Dragon Rose

Chapter Six.

The two of them walked into the room, and Harry saw the beat up old hat sitting on a side table, next to a large winged back chair.

“Ah, Mr. Potter. I see you have finally come to your senses. Do you really need to me to go through your head once more.”

“I believe it would be best for you to go through my mind again. This way no one can call favoritism.”

“Very well, Mr. Potter. I just need to know if you will fight my decision once again.”

“No, I won't. I will willing go where you place me, as long as it's not in Gryffindor.”

“As you wish, come and let me enter your mind.

Harry settled into the chair and placed that hat on his head. 'Do you plan to drop another sword on my head?' he asked.

'No Mr. Potter, I do not. Though I must say only the heir of Goldric Gryffindor would have been able to pull that sword out. So in truth I could leave you in Gryffindor House.'

'I think not. I was removed from the Tower, by those to afraid to stand up and face their problems.'

'Good point. How about Ravenclaw? You have some of her blood in your veins.'

'Would that be the best place for me?'

'In truth Mr. Potter, you could be placed in any House. The blood of all four Founders runs through you.'

'Interesting. Is there a way I can use that to my advantage, and remain out of all the Houses?'

'I am unsure. Would you be willing to bring me the portrait of the Founders so this can be discussed?'

'Where would I find it?'

'In the Chamber of Secrets.'

'Ugh. I suppose that I could go down there again. I would prefer to have Goldric's sword before I go this time though.'

'Remove me from you head. I will summon the Sword for you.'

Harry did as he was told, and placed the Hat on the table once more, and looked at the others. “He needs to discuss my situation with the Founders.” he told them, just as a metallic clink sounded from under the hat. Harry placed his hand under the brim, and grasped the handle of the Sword before lifting the hat up.

“And what are you doing with that Sword this time, Mr. Potter.” Mr. Malfoy inquired.

“I prefer to be armed before opening the Chamber of Secrets this time. I was informed that the only place I will be able to find the required portrait would be to retrieve it from Slytherin's Lair.” Harry responded. “Since you missed the trip last time, would you like to join me this time. I'm sure the snake is dead, but you never know what other creatures you will find down there.” he asked snidely.

“You plan on reopening the Chamber? Are you mad?” Severus demanded.

“Not really. I already told you I would consider going back down. Just think of all the potion ingredients that are available from a 60 foot basilisk.”

“You are not going down alone this time.” Severus told him, as his fury began to grow.

“I never said I was. In fact I do believe I had just asked Mr. Malfoy to join me. Did you wish to join us also? Besides I wasn't alone last time, it's just that the Professor who joined me last time was unqualified for the job.” Harry retaliated while doing his best to hide the shudder of fear that passed through his body at the visible sight of the Potions Master's fury.

“I believe Harry, that we will all go with you. I must confess that I find myself wishing to see the private workrooms of one of the Founders.” Dumbledore said, cutting off Severus's angry response.

“As you wish Headmaster, the entrance to the Chamber is located in Moaning Myrtles bathroom, I will wait for all of you that are going there.” Harry told him, and stalked out of the room and slammed the portrait closed behind him.

Dumbledore once more cut Severus off before he could follow the teen out of the room, by placing one hand on his arm, “I would be very careful in what you say to him at the moment Severus and remember that he can read emotions and body language extremely well. Keep in mind his years with the Dursley's, where that knowledge was a necessity for his survival, and think about what kind of treatment he had at their hands no matter what." He said softly to Severus, before walking out to join Harry, calling over his shoulder. "I will ask him to open the Chamber in 10 minutes. All of you that are going should be there at that time, or risk getting lost. Severus, I suggest that you call Poppy to watch over the twins."

Severus stared in shock after the Headmaster, before giving his head and a shake and walking towards the fireplace, he was just about to contact the nurse to have her keep an eye on his children, when the twins stumbled out of the bedroom. “Papa, why is Harry so mad? He won't answer us.” Morgan asked in concern.

Severus ignored the question and instead leveled a glare at the two of them. “You are both supposed to be asleep, and should have stayed that way even without the Dreamless Sleep potion.” he told them.

“By your avoidance of the question, we will assume that you are the reason Harry is upset." Galahad replied matter of factly, " besides it's really hard to sleep when someone is cursing in your head in two different languages." Galahad continued.

Severus closed his eyes and breathed deeply before looking at the twins again. “If you can get through to him, tell him that I'm sorry. And ask him if we need anything to bring down to the Chamber.” he told him softly.

Morgan maintained her glare at her father, while Galahad contacted Harry, blocking out his father's emotion riddled eyes. :Kitten? I have a message from father for you.: he sent softly.

:What the hell does he want now? Planning on ordering me not to live my life?: Harry snarled, turning his fear into anger in order to hide it from Galahad.

:Not exactly. He says he's sorry.: Galahad replied, hoping that Harry would open up a little, over what happened between him and his father.

Galahad winced at the deep silence in his mind, and snapped his eyes open to join his sister in glaring at his father. "What the hell did you do?" He snarled, and had the satisfaction of seeing his father step back away from him.

:He did nothing to me Galahad, don't take this out on him.: Harry came back finally, his mental voice quite.

:I'm not sure if I believe you or not Kitten.:

:Believe what you will. I only telling the truth." Harry said, before continuing, "tell Draco that he will need his broom if he's coming down to the Chamber, unless he's scared of course. It will be easier to get around that way. In fact all of those coming should have a broom." Silence fell for a moment before he continued, "also tell your father that he may bring something to collect parts of the Basilisk in, but keep it small. If he plans on taking back any of the venom, make sure that whatever he brings is highly protected. The stuff is extremely potent and will kill in just over a minute.:

Galahad turned to Draco and started to relay the message. “Harry says to bring your broom, unless your too scared to go down with him. He says it will be easier for all those going to be on a broom." Looking at his father he relayed the last of the message, "he also said father, that you may bring what you need to collect ingredients, as long as it's small, and that if you want any of the venom to make sure the container is highly protected, since it will take a little more then a minute to kill.” He finished only to hear Harry once more.

:Gali, don't forget your wand this time. I don't feel like having to save your arse like that again.:

:Thanks Kitten.: He said sarcastically.

:Your very welcome Gali. Do hurry though, I don't want to be sitting around all day.:

“Kitten is getting impatient, he says to hurry, because he doesn't want to sit around all day.” Galahad told everyone, before walking back to his room to collect his and Morgan's brooms. He was just about to go and collect Harry's broom, when his father walked out with it. Placing a hand on his arm, Galahad stopped his father from walking away. “I'm still not sure what happened, but he said it wasn't your fault. Don't give me a reason to doubt his word.” he told him, and then joined the others.

It didn't take long to find Harry, who was sitting on one of the sinks in the second floor girl's bathroom with the sword resting across his lap, talking with one of the school ghosts. When Harry saw them, he jumped down and smiled. "Everyone ready to go?" he asked cheerfully, doing his best to hide his true feelings, and received nods in return. "Good." he replied before throwing a small smirk towards Draco, "Scared Malfoy?" He asked slyly.

You wish Potter.” came back the instant reply.

“Ah, second year all over again. All that's missing is watching Lockhart get blasted across the hall in a duel.” Harry commented a small grin on his face. “But I'm sure I can arrange to have it happen again. It would be nice to keep the idiot in St. Mungo's for an extra few years.”

“What did happen to the buffoon anyway Potter?” Draco asked.

“He tried to oblivate Ron and myself, with Ron's wand, and just like when Ron tried to curse you, had it backfire. I'm glad it happened though, at least I didn't have to worry about getting killed by someone supposedly on my own side, while I was facing off against a young Tom Riddle.” he said, and walked over to one of the sinks. Bending down, he focused on the snake carved on the plumbing, and hissed at it to open. When it had opened as far as it would go, Harry looked back at them all. "Alright then, there's about a 4 foot drop at the end of the pipe, it's going to be a slimy and fast trip down, so try not to break anything when you land." he told the group before stopping, "and watch out for the smell it's really bad, and I doubt it's gotten any better over the years." He told them as an afterthought. He was just about to jump into the opening when he looked back at the Professors, "I'm going first! There will be no arguments about this, for the simple reason as I can talk to snakes and will be able to tell any that are around to stay away, none of you can." And then he was gone.

The twins both glared at their father and followed right behind, and Severus was left muttering about turning his children and Harry into potion ingredients. Albus just chuckled before he to, stepped into the opening, followed by everyone else.

When Severus landed at the bottom, Harry had his wand lit, and was examining a section of wall. Walking over, he lit his own wand and held it up so he to could see what Harry was looking at. Harry gave him a small grin, and with a hissed word, a steady glow lit up the tunnel.

"Salazar Slytherin left instructions for the next person who came down here. It's basically a list of commands on how to light up the tunnels.” He explained to the Headmaster's curious look.

“Well that's handy.” Albus commented.

“Yes it is. I'm afraid we will have some work to do further in, part of the tunnel collapsed, so we are going to have to make a passage way through the rubble. Ron managed to clear a big enough of space for Ginny and myself to get through, but it won't be big enough for any of us now.” Harry said as he led them deeper into the tunnels.

It didn't take long for all of them to clear a way through the rock slide. And when they came to the other side, they all got their first look at just exactly how big the basilisk was.

“If this skin is any indication, then the basilisk was over 60 feet Harry.” Professor Sprout told him.

“I wasn't really paying attention to how big it was at the time. I was more worried about getting Ginny and myself out alive." He replied back, "we're almost to the main chamber, I'm not sure what kind of condition the carcass is in, but I figured I'd warn you before we got there. I am asking that you don't get to close to the snake. I'm not sure if there is any residue venom from the fang that broke off, when it bit me.”

“You survived a bite by that monster?” Mr. Malfoy asked in disbelief. “And were coherent enough to free that house elf afterwards?”

“Fawkes showed up and decided to save me from the venom.” Harry shrugged. “I used the fang to destroy the diary first though.”

“Remind me to thank that bloody bird later for saving your life.” Severus murmured from beside him.

“I will.”

When Harry opened the main chamber, he ignored the gasps of shock from those with him, and concentrated on finding the opening to Salazar's inner chamber. A flash of silver heading towards the Potion Master, broke his concentration and almost stopped his heart.

{Stop} he commanded, and was instantly obeyed by the snake, Severus and Mr. Malfoy, with everyone else followed the other's two mens example. “No one move, I'm not sure if he will attack or not.” Harry told them in English.

The only movement in the chamber came from the small snake as it moved closer to Harry, but stopped about five feet away and lowered itself into a nonthreatening position.

{You speak.} The snake hissed in delight.

{Yes.} Harry answered hesitating only slightly

{The last speaker who entered here killed the King. You smell like him} The small creature continued

{I am he.} Harry said cautiously, getting ready to defend himself just in case.

{Then I and the others here owe you our thanks. The King was brought here to kill all who entered. Including other animals} The snake explained.

{This was not the beast left here by Salazar Slytherin?} Harry asked taking a few steps closer to the snake.

{No. Lord Slytherin only left my kind here. We where created to guard the Inner Chamber.}

{I see. Will you attack those who are with me?}

{I was not attacking. The Dark Man smells interesting and I was only trying to get closer}

{I see. Would you like me to introduce you to him?}

{What would you require in return?} came the suspicious question.

{We are looking for a portrait of the four Founders. A problem has arrived with the placement of a student of the school. The Sorting Hat wishes to ask for their advice.} Harry replied, his mouth twitching with the effort not to laugh. 'I guess not only human snakes are suspicious.' he thought.

{My name is Slyth. I will bring you to the Inner Chamber, if I have their permission to do so.} Was the answer to his un-voiced question.

As the snake disappeared into a crack of the statue, Harry faced the others. “It's alright. He wasn't going to attack. His name is Slyth, and he is asking for permission to allow us into the Inner Chamber.” Everyone sighed in relief and Harry wondered over to where the two older Slytherins stood talking. "You both understood the command to stop, didn't you."

“Over the years a number of us learned to understand a few commands in Parseltongue." Severus answered for them both. "I'm not sure about Luc, but I also understand my name."

Mr. Malfoy gave Harry an unreadable look before replying, "Knowing a few commands along with my name has saved my life a few times over the years." He told Harry.

"I can see where that can diffidently come in handy." Harry replied, and watched as Severus walked away to where the King of Serpents lay.

It didn't take long for an answer on wither or not they would be allowed into the Inner Chamber came. Instead of the verbal reply Harry was expecting, part of the statue of Salazar Slytherin, rolled away, and Slyth waited on the other side.

{Lord Slytherin, Lord Gryffindor, Lady Ravenclaw, and Lady Huffflepuff, wish for all of you to come forward.} He announced.

Harry looked at the surprised faces of those who came with him. “We've been summoned.” he said with a shrug of his shoulders, as he followed the silver snake into the Inner Chamber of Salazar Slytherin's private workshop.