father's bed, placing his face into a pillow. They just had to follow that stupid tooth. Speaking of that, Harry wondered where Sam had gone off to. Sam probably didn't want to see Harry. The fox had every right to hate him now. He had lied to Sam and used the necklace even after Sam had told him never to touch it. And he had put his friends in danger. Harry wondered if Sam would ever talk to him again? Or if he would even stay around anymore.

Fighting back tears, Harry looked at the time. Only five minutes had passed.

Sighing, Harry closed his eyes and rested his head on the pillow. He wondered when his father would deal with him. Exhaustion quickly overtook him. It had been a long night after all. He would just close his eyes for a second . . .

"Harry," a voice above him said as a hand shook his shoulder.

Harry blinked his eyes open, seeing the time first. Forty-five minutes had passed. Harry yawned and blinked blearily up at his father.

"I hate to do this," Severus said, "but we need to get your punishment done with."

"Now?" Harry asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, now. I certainly don't feel like starting my day smacking your backside. Come on, let's get this over with."

"I'm too tired."

"I'm sure. Fighting a basilisk is no walk through the park."

"I'm sorry about that. We had no idea there was going to be a basilisk. And I didn't steal Sam's tooth."

"No, you didn't," Severus agreed. "But you didn't return it to him either."

"I'm really sorry," Harry said as he was pulled to his feet, his father sitting down on the bed.

"We'll talk when you're more awake," Severus said, tipping his son over his knees.

Harry wondered when he would be more awake to talk, as he felt his eyes closing even over his father's knees. He barely registered his dad pulling his shorts down before a hand struck his bare bottom. His eyes widened, and he gasped. He was awake now.

Another smack, and Harry winced. More hard smacks followed and by the time his father had dealt twelve, he was crying out and mumbling apologies. Severus paused and rubbed Harry's back. As Harry sniffed and slowly pulled himself together, Severus said, "you will get four with the ruler, young man."

Harry hiccoughed and tried not to start sobbing again. His bottom already hurt and now he had four more coming, but with the ruler. He wondered if his father had given everyone the same punishment but felt as though this seemed more personal than what a professor would do for a student. A painful sting erupted over his bottom, pulling him from his thoughts. His eyes immediately welled with tears and the second smack pushed all the tears out. He cried out with the last two, but then it was over. Severus pulled him to his feet, adjusted his clothing, then pulled him into a strong embrace. Harry sniffed into his shoulder.

"I'm really sorry, Dad," he said.

"You have no idea how much you scared me," Severus said, squeezing his son tightly. "All four of you. Any one of you could have died tonight, do you realize that?"

Harry nodded into his father's shoulder. Severus kissed Harry's temple, then continued rubbing soothing circles on his son's back.

"Everyone probably hates me now," Harry muttered, sneaking a hand back to rub his aching bottom.

"No one hates you," Severus told his son, stopping Harry's hand from rubbing away the punishment. "Everyone is concerned about you, as I'm sure you are about them. You all have good, caring hearts. And I'm proud that you did the right thing when Draco ended up hurt on your little escapade. I hope you realize that when something is off limits to you, it is so with good reasoning."

Harry nodded. "I'll never look at that tooth again."

"You've said that before," Severus gave his son a pointed look.

"This time I mean it," Harry said.

"We'll see," Severus smiled, tapping Harry's bottom for assurance. Harry whined, the slight tap hurt his stinging bottom. Severus smirked, then kissed Harry's forehead. "We can discuss the rest of your punishment in the morning. For now, you and I are both tired."

"What do you mean the rest of my punishment?" Harry frowned.

"Tomorrow," Severus insisted, lifting and depositing Harry on the large king-sized bed. Harry gave his father a weak glare as the man moved across the room and stripped out of his robe.

"I thought we weren't having detention or anything."

"You're not," Severus yawned, shoving Harry over as he settled in bed himself. He closed his eyes. "Sam would like to instill some discipline in you children himself. I'm allowing him."

"What do you mean? What is he going to do? He's not going to burn us all alive, is he?"

"I guess you'll just have to find out. Now go to sleep. It's been a long night for you."

"I can't. My bum hurts and my head is paranoid."

Severus snorted, offering a small smile. Harry waited for his father to say something, but when the man remained silent, he laid his head on Severus's shoulder, feeling exhaustion overwhelm him once more.

Latin: Gallus Vocatio – rooster call

Ibis – owl

Acquila – eagle

Olor – swan

I'm sure everyone is wondering about the punishments with the other three, and it will be implied in the next chapter, which is already written, but does not go in detail. If it's in the favor of the readers, I could write a one-shot about what occurred between Severus and the other three children. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!