The Rules of the Game

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to BlackSilkenKitty cause it’s her birthday and also in hopes that it makes her feel a little bit better.

“Avada Kedavra.” There was a bright flash of green light and then a thump as a body collapsed to the ground. Memories I had long believed forgotten flashed through my mind and for just a moment I was somewhere completely different. I glanced over to the other boy who had his wand pointed to where Lockhart had been standing.

“I’ve found that it’s a fairly good way to win an argument.” He explained at my questioning look, earning a wide grin from me. My body relaxed once more, no longer in turmoil over what I desired and following the orders of my betters.

“I’ll have to remember that.” I replied cheekily. “But unfortunately I didn’t come down here to learn your negotiating tactics. I need the girl.”

Green eyes narrowed in my direction, and his grip on his wand repositioned.

“Look, you’re not the real Voldemort, only a copy. I assume that you were supposed to be ‘activated’ if he somehow died.” I postulated, earning a reluctant nod from Riddle.

“Well, Voldemort’s still alive… more or less.” I added as an after thought.

“Then why was I given to someone?”

“I don’t think they knew that… um well I guess you, would be coming back.”

Voldemort appeared to be thinking over some things, hesitant to give up his body and powers, when he was so close to becoming permanently corporeal.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

~Ssslytherin honor~ I hissed to him, causing him to reveal surprise once more.

~I wondered how you got down here~

~I forgot to tell you how much I liked the place.~

Riddle gave me a smirk in response and then reluctantly nodded. “All right. I’ll release the girl.”

I let out a sigh of relief, thankful that I would not be returning permanently to the Dursleys.

“It will take me some time to drain the energy back into her.” Riddle explained as he bent down to the cold stone floor and after touching her head briefly stood back up.

“Do you think I could see the Basilisk?”

“You know what creature lurks down here?” He asked in surprise.

“Of course, all the petrifacations, the dead chickens… not to mention the hissing of blood and killing I’ve been hearing all year.”

Riddle let out a short chuckle and then turned to the giant statue and hissed ~open~.

“Not very creative on the passwords was he.” I mentioned casually

“He was the only one who could speak the language; the passwords didn’t have to be complex.” Riddle argued and I gave a grunt of agreement.

The rumbling of the stone was soon accompanied by the sound of scales sliding along stone, and I quickly closed my eyes before the creature came out.

~Tom?~ A deep hiss echoed in the chamber that had a hint of femininity to it.

~Yes Ira. Thisss boy also ssspeaksss the sssacred language, and would like to sssee you; but pleassse, clossse your eyesss firssst.~

The snake gave a hiss of acknowledgement and then I could feel the vibrations in the floor as it slithered closer. I cracked an eye open to view a huge vibrant green snake coiling around me.

~You are beautiful, my lady.~

The Basilisk hissed again, preening under the complement.

~I am ssso fortunate to have two visssitorsss who can ssspeak the sssacred language in one year, when I had not one for ssso long.~

~If you wish, I will visssit you more when I return next year. Perhapsss I will even bring my own sssnake.~ The snake again hissed in excitement as her tongue lashed out to know my smell better.

“Tom, I had sensed that there was another secret door on that wall, was there anything interesting there?” I asked indicating to the far wall as I continued to stroke the beautiful creature around me.

“Yes, actually there are a lot of dark books and a few journals that were either Slytherin’s favorite or one’s he had written; some are even in parseltongue. If you’re careful, I’m sure you could take some.” He suggested.

“I would be exceedingly careful with such important things.” I said seriously.

“The password to enter is Ira. The only one in this chamber that’s different.” He said with a short laugh. I smirked back at him but noticed that he was beginning to fade and felt a pang of regret.

~My lady, do you care if I go look at the booksss with Tom now. I fear I don’t have much time.~

~Not at all. But I expect to sssee you at the ssstart of next year.~ She hissed.

~Without a doubt. But fissrst can I ask you for sssome of your venom.~

~What?~ “What?” Both Tom and the Basilisk questioned.

~I have read in medical textsss that if you take a poissson in sssmall incrementsss, then you become immune to it. I would like to become immune to your venom. It’sss one of the mossst powerful in the world, and therefore, if in my blood, would protect me from almossst all other poisssonsss.~ I explained.

~You’re crazy~ Tom concluded, causing me and the snake around me to chuckle, which sounds really weird in parseltongue.

~If that isss what you wisssh little massster.~ She said before opening her mouth revealing huge saber-like fangs.

Quickly I slipped a needle from my robes before transfiguring it into a large jar with a film over the opening. I carefully guided one of the fangs through the cloth and the venom began to quickly fill the jar. I watched the viscous yellow fluid for a while, hypnotized until the jar was full and with a quick hiss to the Basilisk pulled the jar from the fang and changed another needle into a lid. I held it up to the torch light to watch the swirling colors again before putting an unbreakable charm on it, shrinking it and pocketing it into my robes.

~Thank you again, Ira~ I hissed giving her a rub on the nose.

~My pleasssure.~

~And I’ll leave the body here for you to eat if that’sss ok, sssince you lossst the girl.~

~That would be very appreciated.~ She said with hunger in her voice before she slithered back into the lair in the statues mouth.

“This way.” He offered leading me into the hidden room that was a striking difference from the rest. While everything else had been cold stone, this looked like any other housing chamber in the castle. It was decorated artfully in Slytherin colors with an extensive library covering every inch of the walls. “Was there anything in particular you were interested in?”

“Potions, dark arts, and maybe some good curse books.” Tom headed over to a section, scanning through it and selecting out books before handing them to me to shrink and slip into my robes. He was about to hand me a seventh book when it slipped through his hands to fell to the ground, followed by a wand shortly after.

I looked at him in slight surprise only to realize that I could see through him. We both stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what to say as he was literally disappearing before my eyes.

“Did you have any others for me?” I asked at last, as I picked up the book and wand. He seemed to regain his composure and turned to the shelves, now just pointing at the books for me to pull down and pocket.

“That’s all I can think of. We should return before the girl awakes.” I gave a nod of agreement, following him back out into the main chamber and closing the passage behind us. “How are you going to explain the body?”

“I had been worried about them closing the school because a student died. But when our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher died last year they did nothing; I don’t see why they would this year. I’ll just explain how he died heroically or some other such rot.”

Tom gave a small noise of agreement, but it seemed farther away. I bit my cheek to stop myself from saying anything; I knew that this had to be done.

“You’re interesting Harry, I hope I meet you soon.” He said, before loosing his body completely, becoming only smoke that sunk back down into the diary which once again appeared completely innocent.

A gasp from next to me drew my attention to the red haired girl, and with a sneer of disgust towards her I pocketed the diary with the other books, and once again donned a mask of being the perfect Golden boy.

I guided the girl back through the passages to the entrance, debating once again how I was to get up when suddenly Dumbeldore’s Phoenix Fawkes appeared. Actually thankful towards it I grabbed hold of a tail feather, instructing the girl to do so as well, and we were pulled back up the tunnel to the entrance where we were greeted by Dumbledore, the heads of House, and the Weasleys.

They clambered around the girl. Only quick reflexes saved me from being pulled into the cluster of people and I had to take a deep breath and a step away form everyone before I could calm down. A flash of silver caught my eye and I turned to see Dumbeldore looking at me with his twinkling eyes.

“The creature has been sealed away, and the Diary destroyed with an incendio.” I answered, assuming what he wanted to hear.

“Yes, I had feared that it had been one of Tom’s old school things. You did very well my boy.” He said benevolently. Placing a hand on my shoulder and forcing me to hide a sneer of disgust.

“Unfortunately Lockhart succumbed to the beast before she was destroyed.” Which ironically is all true. “But he did battle valiantly and probably saved my life...” Which is a bunch of bull. “…if only through him being a distraction to the creature.” Which makes my story plausible to all who know what an idiot Lockhart was. “I’m really tired now though; if you would excuse me.” I said before heading towards the door.

“Harry wait!” I heard, and turned just in time to dodge the grasp of Ginny Weasley. What did she think she was doing! She almost touched me! Didn’t even ask! Merlin, the mere thought is making me shudder in disgust. A brief look of shock and disgust crossed my face before it was hidden again and I resumed my cool mask.

“I just wanted to thank you.” She explained looking dejected.

“I really didn’t do much Mrs. Weasley.” I argued, and with another nod to the others in the room, left. I gave a sigh of relief when I was out of the crowded room, feeling more and more comfortable the closer I got to the Slytherin dorms.

*

~I hear that you went to see a Basilisk without me~ I smirked at the grumbled hiss from the shadows.

~Relax, I promised to take you next time~ I hissed back and offered my arm for Persephone to slither up before continuing to the dorms.

~But I wanted to see it now~

~You sound like a petulant child~

~I’m barely one year old, I am a child!~ I gave a hissing laugh glad that I had Persephone to ground me, and make me relax. ~That Malfoy child has been pacing around for the last hour or so. And Erebus is most annoyed with you too.~

~Great. So there’s no hope of being able to collapse to sleep?~

~Not likely.~ At this point we had reached the Slytherin dorms, and after whispering the password the entrance opened to reveal a pacing Draco.

~You were serious. And he’s been doing this for hours?~

~Yes, and every few minutes he mumbles to himself. Something about acting like a foolish Gryffindor.~

I gave another hissing laugh which unfortunately drew the attention of the blond.

“Where the HELL have you been?!”

I tried to hold the groan in; my bed was looking farther and farther away from me.

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A/N: ira translates to : anger, wrath. (in latin)