(a/n): Thanx for the reviews ladies and gents.

Now I didn't quite know what to do with the Secret Protocol as I wrote it. The Diggorys are out of the story for quite a while now, at least a year of story time, and maybe 10 chapters They simply don't interact with Hogwarts as they have no one attending. But, thanks to Wonderbee's (who was the 1st reviewer of Chapt#13 Cheers!) speculation about how Amos will handle his trip down Harry's memory lane, I know how to work it. The arranged marriage clause that Amelia forced on Amos was as much about money as it was about who the girls might be married to. It would be against Potter interests to have one marry Draco, for example.

I never understood why in canon Dumbledore defends Snape against all comers. It's not logical. Compare it to the not dissimilar relationship in Star Wars. Obi-Wan reluctantly goes to kill Anakin, and tells Luke Vader is twisted and evil. But, talk about manipulative "...A certain point of view..." Extreme BS!

Columbia... Wow... Greetings back macabre-wolf.

Scandles and speculation about a flip-flopping Hermione, I wonder if a pair of you guys has somehow been reading ahead.

I came up with the idea of a Draco Potter in Not the Only Redhead and never really pursued it further. He was just a name in the family tree. Something to make Harry's eyes pop out. It's dissappointing to me that Harry doesn't learn more about his family in canon. Lily was good at Potions and Charms, James was a Quidditch star, that's pretty much it. But Amelia now has a vested interest in learning all she can and passing on the knowledge.

I'll have Harry give more on the Draco Potter Fund in a later chapter. Over nearly a millenium it's had time to have a checkered past. I wouldn't call Lucius stupid for tapping it for Draco as well. Just greedy and a victim of his own arrogance and hubris.

To those anxious for an immediate Snape and/or Dumbledore fall, all I can say is patience. For now, taking up the matter of the Basilisk.

14 – The Chamber of Secrets Revisited

There was a three sided Cold War going on at Howarts. It began the day Harry Potter exposed large scale embezzlement that had been committed by Lucius Malfoy. While the senior Malfoy was busy with arm-twisting his way out of a trial, the younger one would make subtle derogatory remarks. Nothing exactly punishable, or if it might have been he made sure it was without witnesses. Meanwhile, Potion Master Snape engaged in lower-keyed harassment. Instead of focusing on the hated brat, he spread his punishments thinner and wider. Susan Bones began losing points at a slightly greater rate, as did Hannah Abbott, just because of her friendship with the redhead. Little comment was made of increased detentions and point loss from Fred and George Weasley. Only one of Harry's friends was really immune, Ginny.

"I think that clinches it, young Harry." Said Fred. A group of Susan and his friends were lounging about in the large courtyard inside the castle. "If I might borrow your little self, Ginevra."

She fixed him with an ugly look and said "Watch yourself Frederica!" but nevertheless complied.

"Just close your eyes. Won't hurt a bit." Fred promised, teasingly "Now then … hold still… Oculus Verdunium!"

With that, her eyes were a match for Harry's.

"She does look a lot like your Mum that way." Susan commented. There was a faint ripple of uncomfortable laughter as no one was really sure how he might react.

But, Harry was a mostly good sport "The lot of you are gross." He complained, sourly "You know that, right? And, maybe if he was a bit older, he might've latched onto your Mum. Let's seeeeeee… Fred Snape. Percy Snape, hmmm that I believe. Ronald Snape-"

"EUUGGGGHHH!" Ginny cut him off "You got a mean streak in you Harry. Fred, if you don't mind?"

Complying with the request, Fred tapped his wand on his sister's eyes and cast "Finite Incantatum."

"Well, that's one thing you and Snape have in common." Susan said, and paused to let it sink in. They were all staring at her. When she thought the tension had peeked she added "Yep, Harry, a lot more alike than you think. Both of you fell for exceptionally smart and exceptionally beautiful redheads."

He looked past her and asked "Where? I mean Ron's alright and all but he's taken."

"RAT!" she exclaimed and threw herself at him. Harry caught her and they rolled around giggling and laughing. When they stopped, she came out on top. She declared "I win!" and kissed him. He found her waist and gripped it firmly.

Two senior witches had been seeking exactly this group. And they found them in exactly that position. The pair came around the tree and both coughed loudly "Ahh…hemm!"

"Hi Professor McGonagall" said Susan, sheepishly. She straightened her shirt a bit.

Harry, who despite the fact that he wasn't intimidated by most adults anymore, said quietly "And Madam Bones. Good afternoon." He plucked a blade of grass from Susan's hair and combed his fingers through his own.

"Something we can …" the twins asked "… do for you ladies?"

Amelia's eye twitched "Possibly stop your friend from mauling my niece?" she suggested.

"She was the one on top." Ron commented, and promptly grunted as Hermione elbowed him.

Professor McGonagall stopped the laughing almost as soon as it started. She said "Never mind that just now. Sorry to interrupt your …studying… Potter-"

"I'm well ahead of your plan, Professor." Harry defended "The last qu-"

McGonagall cut him off "Yes, for the record, you are doing quite well. Perhaps deserving of a little free time. But, you, Miss Weasley, Ronald, and Miss Granger have a business matter to discuss with Madam Bones and the Headmaster. If you please?"

"Any reason Sue can't come?" asked Harry as he pulled her to her feet.

The two witches looked at each other, shrugged and McGonagall said "There is a limit to the number of people that can fit in the Headmaster's office. So, I believe we will just include blood relatives. Apologies Mr. Thomas, Mr. Longbottom."

"What, this time, Nev?" asked Dean as they watched the large group depart.

Neville shrugged at his roommate "You'll find out before me, from Ginny."

"We don't exactly talk a lot, mate." Dean said with a smirk.

x x x x x

"A rather larger group than I anticipated, Minerva." Dumbledore said as they entered his office.

She answered "Seemed reasonable under the circumstances, Headmaster."

"Let us get started, then." Said the Headmaster "Amelia, I believe the floor is yours."

She nodded and said "Thank you, Albus. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the events of three years ago. Not so much the emotional impact. I mean no disrespect to you, Miss Weasley. I am certain it is something you will never forget. However, what was completely forgotten was the valuable basilisk. Its hide, organs, venom all of that is worth a fortune. Those of you here are the ones most involved in its slaying."

"Excuse me, Madam Bones." Said Hermione "But, surely it would have decayed to uselessness by now."

Dumbledore put in "Professor Snape is our resident Potion Master. He would best … ahh… Severus your timing is impeccable. Would you please give us the basics of the uses for a basilisk?"

"It is a most magical creature." The black-clad man explained, glaring the whole time at the mostly teen audience "Its hide is worth a fortune to armories for its resistance to spells. It is alleged to be more magically protective than dragon scales. Apothecaries, likewise, crave the hide for potion ingredients. Basilisk venom is rumored to have hundreds of uses, but none has been available for centuries. The same is said of the blood. The creature's organs have never been properly researched."

Dumbledore looked at Hermione and requested "If you would, Miss Granger, repeat the question you just asked."

"SO, our resident know-it-all does not know everything." Snape sneered after she did so.

Ron leapt to her defense, saying "Just answer the bleeden' question!"

"Mr. Weasley!" Professor McGonagall scolded.

The Potions Teacher gave a superior look and replied "A basilisk's inherent magic would have to dissipate for putrefaction to begin. This depends on the size. A small one might maintain freshness for a decade. For a fully grown specimen, not less than a century. Might I inquire as to the sudden interest?"

"Madam Regent Potter has just informed me that her charge has access to one." Dumbledore said.

It took a moment to process, but all the pieces fell into place and Snape exclaimed "The Chamber! Slytherin's Monster! It makes perfect sense now. Of course it would be a basilisk. Potter you will take me there at once!"

"Oh?" asked Harry, coldly "And what would you want, there, Snape?"

Amelia stepped in front of the advancing professor and asked "Do I have to remind you what happened the last time you tried something with me in the room?" Her wand was already half out of its holster. There wasn't a teenaged face in the room that wasn't split by an almost painful smile.

"Headmaster!" Snape turned his attention "It has been nearly three years! The fresher the better! Order Potter to take me there!"

Still in place, Amelia said sarcastically "I seem to remember someone saying ten or a hundred years just a moment ago."

"Silence woman!" Snape growled "Headmaster, I'm waiting."

Dumbledore addressed himself to the student "Harry, I must admit I never thought of harvesting the basilisk. So I do blame myself there. However, as Professor Snape indicated, the sooner we can harvest it, the better."

"And who, Albus, would benefit from that?" Amelia wanted to know.

Dumbledore could sense this wasn't going his way and said "Why, Amelia, of course the school would. And through that, all the students and our society at large."

"It is on Hogwarts property. That makes the carcass Hogwarts property." Said Snape.

Amelia gave him a stony look and continued "And, naturally, as Potion Master you would have first rights. However, I have a different take. As the monster's killer, Harry Potter and through him House Potter, has a superior claim. After a lengthy discussion and considering all the people affected, we have determined three payout levels. First, Harry or House Potter as he chooses one-quarter. Also, as the main victim, Miss Ginevra Weasley one-quarter. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger who, while they did not assist with the actual killing, did provide the only assistance to Harry. I propose one-fifth each. And, finally, Hogwarts is offered one-tenth to compensate for any disruption recovery of the carcass causes."

"Ridiculous!" exclaimed Snape "Nor do I feel the need to repeat my previous statement!"

Harry snorted and taunted him "Go ahead. Try to get in. I'll even tell you where. Third floor girls' lavatory."

"I am sure we can reach an equitable arrangement." Dumbledore offered. "But, Professor Snape has a valid point in saying the incident occurred on Hogwarts grounds."

Amelia's eyes hardened "And, according to Harry's tale, he and his friends received absolutely no help from school staff. And in fact were further endangered by that quack professor Lockhart. Perhaps ten percent is too generous. And as for Professor Snape, I add an additional condition. Hogwarts may have a portion of the creature itself only if you, Dumbledore, offer a Wizard's Oath that someone other than Snape have access. Otherwise the entire portion will be sold."

"How dare you!" Snape demanded through gritted teeth "It must be the brat!"

The discussion with his friends, less than an hour earlier ago, came into focus as a weapon "You liked my Mother?" he said rhetorically "Must've burned you up to see her with my Dad."

"Not another word, Potter!" Snape growled.

Harry smirked and retorted "Just one. Snivellus!"

"Enough!" Dumbledore commanded. His tone was such that everyone froze, even Amelia and she was used to giving orders. "Now, Regent Potter, surely you can see the benefit of the most gifted young Potion Master of our time examining basilisk parts."

Angry herself, now, Amelia countered "I know a number of other masters and can argue which one is best. And, regardless, I have seen plain evidence for your Potion Master's utter contempt for my charge. The feeling is entirely mutual. Severus Snape will never see one gram of basilisk as long as I have a say."

"Under those conditions, I could not possibly agree to less than half." Dumbledore said "For the benefit of Hogwarts, of course."

Amelia smiled, it wasn't one of amusement "I was not born yesterday, Headmaster Dumbledore. Tell me, whom would you propose I take from? The hero that killed the beast, perhaps? Or the poor little girl victimized by something you should have protected her from? The poor boy who only wanted to help his sister? Or the girl whose young mind figured out the puzzle?"

"Don't much care for that description?" Ginny grumbled. All three of her brothers patted her head. She slapped at them and snapped "CUT IT! ALL OF YOU!"

Amelia chuckled lightly and said, kindly "Forgive me, Miss Weasley. I was not describing you as you are now, obviously. But that would be a fair characterization of you at the time."

"I guess." Ginny muttered, somewhat mollified.

"But, my point still stands, Headmaster." Amelia continued.

Dumbledore wasn't above harsh tactics either "Then, Madam Regent, regrettably, I must say that I cannot at this time allow access to the school. Such would be entirely too disruptive to our educational routine."

"Mmm, I see." Said Amelia "Well, if that is your position. I shall just have to inform all the Apothecaries and Potion Masters I already contacted of your intransigence. I had not thought of the hide's value for armor, for which I thank Professor Snape. I imagine all three groups would bring the matter before the Wizengamot. Houses Bones and Potter would of course support their complaint. Just not British ones, either. The Japanese are eager. As are the Americans, and the Germ-"

Dumbledore held up a hand "You have made your point, Amelia. I concede."

"Excellent!" she said brightly "Look on the bright side. You have brought vast sums of money to Hogwarts, at least. Easily enough to fix all those little things that never get done. Repaint the whole castle, perhaps. Imagine the towers gleaming in alabaster."

"Give Filch something else to do for a change." Ron commented.

The Headmaster bowed slightly in his chair and said "It is something to look forward to. Although we really should not get ahead of ourselves. Would it not be wise to actually SEE the body?"

"I believe that is an excellent idea."Amelia agreed "I should like to know exactly what Harry faced that night."

Ron shook his head "No thanks. Once was enough for me."

"S'alright, Ron." Said Harry "You were there when it mattered most." The two friends grinned at each other.

x x x x x

At Dumbledore's suggestion, the group made its way from his office to the long unused girl's lavatory. It had, in fact only had living people in it during Harry's Second Year in the last fifty years. He inquired "You know this place, Harry?"

"Oh Myrtle!" Harry called out.

Out of the third stall on the left side came a splash of water and a wailing. The ghost focused on all the people then took note of "Harry… what do you want?"

"Everyone, this is Myrtle Henderson." Said Harry "She was killed by the basilisk controlled by Tom Riddle in 1945. It was the same basilisk that the Diary used Ginny to control."

Myrtle howled then subsided into sobbing "Why…did you…hafta…remind me?"

"Sorry." He said softly. In response to which, the ghost flew down and cuddled herself against his shoulder. He patted the dusty, cold air that surrounded Myrtle's image and, uncomfortably, said "There, there."

Susan, who briefly felt jealous, grinned and teased "Harry, you didn't tell me you had another girlfriend. How long have you two been together?"

"Who're you!" demanded Myrtle. Her spectral image had a layer of pink about it and she was glaring at Susan.

Harry stammered and stuttered, much to the amusement of the rest of the party, except for Professor Snape. "Stop yammering, wasting time with this useless ghost." He demanded "Get on with it, Potter."

"You weren't invited, Snivellus." Harry sneered up at him, refusing to budge.

Dumbledore interjected "Harry, please stop wasting time. Show us the way into the Chamber."

"Not until he leaves." Harry said, stubbornly. "Besides, you couldn't get in, anyway. Unless you speak Parsletongue." When his instruction was complied with, Harry walked to the sink, touched the spigot and hissed "Open!"

The group heard a clank, then a grinding and the whole circle of sinks split apart exposing the entry. "Looks just like I remember." Said Ginny in a tiny voice.

"You don't have to go, Gin." Harry offered softly, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

She patted it and replied "Yeah, I do Harry. Yeah, I do. Walk with me?"

"You think you could die this time, Harry?" Myrtle asked, hopefully "I still have a u-bend for you."

He looked at her and said "Sorry, Myrtle, but the monster's already dead."

She squealed in dismay, howled around over their heads then dove head first into her toilet.

"We'll come with you, Gin." The twins offered in stereo. Hermione had followed along and insisted on coming.

Susan said "Well, you're not going anywhere holding hands with some girl if I'm not going." A grin and a wink lightened some of the harshness of her words.

"There is no need for that, dear." Amelia insisted.

To which, she argued back "You know how much I like history, Auntie. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Right, I'll go first." Offered Harry "It's like a giant sliding board, kinda fun actually. But the bottom is a …well… gross. Skeletons of things the basilisk ate. And old skin, lots of that."

The Headmaster cautioned "I really think an adult should go first, Harry."

"Stop second guessing me!" he snapped "I've already been there! Have you? NO! You can't tell me what to do! You're not my father!" In the middle of the last word Harry broke for the opening and jumped in.

x x x x x

Susan had been next down. She found herself landing in the quite welcome circle of Harry's arms. The room she saw was most unwelcome, gloomy and littered as it was with skeletons of every sort of small animal. She had little choice but to grit her teeth and bare it. Dumbledore was next, Ginny arrived between her twin brothers. And finally, Amelia and Hermione.

"This is twenty feet." Amelia noted as they passed a shed skin "It must weigh a ton, alone."

Harry nodded "Guess so. This is the spot where that idiot Lockhart tried to Obliviate us." He was a little distracted. Teenage hormones are difficult to control holding hands with two attractive members of the opposite sex.

"And you killed-"

"-something this big." The twins wanted to know.

Harry looked back and said "Oh, no, guys. This isn't even half."

"How did you kill it?" asked Susan.

He answered, matter of factly, not bragging "I was trapped on Slytherin's statue. We'll see it in a minute. The basilisk tried to get me and missed a couple times. Then, I got lucky. Its mouth was open and I had a sword. Instead of swinging, I stabbed straight up into its mouth and it went right through its brain." They were at the door to the Inner Chamber. Harry hissed at it, the snakes coiled up and it rolled open.

"Who would've imagined?" Amelia asked, in wonder "All of this beneath the school … for…centuries."

Dumbledore was fascinated by the experience "And, where, Harry, did you say the basilisk came from?"

"Err…" he was suddenly hesitant. He decided to keep that part to himself "Don't really remember. Riddle appeared out of the diary and called it."

Hermione gasped as she approached the statue, which was where the full body of the basilisk lay.

"Holy…"

"…Shit!" the twins exclaimed

The head was nearly as high as the people were tall. The horns above the eyes made it nearly as tall as Harry.

"Now, Harry" said Dumbledore in a grandfatherly tone "Surely you can see, with this much to go around, you can spare some for Professor Snape."

He rolled his eyes in response "Give me one good reason. What's in it for me?"

"Stop!" Amelia commanded "Irrelevant! As I said before, not so much as a gram! Not a drop of blood! Not a dram of venom! That is non-negotiable!"

Harry shrugged and approached Ginny, noticing she seemed distressed. He asked her "Hey? You alright?"

"You fought THAT… *sniffle*… Killed it… *sob* …For me?" she cried into his shoulder.

Harry knew not what to do. So he just put his arms around her and stood there for a few minutes. "You're my friend, Ginny. And, even then, you were Ron's sister. It was good enough."

"Not in the Wizarding World, Harry." She said "And not what I was taught. Weasleys honor our debts, black or white. You risked your life for mine."

He blushed and replied "Wasn't nothin. I'm sure you'd've done the same for me."

"That's not the point." She said, a little coldly. She withdrew and continued formally "This is long overdue. Harry James of House Potter, I, Ginevra Molly of House Weasley acknowledge my debt. I owe you my life, my very soul. I place my life at your command."

Her brothers gasped "Do you have any…"

"…idea what you done?"

Amelia whispered harshly "Harry! You must accept! It's dangerous not to! For her!"

"On behalf of House Potter, I accept. Honor is satisfied." He replied, as she'd instructed him for situations like this. "But, Ginny I don't want you to treat me any different. We're friends. I'll never ask you to do anything I wouldn't do myself."

She nodded and smiled "Wouldn't want you to get a big head, now would we?"

"Excuse me, but what just happened?" Hermione wanted to know "Did you just become his slave?"

Ginny rolled her eyes at her "You should know better than that, Granger. I swear, don't you have any faith in Harry? Go to your precious library! Look up life debt and…and … err Madam Bones?"

"The other two terms that most apply are 'vassal' and 'Familial Accountability' the elder witch supplied "I think I should also point out that you seem to always think the worst of our society. Muggle civilization still has its flaws. Dictators staying in power under the guise of democracy. Terrorists killing innocent people over superstitious differences. Bombs that can destroy cities and plagues that can wipe out countries. You could, someday, be a valuable force for change. But you seriously need to adjust your approach."

Hermione argued "But, Madam Bones, with all due respect, the way House Elves are treated. Then what just happened between Ginny and Harry?"

"You do not have the full story about either situation." Amelia answered.

Hermione asked "Then would you explain it to me?"

"No." Amelia said, bluntly "In the case of the former, knowledge is best if learned the hard way. As for the latter, it is really not your business."

Hermione was highly displeased but kept her face polite.

"Albus, what I propose is simple. Though it will take a bit of time." Said Amelia "I've made arrangements with various people interested in basilisk parts. They will all pledge they are not now, nor have they ever been, a Death Eater. And they will not sell to Death Eaters. Other than that, they can collect as much as they like. Their payment must be in cash, or a direct transfer handled by Gringotts. Prices range from 50 Galleons per ounce for the oldest, poorest quality hyde to 400 Galleons per ounce from the creature Harry slew. Blood is 100 Galleons per fluid ounce. Venom 250 Galleons. Organs are first come first serve priced on weight."

Harry looked around the length of the basilisk's sinewy body and asked "Madam Regent, you mentioned use of the hyde as armor. Can you hold back some of my share to make, I dunno, three or four sets?"

"I needed to do this." Ginny said suddenly, and uncomfortably "But, I think I'm finished. Can we get out of here?"

Harry nodded "Fred, George, why don't you help Ginny. Well, what about it, Judge? Does Hogwarts get a share? Or are you going to keep arguing for Snape?"

"I was hoping for a peaceful resolution between you and Professor Snape, Harry" said Dumbledore, emphasizing the title as an admonishment. "I point out I could shut down this entire enterprise as Headmaster, and forbid anyone to access the Castle."

Amelia cut in "Need we go through this exercise again, Headmaster? If you do so, it will not benefit the school at all. Harry will simply refuse to open the Chamber. I will take the matter up with the Wizengamot, the Governors of Hogwarts and the ICW. Or, to be very blunt, we can simply wait for you to die and discuss the matter with the next Headmaster, or Headmistress."

"Auntie!" exclaimed Susan, shocked by the last sentence.

Amelia ignored her and continued "What's it to be? We, and Hogwarts, get more now than we would at any time in the future."

"You realize, Harry, that things between the two of you will only get worse." Dumbledore pointed out "This is an opportunity-"

Harry shrugged "You think I actually care? He tried to kill me when I was a baby. I couldn't care less about that stupid hearing you had. I know the truth. He's abused me every day since I got here. You want us to be mates? Make him apologize to me. In front of the whole school."

"That, you should know, is not going to happen." Dumbledore said sternly "I will allow this to go forward as long as you pledge to treat him with proper respect."

Harry didn't budge from his earlier position "I pledge to treat him exactly as he does me."

"I shall have a word with Professor Snape on the matter." Said Dumbledore, promising little "Meanwhile, let us proceed with the basilisk. I have considered your proposal and find it acceptable. There are two minor points. Since Harry must be the one to open the Chamber, we must work around his class schedule. And, secondly, the movements of collectors must not disrupt movement of students between classes."

Amelia agreed to that "Reasonable, Albus. Given the mass involved it could take a week. Shall we depart?"

"I think I will stay a moment, to contemplate, reflect." Dumbledore said.

That, she objected to "Perhaps it would be better, Headmaster, if you did that AFTER we complete the transaction?"

"Of course, Amelia." Dumbledore replied "It is a little gloomy. I might brighten up the place afterward." He departed giving no indication that he was aware of the obvious implication that she did not trust him.

After taking them out of The Chamber, Harry held back only Madam Bones "There's something I forgot about until we were there. The basilisk … it wasn't just there when I got there. Riddle, he called it in Parsletongue and it came out of the statue. There's something behind that carving of Slytherin. A room that's at least big enough for that monster."