I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

A Taste of Magic

26th Course – Strange Consequences

"I don't like this," Hagrid said, his voice low. "I don't like this one bit."

"I do not either Hagrid but unfortunately, we need his help," Dumbledore said patiently. "And I did not force him to come. He came willingly, and that matters for a lot."

"I don't like this much either," Flitwick said, reaching up high to pat Hagrid's hand. "But between the four of-," he smiled at Fawkes' warble, "five of us, we will keep him safe."

"Alright then," Hagrid sighed. He hefted his immense crossbow. "Let's go Huntin'."

The four men, the boy, and the phoenix, entered the girls' lavatory. After asking Myrtle to recount her experience, which the ghost did so with ghoulish glee, they looked around the bathroom. Flitwick found a sink with the tiny snake engraved on the side. After some attempts, Harry managed to speak parseltongue and the sink slid aside with a heavy grating noise, revealing a large yawning abyss into the depths of the castle.

Fawkes flew down first and returned, humming sprightly. Hagrid went down first, sliding down a long damp tunnel and landed on his feet. He looked about the gloom, brightened when Fawkes came down and the phoenix emanated a warm light. "Clear!" he shouted, his voice echoing up the slide.

Remus came down next, landing lightly on his feet and his wand at the ready. Flitwick slid down too and was at ease in the dark tunnel, his eyes peering about and his wand moving. Dumbledore came down with Harry, standing in front of the boy protectively. A sweep of his wand cleared them of grime and muck from the slide and they set off down the tunnel.

It was dark beyond the limits of Fawkes' light and some lights summoned by the professors. The walls were carved from stone and shaped well though unpolished and rough. The floor was littered with small debris and mounds of dust and dirt and rock. The atmosphere was dismal and cloying, almost as if the tunnel was trying to swallow them.

"This has only been recently come to use," Flitwick said. "There is debris and accumulation on the ground but there is a path recently cleared. The air is still but not stale. We must be deep into the foundations of Hogwarts itself."

"How can you tell?" Harry asked, grateful that someone was talking and taking the edge off of the situation.

"I've spent many a time in tunnels," Flitwick said knowingly. "Family business."

The tunnel bent and when Hagrid turned the corner, he shouted and knelt and pulled the trigger in one motion. A heavy twang broke the air as the crossbow fired and there was a very loud and meaty thwack as the bolt struck home.

"Hagrid close your eyes!" Remus shouted and pulled hard on the giant man's back, trying to pull him back into cover. When no sound could be heard after Hagrid pulled back, Remus peeked out cautiously.

"What do you see?" Dumbledore asked, voice remarkably calm.

"Uh, I think it's dead," Remus said softly.

"Already? Well shot Hagrid," Flitwick said.

Remus smiled. "I'm not saying it wasn't a good shot, but I think it was already dead." They cautiously went around the corner and they gaped at the very large and very dead basilisk that laid there. They eyes were glazed over in death and the giant fang-filled maw was parted open; the tongue lolled out limply. The body of the basilisk was twisted all down its length.

"How long has it been dead for?" Dumbledore asked, frowning.

Hagrid reached out to touch the body. "It's very cold," he said slowly. "Not rigid, but I've never worked with a basilisk before so I don't know if they seize up like other dead animals."

"Typically," Remus said slowly. "But it also depends on how the basilisk dies and if it's exposed to the elements and the like." He cast a few charms. "I estimate it has been dead for a few months now. The air here is very stable so perhaps it hasn't had a chance to truly decompose."

"Magic is rich here," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Perhaps it had a preserving effect."

"Harry, what's wrong?" Flitwick asked all of a sudden, making everyone else turn.

Harry looked uncomfortable, holding his head as if in pain. His scar tingled and burned as well. "Getting a headache," Harry said. He shook his head. "I hear something. Something talking."

Dumbledore looked around. "I might hear something very faint."

"Hissing, that way," Hagrid said, pointing past the body of the basilisk.

"What is it saying?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"I can't tell for sure, but it sounds really…mean," Harry gasped.

"There's a door," Remus said. He had crept down the length of the room, climbing over the tail of the dead basilisk. He saw a very large metal door with snakes forged over the surface of it. It was cracked open and the closer he got, the noise that was faint on the other side was louder. It was a low but steady hissing and Remus imagined that it did sound mean somehow.

The others came close and Dumbledore peered into the crack for a moment before backing off. "There's a second basilisk within."

"A second one?!" Flitwick gasped.

"Yes, but it is odd, it's staring at something on the ground," Dumbledore said. "Here is what we will do. Hagrid, at my command, throw the door open. Filius, throw that distraction you have and cast your strongest shield charm. Remus, be at the ready to cloud the air. That will rob the basilisk's death glare. Fawkes, flash at my command and then stay on Harry to take him away as needed. I will be ready to hit the basilisk if it comes to us. Ready?" When everyone nodded he looked at Hagrid, "Now!"

Hagrid pulled hard on the door and threw it open. Flitwick threw a canister into the room and it exploded, filling the room with a blinding light. They heard agonizing hissing and the sound of something large rolling back. Remus and Dumbledore went into the room with their wands up.

The basilisk, smaller than the dead one outside, was curled and coiled on itself, trembling from agony due to the blast of bright light. Remus incanted swiftly, covering the basilisk with thick constricting ropes and created a haze that obscured the air. Dumbledore saw the thing the basilisk was staring at and he waved his wand to summon the object closer. It flew to him and he caught the book easily.

"That's the source of the hissing," Harry said, wincing and holding his scar. "It's saying all sorts of things like 'listen to me' and 'I command you'."

Dumbledore frowned at the book. It was of nondescript size, like the size of a notebook or diary, though there was a large tear in the front cover. As he tried to open it however, he felt magic building and he threw it away from him, standing in front of Harry and the others as he did. The book burst into flame as it flew and it burned to ash before it landed. When it hit the stone floor, the ashes exploded out, leaving nothing.

Harry sighed with relief. The whispering hiss disappeared when the book did and the ache in his head and scar stopped.

"Look, the basilisk has calmed down somewhat," Remus said. When the book was destroyed, the basilisk had indeed calmed down and it laid there, shaking slightly. Its tongue flicked in and out, tasting the air while it hissed.

"Should Hagrid finish it off while it is secured?" Flitwick asked.

"I know I should but I feel bad about it," Hagrid muttered, spanning his crossbow and settling a bolt into the groove.

"We can't have a basilisk living under the castle," Flitwick argued.

"She's in pain," Harry said softly, looking past the adults into the Chamber. "She doesn't feel well."

The adults turned to look at him before looking at one another.

"She did calm down once the book was removed," Remus said slowly.

"The book was making me feel bad," Harry said bluntly. "It was doing the same to her, I'm pretty sure."

"Albus," Flitwick warned.

"We must try Filius," Dumbledore said. "This is not as straightforward as it seems. Harry, try and communicate with her please. Ask her not to use her gaze on us and we will not harm her in turn, unless absolutely necessary."

Harry nodded. He took a deep breath and hissed. The effect was instantaneous. The basilisk calmed down and her head turned to them. The adults quailed for a moment, starting to retreat out of the Chamber and their wands came up.

"No it's okay!" Harry said hurriedly when the basilisk hissed back. "Her gaze only kills when she wants to and she said she won't. She also said she still can't see anyways because of the light earlier."

"Ah yes, uh, apologize for me I suppose," Flitwick said, a trifle embarrassed.

"She says she accepts and promises not to bite you when her sight returns," Harry said with a smile.

"Harry, please ask her what she knows of what has happened the last few months," Dumbledore said. They waited while Harry and the basilisk conversed with Remus clearing the haze. Harry had entered the Chamber and crossed over to the basilisk without much trepidation when the basilisk proved to be friendly. The adults followed and Remus, Hagrid, and Flitwick marveled at the terrible splendor of the Chamber of Secrets while Dumbledore waited patiently, his eyes focused on Harry and the basilisk. Fawkes sat on Harry's shoulder, glowing slightly, and his own eyes focused on the basilisk carefully.

"She said she woke up not too long ago," Harry said at last. "She's young but not sure how old she is, all she's known is down here. The book woke her up and it would force her to do things, constantly commanding her and wearing her down. It could even hurt her if she tried to ignore it," Harry said sadly. He gently patted the basilisk's side and the immense serpent made a pleased noise, inching closer to Harry.

"Does she know what happened to the other basilisk?" Dumbledore asked.

"She said the book commanded it to kill itself," Harry said, his voice shaky with shock. "And the book said she would be forced to do the same if she disobeyed it."

"Monstrous," Flitwick gasped.

"Does she know who the book belonged to? And how it got here?" Dumbledore asked, hoping for a good answer.

"The book claimed it was the property of the Heir of Slytherin," Harry said. "She doesn't know how it got here. One day she woke up to it yelling at her and it drove away the rats and other things down here so she was very hungry and desperate." He patted her some more and the basilisk crooned softly.

Dumbledore huffed with disappointment. "There must have been a delayed charm on it," he mused. "To destroy itself if someone it did not want touching it interfered."

Remus smiled softly when Hagrid handed Harry some jerky from one of his coat pockets and Harry fed the basilisk. The snake delicately took the dried meat from the boy and swallowed the pieces greedily, hissing for more. "That hints towards an involved plan and plot."

"Yes, and it bothers me," Dumbledore sighed. "At least we know what caused Myrtle's death and was causing the damage now. Harry, does the basilisk know why she attacked the three boys?"

"She had to, she was commanded by the book. She didn't want to," Harry insisted.

"I actually believe her. People are coerced by dark forces all the time. Why not a basilisk," Dumbledore mused.

"Headmaster, she didn't mean to," Harry said. "We're not going to kill her, are we?"

Dumbledore sighed softly. "I do not want to, truth be told. The problem is, there has to be some form of closure and while we believe you and her intentions, I do not believe others will."

"As if others have not claimed to be controlled against their will," Remus said sourly.

"And those same people will claim that a wizard and a basilisk are two different entities and they are not entirely wrong," Dumbledore retorted.

"Can't we just blame the dead basilisk?" Harry asked.

The adults looked at each other.

"And hide the existence of this one," Flitwick said slowly.

"Technically the old one did kill someone and got Hagrid expelled," Remus said, growing warmer to the idea. "We bring up the dead one, said that we had to kill it…"

"…and then let it take the blame for the troubles now. Justice for Myrtle, for Hagrid, a life saved, and the opportunity to try and figure out what happened at our leisure." Dumbledore nodded. "I like it." He smiled when Hagrid and Harry sighed with relief and the basilisk sighed too, growing limp as tension leaked out of her. "She cannot stay here however."

"I don't think she wants to," Harry said. "She's cold and lonely."

"Transporting basilisks is very difficult and slightly illegal," Remus said. "We cannot do it properly if we are keeping her existence a secret. We need someone with the skill and the casual disregard for laws to be willing to do it."

"I know just the man," Dumbledore smiled.

-0-

Dumbledore walked back into his office. "Well, it is done."

"Just like that?" McGonagall asked.

"More or less. The governors and Director Bones accepted that the dead basilisk was the perpetrator of the attacks then and now. The basilisk is going to be broken down and proceeds from selling the pieces will be given to Myrtle Warren's family, the Malfoys, the Crabbes, and the Goyles for recompense with the remainder going back to the school." He sat heavily at his desk and poured himself a measure of firewhiskey, drinking it with one swallow and pouring himself more.

"And Lucius was okay with that?" Snape asked quietly.

"Curiously, he was. He threw a fit and the governors were sympathetic, but he surprisingly did not press for more." Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Though he did have something not go his way. When he summoned his House Elf for something, the poor thing was set upon by Inky, Quarters, Ebbers, and a few other Hogwarts Elves."

"Really?" the others in the office gasped.

"Oh yes. As it turns out, Dobby really was responsible for the incident involving Harry last term. The second he appeared, Inky appeared as well and tackled him to the ground, rather violently too. The others appeared ready to secure him and tried to inflict some harm. They were none too happy with Dobby's antics before and had sworn vengeance. He was forced to confess and Lucius had to dismiss Dobby from his employ to save face. That probably tempered his humors to an extent." Dumbledore rubbed his temple. "It has been a strange and trying day."

"Did this Dobby explain why he did what he did involving Harry?" Flitwick asked.

"He said that he believed the boy to be in danger and Lucius refuted that Dobby probably misunderstood something and took it wildly out of context. Even Dobby said that was 'possible' but since Lucius took matters into his own hands, no actual investigation can be done since the 'perpetrator' was 'punished'." Dumbledore shook his head. "Not entirely satisfying, but an end I suppose."

"Overall, things ended well enough then," Remus said slowly.

"Yes and there is still a bit of good news. Hagrid was completely exonerated for what he was charged with back then. His record is wiped clean." He smiled and the other professors shared his delight. "I sent him a message and we plan on celebrating later if anyone would like to join."

"I'll prepare some sobriety potions," Pomfrey snorted.

"This book however, it bothers me," Snape said. "How did it get here and who did it belong to? Who is this so-called Heir?"

"That is the big question," Dumbledore mused. "At least we know where the Chamber is now and we can investigate it at our leisure. Hopefully we can figure it out."

"And Potter is still allowed to go with the basilisk still there?" McGonagall asked.

"He wants to," Dumbledore smiled. "He feels bad for the basilisk and she enjoys his company. At least until- ah speaking of." A small lidded vase on his desk shook and he took the lid off and withdrew a slim roll of parchment. He read it and he snorted richly, handing it to Snape when the man held a hand out. "Do feel free to read it aloud."

"'Albus,'" Snape read, "'I will of course come and claim the basilisk! I have always wanted one and my estate in France has ample room for one. Not to mention one of my neighbors has been terrible lately, letting their dogs crap all over my grounds. Let's see if he will let his precious pooches keep doing that when I stack their petrified bodies on his yard alongside the piles of excrement. I will arrive the day after this letter arrives unless it is delayed and in that case I will arrive before it does. Seeing how I helped devise this method of communication, it really shouldn't be.'"

Snape rolled his eyes. "The man's arrogance and self-satisfaction is nauseating."

"You have not gotten to the best part," Dumbledore smiled, sipping at his firewhiskey.

"'I'll be bringing my transporting suitcase, you know, the one that Scamander stole the designs for. Perenelle will be accompanying me this time so prepare for that. Finally, if Snape is reading this or you are reading this to him, loosen up a bit and learn to live a little you-" Snape growled and threw the parchment onto the desk, ignoring the snickering from the other Professors. "I do hate that man."

"He does have that way with people," Dumbledore chuckled and poured Snape a drink.

-0-

"I guess the only way to get your attention in the future is to be petrified," Draco said snidely.

"Don't even joke about that," Pansy snapped back. "I was worried when it was announced and the second the lockdown was lifted, I came here."

Pansy had been shocked to hear that Draco had been petrified, as well as Crabbe and Goyle. She had waited, her stomach twisting and roiling, and went straight for the Infirmary when they were allowed to. She had sat with Narcissa while the potion was administered and felt relief when Draco responded well to it. Narcissa had visited for some time before leaving to speak with Lucius.

"I suppose I should thank you then," Draco said, slightly mollified.

"What happened?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Like I told everyone. Crabbe, Goyle, and I were walking. We heard something and looked down at the flooding water, then we woke up here. No idea what happened."

Pansy looked at him closely. Something about him was bothering her. The Draco she knew would always exaggerate any kind of injury. Before, he did it to amuse people but it steadily became a way for him to gain attention. Now, after being petrified and attacked by a large magical monster, he seemed a little too at ease. "I'm glad you weren't hurt," she said, meaning it.

He shrugged carelessly again. "I knew it would not have been bad."

That bothersome feeling increased. "How so?"

He grew guarded. "I just knew," he said evasively.

She looked at him silently. "What aren't you telling me?" she asked.

"Many things," he replied frostily. "Perhaps if we were still close, you would know." He sneered slightly. "I do not have to tell you anything just like you do not have to tell me anything about your other 'friendships'."

She sat back, stung. "Okay," she said quietly.

He looked cross, unexpecting this response. "When you are like this, I don't know what you want me to do," he said.

"Neither do I," she replied.

Lucius and Narcissa walked back into the Infirmary. Lucius looked oddly pleased and displeased somehow. Narcissa looked more displeased. "Draco," she said, "did you command Dobby to bother Harry Potter?"

"No," Draco said sharply. "Though if I thought of it, I mi-" He immediately stopped speaking at the combined looks from his parents.

"You might have delayed dismissing the elf before we could question it," Narcissa said to Lucius, her cool tone at contrast to her burning eyes.

"I had to, to save face in front of the Head of the DMLE and the other school governors," Lucius retorted. "Besides, it's just an elf. We can obtain others later, more obedient ones." He looked at Pansy who sat there quietly. "Miss Parkinson, perhaps you would give us time to speak as a family."

She knew the request was more of a command. "Yes Lord Malfoy." She bowed politely to him and hugged Narcissa. "Bye Draco. I'm glad you're okay," she said softly.

"Goodbye," he said.

She left the Infirmary and thought hard as she did.

-0-0-0-

Arnie1701 - I wouldn't expect all the stations of canon to be met, I'm trying hard to lean into the differences here. Glad you liked the change.

AhsokaTheGreat - You know me, I enjoy a good cliffhanger here and there.

Isamaru - Thank you. I've written a few different takes on Dumbledore in my other fics, and this one is my ode to a competent Dumbledore that means well and tries hard. I'm glad you like him here.

poka - Thank you for the kind words. I want the adults to be more present in this setting. They should impact the story here and I want them to feel necessary and believable and not just as set pieces nor stealing the show. So I will admit I am trying to work harder on Harry here. In my other stories, I've been accused of writing him poorly and making him an infant and while I accept the critique, it was never the intention. So I'm trying to make him feel more like who he is in canon here with the obvious small changes due to the setting. Same with Dumbledore, making him feel like a character that earned the reputation that they had. Addressing your last point, I hope you enjoy today's chapter then. As always, thank you for your time and kindness. I always like seeing your comments.

doRodrigo - Thank you for reading.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - Thanks for reading.

kaya - I've written much worse cliffhangers to be fair.

1529 - Thank you for the praise. I'm grateful for the feeling. I don't consider my writing to be perfect, but hope that each story is good in its own way.

alix33 - Apparently that is what the basilisk was doing, yes.

- Thank you very much, trying my best to maintain my writing while improving it.

ecoBlade - I really like Food Wars and it is a bit of a driving force for this fic. Glad you are enjoying it.

sfu - Thank you very much.

hafizatul sufiah yaacob - They would not be very pleased with him, no.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Hope you enjoy today's then.

DarkRavie - Thank you.

odonnellzoo99 - I hope you are feeling better and hope everything is going well. My best to you. I'm hoping all the divergences in this fic make sense in terms of the setting and still feel satisfying and fun. Glad you like it so far.