In the winter of 1940, a boy transferred to Hogwarts.
A third-year boy who looked particularly frail. He had a delicate face & an retroussé nose, but his hair was pure black with green eyes, dark and hard as stone.
His arrival was unexpected. None of the students knew who the boy was as he stormed into the great hall, on that dark, stormy night. Even the teachers did not seem to know, apart from the Transfiguration Professor, Albus Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet, who welcomed him with open arms.
They were a Muggleborn. That was easy to tell from his name ''Harry Evans.'' Yet he was one of the three in his year to be sorted into Slytherin.
On the Slytherin table, the word, ''Mudblood'' had already reached Harry's ears even before sitting down. Not that he cared. He sat, soaking wet, and ate in silence.
Emily Riddle, one of the other two Muggleborns in his year, didn't seem to care either. Mark Smith, however, did. The boy was smaller than him, yet glared at them murderously.
''Ignore em'.'' He said, sitting next to him. ''That's what I do.''
All together, it was very odd. Even Harry would admit that. Starting Hogwarts as a third year wasn't unheard of but after the beginning of the year? That was.
But when asked, he would simply say, ''Family problems. I've already said this multiple times. What else do you want?''
That did little to make him friends, but Harry did not care. In fact, he welcomed it. The whole school could hate him if they wanted to.
But sometimes, usually when thinking about the past, he would laugh to himself. Once, Ron Weasley had said, ''You're too nice, Harry. You know that? Sometimes if you want people to leave you alone, just tell em to shove off.''
Then, he would go deeper, sometimes forgetting where he even was. His time with Hermione and Ron. Hagrid. Hell, even with Draco or Professor Snape. Hogwarts was his home back then.
Harry smiled. It quickly vanished into a scowl.
The chamber of secrets still lived vividly in his mind. Laying on the water-logged floor. The statue of Salazar Slytherin. A Basilisk. Ron, Hermione, and her, everything.
Atop the tallest tree in the courtyard, Harry sat on the highest branch and peered down at Emily Riddle.
Emily was not pretty, but beautiful. more mature than the other girls in their year. She was as tall as the boys, with smooth dark hair and a regal face. She spoke quietly, always polite, but her eyes cut like a dagger.
She was surrounded by the other third years. That was always the case. In the week Harry had been here, there had been very few occasions where he saw her alone.
She finally looked back, staring at him from all the way up there. Harry closed his eyes. He listened to his surroundings.
Not a sound came from behind him. Not a slight creak, but he already knew who was there.
''Mark,'' Harry said cooly. ''What do you want?'
''Emily wants to talk to you. I told you that ages ago.'' Mark Smith said, their backs to the trees.
''And?'' He drawled. ''I didn't say that I would talk to her.''
''Well-''
''I didn't. Don't say that I did. It's not my fault you heard wrong.''
''Hey, what's your problem?'' Mark exploded, his face reddening ''We're one of the only Muggleborns in Slytherin, so I've been trying to be nice to you, but you've just been throwing it in my face.''
He quirked an eyebrow. ''I've been throwing it in your face because I don't want to talk with your friend?''
''Just go and talk to her,'' Mark said, no longer shouting. ''You don't know how things work here. You don't want to get under her skin. Trust me.''
Harry returned his attention to Emily for a moment. It was laughable. Purebloods acted as her guard dogs.
''Have I already gotten under her skin?''
It would not be smart, but Harry almost wished he had
''I don't know man.'' Mark shrugged. ''But getting under her skin ain't good.''
''What does she even want?'' He said and sighed. ''I haven't even talked to her before.''
''Well, that's probably why. You're a Muggleborn. Only three of us in our year.''
''Do you really expect me to buy that?'' He said flatly.
''Yeah, I do. C'mon. Just talk to her.''
''Fine.''
Mark whipped his head about. ''You ain't pulling my leg, are you?''
''No, I'm not.'' He pointed his wand at himself and cast the featherweight charm. ''I'll go down.''
That was not a lie. Harry dropped at least thirty feet and landed in the grass without as much as a trip.
Not a complete lie, at least. Emily and her friends gazed at him from halfway across the courtyard, but he had already stepped inside the castle.
The library was empty, apart from the librarian, Harry Evans, and a pack of 7th years studying away.
It was one of the only places in the whole castle that was always silent.
It would not last.
''The Art Of Human Transfiguration'' Emily Riddle said, reading the book cover. He didn't see, or even hear her enter. ''Transfiguration is interesting, isn't it? It may be my favourite subject.''
What came out of her mouth was loud and clear, but Harry just looked around her. By the door, stood two hulking boys. They almost looked to be guarding the library.
''Is it?'' Harry said dully. He didn't look up from his book, but his hand rested against his left pocket, feeling the outline of his wand.
Emily sat down, and flashed him a dazzling smile.''I do think so.'' She continued. ''There is just something interesting about being able to transform a piece of wood into a dagger, or almost anything that you could possibly imagine. I am sure that you are very good at it too if you are already reading something complex as human transfiguration.''
''I don't like Transfiguration.'' Harry finally put the book to one side. He fixed his cool, green eyes on her. ''I'm just good at it.''
''We are not always good at what we like.'' She said, ''May I ask you something?''
''What?''
Emily leaned closely and looked into his eyes without as much as flinching. ''Do you hate me?''
His veins turned to ice. Do I hate you? The voice in his head was dark, thick with cold rage, and Harry was surprised he was able to keep it from spilling out.
''Hate you?'' He asked, his face a mask of confusion. ''Why would I hate you? I don't know you.''
''That is what I would like to know.'' She said softly. ''If I did something to upset you, please tell me.''
''You didn't.'' He said flatly. ''Why do you even think I hate you?''
''I know that you avoid me.''
''I avoid everyone. I like being by myself.''
''Do you remember your first day here?''
''What about it?''
She flashed him another smile. His heart thumped. It looked so much like hers.
''I remember how you looked at me. I know that you wouldn't, but I almost expected that you were going to curse me.''
And he was still considering it.
''I thought you were somebody else.'' He said, fists clenched under the table. ''Somebody I used to know.''
''I see. I think that I understand now.'' She said with a nod. ''Then there are no hard feelings?''
''Right.'' He said coldly. ''No hard feelings.''
And then, there was a slight tug at his mind. Like a bunch of insects had slipped into his ears and were crawling about in his head. Like Legimancy. He thought. Not going to work on me.
Emily blinked across at him. Her smile faded, though only for a few moments.
He asked. ''Something wrong?''
''No, nothing is wrong'' Emily said easily. ''I did not get much sleep last night, so I have a headache. Nothing to worry about.''
He was all but happy to say, ''You sure?''
''I'm sure.'' Emily looked down at the book. ''Is transfiguration your favourite subject?''
He frowned. ''I said I didn't like transfiguration. I'm just good at it.''
''I see.'' She said. ''If you don't mind, may I guess what is?''
The frown just grew deeper. ''Go ahead.''
Emily's black eyes glimmered under the light. ''Mind magic.''
''Mind magic?'' Harry said. ''And why's that?''
She shrugged. ''That I can't answer. But when I look at you, I can't help but think that you would be interested in mind magic. Call it my intuition speaking to me.''
''Well, it's not.'' He said bluntly. ''We're third years. We don't learn that stuff.''
She agreed. ''That is true.''
''It's illegal too.'' He continued promptly. ''Legimancy is anyway. If you get caught reading someone's mind, you'd get in big trouble.''
''That is also true.'' She hardly blinked. ''Although it can be difficult to prove that someone has used Legimancy.''
''Sometimes. But if they're suspicious of you, they can always find other ways to get it out of you.'' He told her. ''I know someone read the mind of the minister, so they gave him some Veritaserum Serum to make him spill the truth.''
This time Emily seemed to consider what he said. ''We are lucky then. One of my worst fears is someone reading my thoughts.'' She changed the subject. ''I know that you have not been here for long, but how have you been finding Slytherin?''
That was something Harry pondered often. ''It's different, I guess.''
''It is very different from the muggle world.'' She said, ''Being a Muggleborn in Slytherin can be challenging. I know that from experience.''
He shook his head at her. ''You don't seem to have those types of problems. All the Purebloods seem to like you.''
She leaned in again. ''It was not always this way. If you would like, I could talk with them. I know they have been saying some things.''
He sat back in his chair, to maintain distance. ''Since I've been here I've been called a Mudblood at least 30 times. Would you tell them to stop for me?''
''I could do that for you.'' She said silkily. ''Muggle-borns should stick together. Don't you agree?''
That made him stop and think.
Muggle-borns should stick together? As if.
All Slytherins in their year treated Emily Riddle differently. They tried to impress her with spells and potent potions, or with their duelling skills, or anything, just to get in her favour.
There were even some boys guarding the door. Because she commanded them to, he knew.
They were all under her thumb.
Is that what she was trying to do to him?
One day, she would surely say something like, ''Have you forgotten what I did for you? Remember, I have all the leverage here. I remember what you did, Harry. If you don't do as I say, then I will leak certain information.''
Then there was the matter of Darius Carrow.
Harry started to rise from his seat, silent fury coursing through his body. He would not let that happen again. ''Didn't I already tell you? I like being on my own.''
It was as he neared the door, did a hand seize his shoulder. Emily squeezed, her fingers like ice.
''I understand.'' She said, her breath against his ear. ''But Slytherin is not the place where you can act as a lone wolf.''
''I've been fine so far.''
He felt her eyes on the back of his head.
''So far, you have. As much as I hate to say it, Hogwarts isn't always safe. It can be dangerous. That is why friends are important. Without any, you are a target. I have already heard some whispers from older students. They don't like Muggleborns.''
Harry faced her. He had to crane his neck slightly, to meet her gaze. ''Dangerous?'' He asked. ''Well, I guess you're right. I remember what happened to Darius Carrow a couple of days ago.''
''Yes, I heard about that too.'' She said unhesitantly. ''He was found in the Forbidden Forest, and he is still in the Hospital Wing.''
''Yeah. I know. He said he was attacked by the creatures there, but I don't know if I believe him.''
Emily shot him a look, like he was a crazy person. ''Then, you don't believe he was attacked?''
''And when did I say that? I just don't think it was a creature that did it.''
''Ah, I understand now.'' She looked thoughtful. ''You think someone at Hogwarts did it.''
''Yeah.'' He said slowly. ''I do.''
''I won't say that it is impossible.'' She said. ''But I had thought he said that it was a creature.''
''He said that. He told me that. But maybe someone told him to keep his mouth shut.'' He turned to the door. ''You can think I'm crazy, but I have a reason to believe this.''
''And what is this reason?''
He wasted no time. ''Well, I know he got into an argument the other day.''
There was a slight pause. ''Is that so?''
''Weird, right? He didn't tell me who it was. Just that he'd got into an argument.''
And then, Harry thought back.
''Don't tell me you're one of Emily's friends. I already told her to buzz off'' Darius said to him, just a day before he was found in the forbidden forest. ''Piss off.''
''I'm not one of her friends,'' Harry said. ''I heard that you didn't like her though. I'm happy that seems to be true.''
The fourth-year boy squinted down at him. ''What's it to you?''
His lips gave a slight twist. ''I think we can help each other out.''
''Then that is even more reason for you to be careful,'' Emily said, as if nothing had changed. ''Hogwarts is not always safe.''
''Hogwarts is a dangerous place.'' Harry slowly made it for the door. He was in no hurry. 'I appreciate the advice, really. I hope you're careful too.''
Hogwarts had been silent for hours.
The ghosts stayed quiet, looming around the outskirts of the castle. Nobody was still awake. Not the students. Not the Professors, and even Headmaster Dippet, who was notorious for staying up late, had dozed off in his office.
Harry Evans stalked inside the chamber, across the water-flogged pathway. There was only pitch blackness inside, and all he could make out was the tall green pillars and the statue of Salazar Slytherin staring down at him
Everything was telling him to leave. To leave and never come back. The voice was very persuasive, but he had no choice.
Harry stared out into the darkness, wand drawn. ''Lumos Ekragei.''
There was a flash of light and the chamber was suddenly lit up.
''Come on out!'' Harry boomed. His voice rang out in the chamber. ''Or are you still sleeping?''
Then, a giant snake slithered from the shadows, larger than any serpent he'd seen, its eyes a dark, crimson red.
''A speaker.'' The basilisk hissed, and Harry was almost surprised that it had not attacked him. ''Has to be a speaker. Only a speaker can enter…''
''I am a speaker.'' He said, his voice now a low hiss. Snake tongue.
''A speaker...after so long.'' The basilisk went on. ''Master will be pleased. Very pleased.''
''Master?'' He said carefully, fingers curling tightly around his wand. ''And who's your master?''
''Salazar Slytherin.''
That answer left him tongue-tied. ''What? But Salazar Slytherin is dead.''
''I am dead.'' A cold voice came from behind him. ''However, I have yet to leave this world.''
If this was a year earlier, Harry would have jumped in fright. But now, he faced Salazar Slytherin calmly, who wore old dirty robes, drenched in blood.
He said. ''You're a ghost. I wasn't expecting that.''
''How astute of you,'' Salazar said, his face stern. ''I would expect a wizard of my bloodline to not be as dimwitted to state something so obvious.'' He shook his head. ''No, I am in no mood to quarrel. A descendant of mine has entered these chambers after so long.''
''When was the last time someone did?''
''I do not know. We do not track time here, not in the traditional sense.''
He thought. At least she hasn't been down here then.
''I guess you wouldn't,'' Harry said. ''When I came down here I still wasn't expecting this though. If the ghost of Salazar Slytherin was still about, you would have thought people would know. You're one of the most famous wizards in history.''
If the man cared about being one of the most famous wizards in history, he didn't show it. ''That is because I have not left this chamber in a millennium.''
''Really?'' Harry said. ''I'm guessing that you can't leave.''
''That is correct. You are my descendant, so I shall tell you.'' He began to explain. ''I and Godric Gryffindor duelled, with our so-called friends, and they cursed me so even after death I would never leave this chamber, even as I am now.''
Momentarily, Harry wondered if he should correct the man. ''So he trapped you down here?'' He asked. ''That's cruel. I've read a lot of stuff about him, but nothing about cursing someone after death like that.''
A hint of anger flashed in Salazar's grey eyes. ''I had heard from my other descendants of the stories they told of Godric. They were fantasies. He was a liar. Do not trust everything that you read.''
''I don't.'' He shot a glance in the Basilisk's direction. ''But if that's really what happened, then I'm surprised she's still here.''
''Godric did kill Akhass,'' Salazar said coldly. ''However, Halwa is a different basilisk.''
''Yes.'' The basilisk hissed. ''Never met Godric. Never left the castle.''
''Then,'' he started, and wasn't sure how to continue, ''Why is she down here?''
''Defending the castle,'' Halwa explained. ''I am here to defend the castle.''
''It is as she said,'' Salazar said. ''One of my descendants, when a student here, brought Halwa to me when she was only a hatchling. In case the castle is attacked, she will be the final line of defence.''
Something cold rose within his chest. The final line of defence? He thought. Look at how that turned out.
''Well, there doesn't need to be a final line of defence.'' He said coolly. ''No one is going to attack Hogwarts. No one with a brain, anyway.''
''Are you listening to yourself, boy?'' Salazar said harshly. ''Roulf Peverell had attacked and almost destroyed this very castle. That is the reason why I asked for a new basilisk to be brought here. I created this school, and I shall not let it be destroyed.''
''Roulf Peverelll?'' Harry whispered, tasting the word on the tip of his tongue. ''You do know that was 200, wait, over three hundred years ago now?''
''Three hundred years?'' The man asked. He almost sounded surprised. ''What year is it now?''
''1940.''
''1940?'' Salazar echoed and seemed not to know what else to say ''No matter. I shall not let myself be patronised by a child. You do not know how the world works. There will be always those who wish to bring harm to Hogwarts, from inside or out. It has been that way since it was first created. By muggles and wizards alike.''
''Maybe you're right,'' Harry said. That was a lie. He thought the man was wildly out of touch. ''If she's only defending the castle, I guess there shouldn't be a problem.''
''I will always defend it,'' Halwa said. ''This castle is what the master loves most. I will always defend it.''
Salazar's lips twisted ever so slightly that it almost looked like a smile.
When Harry looked in between the two, his stomach clenched. Was he really going to do this? Now, the Basilisk seemed anything but the man-eater he knew.
Almost as if listening to his thoughts, Halawa slithered up to him, its eyes glimmering like red gemstones.
He finally asked. ''What?''
''Your heart.'' The massive serpent said. ''Can't hear your heart. Haven't heard it since you came in here. You are a speaker. That was more important to bring up. But why can't I hear it? You feel like a dead person.''
''I'm not a dead person.'' He hissed. ''And how can you tell if my heart is beating or not?''
''The senses of a Basilisk are inhumanly sharp. They are not true serpents, but magical creatures. Especially powerful ones, too.'' Salazar gave him a long, appraising look. ''If Halawa says that you do not have a heartbeat, then I believe her''
He sighed. ''Then I guess there's no point in lying. Yeah, she's right.''
''A wizard without a heart.'' Salazar wondered out loud. ''Was this the outcome of a pact?''
His mouth opened, but no words came out. He closed it up, expression serious. ''I'm surprised you know that.''
''There is not a single thing in the magical world that I do not know.'' It didn't sound like arrogance. The man made it sound like a fact. ''Halawa, leave us for a moment.''
''Leave?'' The serpent inquired. ''What is going on master?''
''You shall stay here and not listen in on us,'' Salazar said steely. ''These are pacts that have killed people, for having the faintest idea they exist. You, being a Basilisk means very little.''
''Fine. I'll do as you say.''
It was an odd sight. Like a father telling off his petulant child, even if it was between a Basilisk and Salazar Slytherin.
''Return to the statue,'' Salazar commanded, and the basilisk's red eyes dulled. ''Speak to me, Slytherin. Greatest of the four founders.''
There was a rumble. The statue's mouth opened, widening until Halawa slithered around it and fit inside.
''What is your name?'' Salazar asked once the mouth closed. ''You have not yet told me.''
''Harry. My name is Harry.''
''Harry,'' Salazar repeated, displeased. ''That is a muggle name.
''Maybe a thousand years ago.'' He said. ''But I've met lots of purebloods named Harry. Unless you think I'm lying.''
''It would be impossible for a Muggle to open my chambers, the same would apply to a Mudblood.''
''Right,'' Harry said, his smile tight. ''A Mudblood would never be able to.''
''It is unlikely,'' Salazar said, ''But it would be best to-'
'' Stay safe.'' Harry finished for the man. He drew his wand. ''Muffliato''
A long silence filled the chamber. Harry made sure to keep his wand in a steady grip.
''You are not the first of my blood foolish enough to have accepted a pact with death.'' Salazar finally said. ''Though, you are the youngest. Why? You must understand what this means. You have cursed yourself for an eternity.''
''Why?'' He said rhetorically, back to the wall. ''Because I didn't have much choice.''
''Perhaps,'' Salazar said, shaking his head. ''But it is still incredibly foolish. I would gladly accept being trapped down here until the end of time if it meant not having to strike a deal with death.''
He shrugged. ''It could always be worse.''
Salazar inhaled deeply. ''You foolish child.'' He said. ''Does the rest of my bloodline act similarly?''
''That's actually why I came down here,'' Harry admitted. ''About a certain descendent of yours.''
''Who?''
''Someone who's at Hogwarts right now.'' He said, lips set into a firm line.
''A sibling?''
Harry's face twisted in disgust. ''No, she's not a sibling.'' He whispered. ''You said that there's a Basilisk down here as the final line of defence, and I believe that. But a Parseltongue could easily change that.''
''And you believe that this girl shall use Halawa as a weapon against Hogwarts?''
''I might be.'' He said. ''We can't just talk to snakes, we can control them too. When she discovers there's a basilisk here, well, I already know what's going to happen.''
''I shall not let her use Halawa for her own whims. It will only take a word to break her commands.''
''That's my point.'' He told the ghost, gripping his wand hard enough for his fingers to turn chalk white. ''It just takes a word. That's risky, right? You were a powerful wizard, but now you're just a ghost. Any of my commands can be broken by her too.''
A dark glow caught Salazar's eyes. ''I would watch your tone, boy.''
''But am I wrong?'' Harry pointed his wand at the ghost. ''I really am sorry about this, but I don't have a choice. It's too risky.''
The man's voice cracked with fury. ''It is too risky? Tell me! Does this girl know of the chamber of secrets?''
''Not yet, but she will.''
''And can you be so certain? Only a handful of witches and wizards have discovered the chamber in a thousand years!''
''Because it's already happened.''
The ghost's eyes widened ever so slightly, but he quickly steeled his expression.
Salazar hissed.
'''' Speak to me, Slytherin. Greatest of the four founders.''
The statue's mouth opened slowly, only to stop midway as Harry hissed back.
''Speak to me, Slytherin. Greatest of the four founders.''
Harry jabbed his wand in the air, as Salazar floated above him
''I know you think that I'm just lying, but I really don't want to do this.'' Harry said honestly ''Exillium Phantasma!''
Pale light erupted in the chamber. It touched Harry, but it simply went through him, like a gust of wind. Though, once it met with Salazar, his body began to fade away.
It was a spell that Harry had learned in the last week, preparing for this very day. A book stolen from the Defence Against The Dark Arts Classroom, the incantations learned a day later.
''You dare!'' Salazar roared, his face a mask of cold fury. It was his legs that faded first. ''This is not the first time one of my descendants has banished me, and I shall return as I have before!''
''You're wrong about just one thing' Harry said unflinchingly. ''I'm not your descendant.''
Then came his legs.'' What?''
''I'm not your descendant. I don't need to lie anymore.'' He said. ''My name is Harry Potter.''
Somehow, the voice of Salazar grew louder and angrier ''Potter, Godrics bastard!'' That was the last thing Salazar said before his whole body vanished.
Harry fell into sitting position on the water-logged floor with a splash. His robes grew damp and he felt himself go numb. If Salazar was not a ghost, then Harry knew he would have stood little chance.
No, he would have stood no chance.
But he was now only half done. Harry could feel the pits of his stomach bubbling. He looked at the statue.
''Speak to me, Slytherin. Greatest of the four founders.''
The stone face moved, shifting, and the massive serpent slithered down.
''What is that?'' Halawa hissed. ''My ears, my ears. What is that?''
''Oh, one minute.'' Harry waved his wand, his smile disarming. ''That was just a muffliato. Are you okay now?''
''Yes, much better,'' Halwa said. ''But where is master? I can't hear master. I can always hear master.''
Harry finally rose from the waterlogged ground. He wondered how he should go about this. ''He's just away for a little while.''
That was not a lie. It was impossible to kill a ghost. Salazar would return.
''What did you do to master?'' Halwa hissed, her eyes glowing darkly.
His smile faded. ''Listen to me.'' Harry boomed, like Salazar Slytherin had before him. ''You will obey me, you will listen to me. Is that understood?''
''A speaker, a speaker.'' The serpent said, its eyes now a dull red. It had worked.
He sighed. ''I know you can't hear me, but I really am sorry.''
The giant snake didn't respond. She didn't move. Hell, Harry doubted she could even hear his words.
''You are a beautiful animal,'' Harry said, his voice softer than he was used to. ''I've always loved snakes, even when I was a kid. Back then, I never could have ever even imagined I would meet a real Basilisk.''
At this point, he knew the snake couldn't hear him. He was talking to himself.
''But I can't just let you go. I know there's somebody who would love for you to cause all sorts of chaos. And for that I am sorry.''
Harry stepped forward and laid a hand on the serpent's head. ''I know this won't give you any comfort, not this you anyways. But I will kill her.'' He closed his eyes. He continued, his voice returning to a sharp hiss. ''Now, swallow your own tail.''
Morning must have come by now.
While everyone woke up in their comfy beds, ate breakfast with friends and struggled to keep their eyes open in class, Harry was down in the darkest, coldest chamber in all of Hogwarts, beside a serpent, that was curled up in a thirty-foot ball, its tail in her mouth.
It had been hours since she last made a sound, but he had hardly moved from his spot.
Harry knew if he stayed too long, then Salazar could return. That would be bad. Ghosts weren't dangerous, but he didn't want to meet that man, in front of the corpse of his pet.
Did he regret it? No, he didn't think so. Halwa still didn't deserve it.
She simply wanted to protect the school.
All because of Emily Riddle.
Harry felt his face twist grotesquely.
He had met her every year since his first. His first year wasn't too bad. It was not perfect, there were problems along the road but it was manageable. But in his second year?
Harry finally started to leave the chamber.
If only he didn't pick up that diary.