Harry stared at Salazar like he grew a second head before he snapped back to reality and narrowed his eyes
"Explain"
Salazar smirked at the boy's change of attitude. He finally showed a bit of that childishness that he kept locked inside of him. 'So he can get caught off foot. Nice to see that he isn't completely lost. It would be a pity if he later becomes a madman just because he didn't enjoy his childhood'
" Child there are many entrances towards the Chamber. The one you speak of is specifically the exit point for my Basilisk Esmeralda. There are dozens of tunnels going in and out of the Chamber. In case I needed to defend the school at a specific point or I was just being too lazy to walk those ridiculous staircases"
"Don't insult my staircase!" Godric yelled out causing Salazar to roll his eyes. Clearly it was not the first time they had this conversation
"You named your basilisk Esmeralda?" Harry looked at the man with a dumbfounded expression.
Salazar raised an eyebrow "That's what you got of my explanation?"
"That's the part that was most interesting. Lead the way old man" Harry just smiled and let Salazar lead them to the tunnel
"This one is also one of Esmeralda's tunnels. When I used to release her so she could go and feed in the forest. I'm sure she would be happy to go an hunt after being in Hibernation for so long. I doubt that moron Voldemort fed her properly" Salazar scoffed when he through about his other descendant.
A man-child with delusions of grandeur and power. Lashing out when he doesn't get what he wants. Attacking people and spreading terror, but running away when more people arrive.
'Those are not the markings of a leader or a revolutionary. His cause is laughable, his methods pathetic. The only thing Tom has going for him is his mastery of the Dark Arts. And even then the fool created six Horcrux, brutally splitting his soul and going more and more insane. A failure' Salazar just shook his head. Harry was a much better choice of what he would want in his descendants.
The boy isn't very shrewd and prefers to brute force things. But he has ambition and is obviously very accomplished at magic. Even if he is also a bit crazy
They arrive at a big hill with a few big rocks scattered on it.
Everybody looks to Helga and Salazar. They both probably got the idea from someone and copied it. Helga just turned her head seeing that their ideas were pretty similar. Salazar just shamelessly ignores them.
"Use Parseltongue to open it"
"$Open$" Harry hissed out. And One of the big rocks moved away revealing an underground tunnel that went diagonally into the earth. The group walked for ten minutes before they reached a dead end. At the end of the cave there were many stone snake carvings. Some were big, some where small.
"Again. Speak and it will open" Salazar looked at the stone carvings with a bit of nostalgia.
Harry felt some pretty dark magic from them. He got a feeling that they were about to attack. There was probably a time frame of a minute or two before the snakes attack if you didn't speak in Parseltongue.
After speaking the dead end started to shake, it slowly started to pull back and opened like a door. The Chamber was opened for them allowing them to look inside.
The room was very old. Entirely made out of stone. Or so it appeared. Harry glanced at the shape of the giant cave along with the Stalactites hanging from the celling and the few stalagmites on the ground.
The Chamber was flanked with towering pillars that were entwined with carved stone snakes coiling around the pillars, and the statue Salazar was at the far end. The Basilisk resided within the mouth of Slytherin's Statue, most likely also symbolizing his ability to speak to snakes
'This is natural, the cave was here before Hogwarts. A Stalactite is formed when rain water seeps through the ceiling containing minerals that harden. Stalagmites from from water on the ground and the drops that fall from the stalactites, that's why you see them sometimes meet in the middle and join to from a Column.
Now they typically grow0.1 to 3 millimeters per year. It takes them a century to grow an inch. The ones above are a lot are a hella lot bigger than 25 centimeters, some were a few meters long, and the ones on the ground were around 20 centimeters,'
"You cleared the ones growing on the ground didn't you" Harry commented as he looked at the formations
"Good observation" Salazar said with a smile, the founders looked around observing the cave as well "They were in the way so i got rid of them. The ones above look nice so I kept them there, it would be a pity to destroy such a beauty of nature"
"Why didn't you tell us there was a cave here?" Rowena raised an eyebrow. It certainty interested her that there was such a thing beneath the school.
Salazar shrugged his shoulders "It would have been useless. I searched every last bit of this place. No magical energy whatsoever. It only started to gather magic when we created Hogwarts and it started to drain power from the lay lines beneath the cave. It had no signs of humans or animals even being here. A completely enclosed space that just had some insects that I got rid off when i found it."
Rowena quickly lost interest after hearing that. If that was the case then the cave itself was useless. It just saved Salazar the trouble of having to dig it out himself.
Godric looked at the Snake Statues, the pillars with snakes, some small statues of Salazar and the enormous statue of Salazar's head which was at the end of the cave. "Its stupid and looks ridiculous. Why do you even need so many statues of yourself you narcissistic weirdo."
Rowena also decided to comment on his tastes. "You really should have tried to keep the theme better with the cave. This just looks like someone tried to make a throne room and failed."
Salazar just rolls his eyes at their commentary ' Transforming this entire space? A space that is basically just my pet's play pin along with a hiding spot for my possessions. Why would I bother to do that. I made sure Esmeralda was comfortable, she has a pool and a nice nest. The statues aren't there because of my ego, they are there so my Basilisk is always looking at my face. To make her get more used to me and increase our bond'
He didn't bother explaining himself. Why would he? He was dead, what good would come out of it, that would just be a waste of time.
"Go to that pillar" Salazar pointed at a specific one. Harry followed to where he pointed to and started using diagnostic charms on it.
"A small book library hidden inside the pillar. Smart. The core is there, you just shaved off the outside a bit, put books in and covered it up" Harry nodded as he placed his hand on the pillar "$Open$"
KRRRRRRRR
A two meter section of the pillar split in half, the pillar opened like a cupboard, a small part on the back acted as a hinge keeping the opened pillars in place instead of them falling on the ground. Inside the pillar there were several shelves and books neatly ordered.
Harry let out a whistle, not because of the number of books. But because of the titles. All of it, every single one was in Parseltongue. But there were many empty spaces in the library.
This library was obviously raided by Voldemort. Probably taking all of the valuable and useful books with him.
Salazar clicked his tongue "Damn that selfish egotistical brat." He was annoyed that the hidden library was taken away form here. He specifically instructed them to remain here for his decedents to study.
"Don't worry old man I already got those books back. Well stole them back, but its the same thing" But he doesn't know about the secret library because Voldemort didn't know.
"Good.. good"
"How many did you write yourself?" Harry turned to Salazar who relaxed a bit and now had a proud look on his face.
"More than 60%. This is the culmination of my magical knowledge without my legacy of course. I left this for my descendants. My insights, the way I understood magic, how to use Parseltongue properly and plenty of spells."
Harry nodded, quite smart of him. It was not his legacy, his rituals or his most dangerous magic. But everything else was there, how to use magic, how to survive, how to fight. He basically wrote 'Magic for Dummies' so his descendants could have an easier time in life. It was a huge advantage for any wizard or witch.
"GRRRRR" Hope called out as she literally dashed through the tunnel. It only took her a minute to get here in wolf form. She shifted back to normal and deadpanned at Harry "Done. Your clone arrived and he wasn't driving a truck"
Harry grinned, he already knew as the clone came up with an interesting idea and he wanted to suprise Hope. The clone arrived in a bulldozer and it wasn't a small one either, it was one of those that can pick up your car.
"How did you even get it" Hope sighed as she pulled her popcorn out of her bag
"Bribed a construction company for it. I'm basically renting it" He turned back to Salazar
"Why not put the books in your family home?" Harry's words caused all of them to frown at him.
"Kid, do you know how much Hogwarts cost to build" Godric glared at the brat.
But Harry had a shit eating grin on his face "Oh right, you guys were broke after you built Hogwarts."
"So you did know" Rowena sighed, cursing the kid for reopening closed wounds and then just pouring salt over them.
'Such a bad personality' Helga wanted to go and smack him but she couldn't.
Salazar just smirked 'Well done. He is just like me when I was younger. I wasn't called Silver Tongue for nothing. After all it's easier to kill an angry fool rather than a calm opponent.'
"Hahahaha." Harry just laughed at their expressions as he used the Gemino Charm on the books. Since Salazar's wish was for these to remain here, he would honor it. He just needs to teleport these back home and a clone will take some paper and ink, and use Alchemy to make them permanent.
"I'll bring back the other books from Voldemort here later" Harry said as he commanded the library to close. Then his entire presence changed as he looked at the Salazar Statue.
"Yes, I hid my legacy in there. There is a secret room inside the nest. Call out my Basilisk first. Try to communicate. I trained it well so it should respond to some of my phrases"
Even though Harry heard that he really doubted it would work. Plus his goal was always to kill it and get all the benefits he can from its corpse.
"So how do I open it" Harry turned to Salazar
"Continue as you have done so far, just command it to open"
$"Open"$
... ...
Nothing happened. "Are you sure you built it right? Maybe it broke after you died" Godric commented. The other founders refused to look at the moron. If it was broken, then how did Voldemort open it fifty years ago.
"He must have changed the chant required for it to open" Rowena came to a realization
"That stupid little bastard" Salazar gritted his teeth. Voldemort selfishly changed the chant, effectively locking out any potential descendants from this place down the line.
"I think I know what it is..." Harry deadpanned
$"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four"$ Harry called out and Salazar gasped at how embarrassing that was.
The entrance to the nest opened, the mouth dropped and you could even see the tongue inside
"What did you say" Rowena said with interest as she saw Salazars shocked face
"Don't you dare!" Salazar actually got a bit of color on his cheeks.
Harry let out a little smirk before he focuses on the noises he heard from the statue.
"Ughh" Godric flinched back "What was going through your head when you made this you freak. You going to tongue kiss a giant?"
Salazar just facepalmed, really getting tired of everybody judging his artistic choices.
"No I think he as planning on using it to lick your mother's cunt, and needed a tongue that big because her cunt was so wide from using it too much" Harry said with a cold tone. He was about to face a Basilisk and this moron was making jokes.
Hope choked on the popcorn. Godric went red with anger and was just about to yell at Harry when he turned to glare at Godric "If you don't shut up I'm sending you back. I have already been nice enough to let you meet your friends again, so don't push me"
Harry turned back to the entrance, the dragging sounds were getting louder "Hope, take the ceiling. And put on some glasses. Avoid looking at its eyes. If I fuck up, use this" Harry threw her the Sword of Gryffindor "Pierce it right below its skull and sever the nerves there. A snakes brain is actually pretty small and its located above its jaw. I'm not sure if you can pierce the skin and the skull, so its better to focus on the nerves."
Hope put away her popcorn and grabbed the sword with her hand, she looked at Harry with a serious look "Roger. But please be careful" Hope jumped on one of the pillars and started running upward, reaching the ceiling.
The beast finally appeared, Esmeralda the Basilisk left her nest.
"Call her by her name, tell her you brought cows as a snack" Salazar said as he looked at his Basilisk with worry
$" Esmeralda. I am the new Heir of Salazar Slytherin"$ Harry hissed at the big snake. $" I brought you food"
$KILL$ $Hungry$ Esmeralda raised her head she didn't even hear Harry but was looking at him like he was fresh meat $FOOD!$ $KILL! KILL!!$
"This is not right" Salazar frowned, he had never seen this side of Esmeralda, he had trained her to the best of his abilities since she hatched. She was docile and completely obedient to him.
Harry did some diagnostic spells on the basilisk then at the nest. The poor thing had gone crazy.
The snake was Starving. He noticed the hibernation spell on the nest was broken and was working somewhat. The Basilisk's body was preserved but weakened. It felt hunger and stayed conscious for fifty years without moving. Along with whatever methods Voldemort used to control it, he fucked up when putting it back in Hibernation.
Even with Harry speaking to it with Salazar instructing him, it was useless. All that was left was a wild beast running on instinct.
Salazar looked at his Basilisk with a devastated expression as he heard Harry's explanation. He had created it, watched it grow and hunt. His creation that was meant to protect Hogwarts was now a danger to it.
He closed his eyes "Kill her, but make it as painless as possible.. please"
"Got it. I challenge Esmeralda the Basilisk to a Rite of Conquest!"
Harry felt the magic link them. The Basilisk was even more egger to kill Harry and eat him.
"I made a spell just for this guy. Bakudo #76. Kūmotsu Shinzō." Harry conjured Red Tori gates on top of the Basilisk. (Gates of the Great God)
THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD....
Starting from its tail every meter a Tori Gate dropped on it, it had suppressing runes inscribed on the surface and the gate then fused with the ground as it was designed to, making it harder to throw off. As soon as the Basilisks head dropped on the ground, Harry transmuted the floor to enter Esmeralda's mouth and act as a car jack, forcing her mouth open.
KRRRRRRRRR...
The floor started to crack. Harry frowned when he saw this 'What absurd strength. Even with the suppressing runes suppressing her body, she still has enough power to forcefully tear the gates that have fused with the floor.'
Harry wanted to kill it while completely preserving the body. Every single bit of it was priceless. Even if he spent his whole wealth, where the fuck would he find another thousand year old basilisk. They just didn't exist. Most of them are kept for around a century before being killed and harvested for their parts.
So there was only one solution he came up with. Harry pointed his wand at the mouth that was forced open and gathered all of his hate that he had for the magician's interfering with his business and Dumbledore with his manipulations.
"Avada Kedavera!"
A green flash left his wand and hit the top of the snake's mouth. Esmeralda started to hiss and trash in pain.
' I didn't expect it to work, but still. That magical resistance is ridiculous.'
"Avada Kedavera!""Avada Kedavera!""Avada Kedavera!"
Harry kept spamming the spell. It was the only way he could think of to beat the Basilisk without harming its body. The next best thing was to transfigure the floor into a box and suck all of the air out and suffocate it. But that would have definitely damaged the eyes a bit.
Then he noticed something, the Killing curse was taking away its magic, its already weakened magic, a few more shots and it would be over. But it looked like the Tori Gates were about to be ripped out.
He used is Emerald Flames to attack the Basilisk's soul.
"SHAAAAAAA" Esmeralda hissed even louder.
Harry frowned "Her soul is also eroded. 'A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body.' The body and the mind were damaged, i guess it should have been obvious that the soul would suffer as well. Salazar I'm sorry but she can't even be called a beast anymore. A ruminant will inside a broken body"
A few moments later it finally appeared, a chance. Esmeralda's damaged soul was being burnt by the flames and the soul's hold on the body weakened.
"Avada Kedavera" with one last mutter the killing curse left his want, a green jet hit Esmeralda inside her mouth. The next moment her giant body dropped on the ground. A evolutionary miracle. A basilisk reaching 24 meters.
"Ahhhhh" Harry let out a little sigh as he felt power coursing through his body. He did a quick comparison. He gained 150% boost on magic, 100% boost on the body along with a boost 50% on soul.
Seeing the results Harry frowned. Just 30 Wyvern gained him 75% magic and 100% Body. And the Basilisk was much stronger than them. It was still a boost, but the result should have been better.
'Wait' Harry's eyes widened. 'Is it because Esmeralda was weaker due to malnutrition and the shit Voldemort pulled? Damn it, it has to be it. FUCKK. If I knew this was going to happen i would have given it potions and healed it, hell i would have fixed the mental issues as well.'
The yields were still significant, it was a thousand year old basilisk, but Harry was a perfectionist. He always wanted to get maximum value out of something.
Salazar let out a tired sigh, his eyes were stinging but he shed no tears. 'It is better this way, at least she won't be in pain anymore.'
Hope dropped down form the ceiling with a relieved smile on her face. She was ready to impale the snake as soon as it broke free of its restraints. 'Well that went well'
Harry clapped his hands as a magic circle appeared on the floor. One after another, all of the Harry's appeared. It was all hands on Deck. Even Constantine and Nicholas Black arrived and they had stuff waiting for them in America to handle.
That's how much Harry valued this Basilisk.
"Lets go." Harry walked towards the statue and walked in its mouth.
Sensing Salazar's mood even Godric refrained from making a joke, even though he really wanted to make a 'deep throat' joke. He was also afraid that Harry would send him back right before the end. Then he would never know what's inside the nest.
As soon as they entered the nest Harry and Hope were hit with a god awful smell. Piss, shit and a kind of rotting smell.
Hope immediately fell on her knees and covered her nose and mouth, refusing the urge to puke. Seeing this Harry did a Bubblehead Charm on her and made the inside smell nice. He then put his hand forward "Scourgify Maximima"
Almost instantly the dirt, grime and the various substances were removed, Harry casted another spell to clear the air.
"Over there, there is a hidden door" Salazar pointed at the back of the nest, right were the Basilisk slept. It probably blocked the exit with its body. So even if you knew about it you would have to defeat the Basilisk first to get there.
Harry pushed that part of the wall and it opened inward like a door. What was inside was a magical space similar to Helga. But instead of plants and potions, Salazar's hidden study looked like a horror house. Magical Animal parts in jars filled with liquids. Brains, eyes, hearts. There were Unicorn Horns, Wyvern Wings. claws and pelts from various creatures. There were also quite a lot of rare parts even in today's time.
The walls and desks were filled with Ritual diagrams. They were everywhere along with the necessary calculations for them. It gave extremely dark and creepy vibes.
Harry just let out a smile "Now this is more like it"
~
If you want to read ahead or just support me go check out my Pat. There are chaps up to ch147 as of now for Raven.
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Word Count 3750
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