Chapter 13: Exploring the Chamber
The recognizable parts belong to JKR
Chapter 13
January 31st, 1983
Almost three weeks had passed since Harry's adventure in the Chamber. So far, he had found no opportunity to go back there and fully explore the place. Tonight, that would hopefully change.
It had been a very interesting couple of weeks however. After Harry had dealt with Malfoy and Dobby and changed into some clean robes, Dumbledore had picked him up from McGonagall's office and together they made their way down into the Great Hall.
They had entered, just as the students were having dinner:
Flashback
Dumbledore pushed open the heavy doors to the Great Hall and strode in, followed by the Professors and lastly, Harry. The Great Hall instantly went silent. While Harry went to the Ravenclaw table under the fearful stares of his peers, Dumbledore strode to the front of the Great Hall and applied a Soronus on himself.
"You are probably all wondering what has been going on over the last couple of hours. Many of you have heard the rumor of young Ms. Weasley being taken down into the Chamber. Rest assured, Ms. Weasley is in good health and currently resting with her family."
The Gryffindors cheered, while the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws politely clapped. Barely any Slytherins showed a reaction to Dumbledore's declaration.
"The culprit and person responsible for opening the Chamber and attacking the residents of our beloved Castle has been found and dealt with!"
At this, almost every eye in the Great Hall turned to Harry and the boy inwardly grinned at what was about to follow.
"Your fellow students have been attacked by a Basilisk throughout the last couple of months. Luckily, none of them stared directly into its glare, which ensured their survival. Mr. Potter found the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets with the help of his unique talent. He and I descended into the Chamber's depths just hours ago and managed to defeat the Basilisk and the sentient dark magical artifact that released it on the school."
"Make no mistake! It is thanks to Mr. Potter that the school does not have to close its doors but remains open as the threat has been eliminated. Even though house points seem trivial when lives are at risk, I award Mr. Potter 100 points for Ravenclaw and an award for Special Services to the School. This time it is truly earned!" He added with a chuckle and a wink at Harry.
The students in the Great Hall were confused. They were certain that Potter was the culprit responsible for the attacks and now Dumbledore has told them it had been some dark magical artifact that became sentient?
Things felt just like last year when Quirrell vanished and Potter received enormous amounts of House Points with barely any explanation from their Headmaster.
Some reluctantly agreed that the Headmaster's story made sense. If one did not directly look at the Basilisk like Finch-Fletcher did, getting petrified instead made some sense.
Potter was also a Parselmouth. Who else could find the entrance to Slytherin's Chamber and subdue a Basilisk, if not the most powerful Sorcerer of the century backed up by a Parselmouth?
Still, there was some resentment towards Potter. Too many things were left unexplained. The majority of Slytherins were unhappy since the attacks on Muggleborns had been stopped. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were confused since they thought Harry had attacked their own and were now being told that Potter wasn't behind it at all and actually supported their Headmaster in eliminating the threat.
The Ravenclaws were in a similar position. Of course, they appreciated the increase in House Points. Something that would make sure that they won the house cup. At the same time, many openly shunned Harry after him revealing himself a Parselmouth. They were scared of Potter's retribution against their house.
Flashback End
The weeks had passed almost like any other at Hogwarts. People treated him a tad more respectfully and some of the victims even thanked him and apologized for suspecting him. Harry didn't care for their empty words. Actions would show which students actually meant what they said, and which ones would take the next best opportunity to shun him once more.
He would be a Slytherin and plan for all eventualities. Talking of being a Slytherin, it was time to get ready. He pulled on his cloak and gathered the map he had grown very fond of over the past couple of weeks.
The map was a treasure in itself. Harry experimented with it and confirmed his suspicion that the map had to be connected to the ward-stones of the Castle itself.
Only having read his introduction to runes and arithmancy so far, the magic was quite complex for him, but he figured some of the charms out piece for piece.
It was only his second year after all and he would have five more to perfect the map and maybe add a couple of his own features when he learned the necessary information. Tonight however, a different project awaited him.
Harry made his way to the second-floor bathroom under his cloak, checking the map for Filch and any Prefects on their patrols. He opened the entrance to the Chamber and was about to ask for stairs when he thought differently.
Let's follow the trail of the snake and go down the pipe, Harry thought. Maybe I learn more about the Chamber that way? He cast a Scourgify down the long pipe and managed to clean at least a little of the filth.
Collecting his inner Gryffindor, he jumped in and slid for almost half a minute before coming to a halt.
He stood in a similar room to the antechamber he had been in three weeks ago, however, this one was more of a corridor. He followed the dimly lit path and almost experienced a heart attack at the sight of the giant Basilisk skin, which the beast must have shed years ago. Fighting another King of Serpents was certainly not something he intended on doing tonight.
Arriving at a dead end, he spotted a similar lock as the one he had opened in the antechamber.
"Open"
He hissed and watched the familiar sight of the snakes chasing around Slytherin's crest. Stepping inside he found himself in the main Chamber, only from a different angle. The dead Basilisk still lay there. However, the damage to the Chamber from Dumbledore's duel could barely be seen.
There must be some kind of area charm or ward in place that restored the Chamber when damaged heavily.
Harry began his work by casting a couple of basic diagnostic charms around the huge Chamber. Suddenly he had an idea.
"Dobby!"
"Master Harry Potter has called Dobby, Sir!"
Dobby's eyes went wide at the sight of the dead Basilisk:
"Master has slain the beast and saved the school! Master is an even greater Wizard than Dobby thought. How can Dobby help Master?"
Dobby has been very helpful over the last couple of days. With Dumbledore's permission, he joined the Hogwarts elves in the kitchen but supported Harry whenever possible. Be it taking back a book to the library or getting a snack from the kitchens.
"Dobby, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Harry, please!" Harry sighed.
"Anyways, I called you here to help me find any hidden rooms in the Chamber. I want you to go along the walls and use your magic to detect anything suspicious. I will be doing the same but with Parselmagic!"
The elf nodded overeagerly and vanished to the opposite side of the Chamber with a POP. Harry started walking along the walls of the Chamber with his hand stretched out along the cold stones, trying to feel something behind them. After over an hour, he had checked the entire four walls and every pillar in the Chamber but to no avail.
Dobby did not manage to find anything either and even asked Harry for permission to punish himself for failing his Master.
"That won't be necessary!" Harry chuckled, as he took a look at the only place in the Chamber they hadn't checked yet. Salazar Slytherin's statue stood as proud as ever.
He walked over to it and looked at the mouth which sat about two meters above the ground. He knew that something was behind it, even if it was only another room for the large serpent.
He had vowed to explore every corner of the Chamber, and this was one of them, so he continued.
"Speak to me Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four!"
As expected, the mouth of the stature opened, but luckily no angry hisses came from inside and nothing was stirring towards him. How would he get up to the entrance though?
"Stairs"
He tried once more and surprisingly a small staircase appeared underneath the entrance to the large pipe.
"Thank you, Dobby! I will call you when I need you!" Harry dismissed the elf and made his way up the stairs.
The entrance and pipe behind were about one and a half meters in diameter, so Harry had to slightly duck as to not hit his head. However, after a couple of steps, it became a corridor similar to any other in Hogwarts, if a bit smaller. Harry followed it for a few minutes.
He arrived at a fork. To left was a locked door, whereas to the right the corridor continued just as the nasty smell increased.
That was probably where the basilisk slept, Harry wondered as he made his way to the door. He could feel the strong wards on the door trying their best to repel him. However, it was almost like they could only persuade a small part of him not to enter the following Chamber. The larger part of his consciousness remained clear and hissed the familiar phrase to open the door.
A large circular room appeared behind the door. It was a mix between a study and personal charters, similar to Dumbledore's or McGonagall's office. The room was well lit, and a fire crackled in the fireplace opposite to him. He was about to enter when a voice shook him out of his amazement:
"How dare you come back to this place and taint it with your very presence! I have told you that an abomination like you is no longer welcome here! Leave this place and never return!"
Harry was confused, as to who was talking to him. Finally, he spotted a large portrait of a tall thin man wearing expensive green robes, hanging on the wall close to the study. The man had shoulder-length elegant dark hair and bright green eyes. He seemed about 40 years old, painted sitting on his chair in this very study. Was this truly who he thought it might be?
"Are you deaf, boy?! I told you to leave this place half a century ago and I tell you again now. Don't make me adjust the wards to kill my last descendant!"
Harry just stood there amused. The man thought he was someone else. Someone half a century ago. Certainly, Tom Riddle. It filled Harry with anger knowing that Riddle had discovered this place as well.
"I am not Tom Riddle and I only wish to see the wonders of the Chamber myself, Sir!" Harry replied politely. Surely this portrait was the key to the Chamber. He would need Slytherin to cooperate with him.
"Mhmm… you do look like him, but you are younger than him! Are you his son? I was certain that with the steps he took he could no longer father any children!"
"No, I am not his son. As to my knowledge we are not related, Sir"
"Then how did you find your way into this Chamber? Did he grant you entrance? I was hoping that my familiar would stop him from returning!" Salazar angrily hissed.
"I gained entrance because I speak it!" Harry hissed and watched as Salazar's eyebrows rose in appreciation.
"Well, if your family has British roots then you must be related to me! Only children of my blood could speak my tongue! But I am glad that you are not related to that deranged boy… do you know what happened to him?"
"Other than becoming the worst dark wizard Britain has ever seen and killing my parents when I was a year old… No, not much!"
"It is, as I had feared then… He was a brilliant boy when he came here the first time. But he had a darkness within him. Something similar yet different to what you carry with you, young man!
I am sorry to hear that he killed your parents. Why don't you bring me up to speed on what has happened in the wizarding world? It has been a couple of years since I received any news! What is your name?"
Harry chuckled and began the tale of his life. How his parents, the Potters, were murdered and he grew up with his magic-hating relatives. Salazar cursed at the mention of his abuse at his relative hands but nodded proudly when Harry told him of the confrontation with his cousin that ended up with him finding out about his talents!
He was impressed when Harry told him about his continuous training in his younger years and his ambition to become the most powerful wizard, avenge his family, and rebuild the Potter name.
Harry told the portrait about the adventures with the troll and Quirrell in his first year and how he encountered Riddle or Voldemort a second time but beat him.
"And you say the possessed teacher couldn't touch you? That is certainly interesting. I think your mother unwillingly performed a ritual when she sacrificed herself that night. A blood magic ritual as old as magic itself:
The life and love of a mother for her child. Few things on earth are as powerful as that protection. It is certainly not something Tom ever spent his time studying."
Harry explained that Voldemort sought him out due to a prophecy in the first place and how Dumbledore knew its contents. He also told Salazar how Dumbledore consistently withheld information from him.
Then Harry told the founder about his search for the Hallows.
"I thought you were smarter than that, Harry. I too searched for the Hallows in my youth. The Peverell family is one even older than the founders. But it is a legend. They don't exist!"
Harry smirked as he took out his cloak and showed it to Salazar. The portrait stared perplexed as Harry explained its history and his connection to the third brother. Harry also told the man of the letter he found at the wandmaker and the existence of the Elder Wand.
"I searched for them for so many years… My wife. Sh- she had been taken from me and burned at the stake by muggles… I tried everything in my power to bring her back and I thought that the stone was my last chance to do so, but I never found it."
Harry felt sorry for the man: "Is that where the hate for Muggles comes from? Is that why you hate Muggle-borns as well?"
Salazar hissed angrily in Parseltongue before he calmed himself enough to speak English:
"I never hated muggle-borns… Muggles, sure, for killing my wife and taking the love of my life, but I count all magical blood sacred. That is why I placed my familiar, Shiva, down here. She is supposed to protect the school in case the muggles ever found it. How is she by the way?"
Harry gulped: "Errrr, dead!"
Salazar cursed: "And why is that?"
"Because I killed her, with the Sword of your friend Godric!"
Salazar let loose some very nasty words in Parseltongue before addressing Harry:
"Well... start from the beginning, boy, and tell me why you killed my familiar!"
So, Harry told him the story of his second year, about Voldemort possessing a student via a dark artifact and Harry and the current Headmaster coming down in the Chamber to rescue the student and eliminate the culprit.
"Well, I am glad you survived that encounter… Shiva was very old and had become consumed by hatred while being alone for almost a millennium.
That is why Tom had such an easy time taking control over her and attacking a student. When he proudly told me about his achievement, I banished him forever from this Chamber and changed the wards to repel him. Shiva had to be put down. I just wish you didn't do it with that bit of goblin steel from the moronic and brave prankster, Godric."
Harry was amazed by Salazar's tale.
"So, what exactly is this place?"
"These are my personal Chambers. This is where I slept, researched, and pretty much lived the last decade of my life. Take the ladder upstairs and you will see an even bigger library than the small collection of books down here."
"What kind of magic did you specialize in? What did you research?"
"I had a Mastery in runes and arithmancy before looking into ritual, blood, and soul magic. You will find my personal collection and notes in the shelves down here.
Unfortunately, my legacy has been tainted by Tom Riddle. He perverted my findings. I recognize the book, his Diary, that you talked about. It is possibly the foulest piece of magic imaginable."
"Did you ever practice dark magic?"
Salazar laughed: "My naïve child, there is no dark or light magic. Only power and the intent that it is wielded with."
Harry thought about that definition and it kind of made sense to him: "I want to learn about it. All of it. I want to become the most powerful wizard the magical world has ever seen."
Salazar looked at Harry with a frown on his face:
"My last heir said something very similar. He too was driven by his desire to be the best. But everything I told him, he used against those he should have protected instead. How can I be sure that you don't follow the same path? I see your potential, Harry. You could right Tom's wrongs and resurrect the House of Slytherin, or you could become something even worse than him…"
"I am not like Tom, sir. He wants power to oppress the magical world. I only want it to be independent of it. I want to avenge my parents and put a stop to him and all that follow him… nothing more and nothing less, but I need to be the best in order to beat him!"
Salazar looked at the boy with a sad smile: "You are a remarkable young man, Harry. You have faced more hardship than you should have for your age, however, you won't get any pity from me. Instead, I will teach you! You will be my true Heir and succeed where I failed!"
Euphoria surged through Harry. This was all he wanted. From Salazar, he could learn powerful long-lost magic in fields that were partly forbidden in Britain. There was so much to do… Where should he start?
"I want to become stronger and faster, I read that there are rituals for it. Did Riddle ever perform any of those?"
Salazar laughed: "Tom performed pretty much any ritual on himself he could find. Most were useful; however, a couple that are very obscure involve magic that should not be messed with.
We can create a plan together for the most important rituals you will undertake. You do have an advantage. You said that you are only in your second year and have not had your 13th birthday yet?"
Harry nodded.
"Perfect. Then we can perform a purification ritual on your 13th Birthday to rid you of any last traces of the malnutrition and abuse you received under your relatives.
That potion you took before you started Hogwarts might have helped a bit already, however, some of the deeper issues and scars will still be left within you. The ritual will change your body into the peak physical condition for a 13-year-old and will even accelerate puberty a bit."
Harry was fascinated. He had not heard of that kind of ritual before, but Salazar continued explaining that it was very popular among boys during his time. According to Salazar the time for a ritual was of utmost importance.
Days like one's birthday, a summer of the winter solstice, and especially Samhain all boosted the effect of any ritual that is performed on such a day.
For Harry, they agreed on seven rituals. Seven is one of the most powerful magical numbers.
"I want to fix my eyesight as well!" Harry interrupted Salazar's planning.
"My glasses are a disadvantage in any fight or duel and the better my eyesight the better my chances to survive."
Salazar agreed with the child's reasoning, he thought for a couple of seconds before breaking out in laughter:
"I know exactly what we are going to do to fix that issue. As you know, to fix your own eyesight you have to sacrifice something of equal or better worth. Tonight, you will sacrifice the two most powerful eyeballs on the planet for perfect eyesight. This will be your first ritual, and thankfully it won't disrupt the pl