Chapter 5
Draco yawned as he pulled himself up assisted by an over-excited Dragomir.
"What the Hell is it?"
"What do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Not an awful lot, why?" Draco grouched. His eyes were drifting closed bit by bit.
"Hey!"
He jumped up, alarmed and threw a pillow at Koli.
"It's been opened!"
"What has?" he asked confused.
"The Chamber of Secrets!"
"Oh. Oh!" The grey eyes grew wide. "By who?"
"The 'Heir of Slytherin', naturally. The whole school's in an uproar!" Koli grinned smugly.
"And it had to kick off while I was asleep", Draco groaned. He went to splash his face with water to wake himself up and changed into his dark robes.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Er, to the owlery".
"You can't go writing to your father about this! You'll become the suspect! It's best to keep your head down."
"But … "
"No buts Draco. You'll never guess what actually got attacked by the supposed monster!"
"What?"
"Guess!"
Draco scratched his head for a short while.
"Longbottom? I dunno Dragomir, just tell me".
Koli grinned and said in a conspiring tone.
"Mrs Norris".
"Never! Old Filch must have had a heart attack!"
"No, he tried to kill me instead!"
"You? Why you?"
"I was the first one there, at the scene. Someone's scrawled 'The Chamber of Secrets has been reopened. Enemies of the Heir beware' up near that girl's toilets on the second floor".
"No way".
"And they wrote it in blood, although it's rather less impressive when you realise it's just chicken's blood."
"How would you know what it came from?"
"Er, I guessed. I heard the gamekeeper moaning about something killing off his chickens last week and I guess I put two and two together." Koli said hastily wanting to kick himself.
"So what happens next?"
"We find out more! I'm going to find the chamber!"
"Are you crazy?"
"Yep, plum crazy! You in?"
"Well, I can't let you go running off on your own! You clearly have no common sense and I will have to look out for you."
"Fat chance! It's me that's stopped you getting pink hair, twice, and you were going to be trip jinxed last week. Peeves was going to throw a bucket of ice on you a fortnight ago and just this morning Weasley tried to give you some rather nice warts. Who was it who got you out of those hmm?"
"Weasley tried to give me warts? I'll kill him!"
The next morning Draco and Koli hurried to the Library to begin their research into the Chamber of Secrets. There was only one other student in there and it was the girl from Defence that had helped Koli capture the pixies.
Draco nudged Koli, "Bet Granger's researching the chamber too. Mudbloods'll go first, better to be prepared".
"Draco!" Koli hissed, "Shut up!"
"I'm quite used to it by now. Go say it to someone who cares Malfoy"
"I thought you told me purebloods had manners". Koli demanded of Draco who reddened and then snapped his head up.
"You're not a pureblood?" asked the girl hesitantly. Her expression mirrored Draco's.
Koli sat down beside the girl and glared at Draco until he sat opposite.
"No, Miss Granger, I am not, and shut your mouth Draco."
"I thought all Slytherins were Purebloods" she whispered.
"Not at all. Snape himself is half-blood. There are three Slytherins at Hogwarts now that are not pure-blooded. One is a muggleborn. It is not common knowledge. Even Draco doesn't know who they are". Koli laughed at the blonde's expression.
"Are you researching the Chamber?" Koli inquired.
"Yes. I want to know as much as I can about it".
"Would you mind if we joined you?" Koli asked ignoring Draco's glare.
"Of course not, and you might spot something I've missed".
"Brilliant!" Koli smiled at her.
Draco stood up. "I'm going to go search for more books; you look through those."
He moved off to examine the shelves.
After several minutes a few Gryffindors entered the library and made straight for the Magical Sports area. They squealed as they found something of interest and Hermione grimaced in disdain at the sound. The students walked around and were heading to the desk to check the book out when they noticed Hermione, and then they noticed Dragomir.
One boy ushered the others on and walked over.
"So you've gone and got yourself a snake boyfriend, mudblood. Sounds about right. No one wants you in Gryffindor!"
"If that were true you would have just offended me and it is unwise to do so, even theoretically. If you do not want to end up back ion the hospital wing I suggest you get lost Weasley." Koli remarked dryly.
"You think you can take me. I'm pureblood Weasley. My brother trains dragons and you think you can take me!"
"You are not your brother. You are little Ronald Weasley, who has no merits of his own and has to rely on the names and merits of his family to make himself look good. I don't give a damn if you're pureblood. It's whether you're a good guy that matters and sadly you're not worth my attention. Now we were studying".
"It's kinda sweet sticking up for girlfriend like that Snake but insulting me will not get you far!"
"And do tell me what you will try and do to me".
"I'll challenge you to a duel!"
"You can't even disarm Longbottom! What harm will you do me?"
The argument was disrupted as Draco turned the corner.
"Oi, Weasley!" he hissed. "How DARE you try and give me warts?"
The boy turned a shade of purple and he gestured for his friends to come back over.
"Afraid now Redhead? Such a shame I was hoping to have a good go at you but I suppose I must wait since Pince is heading over."
Madam Pince was indeed heading over to berate the students on being unruly in the library. Koli simply stated before she even asked:
"These boys are disrupting our studies Madam Pince; they are insulting mine and Draco's friend's heritage and upsetting her."
"OUT! She shouted at the Gryffindors and summoned her favourite book that snapped at them and chased them from the room.
"I trust that you will remain quiet; this is a library!" she warned the remaining students.
"Of course Madam Pince" the three replied hiding their smirks.
Everyday that week the three were found sitting in the Library with a huge stack of books, rolls and rolls of parchment and frustrated expressions. Madam Pince decided she rather liked the strange trio; it was unusual for Gryffindor and Slytherin to mix but it appeared these three suited each other fine. They were quiet, studious and obviously determined to understand something. Draco had stopped making comments in bad taste and started to realise how intelligent the girl actually was. He found talking to her infinitely preferable to the goons in Slytherin besides himself and Dragomir that is.
It was at the end of that grim week that Severus Snape decided to speak with Dragomir again. The school had been awash with tension, fear and distrust. His Slytherins had had a tough week, as had he. The rest of the school was already claiming to know who the 'Heir' was and were conjuring tales that showed his house in its worst light. It was hard enough for the Slytherin house without this adding to it.
Koli was sat in the Great Hall fumbling with his fork as he forced himself to eat the slush provided. He considered transfiguring it into something more edible but decided it wouldn't go unnoticed and instead swallowed it without chewing and just got it down him. His eating habits had not gone unnoticed by the Slytherins or the Head of House but after the initial laughs at his expense they had simply forgotten about it. Koli still summoned the blood to help him manage the feat.
A large bird soared into the hall and circled the room twice before swooping down to sit on Koli's head. The boy jumped a mile and ended up lying flat on his back staring as the bird landed smoothly on his chest and peered down at him.
The boy gingerly held out his hand and moved it slowly closer to the bird. He wondered what type it was. It wasn't anything he had seen before. He gently tugged the letter away from its claws and prayed that the bird wouldn't suddenly attack him. It really was huge! The letter fell from its grip and Koli opened the letter.
"Dearest Koli,
I couldn't resist. The bird's name is Silviu. He will not leave you willingly until you swear to keep him. He is yours my son.
And now to business:
I send word from your father who is unable to reply personally to your letter at the moment. And why aren't you writing to me? I'm deeply offended.
Your father is indeed residing in the same place as the last time you met. He has risen higher and there is some discord, not because of him, but because of the little snakes. There is rumour that the Chamber of Secrets has been reopened. This worried the Snake for it suggests forbidden actions have been instigated and so there is a fool amongst his men. Be careful. He might already be there by the time I write this letter.
And your father has dealt with the blonde situation as best he can. The man is grateful to you for aiding the younger of the two.
Your father is glad you have found a home. Personally I could see you in no other house. Out of the Lions, Eagles, Badgers and Snakes it really was no contest.
It took your father a week to work out who you meant by the prince and was rather frustrated by the time he asked me for help. I have noticed the man myself in times past but his honour was not proven. I decided to delay my approach to see where his loyalties took him. By all means make my life easier and talk to him yourself. The decision for entry will rest in your hands for his trust will fall to you.
Please enlighten him to your situation and heritage but please ensure his character is worthy before you give to him a new beginning.
Your father is well, and I am too – Thanks for asking??? – and is worried about you but knows you can take care of yourself. He suggests that you meet for that then and is determined to see me dragged into it too. He doesn't seem to really grasp the fact that I can out-drink him any day is a fool to attempt to best me.
Arnost
Ps: I know this letter probably arrived mid-meal and caused a lot of attention so it's a letter detailing a bank account that you need to update to other eyes. Good Luck. See you soon."
Koli grinned and petted the bird with new courage.
"Silviu. You want to stay me huh?"
The bird bowed its head to rest on Harry's chin.
"I'll take that as a yes. I so swear to keep you as my own and to allow the bond of a familiar if you so wish it"
There was a dim light that seemed to join the boy and bird but it vanished as quickly as it had come and the bird took off, seemingly heading to the owlery.
Severus Snape has watched the expressions on the boy's face as he had read that letter. He had been surprised, amused, worried, amused again and then a strange determined look filled his gaze. The boy smiled and tucked the letter away and petted the bird. He strode over and whispered that he wanted to see him after the classes that day in his office. Dragomir laughed, "Wonderful! I'll be there as soon as I can" and went back to his drink which Snape snuck a quick glance at. It looked slightly pinker than usual but perhaps it was just the light.
A/N: Come on, please review!