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HP: Bloodraven Chapter 175 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Robbed Goods (III)
🕑 Added 2025-05-30 14:14:09 +0000 UTCAt the far end of the chamber, Maverick, Dumbledore, Newt, and Harry stood quietly, taking in the strange sight before them. The room stretched ahead in a long, quiet line, lit only by a pale green glow that made everything feel cold and still. Tall stone pillars stood along both sides, each one wrapped in carvings of snakes. The shadows they cast danced faintly across the stone floor, like something was watching from the dark.
This was definitely a snake lover’s private sanctuary. With a suspicious entrance and a descent that went Merlin knows how deep, there was no question—this had to be Slytherin’s Chamber.
"Potter, stay close," Maverick said as he glanced around, then stepped forward to take the lead. His voice dropped slightly, filled with quiet appreciation as he took in the design. "This has to be it, right?... the legendary chamber of the warlock himself."
"Indeed," Dumbledore said while following behind Harry. "The place is laced with enchantments... old ones, and very powerful... fascinating, really."
“We must be the first ones to step in here in centuries,” Newt murmured.
Maverick said nothing to correct him. Riddle should have found this place too, back when he was still a student. Just like in the original story, mysterious deaths had occurred during Riddle’s time at Hogwarts, and Maverick had come across reports of them.
As breathtaking as the chamber was, none of them let their guard down. They moved carefully between the towering pillars carved with winding serpents—Maverick leading the way, Harry close behind, and Dumbledore and Newt following in a line.
They soon reached the end, and finally, a statue as tall as the chamber itself came into view, standing against the far wall. They had to crane their necks to look up at the giant face above. It was ancient and monkey-like, with a long, thin beard that stretched nearly to the bottom of its sweeping stone robes, where two enormous gray feet rested on the smooth chamber floor.
“If that’s supposed to be Slytherin, I’m sorry, but that’s just ugly,” Maverick said, eyeing the statue up and down.
Harry had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing. Despite the eerie atmosphere, he didn’t feel scared like a boy his age might. Instead, he felt safe, surrounded by his headmaster and professor.
“Best not insult the founder, Professor,” Dumbledore said, a slight curl at the corner of his lips showing he was amused too. “Especially inside his own lair.”
"That’s very fascinating and all," Newt said, eyes narrowing in thought as he stepped closer to the statue, placing a palm gently against the cold stone. "But… are you two sensing it as well? There’s something inside. Something alive. And quite large, if I’m not mistaken."
"Hmm... Its long, coilded, and... sleeping." Maverick said with a quiet laugh at the end. "Looks like there really is a basilisk in here."
“No, not quite sleeping,” Newt murmured, leaning in a little more and pressing his ear gently to the stone. “It’s hibernating.”
After a quiet moment, he straightened up, his brow furrowed slightly as if turning something over in his mind. He ran a hand once more along the rough surface of the statue, then slowly turned around.
“I’d really appreciate it,” he said, looking earnestly between Dumbledore and Maverick, “if the two of you could contain it… without causing it any harm.”
Dumbledore smiled and nodded, then looked toward Maverick. “Professor, shall I leave this entirely in your hands, or would you require my assistance?”
Maverick shook his head. “Just keep an eye on Potter, and…” He glanced at Newt with a helpless smile. “I’ll do my best not to kill it.”
“Harry, come here,” Maverick said, motioning him closer with a quick wave of his hand.
Harry stepped forward without hesitation.
“This time, I want you to say something different,” Maverick continued, placing both hands on Harry’s shoulders and gently turning him to face the enormous statue. “Not just ‘open.’ Repeat these words exactly: Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four. Got it?”
Harry nodded, though he looked a little unsure.
“And Newt,” Maverick added, glancing over his shoulder, “get the special suitcase ready.”
“Already here,” Newt said, lifting his arm to reveal a compact, well-worn leather case with brass clasps. “Not as roomy as the one I use for my other friends, but it’ll do. This one’s built for situations like this.”
“Good.” Maverick reached into his robes and pulled out a long strip of black cloth. He handed it to Harry. “Put this on. It's a blindfold. And listen to me carefully—do not take it off, no matter what. If it slips, shut your eyes. Understand?”
Harry took the cloth and wrapped it around his head, tying it securely behind. He didn’t ask why. One look at the serious faces around him told him this was no time for questions.
Maverick raised his hand and muttered a soft charm, reinforcing the blindfold with magic so it wouldn't come loose by accident.
The truth was, according to the original story, the basilisk’s gaze was said to be instantly fatal. But in this world, what he had learned was slightly different. Yes, it was dangerous—its stare could petrify a person so completely they might never recover without treatment—but there were no records of instant death.
That said, how had Myrtle really died, then? He made a mental note to ask the ghost later.
As for himself, Newt, and Dumbledore, Maverick wasn’t worried. All three of them could rely on Magical-Sense like a sixth sense, able to "see" without using their eyes—even with greater precision.
Moreover, with their level of magic, Maverick was confident that even if they looked directly into its eyes, the creature’s petrification magic wouldn’t be able to affect them.
But… better safe than sorry—especially with a kid in the group.
“Right,” Maverick said, stepping back. “Let’s begin.”
He looked at Harry. “Say the words.”
Harry took a deep breath. And then, with a voice laced in Parseltongue, he hissed:
“Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four.”
The reaction was instant.
The giant stone face before them groaned loudly, and the lower jaw of the statue began to open, splitting apart with the sound of grinding rock. A dark, yawning tunnel revealed itself behind it.
“Everyone back,” Maverick ordered. “Headmaster, take Harry and move toward the far end.”
Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry’s back, guiding him gently but quickly away. Newt followed close behind while clutching the suitcase tightly.
Then the room went still.
For Harry, the silence was complete, and the air felt thick with tension. But for Maverick, Dumbledore, and Newt—who could “see” with their magical senses—the silence was deceptive.
They saw—inside the statue—something massive stirring.
The serpent’s huge form uncoiled slowly, like a creature waking from a long, deep sleep. It raised its head and flicked its tongue through the air, tasting the magic that had awakened it. Its movements were sluggish, cautious. Confused.
“I hear something…” Harry said from the back, turning his head from side to side. His voice was quiet, uncertain. “It’s a snake… definitely a snake. But the sound… it’s coming from everywhere.”
Dumbledore’s voice came gently beside him. “What is it saying, Harry?”
Harry paused, trying to make sense of the whispers only he could hear.
“It’s saying… Speaker… descendant of my line… you have finally returned… to set me free?” His brow furrowed. “It sounds… like it’s pleading, sir.”
A low hiss—scales against stone—echoed across the chamber.
Maverick furrowed his brows. His Magical-Sense locked onto the shadow within the statue’s mouth.
And then it emerged.
First the head—larger than a carriage—slid into view. Its emerald-green scales shimmered faintly in the pale green light, and its eyes, large as dinner plates, glowed faintly.
Maverick rose into the air, lifting off the ground without a sound, backing away to give it space.
The basilisk slithered down from the statue, its massive body—easily forty feet long—uncoiling like a monstrous ribbon. It moved with eerie grace, and when it stopped, it sat coiled at the base of the statue, its monstrous head rising, staring directly at the floating tiny human before it.
For a long, tense moment, man and beast faced each other in complete silence. The giant serpent’s tongue flicked out, tasting the air around Maverick. Its golden eyes, as large as shields, seemed to study him.
Then, slowly, its eyelids lowered halfway—not in a sleepy blink, but more like it was narrowing its gaze. It felt… aware. Almost thoughtful. As if it was trying to make sense of everything in front of it.
It made no move to attack, nor did its serpentine posture suggest aggression. In fact, it seemed more cautious than predatory—watchful, as if trying to understand whether the figures before it were friend or foe.
But then Maverick saw the serpent’s head tilt just slightly, turning toward the far end of the chamber where Harry stood with Dumbledore and Newt.
As if spotting something that sparked its interest, it let out a sharp hiss and began to lower its head. No doubt, the snake was preparing to slither toward them.
Maverick had no idea what the serpent was thinking, seeing it suddenly ignore him like he didn’t exist. Rude. He really wished he could speak Parseltongue right about now—just to ask… nicely.
But... he couldn’t.
So instead, his pupils shrank, and a surge of magic exploded from him, charged with dominant spirit, crashing toward the serpent like a waterfall.
Screeetch.
The giant serpent jerked back at once, like it had just come face to face with something even more dangerous than itself. Its massive body whipped across the stone floor, scales scraping loudly as it thrashed in panic. The huge head swung from side to side, and in the blink of an eye, it retreated all the way to the base of the statue, moving far faster than its size should have allowed.
There was something in its eyes that had no place in the king of serpents. This creature was supposed to be the apex predator, the top of the food chain.
But right now, it showed fear.
And just then—
"Professor… STOP! You're hurting it!"
Harry’s voice rang out from the back, anxious and... strangely, pleading, on behalf of the huge monster.
