a meaningful lecture

"Professor," Hermione raised her hand, her expression thoughtful as she posed her question, "Wasn't the Chamber of Secrets constructed by Slytherin and intended solely for his true heir to discover? So, theoretically, it should be impossible for others to find it, right?"

Ciaran Frémont, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, adjusted his spectacles before responding, his tone measured. "Typically, yes," he acknowledged, prefacing his answer with a few clarifying words. Frémont possessed an acute understanding of the intricacies surrounding the Chamber's history. He knew all too well that the entrance to the chamber required Parseltongue, a language unique to Slytherin's lineage, which meant the potential for others to unlock it was limited. However, he was acutely aware that the magical world was vast, and not all who understood Parseltongue were descendants of Slytherin. Take Harry Potter, for instance. Harry possessed the ability to speak Parseltongue, not due to lineage, but because a fragment of Voldemort's soul resided within him, inadvertently bestowing upon him this peculiar talent.

The origin of the first dark wizard to breed a basilisk had no direct correlation with Slytherin, further complicating matters.

"Have any of Slytherin's descendants surfaced at Hogwarts?" Draco Malfoy interjected with a frown, his disdain evident as he resisted the notion of following orders from an unknown heir.

Harry's heart plummeted. The realization that he could speak Parseltongue dawned on him, triggering a flood of apprehension. Could he be Slytherin's descendant and the rightful heir to the Chamber? He balked at the notion, unwilling to entertain such a possibility. Yet, over a millennium had passed, and even he couldn't be certain about his ancestry.

His mother, Lily Evans, hailed from the Muggle world, seemingly severing any ties to Slytherin. But what about his father, James Potter?

The mystery surrounding his family history loomed ominously. If he did indeed have ties to Slytherin...

The prospect of others learning this about him unnerved Harry. Would they label him as Slytherin's heir, the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets and unleashed the basilisk?

Hermione, ever perceptive, noticed Harry's unease. With a knowing glance, she pieced together his thoughts from their prior discussions. Raising her hand, she interjected, "But, Professor? Who would release the basilisk? Who had the opportunity to unleash such a deadly creature?"

Harry snapped out of his reverie, his thoughts racing. Others might not understand, but shouldn't he understand himself? How could he possibly be the basilisk's handler? One of his closest friends was a Muggle-born wizard, and he was only a half-blood himself.

Considering this, though still apprehensive about his Parseltongue ability, Harry's fear ebbed.

"On Halloween, festivities were underway, and attention wasn't focused on individual activities. Hence, launching an investigation would prove challenging," Frémont explained, his tone tinged with concern. He knew all too well that Voldemort's fragment, residing in Riddle's diary, had manipulated Ginny Weasley to unlock the chamber and set the basilisk loose. Yet, lacking concrete evidence, accusing Ginny risked unjustly condemning her to Azkaban.

In the original timeline, it wasn't until the end that Voldemort's soul fragment emerged, the diary destroyed by the basilisk, and the chamber's menace eradicated.

Now, with the basilisk at large and the chamber's location unknown, resorting to dark magic or retrieving Gryffindor's sword from the Sorting Hat seemed straightforward but held dire consequences.

Continued accusations would leave Ginny unfairly burdened, and the basilisk remained unchecked, possibly forcing Hogwarts to shutter prematurely.

"The chamber's access requires dark magic, correct?"

"What sort of dark magic would that entail?"

As the young wizards deliberated, Harry interjected, his curiosity piqued. "Professor, could you elaborate on what constitutes dark magic?"

Frémont shook his head, conveying his inability to divulge such knowledge. "I'm sorry, I'm not Slytherin's heir, and I'm unfamiliar with the methods or incantations to unlock the Chamber of Secrets."

"What manner of creature is the basilisk? Professor, could you enlighten us? It would help us remain vigilant," Hermione inquired.

"That information is permissible," Frémont began, detailing the basilisk's origins as a creation of a Greek dark wizard named 'Despicable Herbo,' who also wielded Parseltongue.

"The basilisk, massive and lethal, possesses a gaze fatal to those who meet it. With an exceptionally long lifespan, one bred by 'Despicable Herbo' could have lived for nine centuries!"

"Nine centuries?!"

"A basilisk can live that long?"

The young wizards expressed astonishment, prompting Harry to exclaim, "Is that even possible?"

Frémont reassured them, "Indeed, a basilisk's lifespan is extensive. Hence, it's plausible one resides within Slytherin's chamber, potentially existing for centuries."

Pausing, he allowed the information to sink in.

"I won't delve into the specifics of basilisk hatching now. Instead, let's focus on their behaviors."

Frémont continued, "The basilisk occupies a complex food chain, consuming mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, but its preferred prey is the spider!"

Ron's discomfort was palpable; he harbored a deep fear of spiders.

"Should you encounter spiders, exercise extreme caution, for a basilisk may be nearby," Frémont cautioned, prompting the young wizards to note the crucial advice.

"More importantly," Frémont emphasized, "the basilisk's natural foe..."

The young wizards listened intently.

"The crowing of a rooster is the basilisk's natural adversary. However, excessive crowing could provoke the basilisk, inviting disaster."

Abandoning the idea of carrying roosters, the young wizards understood.

"If signs of a basilisk arise, depart immediately, avoiding direct eye contact with any pipes, lest the basilisk emerge," Frémont concluded.

The young wizards nodded, diligently jotting down Frémont's insights.

Resuming combat class, their newfound awareness heightened their interest, especially when compared to Lockhart's lacklustre instruction, more akin to a literary club than defence training.

The uncertainty surrounding the Chamber of Secrets and the basilisk's presence cast a shadow over Hogwarts, fostering an atmosphere of vigilance and apprehension among its students.

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