Chapter 7

The weekend went well after our talk. Monday came and I revived my schedule which included ancient runes. Professor Babbling was pleased with my score saying I did extremely well and would have been in the top ten on the test if I had been in class last year.

"Harrison," I heard called and looked to see Daphne coming over. "How does you schedule look?"

"Pretty full this year," I said "I also have some extra with Professor McGonagall for a while as well on Tuesday and Thursday. After dinner on all but those days work though,"

"How about Friday for now and with an occasional weekend day as well," she said looking at her own schedule.

"That can work and we can readjust as needed," I said "I have to get the Herbology this morning but will see you in runes,"

"Very well," she said leaving. I then headed to the green house. Professor Sprout started by collecting our homework and going over the what we would be doing this year. Then we had a question session on what we remembered from last year.

I got a break between Herbology and Magical Creatures. Hagrid did the same thing but said we would also be having a special project this year helping with a new breed of creature. They were only pupa right now and were ugly things. Then it was to lunch and runes.

Hermione of course sat next me before anyone else had the chance. Professor Babbling reviewed most of class. Hermione tired to explain everything Babbling did as if I was new to the subject. It did get to the point were she split us as Hermione was distracting not only us but other students. Daphne came and sat next to me after that.

Everything seemed great until Defense class the second day. It was the last class of the day but Moody was nothing like Remus. The room was cold and dark with the windows shut up. Strange artifacts were around the room and he glared at us all as we entered.

"Take your seat," he said in a gruff voice. Not wanting to mess with a man known as Mad-eye everyone filed their seats. "There will be no fooling around in this class. This class can be the difference between life and death. Now can anyone tell me what the Unforgivable curses are? Yes Miss ..."

"Granger," Hermione said "The Unforgivable curses are a series of three curses that are illegal to use on any human being."

"Any use of them on a human will get you sent to Azkaban," he said writing on the board ruffly. He walked over and grabbed a spider from its case. He then made it grow before setting it down. "Now the ministry thinks you are to young to see these curses but I say different. Who can tell me one of the curses? You red hair name,"

"Weasley sir," Ron said "Dad did mention one. The Imperious curse."

"Your father would know that one," he said "Imperio,"

The spider twitched a little but other wise followed the wands movement. Moody made it jump from desk to desk. The students found it funny.

"With this curse she would do anything I ask," he said then sending the spider to a bucket were it held its self over. "Even drown its self. Scores of witches and wizards said they only did You-Know-Who's bidding under the Imperious curse. The question is how do you sort out those lying. Another? Longbottom,"

"Cruciatus," Neville choked out. Moody then placed the spider down in front of him.

"Crucio," he said and the spider withered in pain. Many of the students turned their head uncomfortable at the sight. Neville did as well and was visibly shaken. I was about to speak but was beaten to it.

"STOP IT CAN'T YOU TELL IT IS BOTHERING HIM!" Hermione yelled. Moody ended the curse. He took the spider and then walked to Hermione.

"The Curciatus curse cause the victim immense pain. Now can you tell me the last one Miss. Granger," he said but she shook her head refusing to answer.

"Avada Kedavra," he called and a flash of green. I froze as that light I had seen. I had seen it in my childhood nightmares. I had seen during the dementor attacks accompanied by my mothers pleading. "The killing curse. Kills its victims in an instant and there is no stopping it. Only one has survived this curse and he sits in this room,"

Moody continued to lecture after that but none of us were in the mood to listen. The rest of the week flew by. I had made it to threw my first week back with out an issue. Tuesday and Thursday lessons went well with McGonagall.

It took me three minutes to transform and I was able to stay in my form an hour before it became taxing and it could only be done twice before I could not do it again. She said that within time I would be able to change in an instant which was the first thing that would happen. Staying in my form longer was truly part of the maturing aspect. Eventually I could stay in my form as long as I wanted she did advise though that I return to human form as staying in ones animal form for extended periods of time would make my human form take on physical features. This is what had happened to Pettigrew as he had never left his form for twelve years. I would have some traits leak over, but none physical, just from being animagus.

With Friday came the excitement of seeing Daphne. It was kinda nice for a change up in friends. She had gotten us a private study room to use for our lessons even. Hermione tagged along as well curious about the way our world worked.

"So where did you tutor leave off?" she asked placing a few books on the table. "Have you done family studies?"

"I have not started the family aspect in depth just what is mixed with the rest," I said "We were about on the creation of Wizengamot and the Ministry."

"You got pretty far then," she said sitting down.

"I had some times were I was unable to do practical study so we focused on this," I said.

"Alright then," she said "lets start with the founding of the Ministry."

Things settled over the first two weeks at Hogwarts and a routine was made. I tried to include Ron in the study sessions but he refused. He also was angry nights that I got back from training and did not want to play chess. Surprisingly I was doing well keeping up with my homework.

Finally I got it arranged for the Goblins to come now that it was the third weekend here. Ragnok arrived early and we used McGonagall's office to sign the contract. It was agreed that McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick would come down with the goblin team and I. The goblin team was made of of twelve collection specialist and two curse breakers, one being Bill.

"Bill," called Ginny as she saw her brother. She ran hugging him. "What are you doing here?"

"Work," he said looking at me.

"Its fine the school is gonna know any way," I said looking at him. "We are going down to the chamber to collect the basilisk."

"What!" she yelled as she blanched. "Its dangerous."

"My job is Gin," he said

"But Harry,"

"Is the only one that can get down there," I said "Also going to look for any artifacts so no one else gets hurt,"

"Oh," she said with a frown.

"Don't worry Gin," Bill said "We will have fourteen highly trained goblins McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape. We will be fine,"

"Alright,"

"Weasley," called the goblin. "Time is gold,"

"Yes sir," he said "I got to go. Ready Harry,"

"Yep," I said and it was of to the bathroom where the professors waited.

"So Potter where is this entrance," Snape said. "Highly doubt that Salazar used a bathroom,"

"It wasn't always a bathroom," McGonagall said. "Hogwarts did not have plumbing until nineteenth century. This room did have natural water access and likely the sinks were used for drinking or bathing fountains."

"You are correct," Ragnok said "The sinks use to have larger basins to wash oneself and water flowed freely from the top. They were transformed into the modern ones you see."

"The sinks are also the entrance," I said "Open"

With that simple word the sinks begin moving. The professors were astonished as the sinks reviled the opening. Even the goblins were a bit surprised.

"How did you get down that Mr. Potter?" asked Flitwick

"Well we kinda pushed Lockheart first," I said getting a chuckle from him and a grin from McGonagall. "Then we just jumped once he landed fine."

"Try asking for stairs," Ragnok said "I don't see Slytherin jumping down,"

"Stairs," I said and curved stairs started appearing in the darkness. "Torches,"

"Good thinking Mr. Potter," Ragnok said as torches appeared. "Lead the way Mr. Potter,"

"Why should the boy lead?" Snape asked.

"Well he does know the way and if another creature is down there he is the only one that would be able to stop it," Ragnok said with a nod. We all started descending the stairs and it took a while but eventually we made it down. There you saw the partially collapsed section.

"What happened here?" McGonagall asked transfiguring it into an archway.

"Lockheart took Ron's wand," I said as we moved along. "If you remember it was broken that year. Lockheart tried to oblivate us but it back fired which caused the collapse and his memory lose."

"Oh my," Flitwick said as he saw the shed skin.

"How large was this again Harry?" Bill asked.

"This skin is at least four years old," one of the goblins said "It was killed a little over a year ago correct,"

"Yes," I said

"There is likely one more shed before its death but this is by far the largest specimen ever heard of Ragnok," we then continued until we met two tunnels on either side of the door.

"Those paths should be examined at some point," McGonagall said.

"Once we start the snake I can send for guards to assist you Professor," Ragnok said.

"Open," I said to the door which slid open much like the first time. For the first time since likely its creation members of Hogwarts gazed upon the Chamber of Secrets. We moved in and Snape waved his wand.

"Nothing living but rats in this section or the tunnels connecting," he said. "I may say Potter but it seems for once the tale of slaying a beast is not exaggerated. How long is this Master Ragnok?"

"Seventy-five," said the goblin that measured. "It is in impeccable shape. This is defiantly going to sell extremely well."

"It seems you have made yourself and the goblins quite a fortune," Ragnok said.

"Himself," Snape said. "This clearly belongs to the school,"

"It belongs to Harrison," Flitwick said "The Beast Collection Act of 1036 clearly states at those who slay the beast have all claim."

"Also any artifacts are mine by right of conquest,"

"What!" Snape yelled "Those artifacts are of the House Slytherin,"

"Of which I defeated its only living blood heir, multiple times," I said "Anything found in these chambers are my own so long as it was sealed by that door."

"May I ask what the plan is with the room?" Flitwick asked.

"I don't know," I said "It would be nice to make it usable,"

"Cleaned up and create a new entrance and it would make a fine dueling arena," he said with a glint in his eye.

"We could start a dueling league house wise," I said thinking. "Maybe even compete with other schools or host tournaments."

"Its as if he read your mind Filius," McGonagall said with a laugh. "Professor Flitwick has been trying to get a dueling league in the school for years."

"If not with other schools at least between houses," Flitwick said "Hosting tournaments would be marvelous as well. Only thing holding us back has been the room. Board approved it if I found a place. If I found a room they even thought of an elective chose."

"Well I don't see why not then," I said "Some remodels it could be fantastic. Maybe a dueling team and a defense club could be hosted here. Not every student would want dueling but with the way our defense teachers going having a place to practice would be great."

"Write the club proposal and we can see Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.

"Why don't we check out the head," I said "The snake came from there so could be something,"

"Careful Potter," Snape said

"Always am," I said climbing in. What I did not expect was a slide down into a cavern.

"HARRY!" I heard McGonagall yell.

"I'm fine did not expect it to do that," I called back "Stairs,"

"Whats it look like?" I heard Flitwick ask as the stairs came to be.

"Come down there is Stairs now," I said. I looked around to see strange glowing rocks. When I stepped close I realized that the were warm to the touch. "What are these?"

"Magic geode's," Bill said as he came down. "You see them in Egypt's tombs. These ones not only light but seem to keep the temperature stable."

"It seems this was the nest of the beast," Snape said. I moved around the cavern and found a carved snake on the wall.

"Reveal," I said. A slab of stone seven feet tall and at least five wide pushed back before pulling into the wall. It was pitch black inside but I could see something. "Light,"

"Whoa," Bill said coming over. More green geode lights turned on to reveal stairs. The seemed to curve up. Bill did a spell before nodding for me to go. I once again lead the way followed by Bill. It did not take long to come to a wooden door with a silver snake with emerald stone eyes and a few stone scales on it.

"I have been found at last," the snake said. The voice was soft and very feminine in sound. "Are you Master Slytherin's heir?"

"I am not of his blood," I said "I don't know why I can speak parsletounge but I have passed his test and defeated his blood heir,"

"That I can tell," she said. "One of his blood has entered the school many times but only one found the chamber. He never explored after finding the beast but I watched. His mind was dark and twisted. Master Slytherin would have been ashamed of what became of his house both blood and in the school"

"You can see what has happened?"

"Yes child," she said "Where a snake carved in the school I can be. I have seen what has happened to the school and what they think they know of my master. I am Stheno guardian of Slytherin"

"Harry," Bill said "What is going on?"

"The snake on the door, Stheno, is saying I am the first to find her," I said "Voldemort never went past the basilisk. She has also been watching the school. Any snake emblem carved into the school she can see from. She says she is the guardian of Slytherin"

"Fascinating," Snape said. "This snake must be the one he used to design the house emblem

"Stheno, what is behind you?"

"The private quarters of my master," she said "Behind here holds the treasures and truth of Salazar Slytherin,"

"May we enter,"

"Of course you are my new master," she then slithered of the door jumping on to my right wrist. She became a guard like bracer that went up half my forearm and the snake was etched into it. "Now I stay with you as I did Salazar,"

"Potter,"

"Apparently she stays with me now," I said shrugging. "We can enter though. She says it is his private quarters."

With that I entered the room. As soon as the door opened the room was flooded with light from lanterns and a fire place. Looking around I could see we were in the head of the statue. The ceiling was painted and enchanted to be the sky outside much like the great hall. A large bed sat between two windows. Strange thing was that those windows over looked the chamber below and no realized it was like two way mirrors.

On the walls were paintings and shelves filled with books. A large couch sat looking in to the fireplace. A desk also sat to the far wall near another door. I went over and found a journal on the desk.

"This is amazing," Bill said turning to the door. "Professors you gonna wanna see this and get Ragnok,"

"To think the chamber of secrets and the founders room were together all this time," Snape said. "The first to be found and it was none other then Slytherin's,"

"Are you saying the other founders had rooms to?" I asked

"Yes Potter," he said

"I don't like this man," Stheno said.

"Neither do I really," when I spoke a figure appeared in the painting over the fire place.

"Finally someone has come!" the man spoke. The man was young with a dark brown hair and short beard. "Now which one of you is my heir,"

"Your Salazar Slytherin," I said "I thought you would be older,"

"I had this painted when I was twenty-five but updated all the memories every few years and before I died," he said "Now which one is my heir?"

"I guess me technically," I said "I defeated you last blood heir three times and your beast,"

"Oh poor Juniper,"

"Juniper?" Flitwick asked.

"My basilisk," he said "That was her name. Did you not think to ask it boy?"

"She was trying to kill my sir,"

"Good point," he said scratching his chin. "How big did she get?"

"Seventy-five feet,"

"My she must have lived nearly a thousand years to get that large," he said "Godric thought it would only take a few hundred before someone found her,"

"Well she was found in 1943 by your heir who set her on all the muggle-borns at the school," I said "My second year he used a diary to control a student to do the same petrifying 4 people, a ghost, and a cat."

"Oh my that was not her purpose," he said "My heir was to use her to protect the school."

"Protect it?" Snape questioned "Even the muggle-borns,"

"Well of course why would it not," he said

"Your legacy is that you hated muggle-borns,"

"How could I," he said "I myself was one,"

"WHAT!" we all yelled.

"I was the first person in my family born with magic," he said "How could that get lost. Honestly if I was born of magical parents surely I would have been in a noble house of Merlin but there is none for Slytherin."

"He is right," McGonagall said "All founder seats have seats for either family or a champion but they don't hold a title of Lord or Lady,"

"Now I wish to speak with the person that defeated my beast alone." He said

"But sir he is a Gryffindor," Snape said

"What is that a problem to," Salazar said.

"The story is you left the school after Godric and you fought over muggle-borns. That you hated each other,"

"We fought all the time," he said "there were times I left or he did to cool off but more so we did not kill the other. We were brothers in all but blood."

"WHAT!"

"This as well seems twisted." he said rubbing his temples. "Rowana, Helga, Godric, and I we like siblings. We all lived with different communities. Rowena born a to a priestess of magic, Helga was born to a druid family, Godric was born a third son to muggle nobility, and I to muggle farmers. Merlin found us all as our magic started to mature and taught us starting at eleven. We even changed our surnames with time. None of us really got to see our families again though."

"Why?" I asked.

"Rowena's mother was killed in a purge and her father was unknown as she was a product of the Beltane ritual. Helga's family knew they would not see her again but we latter found that they died from illness when we were fifteen. Godric family sent him away for safety as there king did not like magic. I believe the house may still exist but unsure of what title. My family died though burned when someone noticed my younger sisters magic before we could get to them."

"I am sorry to hear that,"

"It is long in the past boy," he said "either way Merlin raised us here in the castle. We became each others families so of course there were squabbles. When Merlin left we chose to make it a school for those in need as it became more dangerous for those with magic and muggles to live together. Merlin granted us the castle and all the land around that his friend once ruled before he left. Years later we were surprised when he returned with a son of his own for us to teach."

"This was Camelot," Flitwick said

"At one time," he said "We changed the castle and grounds to meet our needs but yes it was. Now I wish to speak to the boy alone."

"Very well," the said and filtered out the door closing it.

"So you are my champion," he said when everyone was gone.

"Yes sir," I said "Your last blood heir has targeted me for as long as I have existed. I defeated him some how as a babe, again well he shared the body of a professor and lastly here in the chamber."

"How could he be in the chamber?"

"He created horcrux's," I said "We are not sure how many but two have been disposed of. The diary which I destroyed using one of the basilisk fangs and one he accidentally placed in me. It is believed that the reason for my parsletounge is because of the soul fragment but I am unsure since I can still speak it and I had it removed this summer,"

"The gift stays as I granted it to my champion," he said "Now you are young but brave. Remind me a lot of Godric. Your parents must be proud."

"They died from your heir,"

"I am sorry," he said "It seems my final heir has done much damage. Your duty though as champion is to bring honor back to it. Can you do that?"

"I can do my best and hope that my descendants shall do the same," I said

"Smart boy to Rowena would love you," he said with a smile. "Now the others rooms have yet to be discovered but once they are you will be able to find the room we shared. There all four of our portrait hang."

"Do I have to be champion to find the rooms?" I asked "I am champion for Gryffindor as well as his sword chose me,"

"Impressive," he said "Godric will be pleased to hear and no only my room required a champion to enter. I never caught your name,"

"Harrison James Sirius Potter," I said "Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Potter and Black,"

"You do have titles boy," he said. "Seems they change what they called the Noble Houses of Merlin. The Black family were well established in my day. Always in my house. Very cunning children and ruthless in a fight. As for the Potters they to were there. Secretive family normally Gryffindor. We normally did not know one was coming or there was an heir to the family until they arrived. Merlin said they had always been that way. Is your mother a Black?"

"No my godfather did rites and made me his heir as he is the last living male Black. Said he did not one of his cousins spawns to get it. Sorry to say many of the families that have a long history in your house have gone dark over time." I said "My mother was a muggle-born."

"We will have to correct things," he said "Now all the books are yours and anything in this room. I suspect it will be occupied soon so these things will need a place."

"Yes sire as our charms professor would love to turn the chamber into a dueling area," I said "Unless you have objections of course but this room could become a class room of sorts and office"

"To teach dueling" he said contemplating. "Has it become a sport?"

"Yes sir," I said "there are international tournaments for it. Also a defense club of sorts as our teachers have been spotty. At least the club if approved but Professor Flitwick has everything in order for the dueling just needed to find room."

"I want at least a few of my snakes kept," he said.

"I am sure he will discuss any changes with you," I said

"That would be nice," he said "Now if you haven't gone to that bank then no need as the money is not there."

"Money is not what I am after,"

"I know but there is some," he said "The trunk at the foot of the bed as an extension charm. There are two more trunks under it. Well Godric loved his weapons and armor I loved jewels. Sadly my wand is no more as I found out one of my descendants ran to some place called the new world with it not knowing her heritage or its worth it was snapped and planted."

"How do you know that?"

"Stheno," he said pointing to my wrist. "She kept track of many and knew when important things happen to my bloodline. She never told me everything but that she did. Apparently the girl did found another big school. Ilvermorny apparently she called it."

"Oh that's the large school in North America," I said "My friend will freak when she hears it was a descendant of Slytherin that founded it."

"Yes going on," he said "There was also a ring and a locket. You can see them on me now. The ring was one my father had made and the locket was my mothers. They both went to my only son who carried on my muggle name, Guant."

"Seriously,"

"On no what did they do,"

"Well lets start with that they did gain Noble and Ancient title just one down from mine but they also became extreme in pure-blood mania and extremely inbreed. Last one of that name died in prison in 1978."

"Then how did you defeat my heir?"

"No idea but I bet Dumbledore knows how they connect," I said

"This is a mess," he said running his hands threw his hair. "I think it is time I be off. That goblin of yours can open an account with what is in the trunks and keep the books safe if need be. Many are in parseltongue so only you could read them. Please bring my name back from the dark Harrison and try to learn were it went wrong."

"I will,"

"Do try and find the other rooms as well,"

"I will," I said and he was gone. I then went down to find the Professor. I told them of the other rooms which excited them (you could see in Snapes eyes at least). Ragnok said he would get everything transferred to a new vault near Gryffindor's at once. The workers would take some time to break down the body but they would work at it. We exited the door to the private chambers to find a hall lit with the same crystals the eventually lead to a door to on the ground floor near the dungeon entrance. It seemed the door was hidden until now but seemed to stay.

Loaded with new information I was excited. First thing I did was call Sirius who found it hilarious that Slytherin himself was a muggle-born. Remus could not wait to see the artifacts left though. Both seemed pleased at the dueling area though as both had done competition based under Flitwick well at Hogwarts. Sirius likely would have stuck with it if not for the war. After our talk though it was off to get some rest.

So filler chapter for the most part. I do have plans later in the series for the area at least. Thought it was better then unused space.

So I wanted this up yesterday but got called to work. So here it is since it has been a few weeks since I posted. Chapter 10 is still not back to where it was but I wanted to give you all something. I hope you enjoy.