Chapter 1. Unexpected Heir
Harry was panicking, he knew he had to finish the long list of chores before Uncle Vernon returned home from work. He knew what would happen to him if he did not finish his chores and he had the scars to prove it.
Not finishing them proved that he was an ungrateful and lazy freak, and he was punished accordingly. Immediately upon his uncle's arrival, Harry was greeted with a smack to the side of his face. His head twisted to the side, his cheek burning, but he made no sound.
"Boy, what did I tell you would happen if you did not finish that list of chores by the time I got home?"
Harry quickly looked up, but did not answer fast enough, earning him a smack on the other side of the face. Again, his head snapped to the side, but still no sound was uttered. He knew better. Sound would only make things worse.
"Answer me, boy!"
"You said I would live to regret it. That you'd make what I have had before seem like love pats compared to what would happen now." Harry recited this verbatim, racking his brain, trying to figure out what he had forgotten. He had gone through the list a hundred times. Another smack accompanied his uncle's growl.
"Don't give me your sass, boy! And still, you did not iron my suit for tonight. For my big meeting! Are you trying to sabotage me and ruin this family?"
The blood drained from Harry's face. He remembered seeing that item sixth on the list. How could he have forgotten to iron the suit?! He had planned to do it after cleaning the bathrooms, but was distracted when his aunt had demanded he take the trash outside.
Vernon grabbed Harry's hair – he still made no noise, though his head smarted and tears filled his eyes from the pain – and threw him into the hallway. While lying on the floor, (he knew better than to move) with the closed door between them, Harry could still hear his uncle complaining to Petunia.
"I only asked him to do one little task and he didn't even do it! One simple thing and it's too much! His laziness is unforgivable and his freakishness is contaminating our household. If it takes all night, I will beat the freak out of him!"
Those were the last words Harry heard before a purple-faced Uncle Vernon slammed open the kitchen door and was towering over him and hauling him upstairs. Vernon gave Harry a severe thrashing with his belt, to the point that Harry could not move.
There had been too many lashes and kicks, and his small body had given out. There was no strength left in his battered body to keep him going. He laid there, his mind buzzing with pain, but not even having the strength to whimper, even if he wanted to.
Harry was cruelly dragged back down the stairs and unceremoniously dumped back in his cupboard after Vernon was through 'removing the freak' from him. He slammed and locked the door, grumbling about the no-good freak getting blood everywhere and not having the decency to clean it up.
Although this was not the first time Harry had received a thrashing, it was the worst one he could remember. He felt horrible for forgetting something so important and knew he deserved the punishment. He could feel the welts on his back seeping fluids and his shirt sticking to them. He knew if he did not get the shirt off soon, it would adhere to them and be even more painful when he took it off.
He carefully removed his shirt, now feeling the fluid dripping down and across his burning skin and onto the thin disgusting mattress below him. He would have removed his shorts as well, since his bum and thighs were doing the same as his back, but he felt too vulnerable and did not want to be caught without some kind of covering. Suddenly he heard Vernon stomping angrily down the stairs…
Harry bolted upright, gasping, his hand at his throat. Panting, he slowly regained his bearings and his fear turned to anger. That was the fourth time this week he had woken from a nightmare. He had been at Black Manor for nearly two weeks, and they had been amazing weeks, except for the nightly horrors from his life with the Dursleys.
He wondered if he would ever not have nightmares. He figured not. His body and mind were probably just confused about not being in pain and pushed to the limits already. He had not gone a single day in his life without some form of punishment. Maybe that was what caused the nightmares. His mind was confused and waiting for the pain to begin.
"Just get used to it, Harry," he said to himself.
Knowing he would not be able to fall asleep again, and after sending a mental reassurance to Saleena that he was not being attacked and she did not need to come to him, (Though Harry loved that she would have done that for him.) Harry got ready for the day.
He decided he would finish his summer homework. Better to get it done right and out of the way, then to rush last minute and do a horrible job. He only had his Potions essay left since he wanted to research some more before he wrote it. He wanted to be sure of his thoughts first.
An hour later, his stomach growled a plea to be fed. Harry stared at his stomach in shock, it had never done that before. He was used to not eating, but at the manor he could eat as much as he wanted, and the house-elves constantly pushed snacks on him. Sirius' doing no doubt. He knew Sirius was worried about his weight.
Harry put the finishing touches on his essay and left it out to dry. He thought that Snape would surely enjoy it. He had put a lot of work into impressing his dour Potions Master. He wanted the man's approval and to prove he was worth the professor's time.
He had come to respect, and dare he say it, like his professor, and he was determined to succeed. Also, he still felt that irresistible pull towards the man, and it was only getting stronger each time he was near him.
As Harry left his room, he looked around, still in disbelief that he was living here. He never thought he would be free of the Dursleys. He was happy, very happy, with Sirius and Anissa. They may have only been at the manor for two weeks, but they had already done many things Harry had never been allowed to do while living with the Dursleys.
The day after they moved to Black Manor, a Ministry official came to perform the partial blood adoption. Albus and Minerva were there to proudly bear witness to the proceedings, then Sirius and Dumbledore transferred the blood wards. Harry did not care that this would leave the Dursley's unprotected.
The first time Harry looked into a mirror afterwards, he had stared long enough for Anissa to joke about him being 'pretty' now. His hair laid a little flatter, (no more unmanageable Potter hair sticking out in every direction) eyebrows thinner and arched and his cheekbones were more defined.
He looked a bit like Sirius, which made Harry smile. It made him feel a bit more like they were a real family. The thing that really got Harry's attention was the thin black ring that was now around the outside of his iris, which made the Avada green stand out a lot more.
Afterwards, Sirius took him to the graveyard where his grandparents were buried, (surprisingly near Little Whinging, though Petunia had never taken them there) and he got teary eyed when he finally learned their names and Sirius told him stories about them. He wished he had gotten to know them.
Harry broke down into sobs when they visited his parents and placed flowers on their grave. Harry placed his hand on the grave, leaning his head against the stone, and let the tears fall. Sirius silently held him, letting his own tears fall. It was a nice bonding experience for them, and Sirius made him laugh with stories of his and James' exploits.
Going to the beach the day after was as wonderful as Harry thought it would be. He loved the way the ocean went on forever, like nothing could ever reach the other end of it, and the feel of the wet sand squishing between his toes. He even liked the salty smell in the air.
He had always wanted to come to the beach, was sad every time his relatives left him behind to go, and was grateful to Sirius for making it happen. While they were there, Sirius taught Harry how to swim. They splashed in the surf, built sandcastles and Harry threw a frisbee for Snuffles, who had shown up near the end of their trip. It had been a great day for everyone.
They visited museums, wizard and Muggle, and Harry took Sirius to the zoo. Unfortunately, they had to leave rather quickly when Sirius, upset at the animals' living conditions, opened every enclosure. He said he understood what it was like being locked up since he'd spent three years in Azkaban.
Harry chuckled as he remembered the snakes hissing about being free, just like the boa did the last time he had been there. He wondered how that snake was doing as he had not seen it there this time. Thinking about those snakes brought him back to thoughts of Saleena, who was still trapped underneath Hogwarts.
Harry had been thinking a lot about Saleena, alone down in the bowels of Hogwarts, save for the visits of a Slytherin portrait. He wanted Saleena to be happy and healthy and he wondered if Sirius would be willing to let her live under the manor's grounds. That way he could take care of her properly.
He could make tunnels and a den for her so she would be comfortable, and the grounds of the estate were enormous. Better yet, she would be free to roam and not stuck in a dark, cold, wet chamber. Coming down the stairs, he caught Sirius before he entered his study. If he did not ask now, he would chicken out, so he went for it.
"Sirius, can I have a word?" asked Harry.
"Of course, come into my study," Sirius gestured towards the door. "Now, what's on your mind, pup?" Harry loved being called 'pup', it was how Sirius showed he cared. He smiled as a warm feeling spread through his body.
"I have something I wanted to ask you, but I ask that you wait till I finish before you freak out,"
Sirius was now alert and searched Harry's eyes as he nodded. Harry took a seat and gestured for Sirius to do the same. He was nervous and wanted to do this right. Even after all Sirius had done for them, he was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. For the one thing he did that pushed Sirius over the edge and he told him to leave.
"I made a significant friend last year at Hogwarts," started Harry. Sirius grinned and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Not that kind of friend, Sirius. This man is a portrait. He asked me to help him in exchange for teaching me nonverbal wandless magic."
"Harry –" Sirius cut off when Harry held up a hand.
"I know what you're going to say. Now, I have already accepted and have spent many months with this man." continued Harry.
"Are you telling me you can do –"
Again, Sirius cut off when the chair next to him transformed into a giant snake and back. Sirius had jumped out of his chair with a shriek (Harry smirked at that) and his jaw dropped. He looked at Harry in shocked awe as he slowly settled back into his chair. He had no idea that Harry was so far advanced.
"As I was saying, I spent months learning from this man. In exchange for this knowledge, he asked me to save his old familiar. Only I could do this for him, as only I could talk to her."
Sirius' eyes narrowed. "Who was this man and what animal can only you talk to?"
"Salazar Slytherin,"
"Sorry? I think I heard you wrong. Salazar Slytherin, as in one of the Founders of Hogwarts? That's impossible, he has never shown himself or spoken to anyone, so why would he speak to you?" asked Sirius.
"As I said, only I can speak to his old familiar," answered Harry.
"But Salazar's familiar was a…" Sirius trailed off, realizing what Harry was talking about. "A snake. You have a snake familiar… but you can't talk to a snake, you'd have to be –"
"A Parselmouth," Harry finished. "Except Saleena is not just a snake. Saleena is the Queen of Snakes, a basilisk."
Harry smiled inwardly as he remembered Salazar saying the same thing to him and Draco. Sirius was speechless, fear blasting through him that Harry had been around a basilisk for the last year. (And how the hell did no one know there was a basilisk at Hogwarts!) His mouth was opening and closing but no words were coming out. Harry continued on in the silence.
"I'm telling you this, because I would like to move her here. I can create a home for her under the manor."
"Excuse me?!" Sirius sat up straight. "You want to bring the deadliest creature in the world here? Are you mental?"
Sirius was shaken. His godson was a Parselmouth, and he wanted to bring a basilisk into his home? He just could not imagine. Harry was getting annoyed with Sirius' outbursts and sent him a glare. At this rate, they would never finish this discussion.
"Saleena has control over her stare, and she follows my commands. There is no danger unless you attack her. You can think of her as a giant guard snake."
Sirius sat back again, giving Harry a drole look for the bad joke. Harry shrugged. He thought it was funny. It would be true too. Anything that could get past the wards would never get past Saleena.
"This is a very serious matter, Harry. Not a time for jokes."
"That's why I brought it to you, because your Sirius." Harry's joke earned him another glare from his godfather/uncle. Harry sighed, he just could not catch a break.
"Does Anissa know about Saleena?" Sirius was still shocked.
"Of course. She and Draco met Salazar as well, though they have not been introduced to Saleena yet. No one could, until we were bonded and had strengthened our bond and gained each other's trust. Now, I can create a home for her under the grounds and you'll hardly ever see her. She is trapped under Hogwarts, and I want to give her a better life as you have given one to me."
Sirius sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He could not believe what Harry was asking him for. His pup was good at manipulation, he had to give him that. How could he say no to such reasoning and that face?
But a basilisk? An animal that could kill you with a single look. He guessed it could be beneficial to have a giant killer snake around to help protect them. Guard snake indeed. Sirius was sure he would find that funny later… much later.
"You'll have to give me time to think about this, puppy. It is a lot to take in and precautions will have to be made."
"I understand. It was a lot for me too." Harry grinned. "I'll need to contact Dumbledore as I'll need to speak to Saleena. I haven't even asked her if she'd like to move. I'll leave you now. Thank you for listening, Sirius."
"Of course, pup. Always."
An hour later, Anissa found Harry out on the grounds. She stood next to him and looked out over the massive estate.
"It's beautiful here. I still can't believe we get to live here now." commented Anissa.
Harry hummed in agreement as his gaze moved systematically over the grounds. He was picturing where he would make Saleena's den and all the tunnels so she could roam to her heart's content. He already knew how he would reinforce them so the manor and grounds above it would not sink into the ground and into the tunnels.
"Saleena will love it here," she assured him, "How did Sirius take it?"
"About as well as you thought he would. He didn't like my guard snake joke."
Anissa rolled her eyes. "I told you not to say that,"
Harry shrugged. He still thought it was funny. It was another hour before he was satisfied with his design, now he just had to wait for Sirius to say yes. He knew Sirius would do anything to make him happy. He just had to get over his initial fears and let his excitement for something new fly free.
Harry stumbled out of the fireplace and caught himself on a chair before he could fall to the floor. Sirius chuckled before he went back for Anissa. They came back through quickly, Sirius still chuckling at the sight of Harry holding onto a chair, fighting dizziness from the trip through the Floo. Harry would have rather flown to Hogwarts, but that would have taken too long.
"Harry, my boy, how are things?" asked Albus as he stood and came around his desk.
"Excellent, Grandpa, really excellent. Sirius is an amazing dogfather."
Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling and he winked… Winkling? Twink?... at Harry's nickname for Sirius. Fitting really. Sirius looked amused as he ruffled Harry's hair, causing Harry's smile to grow bigger after he recovered from his flinch.
"Now Harry, about your mission here today. I do have a request." said Albus.
"Sir?" Albus' eyes started twinkling madly as he smiled at Harry.
"I am intrigued about the Chamber of Secrets. I have searched this castle many times, as have others, and have never found it. Many believe it to be a myth. I'd also love to meet Saleena. I've never met a basilisk and would be honored if she would consent to meet me."
Harry chuckled and gestured to the others. They looked interested as well and excited to see two such historic things. He could understand and was excited to introduce them to Saleena as well. These people were his family, and he wanted them to be a whole one.
"You and everyone else. I will ask her. As for the Chamber, it can only be accessed by a Parselmouth, which is why no one has been able to find it. The entrance is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom on the second floor." he explained and saw the shock on everyone's faces. He looked around. "Where is Professor Snape?"
As Harry was speaking, Albus' office door opened, and Snape walked in with a bag over his shoulder. His face instantly hardened and he sent a glare towards Sirius once he saw him. Harry had promised to gather more basilisk scales for him, and he was not going to miss out on the opportunity. Even if he had to put up with Black to do it.
Now that everyone wanted to meet Saleena, Harry thought he would invite Snape along as well. What was one more? Snape held out the bag, but Harry shook his head. Disappointed, Snape raised an eyebrow in question. Had Potter changed his mind about his offer?
"How would you like to collect them yourself?" asked Harry with a cheeky grin.
Snape's jaw lowered a bit in shock but was quickly snapped shut. Desire and hope flew across his face but quickly became neutral again, only his eyes were dancing in hopeful excitement. Harry was surprised he could read the man's face so well.
"You would permit me to accompany you? To see the legendary Chamber of Secrets and meet the Regina?"
Snape was humbled by this offer. He had wanted to see the Chamber since he had found out it was real and that Potter could access it. Being a Slytherin though, he would never ask to go, no matter how excited he was by the prospect. Now he may have the chance he had been dreaming of.
"I will have to come back for you after I've spoken to Saleena. More than one set of hands will get you more scales to experiment with, yeah?"
"Indeed. I will await you here. I appreciate your thoughtfulness on my behalf."
Snape nodded curtly and moved to one of the chairs, exchanging sneers with Sirius as he passed, and transfigured the chair into something more to his liking before he sat down to wait. Sirius watched with a gobsmacked look on his face, when Anissa bypassed him and went to sit next to Severus to wait and started a conversation about Potions.
Harry chuckled at the look, nodded his approval of Anissa's actions, then moved to place his hand on a blank section of wall. He heard gasps behind him as a portrait grew out of the wall around his hand. He forgot how amazing it had been the first time he had seen it appear.
Once it was complete, Salazar Slytherin walked into the frame. A slight smile appeared on his face when he saw Harry. Harry saw Snape sit up straight out the corner of his eye. He knew Snape would give a lot to be able to speak to the Founder of his House, just like Draco had. Well, Harry smirked, Snape was going to get a surprise. He bowed to the Head of Slytherin House.
"Sssalazar. I have come to ssspeak with Sssaleena about moving to my home. Ssshe will be free to roam and I ssswear to alwaysss take care of her." said Harry.
"Child. I am pleasssed for Sssaleena. Ssshe dessservesss to be free after being trapped for ssso long. I wisssh her the bessst. Although, I will missss visssiting with her."
Salazar was happy that his old friend would be taken care of. Even though she was bonded, which helped with her innate magic, being stuck in the darkness and damp was still detrimental to her health. He now knew for certain that he had chosen well.
"Yesss sssir. I will go asssk her if ssshe isss willing and explain how ssshe will be moved."
"After thou talkessst to Sssaleena, but before thou leavessst, I have sssomething I would like to bessstow upon thee, but it isss in mine chamber. At the bottom right of my beard on my ssstatue isss a carved sssnake. Place your finger on itsss head."
"Yesss, sssir. I will do asss you asssk."
Harry was a little suspicious and a lot curious. Salazar never gave anything away without a bargain taking place. Harry shook off his thoughts and looked over his shoulder, making eye contact with Snape, before addressing Salazar again.
"If you are willing, there isss sssomeone here I would like to introduce you to. I have mentioned Ssseverus Sssnape a couple of timesss before. He isss the Head of your Houssse. Will you consssent to ssspeak with him?"
Salazar looked over Harry's shoulder at the dark wizard watching them intently. He was interested in the state of his House, he rarely entered his frame there and only for brief moments. He would ask his questions of the man and he would know when the boy did as he had bid. Salazar nodded and Harry turned to address Snape.
"Professor, Salazar Slytherin has agreed to speak with you. Please come and I will introduce you."
Gasps were heard as Snape's eyes widened fractionally, then he stood and swiftly made his way to Harry's side, his robes billowing impressively around him. He bowed to the portrait as Harry introduced him to the famous wizard.
Harry entered the Chamber of Secrets but did not see Saleena. He smiled and looked around for his friend and familiar.
"Playing hide-n-ssseek, are we? Hmm, where could Sssaleena be?"
At times Saleena was like a big kid, though she was a thousand years old. During one of their many conversations over the last year, Harry had mentioned the game, and now she liked to play it with him every time he visited. Not that Harry minded. He enjoyed her youthful playfulness.
He heard soft hissing from his left, turned and started to chuckle. Saleena was trying to hide behind a pillar. He shook his head, smiling. Imagine a sixty-foot snake hiding behind a ten-foot-wide pillar. It was funny that she thought she could conceal herself behind such a thing.
Harry walked around, pretending he could not find her until he got to her tail. There was a ticklish spot near the end that he had found by chance when he was scratching her scales. He attacked it and the giant snake hissed in surprise and quickly squirmed away.
"Found you!" announced Harry.
Saleena chuckled. "Ssso thou hast, youngling. I did not expect to ssseessst thee ssso sssoon."
"I have sssomething to asssk you, ssso I got permission to come."
"I am glad thou hassst. I have missssed thee. What isss thine quessstion, youngling?"
"Before the end of term, I told you about going to live with my godfather, Sssiriusss. He hasss expansssive groundsss and I have asssked permissssion to make you a home there. He hasss agreed, ssso I am asssking if you would like to come and live there."
Saleena stared at Harry intently. She could almost smell the fresh air, but other worries soon chased it away.
"What of thee, youngling? Thou wouldssst be here without my protection."
Harry started scratching her scales and a sound like a purr came from the giant snake. Harry thought it was funny that she sounded like Min in her cat Animagus form. Though he would never tell either of them that… he wanted to live, thank you very much.
"I do not like you ssstuck in thisss chamber, and I can take care of myssself. Sssalazar hasss taught me well." said Harry.
"Pride cometh before the fall, youngling. Be careful in thinking thou art better than all othersss." admonished Saleena and Harry blushed. "Dessspite the trouble thou sssseemeth to consssstantly find thyssself in, (She ignored Harry's "Hey!") I will follow thee to thisss manor. How wilt thisss take place?"
"I will ssshrink you and I have a ssspecial carrier to keep you sssafe in during Floo travel. I have already built your home and I hope you approve. If you don't like sssomething, let me know and I'll fix it." he promised.
"Ah youngling, alwaysss thinking of othersss. I am sssure thou hassst thought of everything. When wilt thisss be happening?"
"Today, but there isss sssomething I need to do firssst. Sssomething Sssalazar hasss asssked me to do. Also, there are sssome people I'd like you to meet. The headmassster hasss asssked to basssk in your glory and Professssor Sssnape would be beyond honored to meet you asss well. In fact, he isss ssspeaking with Sssalazar right now. And of courssse you'll need to meet Sssiriusss and Anissssa sssince they alssso live at the manner."
Saleena nodded. She knew she would one day meet Harry's family. The other two… she had an idea of something the Potions Master would like and she was pleased with his efforts on her master's behalf.
The old man was considered family by Harry, so she would allow him to come. Saleena watched curiously as Harry walked over to the statue of Salazar. Then a knowing look came into her eyes as he paid more attention to Salazar's beard.
Harry searched the statue where Salazar had said to and after five minutes, he finally found the small carving of a snake hidden behind a wave in his beard. Carefully, he placed his finger on its head and pressed.
He jerked back, shocked when he felt a sharp prick and looked to see a drop of blood ooze from his fingertip, and like any normal person, stuck it in his mouth instead of healing it with a spell.
Looking back at the snake he watched in fascination as the carving broke free from the statue and slithered across to a slightly recessed area to the side. Harry looked to Saleena, who gestured to follow with her head, her knowing look turning to one of pride.
Harry moved to the side and saw that the snake was now coiled with its head high in the air. It moved towards him like it was reaching for him, so Harry put his hand out carefully, and the snake slithered onto his palm.
As soon as it touched his skin, the snake turned a sparkling beautiful silver and wrapped itself around Harry's wrist, connecting like a bracelet. A pulse of magic came from the snake, rushing through Harry with a fierce burning sensation, leaving him breathless and wondering what had just happened.
A grinding noise brought Harry's attention back to the statue. Mouth hanging open, Harry watched as the stone moved to the side and a doorway was now opened to him. Intrigued, Harry entered the chamber. Torches flared to life around him, illuminating Salazar Slytherin's private study.
There were shelves covering the walls and overflowing with books, a large cauldron standing beside an enormous fireplace, a dark green leather lounger with a side table made of black wood, and a massive desk sitting in front of the back wall over which a portrait hung.
Harry looked around the room in amazement. This is what Salazar wanted to give him? The knowledge here was extensive and Harry was excited to start reading and learning. Tentatively he approached the desk, looking at the portrait. Salazar moved into the frame with a smug smile.
"Welcome to my ssstudy, Heir Ssslytherin." Salazar said proudly.
"Heir?" Harry asked, confused.
"Aye. Thou hassst proven to be all that Ssslytherin embodiesss, even if thou art in Ravenclaw. Thou art now my blood and my Heir, and I bestowest upon thee the Lordssship of Ssslytherin Houssse."
"How isss that possssible? Don't you have to do a blood adoption?"
"The blood thou gavessst to retrieve the key to thisss chamber wasss judged and accepted."
Here, Salazar gestured to the snake charm that was wrapped snugly around his beard. Harry looked at his wrist and realized they were the same.
"That key wassst made with mine blood, and when the sssnake completed itsss circle around your wrissst, and the magic releasssed, you became my blood."
Harry stared at Salazar in disbelief. Him? The Heir of Slytherin? He was now related by blood to one of the Founders of Hogwarts? It seemed impossible. Harry jerked out of his shock and bowed respectfully to Salazar.
"I – I am honored, Sssir. I will do all in my power to keep the honor of Ssslytherin Houssse ssstrong and make you proud."
"I know thou wilt, Harry." Salazar smiled at the shock and pleasure on the boy's face. It was the first time he had called the boy by his given name. "Thou art mine family now, and I bessstow upon thee the Heirssship ring. Open the top drawer in mine desssk."
Harry obediently followed Salazar's instructions, and inside the drawer was a small green box. Hands shaking, Harry picked up the box and opened the lid. Inside was a gold band with a black stone affixed to the top.
Harry looked closely at the stone and could see an engraving on it. It had a triangle with a line and a circle inside it. He traced the lines with his finger. It was a beautiful ring and Harry was in awe of what it represented.
"Isss thisss the Ssslytherin Family Cressst?" Harry asked, wanting to know all about his new family.
"No. That isss a copy of an heirloom passssed down from the Peverell line. The real ssstone isss on the Lordssship ring, and once thou receiveessst the heirssship, thou wilt own that ring asss well. That isss the sssymbol of the Deathly Hallowsss."
"Deathly Hallowsss? Like in the children'sss ssstory book of the three brothersss? The Massstersss of Death?" asked Harry.
"The sssame. No one hasss ever owned all three Hallowsss and probably never will. Right now, though, thou hast more important thingsss to worry about. Now, put the ring on ssso thou can claim the heirssship."
Harry decided he would look deeper into the Deathly Hallows later. He slid the ring onto his right forefinger, the one that had activated the key. He thought that was appropriate since that was where his blood had been judged from and Salazar's approving nod confirmed it was appropriate.
There was a sudden flash of light and the ring resized to fit Harry's finger. Harry gasped as he felt a foreign magic tear through him. He could feel it through every part of his body and a sharp pain pulsed in his head. Harry hissed and held his head until it stopped. Grunting, he looked at Salazar for an explanation.
"That wasss the Ssslytherin family magic. It isss now yoursss to command."
"Could have warned me," Harry groused in a murmur.
Salazar chuckled, smiling proudly at Harry. He now had a good strong heir that would do his House proud. Unlike his past would-be heir, Tom Riddle, who had only used his heirship to cause chaos and death.
Salazar knew what others seeing that ring would mean. He knew many would want to use Harry to elevate their own standings, force Harry into betrothals or binding contracts, not to mention what his peers would say or do. He knew how the other Houses viewed his Slytherins.
"It would not be wissse for othersss to know of thisss development yet. Thou hassst ssseen how many view Ssslytherinsss. Until thou hassst learned how to protect thyssself and what being Lord of an Ancient and Noble House entailssss, I sssuggest thou hidessst thy ring. Your Potionsss Massster ssseemsss to be a trustworthy man. He would be a good ally to help you in thisss."
Harry nodded. "I already sssee Professssor Sssnape asss sssomeone I can trussst. I will ssspeak with him at our next Potionsss lesssson. How do I hide my ring?"
"Thou jussst wisssheth it to be hidden and the Ssslytherin family magic will comply. The ring isss also imbued with runesss and will protect thee from most hexesss and jinxesss."
Harry smiled when the ring on his finger disappeared. He could still feel its weight, which was reassuring, or he might have thought this was all a dream. He looked up at Salazar with a mischievous grin.
"Brilliant! Thanksss, Papa Sssal."
Salazar choked and glared at Harry. This brat was definitely going to keep him on his toes, but he would not want it any other way. He could not wait to see this young wizard grow into a strong man. The boy was already very magically knowledgeable and exerted such control over it. He wondered what the next few years would bring.
"Cheeky brat." he said fondly. "Thou ssshouldssst move along with thy ssschedule. The othersss have been waiting a long time. Go and retrievest them ssso they can meet Sssaleena and thou can take her home. I wilt sssee thee whence thou returnsss for the next term. I wilt be tesssting thee to sssee how far thou hast come in thy ssstudiesss."
Harry nodded, he expected no less, and headed out the door. He turned back just before the door closed.
"Sssee you sssoon, Papa."
Saleena hissed in merriment when she heard Harry's words before the door sealed itself over Salazar's half-hearted grumbling. She could imagine what Salazar's face had looked like. No one since Godric Gryffindor had dared to speak to Salazar Slytherin in such a way. Harry turned to her smiling and uncovered his ring.
Saleena bowed her head respectfully and said formally, "I welcome thee, Heir of Ssslytherin."
"Thank you, Sssaleena. I am honored that he chossse me."
"Thou hassst earned hisss ressspect. Be proud of thy accomplissshment. He doesss not give hisss affectionsss easssily, and I know he isss quite fond of thee. We are both proud of thee."
"I will continue to make him proud. Now, I need to get the othersss. They probably think you've eaten me."
Harry grinned as he ran off, jumping over her tail that she flicked at him, hearing her repeat the same endearment that Salazar used.
"Cheeky brat,"
Back in Dumbledore's office, Harry instructed them on how to approach and greet Saleena when they entered the chamber. Once he was satisfied that they would not insult her, and therefore die, he reopened the portrait and allowed them to enter.
They looked around in amazement at the statues of snakes that lined the way to the main chamber. Harry could see the awe and reverence in Snape's eyes and it made him glad he asked him to join them. He could see how much it meant to the dark man.
They entered slowly, and Harry led them to where they could stand, heads bowed and eyes on the floor in respect. They were to wait until she addressed them before raising their eyes. Saleena's hissed welcome echoed through the chamber, causing the group to shiver in fear. Harry interpreted for her.
"Welcome, family of my bonded. Thou mayest raise thine eyes." Anissa gasped in awed fear when her eyes beheld the massive serpent, and remembering her manners, she did a clumsy curtsy.
"Regina, you are glorious!" she blurted out.
Sirius bowed to her. "A pleasure, most honored Regina,"
"Very well done," Saleena looked at Harry. "Thou hassst taught them well."
Harry bowed his head to her. "Of courssse. I want you to come to sssee them asss your family asss well." Saleena nodded then turned her attention to the two professors, hissing her welcome.
"Thou mayest rise Headmaster and Potions Master,"
It had been hard for Severus to not look around the chamber. He tried to catch some details of the main chamber through his peripheral, but it was not enough. He wanted to see it all. Raising his eyes, Severus' mouth fell open.
He stared in awe, completely frozen. He had not imagined something so amazing or so beautiful. No one had seen a basilisk in a thousand years and here he was… and she was glorious. Hissing started to fill the chamber, drawing everyone's attention.
"Saleena thanks you for the compliment, Professor Snape," Harry chuckled.
It was funny to see the normally stoic professor in complete awe. Severus quickly pulled himself together and snapped his mouth shut. He bowed deeply after shooting Harry a glare.
"I am honored to be in your presence, Regina. You truly are magnificent. To bask in your presence is more than I could have ever hoped for. A glimpse of you is priceless."
"Oh, I like him," Saleena hissed to Harry, who chuckled.
"I too am honored, Regina." Albus said, bringing her attention to him. "I have heard of your greatness, but it does not do you justice."
Saleena's giant head nodded, and she moved her coils until they laid before the group.
"Saleena is permitting you the honor of touching her and she is willing to answer a few questions," encouraged Harry.
The four tentatively stroked Saleena's scales as they praised her strength and beauty. She answered their questions, then turned her head to be level right in front of Severus's face. Severus froze, hand still on her scales as he was literally eye to eye with her.
Had he done something wrong? She looked at him for a moment then turned and slithered away, hissing. Severus released his breath, his body shaking slightly, and looked at Harry, who smiled knowingly.
"Saleena says she has something for you. A gift for saving my life last year. Follow me."
Harry heard Severus murmur 'cheeky brat' as he followed him, which made Harry chuckle more. That seemed to be everyone's favorite thing to call him, and with good reason. They walked around a bend in the chamber and Severus stopped dead. There in front of him, was a snakeskin. Basilisk skin was extremely rare, and here was sixty feet of it lying in front of him.
"You honor me greatly, Regina. I have no words that can express my thanks." Severus choked out.
Saleena again nodded and they left the ecstatic Potions Master to harvest the skin. Severus completely forgot about gathering scales, and Harry decided he would gather some for him later. Harry quickly explained how to leave the chamber when he was finished, and they left him to his harvesting. Harry set about shrinking Saleena and they left to go home.