CHAPTER 25: SUSPICIONS AND SECRETS
As the Halloween feast drew to a close, the Great Hall buzzed with the lingering energy of the festivities. Hagrid, having learned from past mishaps, ensured that there were no Thestrals lurking about, much to his own relief and the general amusement of the students.
Amidst the small chatter that filled the air, Suzie Forestar found herself struggling to keep up. Having been lost to the magical world for a while, she lacked the finesse in magic manipulation that Harry possessed, often finding herself on the receiving end of lost points and Lockhart's unjustified ire.
Despite her challenges, Suzie excelled in potions and Transfiguration, surpassing even the timid Neville Longbottom in skill. Neville, with his gentle demeanor, seemed incapable of harming even a fly. Harry noted with a hint of satisfaction that he had few enemies within the school, though it seemed that Daemon Potter would soon acquire his fair share.
As the students began to filter out of the Great Hall and make their way back to their respective dormitories, Harry noticed a trio of second years standing out among the crowd. Daemon Potter's eyes were wide with apprehension, Ron Weasley's complexion was unusually pale, and Hermione Granger seemed lost in thought, her lip worrying between her teeth.
Without hesitation, Harry moved to the front of the group, with Daphne and Draco following in his wake. It was clear that something had stirred within the trio, and Harry was determined to uncover the truth behind their troubled expressions.
Harry's gaze shifted to the wall, where the sinister message written in blood sent a shiver down his spine. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows that danced across the crimson letters, amplifying their ominous presence in the darkened corridor. At his feet, Mrs. Norris lay stiff and motionless, her eyes wide with fear, yet Harry knew she was merely petrified, not dead.
A sudden commotion erupted as Filch, the caretaker, came charging through the crowd, his face contorted in a mix of anguish and fury. His accusatory finger pointed squarely at Daemon Potter, who recoiled at the accusation, his own fear palpable as he took a few steps back.
"My cat! You!" Filch's voice rang out, shrill with anger as he confronted Daemon. "What did you do to her?"
Harry's lips twitched in the briefest hint of a smile at the chaos unfolding before him, but he quickly composed himself, his expression returning to its usual mask of impassivity. Around him, the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs parted, allowing Filch to pass through, his cries echoing down the corridor.
More figures began to converge on the scene, drawn by the commotion. Snape, McGonagall, Binns—all rushed to investigate the disturbance. And finally, Dumbledore arrived, his presence commanding the attention of all who stood witness to the unfolding events.
The weight of McGonagall's words hung heavy in the air as she read the ominous message aloud, the bloody letters casting a chilling aura over the gathered crowd.
"You heard what it said! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" Draco's voice rang out, filled with a mixture of fear and bravado as he echoed the sinister warning.
Harry's eyes flickered with discomfort at the attention drawn to him, his instincts urging him to blend into the shadows, away from prying eyes and accusing fingers. He knew all too well the danger that lurked in being associated with the ominous message scrawled on the wall.
"That is enough, Draco," Harry interjected firmly, his tone commanding as he quelled the rising tension with a single glance. Draco nodded reluctantly, taking a step back as he yielded to Harry's authority.
McGonagall's directive cut through the chaos, her voice firm as she instructed the heads of houses to escort their students back to their respective common rooms. Dumbledore, ever calm and composed, gently lifted the petrified cat from the ground, his expression solemn as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Mr. Obsidian, Mr. Potter, please remain," Dumbledore's voice rang out, drawing Harry's attention back to the forefront of the room. Harry stiffened at the summons but offered a curt nod in acknowledgment. Turning to Daphne, he whispered a quick instruction, his words meant only for her ears.
"Retrieve Morsus. He understands English. Open my door and inform him that Dumbledore has asked for me," Harry instructed quietly, his gaze unwavering as Daphne nodded in understanding before vanishing along with the rest of their housemates.
As the room emptied, Harry's gaze lingered on Daemon Potter, a silent acknowledgment passing between them as they remained behind, awaiting Dumbledore's next command. The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the Hogwarts corridors as whispers of fear and uncertainty echoed in the darkness.
"Headmaster, what is the meaning of this?" Professor Binns droned, his spectral form hovering in the air as he addressed Dumbledore. "Mr. Obsidian is an unmistakably gifted student. Why would someone like him do something like you're suggesting?"
Professor McGonagall, the Gryffindor head of house, nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring her disbelief. "For once, I must agree. Mr. Obsidian is one of my better students. What you dare propose he has done—"
"Please accept my apology, but we must take no chances," Dumbledore interjected firmly, cutting off McGonagall's protest before it could escalate further. With a decisive gesture, he turned and began to make his way towards his office, confident that Coilis would be on his way.
As they reached Dumbledore's office, Harry couldn't help but smirk as the Headmaster addressed the large eagle statue with a simple command: "Lemon Sherbet." Instantly, the statue began to rotate, revealing a hidden entrance. At the same moment, a viper slithered across the stone floor, its presence a silent acknowledgment of Coilis's arrival.
"Ah, excuse me, Headmaster," Harry spoke up, his voice calm as he addressed Dumbledore. "But it seems we have an unexpected guest. Hello, Morsus. I assume you heard the news?"
Coilis flicked his tongue in response, his gaze unwavering as he regarded the Gryffindor head of house, who frowned in response.
"We would enjoy the company," Dumbledore remarked with a twinkle in his eye, his words laced with a hint of mischief. "I assume this is the 'demon snake' Professor Lockhart has been telling us about? Yes, he couldn't come tonight because he was nursing his wounds."
As the group settled into Dumbledore's office, Harry and Daemon took their seats while the heads of houses stood behind them. All eyes turned to Dumbledore as he carefully placed Mrs. Norris on his desk, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily upon them.
"Excuse me, sir, but the reason why I am here is unclear," Harry stated calmly, though his heart raced with unease as he scanned the room, searching for a means of escape.
"His blood runs fast, his fear pulses. His chest is clenching, master," Coilis hissed softly, his words a warning to Harry of the danger lurking in Dumbledore's presence. Despite his best efforts to remain composed, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that hung in the air.
Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity as he addressed Harry. "I believe you are the 'leader' of the younger Slytherins," he remarked, his tone tinged with suspicion. "I find it strange that you were at the scene of the crime without your pet snake."
Coilis's reaction was immediate, his anger evident as he thrashed his tail angrily. "Oh? He dares set words against me? I shall show him who has a venomous tongue!" the snake hissed, his fury palpable as he coiled tightly around Harry's shoulders.
McGonagall noticed the agitation of the serpent and frowned disapprovingly at Harry. "Mr. Obsidian, if you cannot control your snake, please set it aside," she admonished, her voice firm as she addressed Harry.
"I am a He! Not an 'It'!" Coilis retorted indignantly, his voice dripping with disdain at being referred to as an object.
"Professor, I have told this to Mr. Potter here a number of times," Harry interjected, his voice steady as he addressed Dumbledore. "Morsus is a smart snake, as are many vipers. He understands English fine, and he takes these as insults. Please watch what you say, for he is smarter than an owl at times."
The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes dimmed, replaced by a more sober expression as he regarded Harry and Coilis with newfound respect. The tension in the room remained palpable, each word spoken carrying weight as they navigated the delicate balance between truth and deception.
"Now, Headmaster, as for where he was, I decided to leave him inside my room because of Professor Lockhart's quarrel with him," Harry responded smoothly, his words calculated to deflect suspicion. "I saw that I would gain attention, so I did the easy thing and avoided it."
Snape, ever the skeptic, seized upon the opportunity to chastise Dumbledore. "You see, Albus? It is foolish to base accusations on small superstitions," he scolded, his voice dripping with disdain for Dumbledore's tendency to jump to conclusions. Coilis, sensing Snape's agreement, brushed his head against Snape's arm, causing the potions master to recoil in surprise.
"He agrees with you," Harry noted casually, his gaze flickering between Snape and Dumbledore. Snape nodded slightly, though his wariness remained evident as he regarded Harry.
Dumbledore's attention turned back to Harry, his expression now tinged with curiosity. "Now, Mr. Potter, may I ask why you weren't at the Halloween feast?" he inquired, his brow furrowing in concern as Daemon launched into a fantastical tale involving ghosts, headless horsemen, and moldy cake.
"He smells of death," Coilis whispered, his words barely audible to anyone but Harry. "Not like vampires or demons. No, of ghosts. He smells of their reek and breath."
Harry's eyes widened in realization as he processed Coilis's words, suddenly seeing Daemon's tale in a new light.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for lying, Mr. Potter," McGonagall interjected sternly, her disappointment evident as she addressed Daemon. "I expected more from you."
Daemon's mouth dropped open in disbelief, a stark reminder that even the most outrageous stories couldn't shield him from the consequences of his actions. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for his fellow Gryffindor, knowing all too well the weight of disappointment from a respected professor.
"But Professor! I didn't do it!" Daemon shouted, desperation evident in his voice as he pointed at the petrified cat. Dumbledore shook his head with a small, understanding smile.
"We never suspected you, Daemon," Dumbledore reassured him gently. "The magic involved here is well beyond the capabilities of any second-year student."
Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at Dumbledore's words. "Speak for yourself," he thought wryly before shaking his head, refocusing on the conversation at hand.
"Excuse me, Headmaster," Harry interjected, his tone respectful yet firm. "But if the magic involved here is indeed beyond the reach of a second-year student, why was I brought here? Surely you couldn't have believed that my snake possesses venom capable of petrifying prey."
Coilis hissed indignantly at the implication, earning a gentle flick on the nose from Harry in response. McGonagall's lip curled slightly at the exchange, her skepticism evident as she regarded Harry.
"It's best to be thorough," she stated curtly, her wand flicking to transform a nearby coffee mug into a plump guinea pig. Coilis's eyes lit up at the sight of the rodent, his hunger apparent after missing breakfast.
"Is Morsus allowed to eat it as well?" Harry inquired, seeking clarification. McGonagall nodded briskly in response, giving her permission.
Coilis remained still, his gaze fixed on the guinea pig as he waited for his master's command. With a simple directive from Harry, Coilis sprang into action, ready to demonstrate his obedience and prowess at Harry's command.
"Attack," Coilis hissed, his movements a blur as he struck with lightning speed. In a matter of seconds, the guinea pig lay motionless on the table, its life extinguished by the lethal precision of Coilis's strike. With effortless grace, Coilis coiled around his prey, swallowing it whole in a display of carnivorous prowess.
Harry glanced up at McGonagall and Dumbledore, noting the shock mirrored on their faces. Beside him, Daemon remained silent, resigned to the fact that he had been caught once again, reminiscent of the incident with the troll from the previous year.
"Yes, as you can see, Morsus defended me last year against the troll," Harry explained calmly, his words laced with an underlying confidence. "I'm sure that wasn't a petrification spell. May I please return to my dorm, Headmaster? I have a paper for Professor Binns due."
Without waiting for a response, Harry rose from his seat and swiftly made his exit, Snape following closely behind. In that fleeting moment, Harry thought he detected a subtle gesture from Snape—a hint of approval, perhaps, in the form of "Twenty points to Slytherin."
But as always, nothing was ever proven, and Harry left the room with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that his loyalty to his house and his resourcefulness had once again served him
As Harry briskly made his way out of Dumbledore's office, his mind raced with a mix of relief and anticipation. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Coilis's display of loyalty and skill, knowing that his serpent companion had once again proven himself to be a valuable ally.
Snape trailed behind him silently, his expression inscrutable as they navigated the familiar corridors of Hogwarts. Harry couldn't shake the feeling of Snape's presence behind him, a silent reminder of the complex dynamics that existed within the castle walls.
Upon reaching the Slytherin common room, Harry's thoughts turned to the paper he had due for Professor Binns—a task that required his immediate attention. With a determined stride, he made his way to his dormitory, eager to complete the assignment and put the events of the day behind him.
As he settled into his desk, Harry couldn't help but reflect on the events that had transpired. Despite the challenges and suspicions he faced, he remained steadfast in his resolve to navigate the intricacies of Hogwarts life with cunning and determination.
And as he set pen to parchment, Harry knew that whatever trials lay ahead, he would face them with the same resilience and resourcefulness that had carried him through countless challenges before. With Coilis by his side and his Slytherin cunning as his guide, Harry was ready to confront whatever the future held in store.
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