-Hello my dear readers and welcome to another chapter of "Road to Power".
I am glad that you all liked the last chapter. Today we are going to go deeper into the Chamber of Secrets and see what it got for us.
Some of you probably expect what Logn will find there and there will be a few of you that won't like it. I am quite prepared for that and unfortunately, I won't change my decision about this. This idea was with me when I began planning this fic and I won't just throw it away even if it was already used by others.
Besides that, I hope you will all like what I have prepared. To be honest after the last two chapters my plans for year 2 and up changed a lot and I am sure that you won't expect anything that will happen.
A small note to one of the reviewers. stylo1 I tried to contact you via PM, but unfortunately, you didn't answer so I will say it here. While there is probably some truth to what you have said, most of the points you mentioned were completely wrong. I don't know if you just skimmed through my chapters and missed some important parts or you just misunderstood my writing. So if you would like to discuss your points please contact me via PM.
That would be all for this AN.
Enjoy.
Chapter 8. The true Secrets
Silenced rooster, ready to be unleashed upon the lovely about fifty feet long Basilisk?
Check.
My wand, that probably wouldn't help me if something went wrong?
Check.
And finally, a quick escape route if both friendly conversation and rooster failed?
Check.
Yep, I think I am ready, I thought a bit nervously. After all, it wasn't every day that you confronted an ancient magical beast that could kill you with its gaze. I really wanted to be better combat-ready for this meeting, but it would probably take me a few more months of non-stop training to be able to kill Basilisk in one versus one fight.
I didn't want to try my luck as Harry did in canon, besides I doubt that Fawkes would fly here with the Sorting hat just to help me. That wasn't happening so as soon as something would go wrong I was getting the hell out of here and not coming back until I was sure that I could win against the snake.
"Here we go I guess. Speak to me, Slytherin, the greatest of Hogwarts Four," I still thought that was the most stupid phrase I ever spoke. Really couldn't he think of something more original? Besides, it sounded so weird.
Oh well, let see what the Basilisk got for me or rather not see as I closed my eyes.
I was still under the many concealment spells with a rooster that was ready to get unsilenced, so when I heard the statue opening I crossed my fingers and hoped that the creature wouldn't try to kill me instantly.
"Another speaker. Are you my new master?" it spoke. I wasn't sure about its gender so I wasn't going to assume. And its question about me being its master showed that I had a good chance of coming out of here alive.
"You could say that. Now would it be too much to ask you to close your eyes?" I asked it slowly. I wanted to take a look at the Basilisk and without the risk of dying. Besides, there was a lot of water around me so I could also turn into stone if I saw its eye in it.
The Basilisk was silent for a moment and I dreaded that plan B would be coming into action soon. Damn, and I was hoping to have a big ass snake for a pet. Oh well, I could always get something different.
"I can. My previous masters always asked for the same thing, I got good with moving without my sight," thank god it spoke and it seemed like I had some control over it.
"Thank you," I said as I opened my eyes and finally looked at the magnificent beast. It was long like I expected with beautiful dark green skin. Its eyes were really closed and I instantly relaxed a bit, "Well aren't you a beauty."
The Basilisk raised its head proudly. At least now I knew that it liked compliments, definitely something to remember.
"Who are you master," the creature asked tilting its head to the side. Maybe if it wasn't so huge I would call the action cute, "I can feel the magic of my previous master in you. What happened to him?"
Straight to the point eh? I could work with that.
"That's a tricky question. I am his son, and I doubt that you will meet my 'father' ever again," I really didn't want to explain my relation to Voldemort to big ass Basilisk so saying that I was his son was much easier.
"Is he dead?" it asked curiously.
"Not fully," I answered quickly, "About a decade ago he was vanquished and nowadays he traverses the world as a weak shade. No one knows if he will come back in the future."
Well, I knew when he would come back, but I wasn't about to tell Voldemort's entire story to the creature. And I definitely wouldn't tell it that currently, Voldemort was in the castle riding Quirrel's head. I wanted the Basilisk to recognize me as its master so there was no place for Voldemort here.
"I understand master," it nodded its head, "What will you have me do now. Every master gave me some commands to follow."
That was understandable. To be honest I would be okay with the Basilisk sleeping for the rest of its life so I wouldn't need to worry about it. Still, I guess I could think of a few commands that would provide me with what I wanted.
"There is not much that I want from you," I began, "One, I am fine with you going back to sleep, I don't really need your service for now. Two, If any other parselmouth comes here when I am still alive, you won't listen to their commands. And finally three, can you tell me if there is anything else in the Chamber besides this big hall and your sleeping chambers?"
The snake moved back to Slytherin's statue before it turned back to me with its eyes still closed, "Your commands are simple and very similar to every other order I received from my previous masters. If you follow me to my sleeping chambers and walk through the only corridor you will find a few rooms that almost all of my masters used after discovering this chamber. Remember if there will be anything you need from me just use the awakening phrase."
With that, the Basilisk slithered through the open mouth and disappeared from my sight.
This whole conversation definitely went better than I expected. The rooster was not needed and I was still standing here completely fine. I now also had a huge Basilisk under my command and it just confirmed that there was something more in this Chamber. Now all that was left for me was to go and explore. Hopefully, the rooms would have something I could use.
As the concealment spells were no longer needed, I quickly dropped them to save my magic and summoned a small ball of light in my left hand. I would deal with the rooster later, for now, it could remain shrunken in my pocket.
I carefully stepped through the entrance and entered the large room where I could see the Basilik coiled in the corner. It was already sleeping and this single fact made me lose that last bits of my nervousness. The creature was the only real problem with the chamber so with it asleep I was free to do whatever I wanted.
As the Basilisk said, there was a single corridor in the room that was again dimly lit. It wasn't that long and soon I entered an average-sized room that was mostly empty. It had a few stone stands and a lot of runes carved in the walls. While I wasn't sure what the room exactly was, I had my suspicions.
I walked into another room and this one was a bit smaller. It possessed rows of stone and wood shelves that again were completely empty. This probably was some sort of storage. I really hoped that it wasn't meant for books or artifacts. That would mean that the previous parselmouths took everything out of here.
Thankfully my fear went away when I entered the last room. It was the smallest of them all but held things that I wanted the most.
It was a simple study, with a large working desk, a very old and comfortable looking chair, and multiple bookshelves that held books and scrolls alike. I instantly noticed that some of the books seemed newer than the others, but this was again expected as the Basilisk told me that the previous parselmouths also used these chambers.
I began to browse through the multiple shelves to see if I could find anything of interest.
I already spotted a lot of books that I wanted to read, but I also saw tomes that were written in a foreign language or were partially destroyed. I would probably need to sit down here in the future and check what exactly I could even use.
Apart from that I also noticed a few spots that books were obviously missing and I couldn't help but frown. I didn't know if it was Voldemort that stole them, but they definitely were important if someone decided to take them.
With a sigh, I sat down on the chair and enjoyed the comfort it provided.
While it was true that I expected the Chamber to have more than just a basilisk and a big hall inside, it was good to have confirmation. I always thought it weird that the infamous Slytherin wouldn't use his secret chamber for more than just housing a Basilisk. Now I knew that indeed the Chamber hid more than one Secret.
I sat there thinking for a few more minutes before I finally let my gaze wander around the room. Apart from the previously mentioned things the room was quite plain and while I didn't expect to find any fancy decorations here, it still seemed wrong to me.
Finally, my gaze settled on one of the empty parts of the wall across me, then it slid to the bookshelf next to it. My eyes instantly narrowed when I saw the weird placement of the shelf. It was irregular and looked as someone moved it in the past.
I quickly shot up from my seat and took out my wand.
I could try to move the shelf without the foci, but the furniture was probably pretty heavy and it would be much easier to just use my wand.
With a few flicks of my hand, the shelf slowly moved, and I finally spotted what it was hiding. I didn't really understand why someone would try to conceal something like this, but I always knew that magical people were weird.
And what exactly was hiding behind the shelf? Well, it was a portrait, quite a small one if you asked me.
The man in the painting was easily recognizable and it took me only a second to mutter out, "I will be damned, Salazar Slytherin. Now the question is, are you enchanted or not?"
Slytherin's portrait probably heard me as it instantly turned to look at me and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. I frowned at the little revelation as from what I knew, it should be able to talk without any problems... Maybe with how old the portrait was some of the enchantments just ran out.
"Why can't I hear you?" I tried to ask. Maybe it had another way of answering my question.
It seemed like he did and one of Slytherin's hands rose to his throat and then pointed at my wand. I stood there confused for a moment before I finally understood what the ancient wizard meant.
Slightly embarrassed, I pointed my wand at the portrait and used one of the spells that mostly work better with an incantation, "Finite."
Thankfully the spell worked and Slytherin instantly began talking, "That's better. If it wasn't for that stupid child, I would never be in such a position. Now boy, tell me your name. I want to know who my new heir is, even though I have my suspicions."
His request was spoken more like an order and I felt like Slytherin didn't particularly like me for whatever reason.
"Logan Hunt," I answered simply and left it at that. I would let the older man speak before I tried anything.
"Hunt?" Slytherin said quite confused, "I thought your name would be Riddle. This blasted child was the reason why I was silenced and you look quite similar to the boy."
Of course, it was Voldemort who hid the portrait. Now instead of a potential ally, I had an angry portrait after me. I could try and convince him that I was against Tom. It would probably mean revealing some of my knowledge that I shouldn't have, but the portrait couldn't really reveal my secrets to anyone. If the man didn't listen to me, I would just silence and hide it as Voldemort did.
"I am his child if that's what you think," I began and quickly continued when I saw Slytherin opening his mouth, "But I don't identify with him. He is no father of mine. He wanted a female child so he could use the baby in some ritual, but as I was born a male, he ordered one of his followers to dispose of me. I was then raised in a muggle home for orphans. I only learned about the wizarding world a few months ago."
My explanation left the ancient wizard silent for a moment. He looked quite thoughtful and when he finally spoke, his voice was no longer angry, "I know the ritual you speak of. A vile thing to do to your own child only to boost your power... The question is, how do you know about those things if you were a baby back then? Even more, how do you know about this chamber if you only rejoined the wizarding world a few months ago?"
And here it was. The question that I already expected. I would be taking quite the leap of faith here, but if I succeeded then I would get the support of a very powerful wizard. Well his portrait's, but it would still be useful.
"You see, that's where things get very complicated..." I replied and with this began my very long explanation of how I was transported into this body, of the changes to this universe, the other powers in the universe, and the possible futures. As I said, it was a portrait that only Voldemort knew about - and there was definitely some bad blood between the two -, so I didn't need to fear that somehow Slytherin would tell others about my secrets. The problem was in making the old wizard believe me, but I could get to that later.
"Quite a story you have there, boy," Slytherin spoke after I finished my very long monologue, "If it wasn't for the fact that I already knew about some of the things you mentioned, I wouldn't even try to believe you. But yet here you are the biggest proof that I could possibly get."
"So you really believe me?" I asked hopefully.
"Mostly," the ancient wizard answered with a frown, "Some of the things you spoke of are unbelievable. Beings from beyond the stars or objects that could be used to destroy us on a whim. It will take time and proof to make me believe in everything you said."
"I guess that's better than nothing," I said quietly but looked back at Slytherin when he chuckled.
"When I was alive, I loved discovering new things, and even though I am now only a portrait. Your story made me excited. If even some of your plans succeed then I will witness things that others could only dream of. I will help you as much as I can boy, but before that I want you to answer my one question. Why do you want this power? While I am not against amassing it for yourself as I did the same during my life, there is always a hidden goal behind it all. So tell me what is yours."
That wasn't a question I expected. Definitely not from Salazar Slytherin. Still, the man raised a good point, why did I even want all this power? I knew that I would require it to survive some of the future events that would happen in MCU, but was it all?
No. This power was meant to give me complete freedom. To go wherever I wanted and whenever I wanted.
And while I could become a hero or even a villain, it wasn't for me, too restricting. I would still need to deal with some of the powerful beings that would definitely come after me or stand on my road to Power. But I already accepted this fact, after all, the power I wanted, wouldn't be easy to get.
Still, there was something that I really wanted to do in the future and it could pose as my goal for now.
"I told you about the multiverse. I guess apart from being able to survive the future and have full freedom of my actions, I would like to travel through the universes. The unlimited amount of words just waiting for me to discover them. I know that it might sound like a weird goal, but that's what I want to do," and it really was. I already got placed in a universe that was a mix of HP and MCU so what else waited for me on the horizon.
Surprisingly Slytherin shook his head, "No it is perfectly understandable. Everyone wants something else and even I am curious if the multiverse you are talking about is real."
Huh, Slytherin was really different than I expected. Maybe it was time to find out what all of this was really about.
"If you don't mind me asking. You seem a lot different than the man everyone is picturing you as. The only evil founder that hated all that was mundane. Why is that and why Voldemort hid you?"
The portrait sighed heavily, "That's a subject that some of my heirs already asked me so I will just say it again. There were a lot of moments in my life that could be used to define me as evil. Some of them were necessary while others were not. People used those events to twist my character to the public, but I already made peace with it. As to my stand on muggle-borns. Even if I hold some dislike for them, it is far from hate. I just think that they are a danger to our world and I refuse to let them destroy us.
You need to understand that in my times every wizard and witch that were caught by muggles and couldn't escape, was killed. So when a muggle-born appeared, we risked our lives when we introduced them to our world. It was a big risk, a risk that I didn't want to take. I know of the Statute of Secrecy that was created after even more violent events happened long after my death, so I think that I was right to fear what muggles could do to the wizarding world. Now that you have told me about the super-powered people that will start to appear in the next few years and what muggles are capable of in current times, I am even more sure of my decision."
Well, that definitely was interesting, but the portrait was quite right. The more people knew about the wizarding world, the bigger was the risk of mundanes finding out about it. And no amount of oblivations and secret agencies would help when that happened. People fear what they cannot understand and a whole population of wizards and witches would definitely make people scared.
Still, the portrait didn't answer the second part of my question, "And my father?"
The portrait shrugged, "He didn't agree with my view. He wanted to rule over muggles. I called him an idiot and refused to help him. The rest you already know."
Damn, I would love to see this. Teenage Voldemort not getting support from his beloved ancestor.
Smiling a bit at the thought, I asked the ancient wizard again just to make sure, "So you really will help me?"
"Of course I will. I am very curious about what you will accomplish and it would be a sin to miss it, even if you are in Gordic's House," Slytherin stated, but tried to hide the last part with a whisper.
Great, why did I even tell him where I was sorted...
And that's it for today's chapter.
As I was already past the 3k mark I decided to end this chapter and leave the rest of the conversation and Christmas for the next chapter.
Like I said some of you probably expected Slytherin to appear in this story. I always liked the idea of his portrait or anything that remained after one of the funders. We don't know much about the "Evil" funder so I took what we know and messed with it a bit.
I want Slytherin to be in the story to be the ally that Logan really needed in the wizarding world. Yes, he might be a portrait, but it is a portrait with a lot of knowledge about the wizarding world that he gathered during both his life and conversations with his heirs.
I have plans for the ancient wizard even if I am not sure how to go about them. Oh well, I will figure it out someday.
With that said, I want to thank you all for reading this chapter, and if you liked it please leave a sign. It is always nice to know that someone enjoys what I write.
Have a good day/night.