28 basilisk

Ciaran conveyed his deductions with precision. He was poised to disclose the existence of the basilisk, ensuring that the staff and students of Hogwarts would be prepared.

"So, Ciaran, what sort of magical creature do you suspect?" Dumbledore inquired.

"A basilisk!" Ciaran enunciated the word carefully.

Harry sensed a sudden chill in the office, as though a frigid breeze had swept through. He felt perplexed. What exactly was this basilisk that Professor Frémont spoke of?

"Forgive me." Professor McGonagall locked eyes with Ciaran and said sternly, "Are you jesting, Ciaran?"

"I am inclined to believe that the creature responsible for petrifying Mrs. Norris in Hogwarts Castle is likely a basilisk," Ciaran asserted.

"Allow me to interject." Snape smirked unpleasantly. "Rumour has it that the basilisk's gaze brings death, not petrification!"

"Yes, Professor Snape, you are correct. Gazing upon the basilisk leads to immediate demise," Ciaran affirmed.

Harry shuddered as realization dawned. He finally comprehended why the atmosphere had shifted earlier. Could one truly perish merely by encountering the basilisk's gaze? Such a terrifying magical creature existed in their world?

He felt a twinge of fear, especially recalling his encounter with a snake at the zoo prior to his enrolment at Hogwarts. Could that strange hissing have emanated from a basilisk? Was it the creature's voice?

Harry's heart raced. He longed to share his revelation but hesitated, fearing misinterpretation from the professors. He found himself torn between divulging the truth and keeping silent.

"But what if one never directly gazes upon the basilisk?" Ciaran spoke solemnly. "Consider this: was there a pool of water beneath Mrs. Norris? It would indirectly expose her to the basilisk's gaze. Being a reflection, she was merely petrified and did not suffer a tragic demise on the spot!"

Several individuals pondered the water stains beneath Mrs. Norris. Could Professor Frémont's theory hold true?

"Your conjecture is quite plausible, Ciaran," Dumbledore nodded approvingly. "It appears we must be mindful of the piping's whereabouts in the future. The basilisk likely traverses the pipes within Hogwarts Castle."

Harry paled slightly.

"However, my Mrs. Norris -" Filch interjected, still visibly concerned. This time, he did not cling to Harry, a gesture for which Harry felt a sense of relief and gratitude towards Professor Frémont.

"We shall find a remedy, Filch," Dumbledore reassured him. "Petrification is not insurmountable. I am aware of several potential solutions, and Professor Sprout has recently acquired some mature mandrakes, which, when brewed into a potion, can aid in Mrs. Norris's recovery."

"I shall prepare it, Headmaster!" Professor Lockhart chimed in eagerly. "I have done so countless times. I could concoct it in my sleep..."

"Forgive me," Snape interjected coldly, his expression grim. "But potions instruction falls under my purview in this school!"

An awkward silence ensued.

Ciaran stifled a chuckle, noting Lockhart's ill-advised provocation of Snape. Snape's retort, directed solely at Harry Potter, was unsurprising; Harry was the lone exception. This exchange, though tense, was a typical occurrence, with other professors refraining from further escalation out of professional courtesy.

"Very well, you may depart," Dumbledore instructed Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

The trio eagerly complied, departing Lockhart's office with haste.

"Your discovery was quite timely, Ciaran," Dumbledore remarked.

Ciaran replied modestly, "Your praise is generous, Headmaster. After all, I too am a professor at Hogwarts."

"Dumbledore, should we inform all the faculty and students about the basilisk?" Professor McGonagall inquired anxiously.

Dumbledore responded calmly, "Word will inevitably spread. Henceforth, when traversing the corridors, both faculty and students must use mirrors to pre-emptively avert any potential basilisk encounters. This precaution, while not fool proof, offers a chance of rescue should anyone unfortunate enough be petrified. However, if..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

A shared understanding passed among them. Direct confrontation with the basilisk would likely result in swift and tragic demise.

"Furthermore, students are prohibited from lingering in the corridors at night. They must return to their respective common rooms after nightfall. Professors will patrol in pairs to mitigate the risk of further incidents," Dumbledore added.

"Understood. I shall inform Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall affirmed.

"I will inform the Slytherin students," Snape stated.

Lockhart volunteered, raising his hand. "I can inform Ravenclaw, my alma mater."

"Certainly, Gilderoy," Dumbledore acquiesced, turning to Ciaran. "Ciaran, I entrust Hufflepuff to you. Filch, let us escort Mrs. Norris to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey will provide her with excellent care."

With that, the group dispersed from Lockhart's office. Ciaran proceeded directly to the Hufflepuff common room, as a proud Hufflepuff alumnus.

******

After departing Professor Lockhart's office, Harry, Ron, and Hermione opted not to immediately return to the Gryffindor common room. Instead, they sought refuge in an empty classroom, eager to share their insights.

"Could the sound I heard have been emitted by the basilisk? I once understood a snake's speech at the zoo," Harry confessed, his heart racing as he surveyed his friends' faces in the dim light.

"Are you a Parselmouth??" Ron exclaimed, visibly astonished.

"A what?"

"A Parselmouth!" Ron clarified. "It's a wizard who can converse with snakes. Legend has it that Slytherin was a Parselmouth. Harry, perhaps you..."

"Are you suggesting I'm a descendant of Slytherin??" Harry interjected, his surprise evident. "Come on, I'm a Gryffindor!"

"I know that, mate," Ron reassured him.

Hermione lowered her voice, stating, "Slytherin lived over a thousand years ago. Proving any connection would be exceedingly difficult, Harry. Based on the available evidence, you may indeed be a descendant of Slytherin."

"Impossible! I belong in Gryffindor!" Harry asserted vehemently, though doubt gnawed at him. He recalled the Sorting Hat's brief consideration of Slytherin before ultimately placing him in Gryffindor. Could he truly be linked to Salazar Slytherin?

Harry felt thoroughly perplexed.

"Should I disclose the sound I heard to others?" Harry pondered aloud.

"Best not to!" Ron replied without hesitation. "We trust you, Harry, but others..."

Hermione concurred, "We believe in you, Harry, but others may not..."

As they deliberated, the classroom door suddenly creaked open, revealing a tall figure brandishing a wand emitting a radiant light, illuminating the space.

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