Dead Snake

"Forgive me, I think I misheard you?" Snape said coldly. "What possessed you to seek the Headmaster's help regarding a dead snake, only to come knocking on my door in the wee hours of the morning after discovering he was absent?"

Anthony confessed, "Well, you might recall me mentioning a basilisk residing within the school. I found it or rather, its remains."

A sudden clatter echoed through the office. Snape frowned, strode back to his cauldron, and viciously flipped an hourglass that had been bouncing on the table after emptying.

Lowering the flame, he added the ingredients on the table to the viscous green liquid, stirring slowly. He glanced at Anthony, still standing in the doorway. "Continue."

"It appears dormant, its most vulnerable state. I'd like to deal with it sooner rather than later, but I need a snake to access its chamber." Seeing Snape about to object, Anthony reminded him, "The Headmaster said to contact you for any concerns regarding dark magic or potions. Even if you don't consider a basilisk dark magic, a dead snake is still a potion ingredient."

Snape's lips curled into a smirk. "In that case, Anthony, I believe I can be of assistance. After all, certain parts of the basilisk are indeed used in potion-making."

"No problem, it's all yours," Anthony agreed readily. "You can even come with me if you'd like."

His goal was simply to eliminate the basilisk, and Snape's help was more than welcome.

In fact, if he hadn't been worried that his meddling in the small animal cemetery might awaken the slumbering beast, he would have preferred to assemble a team led by Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and Quirrell. He was confident that with their combined strength, he wouldn't need to resort to necromancy.

Snape gestured to the hourglass and the simmering potion. "Even you can see there's a reason I'm not asleep at this ungodly hour."

He flipped a smaller hourglass just in time, preventing the flame from turning into an inferno. The potion bubbled violently, then gradually transformed into a clear liquid amidst the rising steam. Snape observed it for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction and sprinkled a powder into the flames. The previously normal-colored fire turned a peculiar shade of purple.

Once this was done, he waved his hand, and the door to his storage room creaked open. A glass jar floated out. Snape opened it, critically examined its contents, then extracted a small, tangled mass and tossed it to Anthony.

Anthony instantly knew it wasn't what he needed. While it had intricate scales, it lacked many essential components of a dead snake. Namely, the most crucial element for necromancy: bones.

"This is snakeskin," he said flatly. "Don't play games with me, Snape."

Snape retorted impatiently, "Snakeskin is one of the most vital parts of a snake, second only to its fangs. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of potions understands its value."

Anthony persisted, "I need a whole, dead snake, preferably one untouched by the delicate ministrations of your potioneers. Snakeskin is no different from parchment to me."

...

Anthony walked down the corridor with the snake coiled around his hand, feeling a bit sorry for Snape.

Snape had efficiently dispatched a snake before him—claiming it was originally intended for venom extraction—and coldly asserted that African Tree Serpent skin was worth a hundred times more.

Tired of arguing, Anthony had simply reanimated the fresh corpse right there. He assumed that since Snape had long been aware of his necromantic abilities, he would be as accepting of it as Dumbledore. But when the snake, previously limp on the floor, suddenly lifted its head and hissed at Anthony's feet, Snape's face drained of color, much to Anthony's surprise.

He realized that this was Snape's potion ingredient. The scene must have been akin to him opening a cauldron to find plucked, chopped chicken wings suddenly sprouting feathers and flapping about.

"Resurrection?" Snape croaked, eyes fixed on the viper.

"No, not quite," Anthony quickly reassured him. "It's more like... control. Like a puppet... although not as precise, the body retains some instincts... never mind."

Snape looked even paler as Anthony released the magic, as if the now-motionless viper had taken something from him.

Anthony had no choice but to reanimate the snake and was promptly ejected from the office.

...

He returned to his own quarters, the snake still coiled around his hand. He needed a rope – yes, he planned to emulate Theseus – and items from the Room of Requirement couldn't be taken outside. Additionally, he should probably inform his cat about the spectral mouse.

But the cat was out on the prowl again. With a sigh, Anthony grabbed the rope and snake and hurried upstairs.

Unexpectedly, he encountered Professor Quirrell coming down the corridor.

"An—Professor Anthony!" Professor Quirrell stammered, startled. "Wh-where are you going?" He looked hesitantly at the creature in Anthony's hand. The snake flicked its tongue, regarding Quirrell.

"You're not asleep either, Professor Quirrell?" Anthony asked, surprised. "I... I found a basilisk in the school and want to deal with it as soon as possible."

"Sn-snake—basilisk?" Professor Quirrell asked, his voice trembling.

Anthony nodded. "Yes, but it appears to be asleep, at least, I hope so. I'd like to eliminate this threat before it awakens. What about you, Professor? What are you doing up at this hour?"

Quirrell looked pale, as if steeling himself for something. "I-I'll go with you to deal with the sn-snake—the basilisk, Professor Anthony."

Anthony couldn't help but be impressed by Professor Quirrell's sense of duty and bravery.

"Are you certain, Professor Quirrell?" he asked. "It shouldn't be too difficult, but it is a basilisk. I mean, I have absolute confidence in your abilities, Professor, but please don't feel obligated. I can handle it myself."

Quirrell insisted, "I-I'll go with you."

"Alright, thank you," Anthony said. Since Snape was out of the question, having Professor Quirrell by his side was a welcome relief.