I Don't Want to be a Hero - Second Year

Chapter Nineteen

The Chamber of Secrets - Part II

Monday 26 Oct 1992

After entering the statue of Salazar Slytherin through the mouth a small bridge arched gracefully over the joining of the two streams. From either side there was a slide down into the water that acted as a path for the basilisk to descend to a lower part of the Chamber of Secrets where Hephaestus made his home.

Once over the small bridge Regulus opened a heavy inner door of stained and iron-ribbed oak, and ushered his unexpected guests into a large room that took their collective breaths away.

Emerald green was the dominant colour but there were shades of blue, cream, and silver as accents. The furniture was all carved, heavy oak stained a dark cherry and upholstered in a rich forested tapestry of greens. All around them was an impressive array of books, and scrolls. Where there were not books the walls had been panelled in warm, dark honey oak wainscotting, and a sophisticated wallpaper in subtle stripes of shaded blue. A large Enchanted Window looked out over the peaceful Forbidden Forest, and Hagrid's hut.

In one corner a large desk of the same cherry-stained, carved oak sat. Its feet were impressive serpents or perhaps basilisks to support its weight. Upon its surface was a clutter of parchment, inks, and quills. A scroll was unrolled beside a few other scrolls that were still rolled up. Near the desk was an open, inner door that led to a sumptuous corridor that led to other rooms including Regulus' own bedroom.

A fire burned in a large, ornate fireplace, and warmed the room. Nearby two house elves were laying out an elaborate tea. Regulus walked over, and thanked them. The house elves walked into the inner corridor, and away.

"The house elves knew about you?" demanded Severus with a wounded edge to his voice.

"The house elves found me, and brought me here," corrected Regulus. "Come. Sit down." The wizard proceeded to serve all of them tea without using any magic. He then seated himself upon a large chair that had conformed to his body many times.

Severus held his teacup but he did not drink of the steaming liquid. "The Dark Lord made no secret of his displeasure with you, Regulus. What happened?"

"I shall explain but let's go a bit further back," he said softly. Regulus then glanced at Harry. "What I reveal may distress you, Harry. If you wish to hex me please wait until my story is finished."

"In the summer of 1980 I was in Hogsmeade contemplating my mistakes. The Dark Lord had already shown his displeasure with me once before, as you recall," he glanced between the two wizards.

Lucius replied, "Peter Pettigrew, the vile sycophant, claimed you had some influence over your brother Sirius, and you refused the Dark Lord when he directed you to bring him into our fold."

"That bastard was always bowing and scraping to Voldy," muttered Severus darkly.

"Voldy?" asked Regulus with a smile upon his lips.

Hermione piped up, "That's what we called him when Harry's father still had the Dark Mark."

Draco added, "Dumbledore always spoke his name in front of Uncle Severus and it hurt him."

"Deliberately," glowered Harry.

Regulus' lips thinned, "I never cared for that meddlesome, old man."

"That he is," warned Severus. "However, it was Dumbledore that made it possible for me to leave Voldy…"

Lucius snorted derisively, "And then made you go back as a spy!"

Severus glared. "Dumbledore gave me a portkey to New Zealand, Lucius. I could have left but I chose to fight. And, do not forget, that Albus wrote a strong letter to the Wizengamot vouching for my "good character" so no one would question my adoption of Harry." He faced Regulus who had been watching the exchange in curiosity. "Albus is a flawed wizard, Regulus, and he has not often acted in the best interests of those around him. Even so, I do have a grudging affection for the man."

"You are still soft, brother!" laughed Regulus. Severus' face was stormy in the presence of Regulus' laughter. He sipped his tea; aggressively.

"Were you beaten?" prompted Harry. He wanted to hear more of the story.

Regulus nodded, "In a sense, Harry, but not with fists. Hexes and curses. I learned that day never to openly refuse… Voldy." Harry smiled lightly, and the older wizard smiled back.

"What were you hoping to find in Hogsmeade, Regulus?" asked Lucius.

"Redemption? Escape? A pardon?" the younger wizard shook his head and took a fortifying sip of his tea. "I can't really say, Lucius. I was still limping from Voldy's punishment, and I finally realised what a mad man he had become. I also realised that I had become as sycophantic as that bloody Peter Pettigrew in a desire to be what my parents wanted me to be." He finished his tea. "I saw you, then, Severus. I wanted to talk to you but you disappeared into the Hogshead Inn before I had a chance to speak to you outside. Still, I followed you in and saw you meeting with that old man." His blue eyes lightly sparkled in admiration. "You were a clever wizard in talking Voldy into allowing you to spy on Dumbledore and his Order as you did."

"Yet I am still in that bloody school," muttered Severus, "teaching to dunderheads."

Regulus laughed, and Lucius smiled. Harry interjected, "But you said we'd retire, dad!"

"I did, Harry, but rightfully the basilisk skin no longer is mine to take. It belongs to Regulus."

"Oh take it, Severus," Regulus waved a hand negligently. "Hephaestus sheds about every ten years so I collected his last skin." He pointed to a cabinet between two bookcases. "The silver ashes filled 237 bottles and I've sold one a year since being down here."

Severus' eyes glittered avariciously at the small, unassuming cabinet that held a fortune behind its doors. "How did you come to be here."

"Back to the Hogshead…" he said hesitantly. "I, like a few others in the common room, heard Trelawney as she screeched right before she began to speak her vision. I went closer to the door to listen and would have heard the entire prophecy but Aberforth caught me, and threw right out of his pub." He shrugged. "Still, I had heard enough and I was sure that if I told Voldy he would reward me by allowing me to leave."

Severus scowled his eyes dimming at Regulus remembered imprudence, "You revealed the prophecy at a meeting, Regulus, and you demanded to be released from Voldy's Dark Mark. Again, should you not have been Sorted into Gryffindor with that sort of reckless bravado?"

Regulus scowled, "Bite your tongue, Severus. I am Slytherin to the day I die."

Lucius' eyebrows rose, "Death which we were certain you had met when both your cousin, and Voldy began hurling the Cruciatus Curse at you." His silvery gaze narrowed. "So, why are you not Beyond the Veil?"

"I should have been, Lucius," Regulus agreed. "I cannot say how many broken bones I suffered not to mention the nerve pain. I was left to die when Avery and Mulciber dumped me near the Thestral grounds in the Forbidden Forest. Neither seemed to care that Grubblyplank's two house elves were tending the Thestrals and as soon as those two wizards left, the house elves came to me."

"The house elves brought you back to health?" asked Severus.

Regulus smiled smugly, "And you, Severus. The house elves lifted a few dozen potions from your private lab. Madame Pomfrey also has two assistant house elves that are extremely capable with Healing magic."

"You stole from me?" Severus gasped incredulously.

"The house elves did, brother," countered Regulus. "After I found Hephaestus I kept taking a few."

"What was wrong with the basilisk?" asked Draco.

"That cavern with the bronze door," mentioned Regulus. "That's where Salazar kept him. I don't believe the wizard ever expected Hephaestus to grow as big as he did and the cavern turned into a prison for him. He was suffering malnutrition which caused patches of fungus to form on his scales. His diet was virtually voles, and rats… pests of the dungeons. I let Hephaestus free with the admonition that he was to avoid the residents of the castle. After going through Salazar's journals to find the protective spells, I modified them slightly, and so the protection is permanent."

A snuffling behind them all alerted them to an unexpected visitor; Hephaestus. The basilisk was still quite large (from its crest to where it rose up it 'stood' as tall as any man) but it had shrunk to a more graceful beast that slithered around the furniture, and books, until it reached Regulus, and lay its head on his knee.

Regulus stroked the head with obvious fondness, and then he dug into his trouser pocket to produce a handful of berries. With a forked tongue Hephaestus delicately licked the berries from the wizard's flat palm.

"He's smaller," marvelled Harry.

"Some sort of shrinking spell that is part of the wards around the chamber here," replied Regulus. The basilisk hissed and Regulus returned the sounds as he glanced at each person in the room, and pointed.

"What are you two saying?" asked Lucius.

Harry spoke in answer, "Our names. Regulus introduced us to Hephaestus."

"You may call me Reggie, Harry," smiled Regulus. "Hephaestus also asked me if any of you have fruit," he chuckled as he scratched the beast's snout. "I have learned that basilisks are rarely meat eaters, and Hephaestus is quite fond of fruit. Pomegranate is his favourite."

"Let's Summon some," said Draco eager to now play with the basilisk. He lifted his wand, and was about to do so but Hermione caught him by the forearm.

"No magic," the witch cautioned. "Reggie told me that there is a ward that will knock you senseless if you use any magic."

"None?" questioned Lucius. "How barbaric!"

Regulus laughed. Hephaestus hissed at him for a long moment, and then Regulus spoke in Parseltongue to the basilisk, and he tugged lightly at the tuft of fur that demarcated the curling horns that at first appeared to be ears. Regulus translated roughly, "Hephaestus thinks that a wizard's dependence on magic for everything is quaint."

"Reggie," Harry asked hesitantly, "can I speak to Hephaestus?"

"Of course, Harry," nodded the wizard.

Harry moved closer to the basilisk who watched him with his beautiful eyes of fire. Harry then sat down on the floor in front of the basilisk.

Severus leaned forward, "Harry, be careful of the fangs. Those are still deadly."

Harry nodded, then began to speak to the basilisk, "Hi. I have lots of questions to ask you but I cannot think of any of them."

"That is fine, Harry-egg. I am pleased to know another who speaks my language. Do you have fruit?" Hephaestus forked tongue darted out in hopes of detecting the sweet.

"I do not but maybe Reggie-egg can get some. Reggie-egg told us you love pomegranates. I like oranges."

"A pomegranate has a sting that makes my scales shiver." The basilisk carefully lay its head in Harry's lap, and as he scratched at the crown the beast made that odd rumbling noise that Draco had identified as purring. "Hephaestus, did you mean to… kill Myrtle?"

"Never, Harry-egg. Master Salazar told me to always protect eggs in Hogwarts but then Rotten-egg comes to Hogwarts to find me. He speaks my tongue, and he knows old spells in my tongue, and I am helpless." The basilisk let out a ruffling breath to indicate its sorrow at what he had done.

"Harry?" prompted Severus gently as he reached out towards his son. "Are you all right?" He had watched Harry's features go from elated to sad, and the sorrow disturbed him.

"I am, dad," Harry nodded. "Rotten-egg… I mean Voldy… knew Parseltongue Spells and he only came to Hogwarts to find Hephaestus." He ran his finger-tips along the basilisk's nose in comfort. "Hephaestus is awfully sorry about Myrtle. Salazar brought him here to protect everyone in the castle."

Regulus leaned forward to lay his hand against the basilisk's side. "Rotten-Egg is the name we came up with for Voldy. The name Rotten-Egg chose to go by hurt Hephaestus' scales and my Dark Mark when it was said." He rose, walked over to his desk, and picked up a scroll. Handling it gingerly he brought it over to the group. Sitting back in his chair he unrolled the scroll.

"This is a fascinating document that Salazar transcribed from the original, which is lost to time. These are spells that Merlin created using Parseltongue," explained Regulus. "A notation makes reference to the original document having other spells in other animal tongues but Salazar could only transcribe the language he knew." He ran his finger down the tight script, and as his finger-tips touched the ink it glowed to highlight it. "Most of the spells are mundane, such as for lighting the torches, but the one I found most interesting is the spell for Dragon's Breath. Merlin called it the Spell of Ma-a-king, but Salazar wrote in his notes that the original name was more accurate in what it does." Regulus began to read the old words so all could hear…

"In the waters deep and dark is the dragon of the world, our the centre of all that IS. The spell of the Dragon's Breath awakens this great, old dragon and exhorts it to breathe into the air a 'fog of illusion'; a great magic that can hide armies, build bridges where there are none, and even bring death to the unsuspecting. A caution to wizards: to call the Dragon's Breath will destroy the one that awakens the dragon. To demand the Dragon's Breath is to relinquish one's soul to eternity within the dragon's own."

"Merlin is the only wizard who lived to call the Dragon's Breath twice," Regulus said in a whisper of awe as he rolled up the scroll.

Everyone was quiet, deep in thought. Hephaestus lifted his head, and nudged Severus' knee, pushing it aside. In doing so the basilisk uncovered a small stack of newspapers. Severus tilted his chin at the news of The Quibbler and the Daily Prophet.

"You have been keeping up with the news, I see. Why did you remain in hiding, Regulus?"

"My freedom is the mystery, Severus," Regulus replied seriously. "I am listed officially as missing, although several Death Eaters testified to my torture, and death, at the hands of our Dark Lord." He bit sharply into a frosted tart, swallowed the bite, then spoke, "I was pledged to Voldy the moment of my 13th year by my family. Never did I profess belief in his words, nor did I ever hurt or kill anyone Muggle or wizard. I don't want to bear a trial, and I certainly do not wish to spend the remainder of my days in Azkaban."

"We shall speak to Minerva and to Albus on your behalf," assured Lucius. "Both have considerable sway with the Minister and the Wizengamot."

"I thank you, Lucius, but I insist that you must keep secret where I am," Regulus required adamantly.

"No one shall know, Regulus," insisted Severus.

Regulus breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," he smirked, "My Memory Spells are the worst."

Harry had been worrying at his teacup as he listened to Regulus' story. Finally he spoke slowly, as if he were taking steps in a field of landmines, "You… overheard the prophecy."

Regulus had been speaking with Lucius and Severus but he turned his attention to Harry. His heart sank as he knew the boy realised the murderer that he was. "I did," he said softly.

Harry lifted his head, his green eyes caught Regulus' blue eyes. "You told Voldy about the prophecy."

Regulus recited the words that forever branded his soul, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…"

Harry touched the lightning strike scar upon his forehead; the scar Lucius was adamant about being Sowelu, the rune of a mother's protection.

"Because of you… Voldy wanted to kill me but he killed my parents instead." Harry scowled darkly, and thunder roiled in the depths of his green eyes.

Severus moved swiftly so that he knelt on one knee in front of his son, his position breaking the boy's eye-line with Regulus. The wizard in black caught his son's hands in his. "Look at me, Harry." Harry was still trying to burn the lost wizard with his gaze so Severus reached up his hand, caught the boy's chin, and forced his gaze onto his own. "It is a horrible thing that Voldemort did to your parents but know this… Voldemort is the only one who decided the prophecy meant you. Regulus erred terribly in reciting those damning words to Voldemort. His soul will never be released from what he did."

Tears, tears of grief that Severus thought he would never see from his child for his true parents slipped silently over his cheeks. He took a handkerchief from his pocket, and dabbed gently at the tears. "Think of myself, Lucius, and then see Regulus. We were all young, scared boys. All of us learned we served a mad man who simply wanted an excuse to terrorise, to torture, and to kill us. Voldemort never valued any of us. He desired immortality. Your parents… your mum, your father… were powerful even in death. They destroyed Voldemort and he will never hurt anyone again."

Harry's tears now wet his collar but he still had not let out the sobs he held in his chest. His voice wavered as he spoke, "But, if he… if he hadn't a-told Voldy… I wouldn't have… Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon… Dudley and his gross friend Piers…"

"They are no longer in your life, my dearest son. Why is that?" prompted Severus gently.

"You. You're my dad, now. Mum and dad said you'd love me…" Harry sniffled, and Severus could see he was losing the battle with his grief.

"I do love you, Harry. With all of my heart and soul."

And Harry's tears finally burst forth. He threw his arms around his father's neck, and Severus caught him. As Harry sobbed grief he never expected into his father's neck he had no idea that Severus had collapsed onto his backside so he could better draw Harry tightly to him.

Harry wept for the parents he would never know whom he now understood sacrificed their lives for him so that he could live. Deep down in his soul he promised them, and he promised to his new father, that he would earn their love, and honour, and keep it like a treasure forever in his heart.

Regulus could not sit, and watch the boy's grief. He knelt down and placed a hand on Severus' shoulder, and the other on Harry's back.

"Dear Harry, I am sorry but such a sentiment is hardly sufficient to return your parents to you, and to erase the life you had before Severus adopted you. I shall hold my sorrow burned upon my soul for what I did to you," His head dropped, and his long hair brushed his knees.

Harry lifted his head, and looked to his father, and then studied the wizard beside them. He could feel Regulus' sorrow like a never-ending heat. He did not have the right words but as he reached out his hand to the black hair, and ruffled it, Harry knew that sometimes words were insufficient.

After the indulgence of tea, pretty cakes, conversation with Regulus and even Hephaestus the children played with the Enchanted Window by requesting different views of Hogwarts and its grounds. Lucius and Severus examined the library of books, and scrolls within the sitting room.

"...and these all belonged to Salazar Slytherin?" asked Lucius in awe as he ran his fingertips over a set of scrolls that had been penned by Pliny the Elder.

"Everything that I found down here once belonged to Salazar," Regulus replied with some little pride. "This library is a marvelous collection that includes writings from Merlin, Morgan le Fay, and many more of the philosophers who had magic. He also had the journals of Nicolas Flamel; something no doubt Dumbledore wishes he had." Regulus glanced at a rather non-descript door oddly placed near the fireplace.

"No doubt," murmured Severus in agreement. He noted the direction of Regulus' gaze and wondered what discoveries might be beyond that door.

"Lucius, are you still a devotee of the runes?" asked Regulus with the hint of a smile.

"Very much so, Regulus. I still purchase every book of runes I can. What do you have?" asked the aristocrat who long held a fascination for the ancient magic.

Regulus led them over to a cabinet that was hermetically sealed to protect the contents within. Inside, upon three shelves were displayed the legendary copper tablets of Odin. Lucius felt his knees weaken at the sight.

"Impossible! The Tablets of Odin are a myth… these truly are?" Lucius gasped.

Regulus nodded as he unsealed the cabinet (a curious little padlock that required Regulus to run the tip of his index finger in a strange pattern) and pulled out one of the tablets and handed it to Lucius. "A Translation Spell will not work upon them, and my Old Norse is negligible at best. You can read them can't you, Lucius?"

Runes of the Elder Futhark were beaten into the copper in precise lines, and yes, Lucius could read the words that had been inscribed by the Wodan himself. Unable to stand any longer he dropped with grace to sit upon the floor in the Lotus position.

"You might like this, Severus," Regulus reached into the cabinet to pull forth a large tome that held separate pages that were scraps of parchment that had been rendered into drawings. "The Toxicological Works & Recipes of Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim."

Gingerly Severus accepted the book, and felt his knees weaken as he opened the book to a drawing of a thistle long since extinct. "Paracelsus… the first recognised Potions Master. Regulus, his work in toxicology was a foundation for our medical potions. The value of this collection… it is priceless!"

Severus wandered over to his chair and dropped into it as he began to read.

"Regulus," Harry had wandered away from the Enchanted Window. "Have you always been able to talk to snakes?"

"I have, Harry. Hephaestus has been my friend and companion for nearly twelve years. If I could not have spoken to him I'm certain I would have gone mad."

"So, you're a natural Parselmouth?" Regulus nodded. "I am, too. I could hear Hephaestus when he was looking for food."

"Every time the house elves have a new harvest of pomegranates he gets out of the Chamber," Regulus said simply. "Hephaestus gets a sweet fang for the 'Garnets of Spain' every once in awhile and for as large as he is it is difficult to keep him from wandering the castle." He led the young wizard over to a sofa, and they sat. "So, you are a Parselmouth as well?"

Harry glanced sadly down at his feet. "Yeah. I would never have told anyone but the entire school heard me when I spoke to a snake during Dueling Class. Everyone thought I was telling it to attack Justin."

"Hm, yes. I made a similar mistake when I was a student but I spoke Parseltongue in front of my brother Sirius. He had his friends hex me later as they called for me to be expelled since I spoke the 'language of evil'," Regulus spoke sympathetically.

Harry's lips thinned. "It really annoys me that everyone thinks anything associated with snakes is evil. My dad told me that Merlin could talk to snakes, and he wasn't evil." He smiled softly as he glanced over at the Basilisk that was now watching Hermione and Draco play with the Enchanted Window. "Hephaestus doesn't seem evil."

Regulus rose, walked over to a bookshelf, selected a book, and then brought it back over to Harry. The boy read the gold embossed title on the front cover, "Merlin & The Gift of Speaking With Animals."

Regulus re-seated himself beside Harry. "A children's tale but it teaches the legend of how Merlin received the gift, and several incidents in which he spoke to animals." He took the book back from Harry, and opened it. Harry leaned over to see that it was illustrated with smoothly flowing black and white artwork. Regulus began to read, and his voice drew the attentions of Draco and Hermione from the window. They each sat down on the floor to listen to the story. The shrunken basilisk followed them, and then leaned its chin on the arm of Regulus' chair.

"Myrddin was just a small boy of ten when he was given the gift of speaking to animals.

Myrddin liked to fish, and his favourite spot to fish was at Silver Lake; a remarkable lake in which magic would sometimes bless someone. Myrddin, who was already learning the many arcane arts hoped that with all the fishing he did he might be so blessed…"

a/n: Myrddin is the Welsh spelling of Merlin. There are conflicting sources that give a last name for the wizard but it appears the Myrddin ap Gwyn or Myrddin Emrys was likely. I chose to ease things and simply address him by the Welsh spelling of his first name, Myrddin.

Wales was also considered the ancestral home of Merlin, and thus, the center of the world. The dragon of Merlin mythology has been supposed as a real dragon, the new God, or a cave hidden far below the deepest cavern of the world. In one myth I read that Merlin's pet was the dragon (real) that supported all of Wales, and made the land richer than any surrounding it.

Chapter 20: I hope you enjoy the little tale that Regulus found that I created in honour of Merlin.