The Greedy Frog
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HP: The Salazar's heir Chapter 8
🕑 Added 2024-01-09 10:06:50 +0000 UTCChapter 8: Off to the Smoo Caves
Hagrid had seen a lot of exceptional children, some with enormously massive magic potential, some with genius level intellect and some with a perfect combination of the two.
However the boy in front of him didn't seem to hold that much magical power. His magic did not radiate through him –which did for most children with high magic power.
Now, while adults were able to mask that power to not draw unnecessary attention –Children definitely didn't have the capability to do that.
As for the boy's intellect, maybe he had it. But the nonchalant look he had made it difficult for Hagrid to understand the boy.
"Now remember," The giant heard the headmaster's voice. "You will have to get your book, wand and other essentials in two days' time. So, do not delay and be back within that time frame."
Hagrid didn't know what was so special about the boy for the headmaster to extend the sorting date for him.
What he didn't know was the Dumbledore had very good reasons to not reveal the truth.
"The graves are within Scotland so you can take the floo network."
The Floo Network.
A commercial network of instant teleportation which was developed many years ago. Initially, it began as a groundbreaking creation enabling wizards to travel to destinations quicker through the use of Floo Powder and fireplaces, all interconnected in a network facilitating teleportation.
However, this magical network was soon commercialized, and due to the cost involved, not every wizard utilizes it. Even those who do, use it only when necessary.
"Since the location you gave is quite close to the Smoo Caves, we will be able to teleport you two there. Beyond that, you will be on your own." Saying this, Dumbledore looked at Hagrid. "I trust you will be able to guide and protect the young boy, Hagrid."
The half-giant towered over Sebastian, being nearly thrice the height of the boy.
"I will, Professor Dumbledore," he assured, "Yeh helped in savin' the innocent creature. Fer that, I'm indebted to ya."
Dumbledore smiled, "Those creatures are a part of our magical history and protecting them is our responsibility. So, do not worry about that."
"Hagrid looked at Sebastian and said, 'So, lad, are ya ready?'"
Sebastian, who had been quiet all this time, looked at Hagrid and nodded. "I believe so."
Sebastian felt quite intensely.
The trip that he was making was for two reasons.
One, he wanted to visit the grave of the parents that he lost.
The love that he could never feel, he hoped to find at least a bit of it, a form of compassion and emotion by visiting the grave.
The graves that were protected inside of the treasury.
And two, he knew that his grandfather had kept a certain thing in the treasury. And that thing was what truly made him hurry towards the treasury.
He didn't care about the wealth that could possibly be inside the treasury or even the rare herbs and artifacts.
All he wanted was the one thing that his grandfather promised to give him. And the thing that he was certain was inside the treasury.
"Whenever you are ready then." Dumbledore said, pointing towards the humongous fireplace. "But do remember that you have to get back within two days."
Sebastian nodded, "It will not take more than a day."
"Very well then." Dumbledore gave a very kind smile, "Take this."
Sebastian carefully took the magical powder in his hand. He was taught about the power by the headmaster just a while back. And while Sebastian felt a bit of anger at the present world's lack of magical progress, he was impressed by the great minds that came with the passing time.
Floo was not very strong. But it was a brilliant magical advancement.
"Now go." Dumbledore instructed, "I wish you two a safe journey."
As guided, Sebastian took a calm breath and threw the floo powder into the fire. The fire soared higher, changing color from orange to red to blue –assuring that it was read to take them to their destination.
"I will see you in two days' time, professor." Saying this Sebastian walked towards the fire and muttered as clearly as possible. "The Smoo Cave!"
And in the blink of an eye, the fire engulfed the boy and the half-giant but instead of burning them, the fire magically hid them –vanishing and teleporting them to the location that the boy wanted to visit.
Leaving nothing but the old headmaster behind.
"Sebastian…" Dumbledore stared at the flame, "I know that by the time you return… You will bring with you something that we have never seen before."
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, a man who had seen and heard of magical and mythical things that many would consider to be a folk tale. And that Dumbledore knew that the eleven year old boy would still manage to astonish him when he returns.
After all, not everyone is blessed with ancient magic.
…
…
[Smoo Caves]
"Aye, so yer name's Sebastian, right?"
"That it is," Sebastian said, walking away from the crowd filled caves.
"Yer something special to let the headmaster agree to a trip at this time."
Hagrid was trying his best to figure out the deal with Sebastian. As while the half-giant was not known for his intelligence, he had been around with the clever crowd and picked up a trick or two about enquiring.
"Well, it's my parent's death anniversary." Sebastian lied, instantly making the giant feel bad. "So, it would have been weirder if he didn't allow me to visit my parent's grave."
"Oh…"
The giant's mouth immediately sealed shut as a sense of embarrassment and sorrow overtook his heart.
"I… am sorry."
"Don't be." However, Sebastian was nonchalant. "They died a long time ago so don't feel so bad."
The boy didn't explain much, "But since it had been a tradition, I always visit them on this date."
An emotionless lie.
As they talked they arrived in front of an insolated beach with a few small caves. These were nothing like the Smoo caves and were not pretty to look at either, hence they were isolated and people never bothered to explore them.
"There."
Sebastian stood in front of a medium sized cave that looked nothing more than a hole on a rock.
"The graves are inside this cave." He said and immediately looked at Hagrid, "I hope you will understand and stay here."
Hagrid fixed his gaze on Sebastian, “I was told to stick by yer side. So reckon I can't do that."
Sebastian sighed, "Hagrid, this is a tradition that I have been following since I was five. And for this, I have to be alone. You know about magical vows, right?"
This surprised Hagrid but he nodded.
"It was a vow I made to my grandfather that I will spend some time with my parents every year, alone." He said. "So, I hope you understand."
Another lie, and Sebastian felt nothing about it.
Hagrid felt lost. In one way, he could not force the boy to take him to the graves –it was a tradition and possibly heavily sentimental for Sebastian, which Hagrid considered to be hiding.
And on the other hand, he was bound by the rules of sticking with Sebastian.
"Yeh sure this place is safe?" Hagrid inquired, tallying up the possibilities. "There might be some beasts lurkin' inside, y'know."
Surprising him, Sebastian gave out a smile.
"I appreciate your worries but this place was enchanted by my grandfather before his death. So, I can promise you that this place is designed for me."
It wasn't a lie.
There was no certainty that the place was safe. But Sebastian knew very well that as a Slytherin, even if it was going to be risky, it was not outright going to kill him.
Hagrid contemplated deeply, but he knew that he could not disrespect a family's tradition and hurt a person's sentiment over a few rules.
Hagrid was not someone who was known for being a stickler for rules. When it was rules against emotions, he always chose emotions.
And this time was no different.
"Can ya promise me yeh won't end up with a broken arm or leg?"
Sebastian liked the half-giant. He could sense the genuine worry in his voice, which unlike Dumbledore and Snape was not from his origins but out of sheer good will.
"I promise."
Hagrid stared at Sebastian one final time before giving him the nod of approval.
"I'll wait 'ere. If anythin' goes wrong, even a bit, ya run back and let me know, alright?"
"I will." Sebastian assured, "But it might take a while so do not just stand there and find a place to rest."
"Hagrid shook his head, 'Don't ya worry 'bout me, lad. I'm used to keepin' guard for days, a day or two ain't nothin' for me."
Sebastian didn't know whether to be happy or concerned hearing that, but ultimately he decided not to think about it and instead gave a small smile and slowly made his way inside the cave –Leaving the giant outside.
…
…
"Lumos."
While most would expect a person to rush to their parents' graves and the treasure kept next to them –Sebastian merely kept staring at the dark pathway in front of him.
The calm, prideful and nonchalant Slytherin felt something that he hadn't felt in a very long time.
'Why…'
His hand quivered and moved over his chest. He could sense the uncontrollable thumping of his heart. He knew what this feeling was, but he didn't expect to feel it.
'Why am I nervous?'
When he was unfrozen and even when saw everything around him change, he didn't feel such uneasiness –such nervousness.
But now that he was at the place, he couldn't help but feel cold and nervous.
"Is it because I have not visited them?"
It was true that his parents' graves were inside this cave. However, Sebastian had no idea where they were.
"His grave won't be here, but theirs will be."
His grandfather promised his parents that if they were to die before him, they would be buried at the place that was the most significant to him.
And Salazar told him all about it, how and why this place was special.
"It is not just a cave, neither just a graveyard and nor simply a treasury. This was the place he loved and the place that reminded him of his one love."
Sebastian while far more mature than his age was still unable to understand the complex feelings of the heart. He had not felt the feelings that his grandfather felt so he could not understand the depth of the place's importance.
But he knew that it was the most special place to Salazar.
Walking deeper, he suddenly felt a wave hit him. He paused and walked back a little, and the moment he tried walking forward again –he felt the same wave again.
“Found it.” A smile formed on his face as he had found the magic that hid the treasury from others.
And thus, he immediately took out the key that he had.
“If I am not wrong…”
He calmed himself and pointed it forward, “This should work.”
He kept his hand along with the key extended. Nothing happened for a while, yet he still didn't give up.
And after a while, he suddenly felt it.
A click.
The key clicked onto something.
Knowing that this was the only chance he had, he twisted the key and instantly he felt something change.
The wave that he felt hit him again. And this time, it was stronger –pushing him forward, urging him to walk.
Understanding that the passage had opened, Sebastian did what was necessary.
He closed his eyes and pointed his finger forward, "Lumos Maxima!"
In an instant, a blinding flash illuminated the entire place, revealing the rustic yet marvelous inscriptions on the walls.
And the beautifully carved pathways.
As he opened his eyes, he knew that this place was very special.
"I hate you grandfather," Sebastian tightened his fists, "But I will always respect your intelligence and your abilities."
Walking through the corridor that was built solely by Salazar, Sebastian couldn't help but awe at the marvel.
"He was always about the beauty of time."
Salazar was more than capable of making the place safe from the tears of time, but he didn't. He made sure that the place would keep standing despite the thousand years, but he also made sure not to freeze the place in time.
"An obsession that was unhealthy."
The walls were old and it was noticeable but they were perfectly strong and would most certainly handle multiple strong spells.
As he delved deeper into the cave, he noticed the slow yet calming wind coming from the front end of the passage.
And as he made his way forward, he noticed it.
Magic, familiar magic from a thousand years ago.
"You knew I would come," He chuckled as the moment he stepped foot through the pathway and entered an open area –the place suddenly illuminated, revealing beautiful statues of knights, wizards, beasts and serpents.
And with a few more steps, he started to notice why this place was considered a treasury.
"No matter the time, gold has always been a treasure."
Yes.
Gold.
Be it pillars, statutes or even inscriptions –everything was made of gold.
"But it is not just gold, huh?"
With each step, he saw something unique.
Ancient weapons possibly belonging to ancient kings and warriors, books, well preserved and dried herbs.
"Truly a treasury."
But he was not interested in them.
Not at the moment.
At the moment he was looking for something specific.
"He will have it somewhere around here."
Unfortunately, while he expected to find a treasure –he found something else.
"Darn!"
Unknowingly, he stepped onto a trap.
One which he didn't understand the purpose of.
"Why is there a trap!"
No one except someone with Slytherin blood was able to enter the place and despite that, Salazar added more security measures.
And this measure came in the form of snakes.
Hundreds and thousands of them.
Multiple chambers opened on the doors, enough to give anyone trypophobia, and from them emerged snakes –each venomous enough to take down adult wizards.
Sebastian jumped back and secured himself.
"Immobulus!"
The spell, despite the lack of wand was able to hit multiple snakes and freeze them on the spot.
"Stupify!"
Another spell that he had to cast to knock out the snakes.
He fell back and walked towards a chamberless wall.
Seeing no way to get out of the situation, Sebastian decided to use a spell that he knew was not present in the current time.
"Estomelo!"
The moment he casted the spell, his body pushed itself to the wall as a dangerously strong wind started to blow from the direction he was facing.
This caused the snakes to fly out. They blew out of the pathway, giving a bit of space for Sebastian to move and breathe.
Any person would have fainted seeing so many serpents. But Sebastian didn't because of his Slytherin blood.
He could have used parseltongue, but against such a large number of snakes and ones magically created to attack anyone in front of them –he knew that parseltongue would have never worked.
He knew his grandfather better than anyone else.
Taking deep breaths, he realized that he was on the right track.
And thus ignoring all the treasures, he walked straight.
He knew the thing that he was looking for was close.
And he was going to find it at any cost.
The place was magical as no matter how much he walked, the place never seemed to end. Something that was not prevalent when looking from outside.
But after minutes of walking he finally sensed something.
"Yes!"
He could sense it.
"It's his magic!"
"Lumos!"
Brighting the place even more, he rushed towards the thing which he knew was the true treasure.
"I knew he would keep it here!"
Rushing through the place, ignoring each and every treasure, he finally saw it.
Something kept hundred of feet up in the air, enchanted and protected by an aura –an orb made of pure ancient magic.
Magic keeping a certain treasure, a certain thing made by Salazar himself.
"He kept his word!"
There it was, hanging hundreds of feet in the air.
"He would teach me his magic!"
A book.
"His secrets!"
An ancient book made for and by magic.
"And his spells!"
The Book of Salazar.
The book that contained all his spells.
Yet…
Unfortunately for Sebastian.
Just when he felt the joy, the happiness.
He sensed something.
He realized something.
Something that made him freeze.
"He… would never keep it out in the open without any protectio–"
And that's when he realized his mistake.
"No!"
He should have scouted the place beforehand.
He knew it felt far too easy.
"It is also here!"
He could feel 'it'
He could feel it's gaze even through the darkness, through the shadows.
And while he tried to take a step back, he finally heard.
"HISSS~"
The most bone chilling hiss, the high pitched noise that no normal serpent could ever make.
"Darn it old man!"
And through the shadows he saw it, piercing golden eyes with slits that could petrify anyone.
A tongue long and sharp enough to slice any man.
And a body big enough to crush him with the utmost ease.
"Just why… did you keep it here!"
A snake.
A serpent.
Far bigger and far stronger than anything a wizard could face.
"Why this beast!"
A beast.
"Why this darn Basilisk!"
A basilisk.
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[[A/N: Writing Hagrid's dialogues is a nightmare]]
