Chapter 166 - Changes! (Patreon)

{Outer Vault, Chamber of Secrets, Hogwarts}

{31th Oct 1991} 

{Rigel's POV}

...

My eyes traced the semi-translucent material stretching across the cave. The length and width of the skin made the translucent skin feel more like an opaque and solid object. Looking closely, I could still see the lingering impression of the basilisk's scales on the skin, even though they were shriveled together. The smell of decay lingered in the air. 

"Any chance I can claim the Basilisk's body as part of the Slytherin family's heirloom?" I asked Dumbledore as he was standing beside me as well. His glowing eyes, which likely were because he was using magic or a spell to see something more than my naked eyes could see, turned to me. My words sounded like a request, but it wasn't one.

"The scales, yes, though not all of them," the headmaster replied. This was his way of compromising, as he still needed my help to get through the next door, which was visible not far away. 

'The old man doesn't want the venom and eyes taken. Still, getting the scales won't be a bad deal, though their value would be much less if I didn't hold the majority share.' 

"All of them," I replied, my voice firm as I looked back at the group. The cave's ceiling was filled with irregular edges. The icicle-shaped rocks made everyone duck and weave as they slowly trickled over to look at the snakeskin. Most of them didn't look surprised, but a feeling of dread lingered around as they locked eyes.

Since Albus didn't reply to my proposal to get all the scales, I pointed at the scales and continued, "As you all can see, there is only one intact piece of snakeskin. So we don't need to continue. Clearly, only one Basilisk was dwelling inside the piping system of Hogwarts." 

My words caused everyone to look around once again. The significant interceptions shaped like pipes caused everyone to shiver as the implications of my words settled in. The foul smell everyone attributed to the dead rats and bones earlier now had a new direction to explore, one that no one liked.

'It's not like it's a pleasant thought. Who hasn't thought about a snake coming out of the pipes and biting you while you take a dump? It's a common nightmare, just a little more literal in this sense.' I thought. Because of its size, the Basilisk likely couldn't jump out of the shower in any of the Hogwarts bathrooms, but can anyone be sure when magic is involved and runes cover every inch of the castle?

"Albus, how long has the Basilisk been alive?" Fudge asked. He wasn't the most academically sound among the group, but logic clearly states that the larger the snake, the longer it has lived.

"Considering that only someone with a Parselmouth can open this chamber to let one in, the logical conclusion would be that Salazar Slytherin himself or one of his descendants was responsible for placing it in the castle," Albus spoke. He didn't give a clear answer but didn't need to.

"So, around a thousand years." Fudge breathed heavily, his voice shaking slightly. I looked at Narcissa as she bent down to touch the snakeskin. The film covering any normal snake's shed skin wasn't a good material to do anything with. A Basilisk, on the other hand, was a different matter. Even the normal flimsy remains of its skin were strong enough for several purposes, though the idea of turning the decayed remains of discarded skin didn't appeal to Rigel. Narcissa had different thoughts as she appraised it.

"...And the snakeskin," I continued, looking at Dumbledore, who looked back into my eyes. He held my stare momentarily before nodding and walking toward the rusted door. I followed him, my eyes scanning the withered door while, at the same time, my senses sparkled as the runes placed on the doors were still brimming with power.

'They likely were directly liked to the school wards, though I wonder how Slytherin could circumvent the ward to give the headmaster no access or even knowledge about this chamber.'

The gate in front of us was circular, following the theme of the place. It looked old, yet the snakes made out of metal resting on top of it felt alive. I remember this scene from the movie; the eerie atmosphere was still there, though I didn't feel that same tension. It was likely because I knew that the Basilisk was already dead and there was no danger.

'Even if it is, Dumbledore would be the first to go there.' With my security blanket in place, I whispered the command in Parseltongue, "~Open~."

Clang... Clang... Clang

Echoes of metallic clang filled the cave as, one by one, the snake's head retreated in a set motion. A larger snake circled the door slowly, slithering until it completed the entire loop. The grating of metal and metal accompanied its advance as the door creaked open. A gust of air that reeked of rot erupted from the now open door as my eyes immediately locked onto the sculpture of Salazar at the end of the room.

My mana sense's range has also gotten larger. I hadn't noticed it before because I could sense it from so far away. Though Salazar's sculpture wasn't the only magical thing in the room, the snakeheads, which I couldn't yet see, were also covered in runes. Further into the entrance, a swimming pool-type staircase was available that was meant to provide access to the chamber. 

I had no intention of grabbing onto those bars, and clearly, Dumbledore felt the same. He walked over and jumped straight down. A burst of mana erupted from him as his wand glowed, and his descent slowed down at the very end before he landed softly on the floor. With an example of how to proceed, I copied his actions, though my way was much more primitive as I hadn't practiced the Slowing charm to a very high level yet.

"Arresto Momentum~" I cast, waving my wand in a semi-circular arc as the spell took effect. However, using magic had an unintended side effect. It was a similar feeling that I had gone through just a couple of times. The wards of the place locked onto my mana and assessed me as they did in the Black Ancestral home and when I first stepped onto Hogwarts. 

It wasn't a dangerous process, considering Dumbledore didn't warn me. Still, the following incident proved that I couldn't follow canon as gospel, as flickering green fire erupted into the snake head's eyes, and a pathway leading up to the sculpture was formed.

'Yeah, this clearly shows that there is nothing suspicious about that big head at the end of the room...'

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