Chapter 171: "Uncoiling a Secret"

The next day, rumors spread like wildfire through Hogwarts that Charles was the heir of Slytherin. Many students began avoiding him out of fear, with Muggle-borns especially keeping their distance to avoid inadvertently offending him and becoming the next victim of Slytherin's monster. Charles found himself isolated, with only Ron and Hermione for company.

This isolation and the fearful looks from his peers were taking a toll on Charles. Unlike Harry in the books, who had endured years of neglect with the Dursleys, Charles had been raised with love and care. The consecutive years of being treated as an enemy and isolated were proving to be too much for the 12-year-old boy.

To make matters worse, news of Charles being a Parselmouth had leaked to the outside world. The Daily Prophet was now running wild conspiracy theories about him.

Unable to cope, Charles sought comfort from his mother. Lily, feeling helpless and angry, marched to Dumbledore's office to complain.

"Albus," Lily said, her voice tight with frustration, "you promised everything would be fine this year. You said Charles wouldn't have to face such experiences again. Now look at what's happening!"

Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I understand your concerns, Lily. We're doing everything we can to resolve this situation."

"Well, it's not enough!" Lily exclaimed. "If you can't fix this Chamber of Secrets mess, I'm taking Charles out of Hogwarts."

As Lily and Dumbledore discussed the situation, Dumbledore came up with a plan to prove Charles's innocence but he needed some outside help for this plan to work.

Meanwhile, Harry was focused on his training, paying little attention to the drama unfolding in the school. However, his routine was interrupted when Professor Flitwick informed him that he had been summoned to the Headmaster's office.

Confused, Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office. Inside, he found not only Dumbledore but also Lily and Charles. Lily looked angry, while Charles sat quietly, traces of tears on his face.

"Headmaster, what can I do for you?" Harry asked coolly. "If it's related to family matters, I'll leave now. I won't agree to anything."

Dumbledore replied, "Mr. Potter, it's school-related. Please stay."

Harry waited and listened as Dumbledore continued, "Have you been paying attention to the things happening inside the school? Your brother is having a very bad time."

"I don't have time to care for a crybaby's complaints. What's been happening? Being bullied due to what happened at the dueling club? I have faced worse due to the actions of people in this room. It looks like in these past two years, it is time for Charles to face some difficulties," Harry said bluntly. Dumbledore and Lily were ashamed of what Harry was implying.

Seeing Lily Potter was trying to argue and maybe ask for forgiveness, Harry bluntly said, "If there is nothing else, I am leaving. I have a very busy schedule. This small problem for the baby boy can be taken care of easily by his mother and you, Headmaster. There is no need to call me here."

Dumbledore explained, "Yes, I can vouch for Charles's innocence, but that won't be enough to calm the rumors. My credibility is not so high these days. We want your help, Mr. Potter."

Lily interjected, "Professor, how can Harry help Charles here?"

Harry, intrigued, asked, "Yes, Headmaster, it makes no sense. I have zero influence in the outside world to calm this trouble. Also, have you found out why Charles is a Parselmouth? Is he really the heir of Slytherin?"

Dumbledore revealed his theory about Charles absorbing Voldemort's powers, and his plan for Lily to explain this to the school while Harry demonstrated he wasn't a Parselmouth to prove the theory.

Harry scoffed, "A very funny theory, Professor. But I would like to say you're wrong, and even if you were right, I won't help put on a show just to prove your grandson's innocence." 

Harry paused for a moment and continued "And it looks like you don't even want to come out yourself. You just want to stay behind and have us do all the work. If you really want to alleviate Charles's pressure, you just have to come out and vouch for Charles. I think with your influence, people will leave Charles alone."

Dumbledore knew the course of action Harry pointed out was right, but he did not want to proceed that way. He wanted the true attacker to believe Dumbledore suspected Charles and that the attacker himself was safe. That false sense of security would ensure the attacker is not cautious enough and Dumbledore can catch him.

Dumbledore pleaded, "Please help us and your younger brother, Mr. Potter."

Lily added, "Can you do this for Charley, Harry? Please."

Charles just looked at Harry with pleading eyes, his arrogance gone.

Harry sighed. "It looks like you didn't hear my first sentence, Headmaster. Your theory is wrong, and I won't vouch for a wrong theory."

"What do you mean, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked, surprised. "Where am I wrong?"

Harry turned to Lily. "I believe Charles is really descended from the Slytherin line and that's how he gained the ability to talk to snakes. Isn't that right, Mrs. Potter?"

The room fell silent. Lily paled. "Harry, where did you hear this? I'm a Muggle-born."

Harry pressed on, "I don't have time to fool around, Mrs. Potter. Tell the Headmaster and your son, the truth."

But Lily acted confused and denied everything. As the tension in the room grew, Harry decided to take a drastic step to prove his point. Without warning, he drew his wand and cast, "Serpensortia!"

A long, black snake erupted from the tip of his wand, landing on the floor between them with a heavy thud. The snake, disoriented and agitated, raised its head and fixed its gaze on Charles.

Charles stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear. "Harry, what are you doing?" he gasped.

The snake, sensing Charles' fear, began to slither towards him, its forked tongue flicking out menacingly. Dumbledore reached for his wand, but Harry stopped him.

"Don't move, Headmaster," Harry said calmly. "Let's see what happens."

He then cast a disarming charm at Lily who had her wand out to save Charles, sending her wand flying out.

As the snake neared Charles, coiling itself to strike, Lily's maternal instincts took over. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Stop! Don't hurt him!"

But what came out wasn't English. Instead, a series of hisses and sibilant sounds filled the room. The snake immediately halted its advance, turning its head towards Lily and lowering itself submissively.

Harry, seeing that his point had been made, quickly cast "Vipera Evanesca," causing the snake to vanish in a puff of black smoke.

A stunned silence fell over the office. Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock, while Charles stared at his mother in disbelief.

"Mom?" Charles whispered. "You... you can speak to snakes too?"

Lily, realizing what she had done, covered her mouth with her hand. Her secret, long hidden, was now out in the open.

Harry, looking satisfied, vanished the snake with a wave of his wand. "As I said, Headmaster, Lily Potter is a Parselmouth. That's how Charles inherited the ability. It has nothing to do with Voldemort's attack."

Dumbledore, recovering from his shock, turned to Lily. "Is this true, Lily? How long have you known?"

Lily, her face pale, nodded slowly. "Yes, it's true. I've known since I was a child, but I kept it secret. The stigma... I was afraid of what people would think."

Charles, still processing this revelation, asked softly, "Why didn't you tell me, Mom?"

Lily's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Charley. I was trying to protect you. I never thought you'd inherit the ability."

Harry, having made his point and not wanting to watch the drama, turned to leave. "Now that the truth is out, I believe my work here is done. It looks like I'm a pure-blood and not a half-blood. Good to know. Will be helpful in any future ventures in the Ministry. Headmaster, you might want to reconsider your theory about Charles and Voldemort's powers. Good day."

As Harry left the office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had confirmed that Lily was a Parselmouth, likely descended from a squib line of Slytherin. It was interesting to know he was descended from two lines of Hogwarts founders.