Chapter 167: "The Basilisk Strikes"
As night fell over Hogwarts, Harry donned his invisibility cloak and focused on the tracking spell he had placed on Evelyn Rosier. Knowing an attack was imminent, he needed to follow her to ensure no one got killed. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and dread as he followed the magical signature through the castle's corridors.
Harry's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. He was going against his principles by allowing the attacks to take place instead of putting an end to everything from the start. By putting his fellow Hogwarts students' lives at risk just to cause trouble for Dumbledore and reduce his influence in the wizarding world, wasn't he acting no differently than Dumbledore with his "greater good" philosophy?
Moreover, Harry had received Gryffindor's inheritance of knight training and battle spells specifically to protect the school from Slytherin's basilisk once it went rogue. Yet here he was, letting the attacks happen instead of saving the school. He was becoming more like a politician and a hypocrite, a realization that sat uneasily with him.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Harry approached the location where he sensed Rosier through his tracking spell. He stood in the corridor, unable to see her, but certain he was in the right place.
His enhanced hearing picked up the unsettling mutterings of the basilisk, its sibilant hisses echoing through the walls. Occasionally, Evelyn's voice would cut through, commanding the snake in Parseltongue. "Go left... Now right... Be silent..."
Harry realized they were moving through the pipe network hidden inside the walls. He followed their voices and the tracking spell, his steps careful and measured.
For hours, Harry trailed the invisible pair. Although he had yet to catch a glimpse of the basilisk, he was prepared for its deadly stare. During the holidays, he had acquired a rare pair of glasses designed to deflect the snake's fatal gaze, ensuring its deadly glares would be useless against him. The glasses sat comfortably on his nose, a reassuring weight.
As the night deepened, Harry heard approaching footsteps. Soon, a student came into view - Colin Creevey, the enthusiastic first-year Gryffindor, walking alone in the corridor. Harry's guilt deepened as he recalled from the books that Colin was to be the first human victim of the heir. Colin, skipping happily, had no idea of the danger he was in.
"Can't believe it! The Prophet bought my Quidditch photos!" Colin muttered excitedly to himself, practically bouncing with joy. "Wait till everyone hears about this!"
Seeing the happy Colin, Harry's mind raced. This was different from the canon - Colin should have been visiting the injured Charles, as in the books. This deviation meant that events might not unfold as expected, potentially leading to more dangerous outcomes.
Harry considered intervening but quickly realized it was too late to stop this now. Fighting the basilisk inside the school would endanger Colin and other students, while confronting the heir might lead to their escape and a more dangerous rampage. His identity could be exposed, complicating matters further.
After careful consideration, Harry decided to let the attack proceed for now. He silently vowed that Colin wouldn't remain petrified for long - he'd ensure the boy's recovery as soon as possible. He planned to end the Chamber saga quickly and procure mature mandrakes from overseas, rather than waiting for the school's crop to mature as Dumbledore had done in the books.
As Harry contemplated his next moves, the situation in the corridor suddenly changed. A section of the wall began to move, and the massive head of the basilisk emerged, its scales gleaming in the dim light. The sight of the enormous serpent left Harry momentarily stunned. He could hardly fathom how long its body must be, coiled within the castle walls.
Harry realized that the basilisk would be a formidable opponent. Its size and magical immunity meant that defeating it would require all of his strength and skill. He would need to use his knight's sword, and the ideal battleground would be the Chamber itself. Harry marveled at how his counterpart in the books had managed to defeat this monster and survive.
The snake's gaze fixed on the oblivious Colin, who continued to walk away, lost in his happy thoughts.
Then, Harry heard Evelyn's voice, cold and controlled, hiss out a command: "Kill him."
Colin, hearing the strange noise, began to turn around. Harry realized things were diverging from the books - Colin wasn't instinctively raising his camera to diffuse the basilisk's killing gaze. If this continued, Colin would die. Harry knew he had to act.
Swiftly, he pointed his wand at the unsuspecting boy and cast a Confundus charm, compelling Colin to use his camera.
As if in slow motion, Harry watched Colin raise the camera to his eye just as he completed his turn. There was a brilliant flash as Colin took the photo, illuminating the corridor for a split second. When the light faded, Colin stood frozen, petrified but alive.
To Harry's surprise, he sensed a hint of relief from the basilisk. In its deranged eyes, he saw a flicker of intelligence. Harry wondered if the snake would have tried to save Colin even without his intervention. Perhaps when Colin saw the basilisk, it would have waited for him to take a photo before attacking. Harry couldn't be certain, but he wanted to believe that a Hogwarts founder wouldn't create a monster intent on killing students.
From behind the huge basilisk, the heir emerged. Harry could tell Rosier was completely under possession, unaware of her actions, much like a sleepwalker.
The heir, or rather the young Tom Riddle, seemed satisfied with the outcome and retreated. He commanded the basilisk to follow, and the massive creature slid back into the concealed opening, which sealed shut behind them.
Harry approached the petrified Colin, guilt weighing heavily on him. He performed a quick diagnostic spell and was relieved to find nothing wrong beyond the petrification. He cast a spell in the corridor to subconsciously attract any nearby students, ensuring Colin would be found quickly, then left the scene.
The night's events had taught Harry a valuable lesson. He realized he had been subconsciously manipulating events to suit his needs, much like the very people he criticized. This path was leading him to become more like a politician and a hypocrite, traits he despised in others. He decided to take some time to reflect on his actions and create a set of personal rules to prevent himself from continuing down this questionable path.
As Harry made his way back to Ravenclaw Tower, a renewed sense of purpose filled him. He was determined to stay true to his principles moving forward, even if it meant facing greater challenges. The path ahead might be more difficult, but Harry knew that with careful planning, rigorous training, and an unwavering moral compass, he could navigate the obstacles successfully.
He realized that the easy path of manipulation and deceit was not the legacy he wanted to leave. With these thoughts, Harry drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring with renewed determination and a clear conscience.