CHAPTER 16: BREATH OF THE HATCHLING
Harry delicately placed the final petite trinket within the confines of his chamber. Freshly returned from the winter break, he found himself bestowed with an array of gifts—tokens of affection from his father and a select few close associates among the enigmatic Death Eaters. His father's offering stood out prominently—a diminutive serpent pendant adorned with small emeralds, its eyes gleaming as it coiled back, forming a snug loop through which a gilded chain elegantly slid.
The serpent, an exotic creation hewn from an unfamiliar stone known as Black Spinal, held a mysterious allure. Its molecular composition purportedly endowed it with an innate affinity for dark magic, rendering it easily enchantable and obedient to the whims of its possessor. Infused with dark magic and cursed, this accessory harbored a potent defense mechanism. Attempting to don it without Harry's explicit permission would trigger a gruesome demise, the pendant melding seamlessly with the interloper's flesh and leeching off their magical core. It was a formidable spy, a mere two inches in length, capable of uncoiling with a seamless stroke and slipping into the most inconspicuous of spaces. Resilient and challenging to obliterate, the creation was a testament to Coilis's distinction, serving as the model for this diminutive marvel.
Yet, for all its virtues, the necklace possessed a singular flaw—it took a minimum of two days to execute its fatal machinations once fused with the unfortunate wearer's flesh. Presently, that very necklace adorned Harry's neck, a silent sentinel ready to defend against any would-be usurpers.
"Obsidian!" The familiarity of Daphne's voice reached Harry's ears, and without lifting his gaze, he smirked knowingly before turning to meet her astonished expression. His swift unpacking skills had him well-prepared in his room long before others had settled in.
"Hello, Daphne. You're here early—eager to outpace the crowd, I presume?" Harry remarked casually, sliding a handful of books onto the shelf he'd brought from his room, its ebony surface adorned with silver serpents at the tips.
"Indeed," replied Daphne. "Millicent, Tanya, and Sephiri agreed to a room swap with Pansy and me, so we'll be across the hall now. I've heard that Blaise and Trevor are also vacating their room, so Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle might be moving in. I'm not certain about Theo, though..." Daphne trailed off, absorbed in her musings, oblivious to the fact that Harry had stopped paying attention.
"I see," Harry acknowledged, his attention now focused on a different matter. With a flick of his wand, he had finally discovered the right spell to transform the door's color.
"Puniceus ut Niger," Harry muttered, waving his wand along the door frame. Daphne observed with a peculiar expression as the color at the bottom gradually shifted to a standard purple. However, as Harry continued the incantation, the shade deepened, growing darker and darker until midnight black dominated the top portion.
Daphne couldn't help but watch, her surprise evident as the unusual amalgamation of colors bled into each other. Sensing her fascination, Harry continued his spellwork.
"Crux," Harry whispered, causing Daphne to flinch momentarily, fearing the onset of a notorious dark curse. Her tension eased as Harry promptly concluded the incantation before the curse could fully unfold.
The room's transformation complete, Harry surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction, the once mundane door now an enchanting gradient of purples and blacks. Daphne, though initially taken aback, couldn't deny the allure of the magical spectacle before her.
"Tell me, Daphne, what comes to mind when you think of a snake or a particular breed?" Harry inquired, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as his wand emitted a soft white glow. Daphne watched with fascination, recalling the rare snake Draco and Theo had once spoken of.
"Coilis," she answered, prompting a surprised reaction from Harry. The voice of Coilis himself hissed in astonishment from beneath the bed, causing Harry to stiffen. "What? How does this girl know of me, Master?" the snake questioned. Harry chose to remain silent, allowing Daphne to interpret his lack of response as a lack of knowledge.
"It's a Diamondcross, I believe, a black one with the reddest eyes. Draco mentioned that it reminded him of... You-Know-Who," Daphne whispered the last part cautiously, even though all students were currently at the welcome-back feast.
"Coilis," Harry whispered, pressing his wand tip into the door. In an instant, the tip flashed black, and a dark line curved upwards like running ink, dripping in an upward motion. "Crux, Morsus," Harry added, observing as the color transformed into a rusty red, extending upwards in a line that intertwined with the black.
Stepping back, Harry smirked at Daphne's puzzled expression, the full impact of the enchantment not yet apparent to her. "What is s—" Daphne began, but her words were cut off as the lines thickened, bulging slightly and coiling. The lines tightened and tensed, growing and shrinking into delicate, filled fang points. In a matter of seconds, a Black Diamondcross and Gaboon Viper materialized on the door, gracefully intertwined and of normal size. Coilis appeared with his mouth closed in his usual form, while the Gaboon Viper displayed the long death it held in its mouth.
"You question my spells, Daphne?" Harry stated coolly, causing Daphne to quickly back away, realizing she had underestimated the depth of Harry's magical prowess.
"No! Not at all!" Daphne yelped, her surprise evident, and she hastily retreated into the room across the hall. Completing his magical work, Harry delicately traced his wand tip across the top, just below the heads of both forms of Coilis. With finesse in his elegant hand, he concluded the enchantment, adding his last name, Obsidian, to the top. It was a prudent choice to retain the door until his departure from Hogwarts.
A faint murmur of footsteps and conversation reached Coilis's ears, prompting a swift warning to Harry. He slipped into his room, adeptly closing the door behind him. After all, a wizard of his caliber still had a multitude of tasks demanding his attention.
Several weeks elapsed, during which Harry meticulously gathered the necessary information. The revelation that Cerberus would promptly fall asleep proved to be a valuable insight. He now possessed at least one method to navigate past the colossal three-headed dog. However, a new challenge emerged—apparently, the entrance to whatever lay beyond was secured by a trapdoor.
Undeterred, Harry delved into his research, determined to unravel the mysteries that lay ahead. The complexity of the task only fueled his resolve, and he continued to refine his plans for the challenges awaiting him at Hogwarts.
The previous Sunday, Harry had ventured to the location of the massive three-headed dog, successfully rendering it unconscious and allowing him to inspect the area behind its colossal form. Upon pushing open the dark, slightly musty door, Harry illuminated the empty space with an adapted Light charm, a Lumos variation he had shared with Granger prior to the holidays. The radiance revealed something shiny and animated within.
His initial suspicion of snakes dissipated after an unsuccessful attempt to communicate in Parseltongue. A shift in focus led him to consider the presence of plants. This revelation opened a Pandora's box of implications—if subjects like Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures were enlisted in safeguarding this concealed chamber, then surely all the other Hogwarts professors were also privy to its secrets.
Seated at a table, writing diligently in his small, black book adorned with a silver circle and intricate runes—courtesy of an idea from Bellatrix—Harry recorded his observations, theories, and potential solutions. The book, crafted to withstand the passage of time, became a repository for the complex details of his investigation.
While Harry held a disdain for Herbology, a silver lining emerged from this predicament. Daemon Potter and his cohort were also grappling with the challenge of circumventing the monstrous guardian. The only potential ally among them was the ever-knowledgeable Granger, who might possess insights into the identity of the plant or strategies to neutralize it. The collaboration of unlikely allies became a necessity, bound by the common goal of overcoming the enigmatic obstacle guarding the trapdoor.
Harry found himself frustrated with the dearth of information at his disposal, poring over indexes on magical plants in search of a clue. Pride be damned, he concluded that seeking assistance from a seventh-year or the Slytherin "know-it-all" might be his only recourse.
He smirked at the memory of leaving the latter, the ambitious Slytherin girl, in a disarray a week ago, bereft of answers and support. In Slytherin, alliances were more like strategic collaborations, and Harry was keenly aware of his standing—no friends, just comrades. His looks, a point of pride he couldn't deny, often had an effect on the opposite gender, a fact that didn't escape his notice. The curious absence of infatuation from a few girls puzzled him momentarily.
Frustration mounted, and with a resigned sigh, Harry slammed his book shut. No answers. The looming task at hand made it apparent that he needed to seek external assistance, but approaching Professor Sprout directly would raise suspicions. A few seconds later, Harry found himself standing before Vaisey, the Slytherin Prefect and undisputed Herbology expert who had committed major Herbology books to memory.
One advantage Harry had in this endeavor was Vaisey's susceptibility to fleeting infatuations, making her a convenient ally. With an air of calculated charm, he intended to play his cards right, leveraging her expertise for the elusive information he sought. The game of alliances within Slytherin had begun, and Harry was determined to emerge victorious in his pursuit of knowledge.
Vaisey remained engrossed in her newspaper, oblivious to Harry's presence until she jumped at the sudden realization of eerie green eyes fixed on her. "Gah! Obsidian! How long have you been there?" she exclaimed, a mix of surprise and startlement evident in her voice. Not anticipating a response, she welcomed the slow blink with a measure of relief.
"Excellent job on your door, by the way. Even a few of the higher years can't do charms that well!" she complimented, her attention fully occupied by the enchantment. Unbeknownst to her, Harry's mind was already at work, plotting in the background.
"Oh? I didn't know some students weren't as advanced as you," Harry replied, widening his eyes to convey innocence. However, there was an eerie quality to them that proved mesmerizing, a fact not lost on Vaisey.
"Oh! Well, I'm not that goo…that goo…Tha—" She faltered, abruptly stopping as she locked eyes with him. Harry's fingers gently traced along her jawline, eliciting gooseflesh and causing her to stutter as she struggled to find words.
"What was that? I seem to have misheard," Harry noted, breaking eye contact with a blink. Instantly, Vaisey blushed intensely, her complexion resembling that of a Hufflepuff.
"N-never mind," she stammered, still visibly affected by the unexpected contact.
"Hey, I was working on an assignment, but I can't get part of it right. Possibly, you can help?" Harry asked, masking his amusement as her breath caught. The intricate dance of manipulation and intrigue within Slytherin continued, and Harry played his cards with calculated finesse.
"It's thin and long, green and tangled. It loves the cold and wet, and it's probably lethal too, but I can't seem to find it in my books. Are you aware of a plant such as this?" Harry inquired, his voice a mesmerizing whisper as his compelling eyes met hers once again.
"D-Devil's sn-nare… Can't-t st-tand f-f-fir—" Vaisey began, but Harry swiftly silenced her with a gentle touch, leaving her breathless and with a slight flush on her face.
"Devil's Snare, huh? Thank you, Vaisey. It seems I've completed my task. Too bad none should know of our encounter," Harry mused, withdrawing his wand and taking a few steps back. Confusion flickered across her features as she blinked a few times.
"Huh?"
"Obliviate."
"Obsidian! You won't believe what I saw!" Draco exclaimed in a hushed whisper, abruptly appearing around the corner where Harry was engrossed in his fire spell experiments.
Rare as it was for anyone to intentionally seek him out, especially Draco Malfoy, Harry glanced up from his book, curious about the urgency and desperation in Draco's demeanor. The fact that Draco was panting and agitated lent a degree of credibility to whatever he was about to reveal.
"The Half Giant! He has a dragon!" Draco gasped, having evidently sprinted all the way from wherever he'd witnessed this spectacle.
Harry assessed the situation, contemplating the likelihood that Draco wasn't simply playing a prank. "The Half-Blood has a dragon," he stated more as a confirmation than a question. Draco eagerly nodded, and Harry, setting aside his current magical pursuits, began to formulate how he could turn this unexpected development to his advantage.
"And Potter, Weasel, and Mudblood Granger were there!" Draco added, altering the dynamics significantly.
"Did they see you?" Harry inquired, and Draco's silence served as confirmation of Harry's suspicions. Swiftly, Harry rose from his seat, allowing Coilis to gracefully coil around his neck.
"What were they doing with the dragon?" Harry demanded, his tone betraying a sense of urgency. Draco smirked slightly, relishing the newfound importance of the information he possessed.
"They were taking it up to the astronomy tower under… some sort of cloak? A Weasel is going to take it," Draco revealed, setting the stage for Harry to make his next move.
"Summon our head of house immediately; inform him that a couple of lions have been spotted on the loose. And under no circumstances should anyone venture out after them," Harry commanded, striding purposefully to his quarters, with Draco trailing behind and lingering at the doorway.
Fastening a dark over robe around himself, Harry pivoted and made his way to the entrance. He was well aware of the curfew, but few dared to impede him; the night was the domain of Slytherins, and thus far, none had been apprehended.
"What? I can't just stay cooped up in here doing nothing!" Draco protested, met with a stern glare.
"Make sure you don't land yourself in trouble, Malfoy," Harry growled, disappearing through the door and into the dungeons. Draco chewed on his lip, contemplating his options. With a resigned sigh, he decided to make his way towards Professor Snape's office.
As Draco navigated through the dimly lit corridors, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that hung in the air. The castle seemed to hold its breath, as if bracing for some imminent event. He quickened his pace, the click of his shoes echoing through the empty halls.
Upon reaching Professor Snape's office, Draco knocked hesitantly. The door creaked open, revealing the stern visage of the Potions Master.
"Mr. Malfoy, what brings you here at this hour?" Snape inquired, his gaze penetrating.
"There are lions on the loose, Professor. Harry's gone to deal with it," Draco explained, his voice betraying a hint of concern.
Snape's eyes narrowed, and he swiftly moved into action. "Lions, you say? Very well, let's not waste any time. Follow me."
As they made their way through secret passages and dimly lit corridors, Draco couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine. The night held secrets, and tonight, it seemed, those secrets were stirring.
Harry glided noiselessly through the castle corridors, donning the frigid demeanor of the Shadow. His cloak barely whispered as he maneuvered, Coilis, his serpent companion, coiled tightly and vigilant for any signs of life or potential trouble.
"The astronomy tower, Master? Are we embarking on a midnight snack, perhaps?" Coilis inquired, its serpent eyes gleaming in the dim light.
"No, Coilis. We're not here to kill. We need them to get into trouble. If we're fortunate, we can delay them long enough for Snape to intervene," Harry explained, his tone calculated and strategic.
"Ah, I understand, Master," Coilis responded, its slithering movements synchronized with Harry's purposeful strides.
Harry halted, casting his gaze upward at the imposing shadow cast by a suit of armor. "Here we go," he muttered, stepping into the darkness and seamlessly disappearing.
The transition felt akin to portkey travel, a whirlwind of colors observed through the lens of random shadows. With a sudden rush of cold air, Harry caught himself just before stumbling forward. He spun around, positioning himself in the tower's corner. A satisfied smirk played on his lips as he waited, observing the door quietly swinging open.
Someone invisible crept in, shedding a cloak that had concealed them from view. The faint outline of a figure emerged, revealing a trespasser attempting to navigate the tower under the cloak of invisibility. Harry remained hidden in the shadows, poised and patient, anticipating the unfolding events.
"Ah, James Potter's invisibility cloak, of course," Harry mused quietly, observing as Daemon Potter wrestled with a squirming little dragon. The creature turned, spewing a burst of fire, prompting Daemon to reprimand it with a firm smack on the nose.
"Argh! Mistreating a hatchling, a close relative of mine. Calm yourself, little one," Coilis soothed, its sinuous form causing the dragon, named Norbert, to look up and hiss in response.
"He wishes to be free of this fool's grip. His name is Norbert, and he will soon be sent to Romania," Coilis translated, its telepathic connection with the dragon evident.
"You can understand him?" Harry inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course, Master. I believe you could converse with a Chinese Fireball; it's as close as a dragon can be to understanding us," Coilis replied with an air of certainty. Harry nodded, gently lowering Coilis to the ground.
"Argh, what is this slimy creature! Ron, get this dragon off me, it's a nuisance!" Daemon shouted to Ron, who hurried into the scene and skillfully grabbed the spitting dragon.
"He says these humans have hurt him; his wings are painfully pinned to his back," Coilis relayed the dragon's distress.
"Would you care to assist him?" Harry questioned Daemon.
"No killing, Master?" Coilis sought clarification.
"No killing," Harry affirmed, his expression resolute. The unfolding scene promised a delicate balance between protecting Norbert and adhering to their principle of non-lethal intervention.
"Very well," Harry affirmed.
Coilis slithered deliberately across the floor, purposefully creating a scraping noise as his scaled body moved. Daemon's attention was immediately drawn, his face paling as he witnessed a tail vanish into the darkness.
"Ron, there's something out there," Daemon whispered, his voice tinged with apprehension. Ron grumbled in response, struggling to restrain the protesting dragon.
"Hush, little hatchling. Go limp, play dead, and they will forget," Coilis whispered soothingly, and the hatchling obediently complied, going limp and causing Ron to panic.
"daemon! I think I killed it!" Ron whispered frantically, causing Daemon to whirl around and stare at the seemingly lifeless dragon in shock.
"But Charlie's on his way; he'll be here in a few minutes!" Daemon protested, unaware of the dragon's open eye, seeking acceptance from Coilis.
"Good job, hatchling. I praise you. Let me assist; fear not, little one," Coilis hissed loudly, a sound that made both boys freeze, their eyes wide with fear as they peered into the darkness, uncertain of what lurked beyond. The tension in the air was palpable as they awaited the unknown.
"Daemon?" "Ron…" "What is that…?"
Silence hung in the air as Daemon and Ron beheld the once-innocent darkness, now illuminated by Coilis's usual red glowing eyes. The two boys yelped in fear, instinctively dropping the hatchling and scrambling backward. Norbert, now awake, darted towards Coilis in a frenzy, nuzzling the serpent's neck.
"Good little hatchling, but I cannot keep you. A man is coming; he is well-suited to care for you," Coilis hissed back, the dragon looking up with a hint of sadness but nodding in understanding. Its gaze shifted to the window, where a man on a broom appeared.
"Ron? Ah, Daemon Potter, an honor really! Where is this little rascal you mentioned?" Charlie Weasley smirked; the two boys gulped and pointed nervously towards the shadows where Coilis lurked.
"What? Something wrong, boys?" Charlie asked, dismounting and peering into the darkness. Ron shivered.
"There's something there! A m-monster!" Ron stammered, his arm trembling.
"Correction, it's a snake, my snake," Harry drawled, stepping forward with Norbert nuzzling his arm and Coilis coiled around his neck.
Charlie jumped, then grinned, extending his hand. He waited for Harry to step into the light. Harry obliged, and the two first years shot defiant glares at the older wizard, anticipating his reaction.
"I see you have a dragon on 'ya. My name's Charlie Weasley, you are?" Charlie offered, choosing to disregard the defiant glares being directed at Harry by the two first years.
"Obsidian, Harry Obsidian. This is Morsus, and this baby dragon…I assume you want him?" Harry extended his arm, allowing Norbert to gracefully fly over to Charlie.
"Oh... You're Obsidian," Charlie remarked, his tone indicating prior knowledge of Harry. Harry gave a curt nod and swiftly turned on his heel.
"Next time, Ronald and Daemon, don't pin a dragon's wings to its back," Harry advised before vanishing, though he remained hidden in the shadows, observing the unfolding events.
"When they leave, Coilis… Attack," Harry instructed with a determined edge.
"With glee, Master," Coilis hissed in response.
The door creaked open, and Coilis lunged into action. Daemon struggled, attempting to pry the giant snake off his torso, but Coilis sprang onto Ron, causing both boys to tumble down the Astronomy Tower's steps. The commotion drew the attention of Hermione, who happened to be nearby, and the three of them rolled down, the Invisibility Cloak tangling up their legs.
At the bottom of the tower, they found themselves face to face with Professor McGonagall, her stern expression softened by a touch of concern, and Draco, who looked worried.
"Oh? So, Mr. Malfoy here was right? You three were smuggling a dragon through the school?" McGonagall demanded, crossing her arms. Harry, still concealed in the shadows, narrowed his eyes at Draco. This was precisely why he had warned against Draco going out on such escapades.
"It wasn't just us! Obsidian was with us! He was just here!" "Mr. Weasley, I assure you that no one else came out of that door," Professor McGonagall scolded, her frustration growing at what she perceived as falsehoods.
"But it's true! He has this wicked snake with burning red eyes, and-" "Mr. Weasley, Harry Obsidian's snake has gold eyes," Professor Snape drawled as he appeared around the corner, casting a cold gaze toward Malfoy.
"But-But-!" Daemon attempted to defend but found himself at a loss for words.
"I say fifty points will be taken," Snape declared, cutting off any further protests from Potter.
"Each," he added, eliciting wide-eyed looks from the three Gryffindors.
"That includes you, Mr. Malfoy, as you were up past curfew. All of you will assist Hagrid for your detention the next night."
That was the breaking point for Harry. He swiftly vanished into his room, casting a silencing charm as he burst into cackling laughter. The irony of the situation and the unexpected turn of events seemed to amuse him to no end.
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