The four ventured into the darkness, descending deep into the pipe. The surface was treacherously slippery, making it difficult to maintain balance. Around them, countless smaller pipes branched off in all directions, but none as large as the one they were navigating. The tunnel twisted and turned, its steep incline taking them ever deeper. Loki felt certain they were far beneath the school now, enveloped by a cold, damp atmosphere. A chilling breeze rose from below, adding to the oppressive gloom.
"We're likely miles underground by now. To think the Chamber of Secrets was built in such an isolated place—it seems Salazar truly had peculiar preferences," Augustus remarked, peering into the dark void ahead.
"Considering the location of the Slytherin common room, it's not surprising. He seemed to have an extraordinary fondness for the underground, which explains why the Chamber is so deep down," Loki replied with a slight smirk, clearly unimpressed by Slytherin's eccentricities.
"We might even be beneath the lake," Ron muttered, squinting at the slimy, dark walls around them.
As they pressed on, the faintest trace of light disappeared entirely. Loki drew his wand. "Lumos," he whispered, summoning a ghostly blue light that illuminated the tunnel and cast long shadows against the walls.
The path grew increasingly treacherous. Small animal skeletons littered the ground—mostly rats, though there were a few oddly shaped bones they couldn't identify.
"Wait. What's that up ahead?" Loki suddenly stopped, his voice tense as he pointed to a shadowy shape in the distance. The others halted as well. A massive, coiled object lay across the tunnel ahead, its silhouette looming ominously.
"No need to worry—it's just the shed skin of the basilisk," Augustus said with a faint smile. His "Eye of Inquiry" spell allowed him to perceive everything within a mile, even in pitch-black darkness. For a mage, vision was critical—dominating the battlefield required control of the unseen.
Though Augustus's explanation eased some of the tension, the enormous shadow still sent shivers down their spines. Loki cautiously approached with his wand, and its glow revealed the vivid green sheen of the massive snake skin. Coiled lifelessly on the tunnel floor, it radiated an aura of venomous menace. Judging by its size, the creature that had shed it must have been at least twenty feet long.
"Oh, Merlin," Ron groaned weakly.
"Is this really the basilisk's size?" Harry asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. How could they possibly hope to save Ginny from such a colossal creature?
"Honestly, it's nothing special. From all the stories, I expected the basilisk to be far more terrifying. But judging by this skin, it's just a larger-than-average python," Loki muttered, disappointment evident in his tone.
"Never underestimate a creature that's survived for centuries," Augustus cautioned. "A basilisk this old has likely honed countless survival strategies. Underestimating it could be fatal. Always respect your foe, no matter how confident you feel."
Acknowledging this wisdom, Loki nodded. The group moved past the massive snake skin, navigating a maze of turns in the tunnel. Finally, as they rounded yet another bend, they came upon a solid wall. It bore two intertwined serpents, their emerald-green eyes glittering like precious gems.
"Your turn again, Harry," Loki said, motioning him forward.
Harry understood what was required. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a low, rasping hiss: "Open."
The serpents uncoiled, and the stone wall split in two, sliding apart to reveal a passageway. Composing themselves, the group cautiously stepped through the opening.
They found themselves in a long, dimly lit chamber. Towering stone columns carved with coiled serpents supported a ceiling that disappeared into shadow. The flickering greenish light cast long, eerie shadows throughout the room.
"This architectural style is unmistakably that of the Chamber. We've arrived," Augustus observed, glancing at the towering pillars. "These columns are intriguing—notice how their arrangement hints at a concealed magical pattern."
"It's classic Slytherin. I recall reading that Salazar's architectural designs followed a strict, singular tradition. Every structure aligns with his principles," Loki added. The room's layout bore a striking resemblance to the Slytherin common room, with its dark, foreboding elegance.
They proceeded deeper into the chamber, weaving between the columns. Harry's heart pounded as he strained to catch any sign of the basilisk lurking in the shadows. Where was Ginny? Each cautious step echoed loudly in the eerie stillness, amplifying his anxiety. He squinted, ready to shut his eyes at the slightest hint of movement. The vacant eye sockets of the serpent carvings seemed to track his every move.
Ahead, Harry saw Augustus and Loki illuminated by the blue glow of Loki's wand. Augustus' tall silhouette exuded confidence, momentarily easing Harry's fears. If anyone could handle the basilisk, it was Augustus. Trusting his companions, Harry pressed on.
At the far end of the chamber, they were confronted by a towering statue that stretched to the ceiling. Its simian-like face was ancient and weathered, framed by a sparse, flowing beard that trailed down to the hem of its stone robes. The immense feet rested firmly on the smooth floor, completing the imposing visage.
"So this is Salazar Slytherin's likeness? Hm. He's not quite as awe-inspiring as I expected. A bit disappointing, really," Loki quipped, gazing at the enormous statue with an amused expression.
Augustus remained silent, clearly taken aback. He hadn't anticipated that the founder of Slytherin, Salazar himself, would have such an unremarkable appearance. No legendary wizard should ever be underestimated, but this revelation was far from what he had imagined. Salazar Slytherin, renowned for his pure-blood aristocratic lineage, bore a visage that could only be described with four words: difficult to behold. In simple terms, it was utterly unsightly.
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