A Serpants Embrace.
The Chamber was exactly as he left it.
Dark. Cold. Silent.
But it no longer felt hostile.
Harry stepped forward, his movements slow but assured, his eyes sweeping over the vast, ancient space. He could feel the magic thrumming through the stone, whispering of history older than any living wizard.
And then—
Something moved.
A slow, deliberate slither, like silk against rock.
Harry stilled.
Then, from the shadows, a massive shape unfurled.
Emerald scales gleamed under the dim light, each one perfectly smooth, polished like liquid metal. The Basilisk lifted her head, golden eyes locking onto him. A predator. A legend.
And yet—
The moment she saw him, her posture changed.
Not tense. Not wary.
But curious.
“Little Speaker,” the voice slithered through the air, ancient and powerful, yet strangely… warm. “You return.”
Harry met her gaze unflinchingly. “Hello, Medusa.”
She blinked slowly, as if tasting his name on her tongue. “You know me?”
“You told me,” he replied. “Before you went back to sleep.”
She tilted her head, considering him. “You are… different.”
Harry’s lips quirked, something close to amusement. “So are you.”
A long pause. Then—
“Come closer.”
Most would have hesitated. Most would have feared.
Harry did neither.
He stepped forward, stopping just before her massive coils. The air was cool here, thick with the scent of stone and time. Medusa lowered her head, her golden eyes impossibly large as they peered into his face.
Then, without warning, she nuzzled him.
Harry blinked.
The enormous serpent brushed the top of her snout against his shoulder, a slow, deliberate motion, before curling around him slightly, like a cat circling its chosen human.
Harry let out a breathless chuckle. “You’re like Teeth.”
Medusa lifted her head, forked tongue flicking out. “Teeth?”
“A… friend.” His voice softened. “A predator. Like you.”
She considered this, then coiled herself even closer, pressing against his side, her scales warm despite the cold air. “Then you are used to creatures like me.”
Harry rested a hand against her smooth skin. “I think I prefer them.”
Medusa let out a deep, satisfied hum, a vibration that ran through her entire body, like a purr.
Harry had never thought a Basilisk could purr.
But here she was, purring.
Time passed in comfortable silence.
Medusa curled around him, half-lidded golden eyes watching as he absentmindedly ran his fingers along her scales. She was enormous, ancient, deadly beyond reason—
And yet she felt safe.
Harry closed his eyes, letting himself relax against the warmth of her coils. It was the kind of comfort he rarely sought, let alone received. But Medusa gave it freely, her presence surrounding him like an unbreakable shield.
For once, he wasn’t the predator.
For once, he was simply… held.
And for now, that was enough.