Hogwarts Year 3

Chapter 5

A few days later Ginny came up to Harry and asked a question that should have been asked sooner, "What ever happened to the Basilisk?" Harry felt bad, he had forgotten all about the Basilisk down in the chamber after all he had promised to find it somewhere to live. Harry told Ginny that he had forgotten all about it and needed to go check on it soon, before it got too hungry and started looking for food. That night Harry went to the chamber alone to check on the basilisk and let it know he had remembered his promise.

Harry saw no sign of the great snake and when he called to it he heard a very feeble rely come from within the great statue. The great snake was in very poor condition, it told Harry that it needed food but was too weak to hunt. Harry tried something he had not done before, he summoned a whole side of beef from some warehouse and placed it right at the snake's mouth. The beef disappeared quickly, the great snake said it really preferred pigs and arachnids but another piece of beef would be okay too.

After a second side of beef, Harry asked the snake where it had originated. The snake said it had been hatched right here in the chamber, but at one time the first master had let it out to hunt in the forest about once every new moon. Harry was pretty sure that it would take a little while for the meat to rebuild the snake's strength, but he asked how the snake got out to hunt. The snake told him where the exit was, and shortly Harry found the large stone door. The door was held shut by a bar and a spell, and the spell wasn't in Parseltounge so the snake couldn't open the door itself.

Harry was curious as to where the door came out but didn't want to chance letting the snake hunt until he was sure no person would be hurt. Harry returned to the chamber where the snake was and found it asleep with two bulges in its side, probably the sides of beef. After looking around this chamber Harry decided that this was the chamber that snake lived in and wondered if there was more to the whole Chamber of Secrets than he had seen. Harry went back out to the main chamber and closed the statue then called Dobby.

"Dobby is coming like Master Harry Potter asked."

"Dobby, can any of the elves just pop down here?"

"Oh no Harry Potter sir. Dobby can come because Harry Potter sir called him; other elfs can no find this place unless Harry Potter sir allows it."

"Dobby, if I asked would you bring other elves down here? Or better yet bring Hermione and the others down?"

"Dobby can bring only two people down at a once sir. But if Harry Potter sir called to Reggie he could bring two down with him also."

Harry thought for a minute then asked Dobby if it was possible for Dobby to bring live animals down here and then transport them to the other side of a wall so the basilisk could feed on them? Dobby told him he would have to see where the animals were going first, after that he could do it. Harry told Dobby to face away from the door and not to look until told to do so. Harry opened the chamber and made sure the snake was asleep then had Dobby look inside quickly. Once Dobby was satisfied Harry closed the chamber again after Dobby summoned several pigs inside the chamber.

Harry asked how many elves Dobby thought it take to keep the whole chamber clean, once cleaned initially, Dobby said two elves could keep it clean with lots of good hard work and since elfs loved hard work and it was for Harry Potter sir it would not be a problem. "Dobby, I need you to find four elves to work down here to clean and maintain this place. But, they don't have to stay down here all the time, they can come and go as they need. I don't want them to be in the dark all the time they would need to get outside and get fresh air and visit with their friends.", Harry explained. Dobby said he would see about finding some elves.

Harry and Dobby then went back to the Gryffindor quarters to talk with the others. Harry explained what his thought were, the chamber, once cleaned, would make a good place to work on spells and to practice with their elementals. But first he wanted their help exploring the place completely, except for the snake's chamber of course. It was decided that the five of them would do the exploring that coming weekend when they would have plenty of time so as not to be rushed too much.

The next day Harry was informed that Dumbledore was up to something, he was trying to regain control of the wards again, but of course wasn't having much luck; this came from Hogwarts herself, who seemed to find it amusing. Harry swore he could almost hear the old castle giggle when she told him about Dumbledore's antics. That night Fawkes reported that Dumbledore had gone to the Ministry to see Snape and had been denied access. But the most interesting thing was that Fawkes had overheard that LeStrange had been sighted close to Hogsmead and when her companion was captured he admitted that she was after Neville, "to finish what was started and get rid of the 'blood traitors' once and for all". Harry sent word to Sirius to ask that Augusta be warned of this and he would tell Neville himself.

Harry felt it was best to wait to tell Neville until the weekend, since was only two days away; Harry did not sense any immediate danger to Neville and there was some important classes to attend between now and then. It was Saturday afternoon when all five students met up in Gryffindor's quarters and Harry had flashed them all to the chamber saying this way nobody would have to slide down that nasty tube to get there. Harry warned them all that nobody was to enter the snake's chamber unless he said it was okay, he didn't want them hurt. Harry, Hermione, and Luna teamed up with Neville and Susan teaming up, each team would explore a different side of the main chamber. Harry told them that he didn't know what to expect and that it might be a good idea to keep wands ready.

The first thing that Neville and Susan found was a very large snake skin that had been shed. The skin was at least 20 feet long and appeared to have been there for some time. As they continued to explore they found an old abandoned potions lab, everything was covered by a thick layer of dust and the tables were rotted and falling apart. Then they found another door with lots of runes carved on it and a strong ward still in place. Neither Neville nor Susan wanted to try and breech that ward, who knew what was on the other side, so they continued on but came to the end of their hallway or passage.

In the other passage the trio found a bedroom that was even larger than the one in Salazar's quarters upstairs, the room was covered in a thick layer of dust. The next room they found was another office type room but this one had over thirty bookshelves in it, and each shelf was occupied by old books, scrolls, and parchments. Hermione's eyes got very large on seeing all those bookshelves. The next thing they found was a third door with a few simple wards on it. Harry was able to interpret the wards and bypass them, the door opened into an old passageway that had a small amount of ruble on the floor. They could feel a slight breeze coming from their left so that was the way they went.

The trio soon found that they were in another cave and there were giant spiders headed their way. The trio turned and ran back down the passage, back through the open door, and slammed it shut which in turn reactivated the wards. "I'm not sure where that set of caves comes out but it is full spiders. The basilisk would have a few real good meals out there" Harry said as he caught his breath.

When all five of them met back in the main chamber they compared notes and Harry decided to take a look at the warded door that Neville had found. While Hermione, Susan, and Neville went back to the library to check out the books, Luna said she would go with Harry. It took Harry a few minutes to interpret the runes and figure out how to bypass the wards on the door. Once open Harry found that this was a room for rituals, that was why the door was warded so well – to keep the magic inside. Harry knew that in today's thoughts rituals were considered dark but in Salazar's time that wasn't true. Yes, some rituals were very dark, but some were for good; it depended on what ritual was used and how they were intended.

When Harry and Luna looked into the potions lab Harry saw that here were two other doors in the room; one turned out to be a storage room, the other was a room that contained several stones – ruin stones! This was a marvelous find if the stones were of good quality. Harry selected one he thought was the right size for his ward extension plans and carried it back out to the main chamber. Harry conjured a chair and table and sat down to examine the stone closely. The stone was of good quality, not great but good, and it seemed that it would be acceptable for the project.

When the others came back they found Harry and Luna sitting at the table, Harry working on the stone while Luna was reading several old parchments. So far Harry had managed to "paint" the runes onto the stone and was working on connecting them to each other and to make a connection for interfacing with the main stone for the wards of the castle. Harry explained that the most difficult part of this would be if the stone would take the connection runes on the side and bottom so it would draw power for the main stone. It was getting close to supper time so the five went back to the quarters and from there to supper.

After supper Hermione wanted to go back but Harry said they needed to get the place cleaned up some first so he called Dobby to see if he had had any luck finding some elves to work down in the chamber. Dobby appeared with four elves that Harry didn't recognize. These elves were introduced as the ones who had volunteered to work in the chamber. These elves were without homes as their "family" had been killed by Death Eaters several days before, that had to be some of LeStrange's work. Harry asked Dobby to take the elves to the chambers and let them get started on cleaning, but to stay out of the snake chamber; Dobby was to feed the snake while down there. "Also, I want Misty to see about making you four some uniforms to show that you belong to a 'family' and are cared for. They don't need to be anything special except to be functional and so you don't have to wear tea towels or rags. They should have the Slytherin crest on them though. Remember I insist everything doesn't have to be done today, take your time and don't work too hard. If possible try and get the library done first, Dobby it might be a good idea to have Reggie look over the library to make sure there isn't anything there that might hurt someone.", Harry informed the elves.

Harry told the others that he needed to learn how to make reusable portkeys so that they could get in and out without having to use the entrance in the bathroom. Either that or get the rest of the elves used to taking them to the chambers. That reminded Harry that Susan needed an elf to help her as Reggie, Misty,and Daisy did for the others. Of course any of them could always call on Dobby, but if Susan wasn't dressed it might not be appropriate.

The next morning Harry and the others went to make their usual visit to Hagrid. While there Harry asked Hagrid where basilisks were found or where they could live in relative comfort. Hagrid said that basilisk weren't found too often as wizards tended to kill them as soon as one was located, but a tropical or sub-tropical environment would be best. When Hagrid asked why Harry was interested in basilisks, Harry said he had found a little information on them and it didn't say much about where they lived or were found.

After leaving Hagrid's Harry changed and took the rest to the chambers. Once inside they found the four new elves happily cleaning, but as soon as they saw Harry and the rest they all stopped and bowed. Harry explained to the new elfs that as far as the group was concerned the four elves were friends and friends didn't bow to each other. The elves were floored to hear a wizard call them friends. It was Luna who took control of the situation and called Misty to explain to the four how things worked, and to get her started on making them uniforms.

While Misty was explaining things, Harry asked Neville to come with him as the two of them needed to do something that might be a little dangerous for the girls, beside he needed Neville's elemental. Once the two boys were alone Harry told Neville about what he had heard about LeStrange and her plans to get rid of the Longbottoms. Neville was concerned about his grandmother but Harry told him that Sirius was taking care of that, besides all they had to do was place the "No Death Eater Allowed" wards at Longbottom Manor and she would be safe. That was when Neville explained what LeStrange had done to his parents, driven them insane with torturing them.

Harry took Neville to the door that lead out of the chambers that he, had discovered the previous day and asked Neville to call Rocky. Harry asked Rocky to put up a wall between them and the spiders so he and Neville could explore the other way safely. The wall was soon up but Rocky left a small opening at the top so air could get in. Harry conjured a torch and the two boys started down the passage. The passage ended at a stone door, a wide door that Harry thought he recognized as the door to the snake chamber. Harry told Neville what he thought was on the other side of the door and Neville said he was going back inside to let Harry "play" with the snake. Harry not wanting to startle the snake both boys returned to the entrance and had Rocky remove the wall once they were inside.

Rocky was asked to accompany Harry and to help Harry any way he could. Harry and Rocky entered the snake chamber and Harry asked the snake if it would like to hunt spiders. The snake replied that it would really enjoy that, Harry requested that is not to go out into the forest but to clear out some of the spiders. Harry asked Rocky to see if it was safe to open the door first, it was. Harry opened the door and let the snake out to hunt and feed. It wasn't long before there was a loud noise coming from the passageway and Harry could hear the snake enjoying its meal. The snake soon came back and its belly was swollen. The snake then indicated that it was going to sleep for a while as it was full and content. The door was closed and sealed, but the bar was left off so it could be opened from outside if Harry needed.

Once back in the main chamber Harry thanked Rocky and told him that he could remain or return home, it was up to Rocky. Rocky said he would look for Neville and see if he wanted to play. Harry returned to the closet where the rune stones were placed and retrieved another one, just in case it was needed. After laying the new stone on the table he went to find the others, as he expected they were in the library. Harry told one of the elves that the ritual chamber wasn't to be cleaned with magic since that might be dangerous. When the elf heard that there was a ritual chamber he said he knew how to clean one of those and would be sure and inform the others. The kids were so involved with exploring the library that it surprised them when Dobby showed up with lunch and then supper.

Harry returned to the chamber each night to continue to work on the new ward stones while the others continued to go through all the libraries in the quarters. It was during history that Harry asked Lucy if she knew of an island that would be safe for the basilisk to live. Lucy said she didn't know of one but would search out some place that a basilisk could be moved to and not cause problems.

It was Friday night and the stones were finished. Now all he had to do was test them, but in order to do that he had to take over control of the wards and that meant that one of the girls would have to be the one to place the stone while he and the other heir maintained the wards. Luna said she would place the stone if Harry and Susan could maintain the wards. That is if Harry would show her how and where to place the stone. The three heirs went down into the warding chamber and Luna was shown exactly where to place the stone and how it had to be placed so it would connect correctly.

Harry had to lie on the floor so his hands were touching the Gryffindor pedestal and his bare foot was touching the Slytherin pedestal while Susan touched the Hufflepuff pedestal in order to overtake the wards. Luna was told to try and be as quick as she could but not to rush too much and make a mistake in placing the stone. The stone was placed, the runes lit up and Harry and Susan could feel the difference. The new addition to the wards was in place, now if they only had someway to test it.

The rest of the weekend was spent in the chamber where Hermione and Luna found many old spells that had been made by Salazar Slytherin. They also found several potions that weren't listed in the potion manuals they had gotten from the bookstores. Several of the potions were transcribed and would be given to Ms. DuPrie to evaluate since she was a certified Potion Mistress, that could be interesting and dangerous if she questioned where they originated. That turned out to be not a problem as she was more interested in seeing how they worked than where they came from.

Sunday night all five students were confronted by someone about where they had been hiding all day; Harry was confronted by Ron, Neville by Seamus Hermione by Ginny, Luna and Susan by their roommates. All of them answered basically the same way, "just out on the grounds or in the library". Susan did say that she had been spending time with her boyfriend away from all the rest of the crowd, "some private time if you know what I mean".

A/N: Alright now we had the next chapter. I wonder who Susan was talking about, could it have been Neville? Next up is the Christmas break and the placing of new wards at Longbottom, Potter, and Bones Manors.

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