As Severus Snape entered the staff room at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry he noted that he was the last Professor to arrive.

As he took his seat Dumbledore spoke "Ah, Severus my boy, so good of you to join us."

Snape raised an eyebrow in Dumbledore's direction. "I was held up by some students."

Dumbledore twinkled in Snape's direction "it is so lovely; the curiosity of young minds. Now that we have all gathered I believe that Minerva has a concern to bring to our attention. Minerva if you would?"

Minerva McGonagall seemed to sit even straighter in her chair as all attention shifted to her. "It has been brought to my attention by Mr. Ron Weasley and Miss. Hermione Granger, that Mr. Potter has gone missing."

At Mcgonagall's proclamation Snape's lips gave a slight twitch upward. "And what," he drawled, "could possibly make Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger think that Mr. Potter is missing?"

"Mr. Weasley stated that Mr. Potter has not been sleeping in his dorm room, and Miss. Granger mentioned that they haven't seen him in their common room," Mcgonagall primley answered.

"Seeing as he was one of the students that held me up after breakfast, I highly doubt Mr. Potter is missing," Snape said.

"Oh, dear," sounded the overly sweet high pitched voice of Dolores Umbridge, "we can't have that; students sleeping outside of their dorms. Headmaster I will endeavor to find out just where Mr. Potter has been spending his nights and ensure that he is returned to his dorm, safe and sound."

Dumbledore turned to her "Oh thank you Dolores. I admit that I met young Mr. Potter after breakfast yesterday. He didn't mention anything about his sleeping arrangements while he was staying in the castle. However he did happen to mention that he was emancipated over the summer. Perhaps that has something to do with his new sleeping arrangements."

Dolores Umbrige's face took on the look of someone who had learned the most juicy of details. "Oh yes, Professor," she simpered, "that is most helpful."

When the interaction between Dumbledore and Umbridge came to an end Snape got to his feet. "If that will be all, I have lessons to prepare," he droned.

"Yes, yes," Filius Flitwick spoke up, "I'm so glad that the poor boy isn't missing, but we all do have lessons to prepare for. Classes do start tomorrow after all."

At Flitwicks statement Dumbledore inclined his head "right you are Filius, I believe this meeting is dismissed."

While the teachers were in a staff meeting Hadrian and Theo sat in an unused classroom near the potion master's office. They were deep in discussion on which entrance to the Chamber of Secrets they would show Snape.

"I really don't want to have to talk to Myrtle again; but I also don't want to show Snape our closet," said Theo.

"Oh, but just think of Snape's face when he slides down the pipe," suggested Hadrian.

This had Theo bursting into a peal of laughter. "That would be great to see. Do you think it's worth dealing with Myrtle potentially flooding the room?" he asked.

"I don't know," answered Hadrian, "perhaps we should just bring him through our room entrance, we'll have to come back that way after all."

As Theo was about to reply the sound of a door opening and closing sounded from down the hallway. "I guess Snape's back," Theo said.

When Theo and Hadrian entered Snape's office they were directed to sit.

Snape eyed the two boys sitting before him, "I believe that the two of you should explain yourselves."

When Theo and Hadrian just looked at him blankly he sighed "the rare potion ingredients, what are they?"

"Oh, ah, a basilisk, sir," answered Hadrian.

Snape gave Hadrian a flat look "a basilisk, where on earth did you come across one of those?"

Hadrian grinned "the Chamber of Secrets; I killed it in second year."

"Well then surely it's not in any condition to be harvested."

"I believe that there are very strong preservations charms on the chamber, sir. When we were down there yesterday there was no hint of rot or mold." said Theo.

Snape eyed them both thoughtfully, "very well I will take a look and determine how much of this so-called basilisk is usable."

Hadrian and Theo got to their feet. "Thank you so much, Professor," said Theo.

While Hadian said "shall we go now."

Snape scowled "lead the way."

Theo and Hadrian left Snape's office and led him up to the third floor corridor.

When they entered their rooms Snape drawled "I presume this is where the two of you have been staying in lieu of your dorms."

Theo turned to Snape, "yes, these are our rooms. The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is just through here in our closet."

Snape raised his eyebrow, but remained silent as he followed the two boys into their closet. His eyebrows seemed to climb even higher on his forehead when a door at the back of the closet opened. He dutifully allowed himself to be led down a long passageway, and let out a quiet gasp when they reached the end and the door opened into green and silver living quarters.

When Hadrian and Theo heard Snape let out a gasp they both turned to grin at him.

"Welcome to Salazar Slytherin's private quarters," Said Hadrian.

Theo began pointing out different doors, "the bathroom's through there, those two are both bedrooms, that's the office and the library is in there."

Hadrian noticed the look of longing on Snape's face when the library was mentioned. "Do you want to see the library first or get started on the basilisk? We can always come back later."

Snape sighed "show me the basilisk. Coming back later would be appreciated."

Hadrian walked over to the entrance door "the basilisk is through here, in the main chamber."

When Snape finally took in the basilisk he stumbled back in surprise. "Bloody hell," he swore under his breath, "how on earth did a twelve year old kill this monster.

When he was done marveling at the sheer size of the monstrous snake in front of him, he began to look at it with a more critical eye. Despite being down here for so long the corpse was in remarkably good condition. He would be able to extract the venom first. The skin could also be used in some potions as well as making spell resistant clothing. Unfortunately it looked like the eyes had been destroyed, but the brain and other internal organs were still mostly intact. Not to mention the blood that was a key ingredient in many potions that were no longer in use; due to the main ingredients' rarity. Then there was the flesh; while it was not used in any potion's he had read in many old tomes that it was a rare delicacy. All together there were millions, possibly billions worth of ingredients and materials here.

Snape whirled around when he heard a call from behind him. "Professor," Theo called "will you need our help? We know it's quite a lot."

"No, I shouldn't need any help. You did well to get me, two fifth year students would never be able to harvest this." Snape answered.

"Alright" said Hadrian "We'll be in the living quarters if you need anything."

Snape gave a sharp nod, conjured the tools he would need for the job and got to work.

Theo and Hadrian watched him for a moment before going back into the sitting room.

"He almost looks like he's having fun, doesn't he," chuckled Theo.

"He did," laughed Hadrian, "should we wake up Salazar or take a closer look at the library and study first?"

"Hmm," thought Theo, "let's take a look at the study. I'm very curious about all the classes that they aren't offering anymore."

"Alright, I'm curious as well," said Hadrian.

The young couple went into the study and began to sort through all the paperwork. They worked in companionable silence occasionally stopping to discuss something interesting that they had found. They also began to compile a list of classes that were no longer offered and a list of classes that were still offered, but were not what they once were.

"Look at this," Hadrian exclaimed, "muggle studies wasn't always just one class, but a series of different classes. Some of them were even required."

Theo came over to have a look, "well that makes so much more sense. Muggle studies isn't just learning about muggles but also learning about the things muggles study. Also requiring latin would make learning spells easier and arithmetic would make arithmancy easier as well. We should add all of these to the list."

By lunchtime they had amassed quite the list of classes that needed to be added to the curriculum.

Classes to Add

Warding

Alchemy

Wixen politics

Healing

Recognizing magic materials

Rites and rituals

Conjuring

Incantations

Magic and the arts

Muggle studies

Writing

Arithmetic

Science

Muggle history

Muggle fashion

Muggle politics

Latin

English

Physical education

When Hadrian's stomach started to growl he cast a quick tempus. "Theo it's time for lunch, could you get Snape, while call Dobby to fetch us lunch."

"Sure," Theo said, "maybe we can wake up Salazar while we eat."

"That's a great idea, love" Hadrian called as Theo headed out the door.

When Theo left Hadrian called "Dobby."

Dobby popped in and looked around with wide eyes, "Master Hoggywarts calls Dobby to Snaky chambers."

"Er, yes," answered Hadrian, "you know about the Chamber of Secrets?"

"yes," squeaked Dobby, "all elvses know about snaky chambers, but can not enters unless wes is beings called."

"Oh, are you able to get us lunch down here?" Hadrian asked.

Dobby tilted his head to the side in thought "Dobby can do, if Mater Hoggywarts asks."

"Oh good," said Hadrian then in that case "can we please have lunch for three down here in the chamber"

Dobby snapped his fingers, "Master Hoggywartses lunch bes in the sittings room. Does Master Hoggywarts be needing Dobby for anything else."

Hadrian smiled down at Dobby, "thank you Dobby, I don't need anything else right now."

When Dobby popped away Hadrian went to sit down in the sitting room and wait for Theo and Snape.

When Theo walked out into the main chamber he had to stop and stare at what he was witnessing. Snape had his robes off and the sleeves on the black jacket he wore under his robes rolled up to his elbows. He had conjured a large table that contained all the tools he would need and already at his feet were many large jars containing various fluids. On another large table were stacks of what appeared to be skin. What was left of the basilisk was a pale grotesque figure that appeared to have been drained of blood, with no skin, eyes or teeth. But what was most surprising of all was the grin on the potion master's face. Theo had never even seen his lips so much as twitch in a smile, to see him grin in joy like this was shocking.

"Professor," he called "would you like to take a break it's lunch time?"

At Theo's voice Snape spun around in surprise; scowling he straightened the sleeves on his jacket, casting a quick tempus to check the time "Yes, a quick lunch would be fine."

"Well come on then," said Theo, "we're going to wake Salazar Slytherin's portrait while we eat."

This seemed to pique the Professors interest and he made a visible effort not to hurry.