Kindred Spirits

by Tailkinker

This is a work of fan fiction based on the Harry Potter series and the Sailor Moon franchise created respectively by J.K. Rowling and Naoko Takeuchi. The characters and settings belong to their respective owners and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered as part of the official canon of either series.

The Broken Sink

Hermione slapped a piece of parchment down on the table between Harry and Ron. "It's a Basilisk."

"That's not a Basilisk," said Ron. "That's a piece of parchment."

"No! I mean, Slytherin's monster is a Basilisk." Harry's confusion must have shown on his face, because Hermione proceeded to elaborate. "It's a giant snake with a venomous bite. Its gaze can kill."

"But nobody's died," pointed out Ron.

"Plus, how is a giant snake getting around Hogwarts without anybody noticing?" asked Harry.

"It's using the pipes," said Hermione. "As for why nobody's died yet...I don't know. But it makes sense! The spiders running away from the castle, that's because they're terrified of Basilisks. Harry can hear it when nobody else can because he's a Parselmouth."

Harry was thinking about it. "Nobody has died because nobody's seen it directly. Justin saw it through Nearly Headless Nick. Nick couldn't die again, but the Basilisk's gaze still blasted him pretty good. Colin Creevey saw it through his camera."

"But what about Hotaru?" asked Hermione.

"And Mrs Norris," added Ron.

"Mrs Norris probably saw it in the water," said Harry. "Remember? The corridor was flooded. And Hotaru...I don't know. Her hands were raised in front of her face. Maybe she cast a spell, and it protected her?"

"Where was she found?" asked Hermione excitedly.

"Myrtle's bathroom," said Harry. "She must have been coming to look in on us after her detention—Lockhart likes to keep people really late. But we'd already left to get Hermione to the Hospital Wing."

"We found Mrs Norris just outside Myrtle's lav," pointed out Ron.

Harry considered this. "Malfoy said that the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, somebody died. What if that person never left the room she died in?"

"You think Moaning Myrtle—"

"Yeah, I do." Harry stood. "One way to find out for sure. Let's go ask her."

They stood outside the girls' lavatory on the second floor, suddenly unsure about entering. Harry's hand was tight around the hilt of his wand, and Ron's ears were turning pink.

"Okay, so we're here," Hermione said, taking a deep breath. "Now, let's just ask Myrtle what happened."

"But what if she gets angry?" Ron said nervously.

"She's always angry," Harry pointed out. "Or at the very least, morose."

Hermione pushed open the door, and the three of them stepped inside. The bathroom was dark and gloomy, the only light coming from the flickering candles that lined the walls.

"Myrtle?" Hermione called out tentatively. "It's us. We just want to talk to you."

There was a gurgling sound, and suddenly the ghostly figure of Moaning Myrtle appeared before them, hovering above one of the toilets.

"What do you want?" she moaned, her voice thick with sadness.

"We want to know about your death," Hermione said, stepping forward.

Myrtle's face contorted in anger. "You think I like talking about that?" she spat. "It was humiliating! I died on the toilet!"

"We're sorry," Harry said quickly. "We just need to know what happened. We think it might be related to the Chamber of Secrets."

Myrtle's expression softened slightly. "There was a boy in here. He wasn't meant to be in here, of course, so I opened the door to tell him to get out. And then...I died."

Harry felt a shiver run down his spine. "Did you see anything?" he asked.

Myrtle shook her head. "No, I was already dead by then. But I heard something. Something slithering."

"Slithering?" Ron repeated.

"Yes," Myrtle said. "It was like a snake. A big one."

"Do you know where it was?" asked Harry.

"Over by the sinks."

Harry turned and walked over to the sinks. He examined each, but nothing seemed to stand out to him. When he reached the last one, however, Myrtle spoke again.

"That one doesn't work."

Hermione frowned. "Nobody ever uses this bathroom, and it's not like you can use the taps. How do you know it doesn't work?"

"It hasn't worked since before I died," said Myrtle.

Harry examined the faucet, and noticed a small snake inscribed into the metal. He concentrated on the snake, pretending it was a real one.

"Open."

With a grinding noise, the entire sink slowly sank into the floor. Behind it was a tunnel, leading down into the darkness.

"Come on." Harry stooped to crawl into the tunnel.

"Harry, wait." Hermione grabbed his robe. "There's a Basilisk down there. We can't fight a Basilisk. We have to go to Professor McGonagall."

"Because she was so much help with the Philosopher's Stone," snapped Harry. "That thing petrified Hotaru, and all the others."

"Let's at least get Professor Lockhart," said Hermione.

"Yeah," said Ron unenthusiastically. "We can feed him to the giant snake, and run while it's vomiting."

"They sacked Dumbledore, they arrested Hagrid...who else knows about creatures and the Dark Arts?"

"Professor Lockhart has—"

"Hermione," said Harry, just loudly enough to interrupt her. "I've read Lockhart's books. They are fiction. There are too many places where he contradicts himself. I'm sorry, I know you fancy him, but the man is a fraud."

"I do not fancy him," said Hermione. "And perhaps his editors have changed—"

"Name one spell that you've seen him cast successfully," interrupted Harry.

"Well, I..." She trailed off.

"Worse yet, he's meant to be teaching us. Name one spell that he's taught you how to cast."

"He told us about lots of spells—"

"Telling isn't enough. What spells have you learned to cast from him?"

Hermione stared at him, her jaw hanging open, and Harry could see the connections being made. Suddenly, she was furious.

"That complete and utter charlatan!"

"Right. So now that we've gotten past that, let's go see Professor Flitwick."

"Flitwick?" Ron frowned. "He's titchy. What's he gonna do?"

"He's a master of Charms," pointed out Harry. "He's also a master duellist. And he's helped me out before. Flitwick, we can trust."

"Are you kidding?" Professor Flitwick stared at the three in shock. "The three of you solved what a hundred wizards and witches could not solve in a thousand years?"

"It all checks out," said Harry. "Myrtle's death, the snake, the tunnel—you have to be a Parselmouth to open the Chamber—"

"I believe you," interrupted Professor Flitwick. "If anybody can accomplish the impossible, it is you three."

"So what's our plan?" asked Harry.

"Our plan?" Flitwick chuckled. "My dear boy, you are a credit to your House. But I cannot in good conscience risk the life of a twelve-year-old student against a Basilisk."

Harry balled his fists. "Professor—"

"Calm down, Mr Potter," said the Professor. "You will be of assistance yet to this. But I don't want you going near that snake, if at all possible. So our next plan is to visit Acting Headmistress McGonagall." He stood up. "Come along."

When they arrived, the staff-room was mostly full, and quite noisy. Professor Flitwick pushed between Professors Sinistra and Trelawney, leaving the students at the door.

"Minerva! What's going on?"

Professor McGonagall turned to Flitwick. "Filius. Another message has been left by the Heir of Slytherin. 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.'"

"'Her'?"

"Yes," said McGonagall. She glanced up to the staff-room door. "These three were among the last students unaccounted for. That leaves only one." She looked apologetically at Ron. "I'm sorry, Mr Weasley, but your sister is the only student missing."

"Ginny?" whispered Ron.

"I fear that she has been taken into the Chamber itself," said McGonagall.

"Then it's a good thing that these three managed to find the Chamber of Secrets," said Flitwick. "They have even identified the Monster. It is a Basilisk."

The room was struck silent. Then Snape broke it with a sneer.

"Idiot children. Basilisks do not petrify their victims; they kill them."

"Severus," admonished McGonagall. "Kindly show some professionalism." She turned to Harry, Hermione and Ron. "Are you certain of this?"

"Harry's a Parselmouth," said Hermione. "And he could hear the snake in the walls. It must be using the pipes to get around. And we've seen spiders fleeing the castle."

"And Hagrid's been losing roosters all year," said Harry. "Something's been killing them."

"It fits," said McGonagall. "And if we go in there expecting a Basilisk, any surprises we have should be to our benefit, rather than not.

"Filius, Severus, you're with me. The rest of you, evacuate the castle. Get the students safely to Hogsmeade."

"You need me along," said Harry. "You need a Parselmouth to get into the Chamber of Secrets."

"And I'm going too," said Ron fiercely. "That's my sister down there."

"Out of the question," snapped McGonagall. "Mr Potter, you are correct that we'll need you along, but I want you to stay behind us at all times. Mr Weasley, you may not come."

Ron stepped forward, his face red with determination. "Professor, please, I have to go. That's my little sister down there. I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm not leaving her to face that monster alone."

McGonagall sighed heavily. "Mr Weasley, I understand how you feel, but this is far too dangerous. I cannot risk any more students getting hurt."

"Professor, if you don't let me come along, I will find a way to follow. Wouldn't it be better to know where I am?"

Hermione stared at Ron in shock, unsure if she should support his plea or side with McGonagall's concerns.

McGonagall hesitated, her eyes flickering between Ron and the other professors. Finally, she let out another heavy sigh. "Very well, Mr Weasley. But you must promise to follow our instructions and stay behind us at all times. Is that understood?"

Ron nodded eagerly. "Yes, Professor. Thank you."

Hermione let out a relieved breath, grateful that Ron was given the chance to help. "We won't let you down, Professor," she said firmly.

"You will not be going with us," said the Professor. "I need your promise that you will not follow us."

Hermione's eyes widened. "But—"

"Mr Potter will be needed, and Mr Weasley has a personal stake in this matter. You, as a Muggleborn, would be the principal target of the Basilisk. Do I have your promise?"

"Yes, Professor," said Hermione meekly.

"Alright then," said McGonagall. "Let's move out."