Tears of a Basilisk

Journal entry the sixteenth


That was an interesting week. I wonder what my fanclub thought of the fact that I disappeared for a full week with no notice, but I can't bring myself to care. The Council gathering was just what I needed, even if both Dobby and Sylvain conned me into taking them along. Yes, I, the wizard known chiefly for my cunning, could not out-argue a house elf. In all fairness, Dobby isn't like most house elves. And Sylvain refused to let me leave the grounds without proper escort, arguing that most of the representatives arrive with a retinue anyway. It was still fun to reconnect with that part of my past.


When I arrived at the gathering site, it was as if I had never left. Everything, the buildings, the trappings, and the traditions were all the same. I was amazed that so many bloodlines were represented, even Tom-as-Voldie showed up with Nagini as his entire retinue. When I went near him, the reek of Dumbles was a bit weaker than it was in the graveyard, so I held hope that he would be somewhat sane. Other than doing a small amount of pureblood ranting, he was very respectful towards all and followed the conventions to the letter. I found myself enjoying his company quite a bit. No, he did not recognize me as Harry Potter, but he did recognize me as a kinsman as well as respecting my Bardic status and Druidic ranking. I think, on some levels, we actually bonded . All I know is that it was refreshing having a chess player who was of a ranking with myself. Oh, if only Dumbles was able to witness us interacting as equals in a non-hostile setting, I'm sure he would panic. He's probably not even aware that his primary pawn attended such a neutral event as the Council.


I must admit, it was refreshing being treated with the deference one of my status deserves. I know that, as Harry Potter, I shun the spotlight at every possible moment, but when it comes to a legitimate reason for respect I am more than willing to use it to its fullest potential. After all, I am involved in a war of sorts, and would be foolish not to exploit any means to my end. I found and rediscovered many contacts that could make my life just a tad bit easier, and even more interesting.


I was more than pleased when I encountered parties not only from the Naga-im but the unified Druidic clans. They were both skeptical of my claims at first, since I am the only creature to possess all my gifts at once in either incarnation, but it was easily enough to prove that I was at least of a direct descent from Salazar (more direct than any of them could begin to guess, ha), and therefore earning their respect and just a touch of deference. I was actually offered to take the test to gain standing as a Druidic high priest, which I turned down since I have no need, not that they could know that. I was floored, however, when I met the Naga-im representative, who happened to be none other than the father of Salazar Slytherin. Even though he did not realize that I remembered him, he was pleased to meet someone from my bloodline, and it was just great hanging with dear old dad. It was all I could do to keep from laughing when Tom, my current father, and Selasseth, my previous father, decided to hang around me almost as part of my party. I do have the most interesting family, it seems. The only thing that could have made the experience even more sublime on my part is if my dear mother had decided to join in the fun. Now that would have been hilarious. I know that she's only half-Maenad, but she definitely chose to side with the wild women, much to the chagrin of the elves and indifference of the druids.


It's really quite funny, even though my bloodline and status were made quite apparent, many rumours were circulating as to who I was, my background, my powers, and not only how I knew about the Council but why haven't I attended before now. For a group of very long lived species, on average, they reminded me irrevocably of a group of teenage human girls gossiping about the new bad boy in school. Of course I kept up with this air of mystery, just for kicks, and it threw them for a loop when I showed up with no retinue save a house elf (of which no one else brought with them), and a monstrously huge eagle that usually wears scales in real form. Always a show-stopper, that's me. Well, it serves me well in the clubs at any rate.


As fun as it was to reconnect with my past and reevaluate my future paths, it was a relief to come home. I know that my Chamber might not seem to be the most livable of places, but no one save myself knew of the secret password-protected rooms that are really quite luxurious. My bones can't take much of a chill, so at this moment I am sitting in front of a huge fireplace that would rival most, in a large comfy chair wrapped in many soft velvet blankets. I feel that a little bit of pampering is necessary, and now that I write this I can just imagine Tom running all around the Chamber looking for the secret entrances. What fools they be if they think that the Tree is the extent of the hidden secrets and surprises that abound in my Chamber. I am quite a prankster, and it's not called the Chamber of Secrets for nothing. Go on, look around if you dare. If I'm feeling particularly charitable I just might throw out the occasional clue to aid in the frantic search that I know will happen.


Let's see, whom would be the likely culprits. Tom most definitely, he's needed as the only resident Speaker, but who else. Ah, Draco, my dear cousin. He just might still be reeling from that revelation, so his sense of pride would lead him down to my hidey-hole. And with those two, we need someone of intellect and common sense to balance out the Silver trio. What am I thinking, there could be only one candidate for that position, none other than my dear, sexy Sev. I think I might leave a surprise just for him. Oh yes, that will work, and it will give me something to do while I wait for the potion to finish. Oops, let it slip, there is a potion that plays a key role in my plans and I am in the midst of brewing it. Don't bother searching in any known text, my dear reader, you won't find it. I am a Potions Master in my own right, and like many I've written down my creations. Where might these pages lie, you might wonder. Well, they rest in......


Nope. Not going to make it that easy. Besides, I want people to finish reading my journal, so I must leave some mysteries unsolved, at least for the moment. Frustration can be a great motivator. Speaking of which, this tome has been protected against every form of destruction I could think of, and I know many that have been lost in history. Try throwing it in the fire, I dare you. C'mon, you know you want to do it. Spending night after night reading the ramblings of a cynical smartass who can't directly answer a question and raises two questions for every answer hinted at, patience must be wearing thin. Of course, don't expect any sympathy from me.


And now for something completely different (I adore those brilliant idiots, so had to pay homage), I was toying with the idea of continuing the tale of the founding of Hogwarts, but I think I'll leave that for another time. I'm not quite senile enough to ramble on about such events without rhyme nor reason. Maybe in a week or two I might be, or at least I could fake it. Speaking of faking, I do wonder, now that I think about it, what my fan club thought of my absence. It is morbidly tantalizing the more I think about it. I think I'll show off a new tattoo or two. Considering that the tattoos were the end result of a drinking binge with several dryads, high and dark elves, and dwarves I'm amazed that they came out as well as they did. Even more amazing is that I somehow managed to perfectly recreate the magical runic tattoos that I bore during my time as Salazar while completely pissed. I know I've said it before, but damn, I'm good. So good that I'm going to leave all my dear potential readers wanting a good bit more.


Merlin, he named us the Silver trio. I've observed that his sense of humour is twisted at best, deplorably sick at worst, but he continues to astonish me with the depths of his depravity. Well, it did make Draco turn a rather strange shade of red-purple before erupting in a cry of “No!” that could reportedly be heard from the Astronomy Tower. It could be prolonged exposure to the inner workings of Harry's twisted brain, but I found myself smirking and almost laughing when things progressed in almost the exact same way as he predicted. As of tonight, none of our unlikely trio have found any more secrets yet to be revealed. If my experiences regarding this journal have taught me anything, it's to pay attention to the small clues. My 'surprises' in the Chamber are likely the potions journals that he referenced. I have no doubt, regarding his surprises. that he has many sick, depraved plans up his sleeve even from beyond the grave.


His grave, that's right, he never got one. His body was destroyed, or at least that's how it appeared when he finished doing whatever he had planned. A good amount of time later and no one really knows what happened. As much as I hope for it, I seriously doubt that he will reveal all in this text. Crafty bugger, this must be part of his revenge. It might be a stretch, but we've underestimated him horribly over the years, so he could even be responsible for that flying one-bird plague that has been unleashed on this poor school.


Yes, the crow is still flitting around as if it owned the place. I'm not nearly as aggravated with the bloody bird as I was, mostly due to the fact that I found another target that it likes tormenting just as much. As unbecoming and uncharacteristic of me to show sympathy, I must pity my poor godson to some degree. He's had a rough week. Do not misunderstand me, I still wish to be rid of that pestilence once and for all, but since that seems to not be an option at least I can control the damage done to my person. It seems to have decided on a truce of sorts with me, which is more of a connection I would like with the blasted bird but is satisfactory for now.


There is something definitely unusual about the bird. It's not magical, at least in any sense of the word that we are familiar with, but it's not your standard carrion eater. It's far too intelligent and sneaky to be under another's control, and it is just not natural but I swear that the bird does laugh. Granted, it's a snarky, smartass type of laugh, but still more than a bird is capable of. Maybe it was a familiar of sorts. Cats, toads, and owls are the most common types of familiar, but by no means are they the only species given to magical assistance. Crows and ravens have the reputation of being difficult to gain and keep as a familiar, so very few wizards could succeed. Finally, a place to begin searching for an answer to the Great Crow Mystery. I do not think that it escaped from its wizard, largely due to the fact that said wizard would have put out any number of announcements and rewards for its return, given the difficult nature of the birds. So that leaves either the wizard dying suddenly, or changing familiars and abandoning the bird. Given the nature of this particular corvid, I can completely understand why someone might have wanted to rid themselves of its presence.


Just thinking about the bird, coupled with the usual headache from dealing with a snarky bastard's journal and being unable to throw it at him or take thousands of house points, gives me a headache. I just acquired a new bottle of firewhiskey, I think it's time to crack it open with some appreciative company, so this will be it for tonight. At least I won't have to deal with a drunk crow, that will be Draco's problem. Heh.