Harry left.
Dana refocused his attention on the Basilisk.
This wasn't the time for the Basilisk to be released...
Was it here to kill me?
No—Voldemort clearly hadn't known who was responsible that night. So, combining that with Quirrell's sudden conversation earlier, was the Basilisk here because Voldemort wanted to "renew our acquaintance"?
Sure enough, the Basilisk didn't make any attacking moves but instead slowly slithered toward Dana.
It chose a good spot—no portraits, armor, or statues around. Just a small holly tree in a pot against the wall.
The Basilisk slowly lowered its head, and a flash of light flickered from its forehead. Letters appeared in the air.
The Basilisk hissed, and Dana—thanks to Merlin's blood—understood it naturally.
"Please open your eyes. I have closed mine. Please read the message from my master."
Dana was speechless. Sending a Basilisk to deliver a message? Voldemort truly was a genius.
If I had reacted a little slower just now, I might be dead already. Maybe my Merlin physique could resist the Basilisk's gaze, but turning to stone was still very possible.
And if I were dead, what good would this message be?
And if I couldn't understand Parseltongue, how would I know it was here with a message?
Maybe I'd have blasted it with a spell on sight.
Clearly, Voldemort didn't know I could communicate with animals. For him to take such a ridiculous gamble only proved his mind was slipping.
Dana opened his eyes. The Basilisk's were shut, and the message in the air read:
"Follow the Basilisk to find me, Emrys. I am Quirinus Quirrell's master. I will give you power and help you become the most powerful wizard."
Dana twitched at the corners of his mouth. Voldemort sneaking back into Hogwarts just to recruit him was… touching, honestly.
Dana turned into a streak of blue light and entered the Basilisk's body.
A few seconds later, he returned to his original form.
Basilisk Transformation: GET.
Now, what to do with this big guy?
Letting it go back was obviously impossible—far too dangerous.
If it came back next time not to deliver a message but to kill me, that'd be a problem.
And if I rejected Voldemort, the odds of that lunatic sending the Basilisk to kill me were… let's say, about 90%.
So…
"Hiss hiss hiss…" [Finished reading? May I open my eyes now? My master must be worried.]
Dana drew his wand and smiled:
"Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying—"
He flicked his wand. The chandelier above the Basilisk rapidly transfigured into a guillotine.
Then Dana pointed his wand at the floor.
"Descendo!"
The guillotine dropped hard, and the Basilisk—despite its immense magical resistance—was caught off guard.
Its head was lopped off cleanly.
Thump!
The Basilisk's head rolled twice before stopping in front of Dana. The rest of its massive body slammed to the ground with a rush of blood-laced wind.
"Professor! It's ahead!"
Harry's anxious voice echoed, followed by the pounding of hurried footsteps.
Harry appeared with Snape and Professor McGonagall at the end of the corridor.
"Dana! Are you alright?"
McGonagall rushed over, wand at the ready, Snape a step behind her.
"I'm fine, Professor."
"Merlin's beard!"
McGonagall clapped her hand over her mouth at the sight of the giant Basilisk head and its still-bleeding body.
"This is… a Basilisk?"
Snape, meanwhile, wasn't interested in checking on Dana. Clearly, the boy was unharmed.
He stepped forward, sealed the Basilisk's neck with a Freezing Charm, and gently caressed the shimmering scales.
That smile of his—it was unsettling.
McGonagall inspected Dana quickly and, seeing no injuries, turned to the Basilisk again.
"This was Transfiguration? Very clever. But dropping the chandelier alone couldn't have cut off the Basilisk's head."
"I used Descendo, Professor."
"Oh? That spell isn't taught in first year."
"I read about it in the library."
"Although that spell was banned a hundred years ago—after a student broke his neck using it—your quick thinking saved your life. I'd like to award ten points."
Snape's expression froze. He shot McGonagall a side glance and gave a low "hmph."
Ten points? Compared to this Basilisk, he could live with Gryffindor getting ten points. They were in last place anyway.
Dana smiled warmly at Harry.
"Thanks, Harry. You got the professors here in time."
"N-No," Harry blushed.
"I didn't do anything. You handled the Basilisk all on your own."
"No, Harry, I was lucky. But with you fetching help, even if I'd failed, I would've had someone to save me. That means a lot."
Harry waved his hands, his face growing redder.
"Really, Dana, I didn't do anything special!"
I'm terrible, Harry thought. I actually suspected Dana! I thought he was working with some dark wizard. But he just saved the school!
He even thanked me!
Merlin help me, how could I ever doubt my first real friend?
Pop!
Dumbledore appeared.
"Harry, Dana, I'm glad you're safe."
He looked at the dead Basilisk and nodded.
"Impressive Transfiguration. Impressive judgment. For a young wizard, this is truly extraordinary. So—"
"Dumbledore, if you're planning to award points, Professor McGonagall already did."
Snape's interruption made Dumbledore blink.
"Oh? Well, that's excellent."
He turned to Harry.
"Harry saw a threat he couldn't handle, stayed calm, and got help for a fellow student. That deserves praise. Ten points to Gryffindor."
Snape rolled his eyes. Both headmaster and deputy headmistress were from Gryffindor. What could he even say?
He turned to Dumbledore.
"I'll take the Basilisk materials."
"Of course, Severus. They'll be put to good use in your hands. Do you need help?"
"No. I'll have the house-elves assist."
Dumbledore nodded, giving the dead Basilisk one last look.
He thought of the so-called monster from the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago… and of the recently dead Quirrell.
Was it you, Tom?
He decided to return to his office and activate every portrait and ghost in the castle. A Basilisk walking freely was no small matter.
Pop.
He vanished.
McGonagall raised her brow, then gave Dana a pat on the shoulder.
"Alright, child. Back to the common room. Rest for a bit—dinner will be ready soon."
"No, Professor, I'm going to the library."
Dana walked off.
But even before sitting down, one thought nagged him:
If that little diary shows up next year and finds the Chamber of Secrets empty… what will it think?
End of the Chapter.
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