Harry Potter and the Heir of Slytherin

A soft pop echoed through the silence of the night. The waning crescent moon was obscured by clouds and the resulting darkness covered the sudden appearance of a man wearing robes and a long cloak. His attire and mean demeanour suggested that he was not someone who belonged in Little Hangleton. The road he had appeared on was fortunately deserted even the local wildlife knew enough to stay out of this man’s way. 

Standing stock still the man lifted his head to sniff the air, then he raised his wand and waved it in a complex pattern, nothing seemed to happen but the man turned his attention to some blackberry bushes at the roadside.  He spent some time seeming to stare at the offending bushes until finally he waved his wand again and the plants melted out of his way as if by magic. Sheathing his wand he made his way along the newly appeared path towards the pull of his Masters magic. Rookwood walked for several minutes until he finally came upon the shell of what had once been a magical home, curling his lip he stared in disgust at the ruined shack; this could not be where the Dark Lord was living. 

Turning on his heel he made his way back to the road, the blackberry bushes closing behind him to once again cover the path. Rookwood reconsidered his options, he knew he was close. He stood in the middle of the road and closed his eyes; his breathing was slow and even as he reached out with his magic before he began moving forward. The road was uneven and full of potholes but the wizard did not slow his stride as he covered the distance towards his new destination. 

The road took a sharp left turn and a tall brick wall appeared from nowhere. The wards around this house were strong and the signature had been expertly hidden. Augustus smiled,  his Lord was clever, the ruin had been a red herring. He raised his hand and ran it along the bricks until he felt a gap in the magic, then drawing his wand he waved it in a snake like pattern over the gap. An old wooden door appeared in the wall and Augustus whispered the password and entered when the door swung open.

No one could apparate directly into Riddle Manor except for the Dark Lord himself. So when he felt the presence of another magical person on his arrival back from Kent he was surprised and then angry. 

The manor, such as it was, had once been one of the most impressive houses in Little Hangleton. Now it was beginning to fall into ruin but it was, by birthright, his home. It had at one time belonged to the Riddle family, his filthy muggle father’s family. The wizard who had once been known as Tom Riddle, had purchased it before the downfall of Lord Voldemort and in spite of being abandoned for ten years the structure was still solid. It had required a thorough cleaning and there was still work to done but with some wards cast to make it safe, it was at least habitable.

Calling to Nagini to stay close to him Tom connected to his wards searching for the intruder, whoever had been fool enough to enter his residence would soon regret their actions. Locating his uninvited guest, he set off at a fast pace towards his study. He pushed the door open, his wand held tight in his hand, and froze when a most unexpected sight met his eyes. 

Augustus Rookwood was on his knees, his head bowed waiting for his Lord. The Dark Lord could not help being a little impressed, he had been sorely disappointed that none of his followers had been strong enough, brave enough, loyal enough to read the signs and find him. It turned out one had been.

If the wizard kneeling on the floor felt the arrival of the Dark Lord he showed no sign. Voldemort moved silently over the carpeted floor until he stood in front of the kneeling man. Only then did Rookwood move prostrating himself at the feet of his Master “My Lord,” he intoned. “Finally, I have found you,” and kissed the hem on the robe in front of him.

“Augussstuss,” the Dark Lord hissed and a smile crept over his pale face. “I am most pleased. Rise my faithful servant there is work to be done.”

 🐍🐍🐍

Harry Potter did not sleep well that night, his confrontation with the Dark Lord had shaken him to his core. Narcissa had come to check on him not long after he had pulled on his green pyjamas and crawled into bed. He had feigned sleep as she had brushed the hair off his face and pressed a kiss to his forehead before leaving quietly. He knew she was not fooled by his act and was eternally grateful to her for allowing him to get away with his charade. 

Lying in his bed, his covers pulled up to his neck, his mind raced replaying the conversation he had with Tom over and over. He knew the man, was he a man now? He looked more like one than he had the year before but that face made him look part snake.  Harry knew that Tom hated being called Tom, but the man was not his Lord. According to the overheard prophesy; Tom had marked Harry as his equal the night he killed his parents and Harry refused to be seen as less than his equal even if he was only twelve.

Harry had tapped into the parseltongue wards he had cast around his house as soon as he got back to his room and he felt the moment Tom left; it was not long after his departure from the study. He knew the Dark Lord had not hurt anyone, his wards would have prevented any attack on his family and he would have been alerted to the attempt. He wondered if Tom had known about those wards, could he feel them? It did not matter either way, he had taken his diary and his elixir of life and left just as he said he would and Harry let out the breath he had not realised he was holding. 

Lucius had told him that the Dark Lord would not hurt them while he was trying to win Harry’s loyalty. Harry did not consider this nearly good enough so he had taken extra precautions to keep them all safe. There was no telling what Tom would do next; he had the elixir and the diary with his soul piece in it but what he would do with them Harry had no idea.  

All they could do was wait for his next move. Harry hated waiting for something to happen; nothing good ever came from waiting. He had spent whole days sitting in his cupboard, waiting for Vernon to come home after he had done magic. It had been torture, the sitting and waiting, knowing that when his Uncle got home he would be getting the belt before he was forced to cook dinner and then sent to bed hungry.

This waiting however, was almost worse because he did not know what he was waiting for and he had no idea what would happen next. What he did know was that this time he was not defenceless, this time he had power. Yes, Tom was powerful too, but Harry had the means to protect himself and his family and now Tom knew it. Still Harry did not like not knowing what Tom was up to and wished he had a way to check on him. Then a thought occurred to him, perhaps, his connection to the Dark Lord could be useful.

Rolling onto his side Harry pushed himself up so he was sitting up and he reached into his bedside drawer for his obsidian mirror. He had not tried this before but he knew all the steps he would need to follow. He had already prepared the mirror; he had cleansed it with mugwort tea and held it as he meditated just as the book from the Prince vault had instructed.

Holding the mirror in both hands he closed his eyes and focused on emptying his mind like the scrying book had instructed. Concentrating on the colours  swirling behind his eyelids Harry focused on the patterns until they stilled and he was surrounded by a deep, absorbing darkness. He forced his mind to stop and he pushed the noise of his thoughts into the room he had found while learning to meditate with Severus and shut the door.

When his mind was clear and quiet he opened his eyes and looked into his mirror and he allowed his vision to blur.  A shimmer rose up red against the black. He could not make out a clear image but he could see two figures, one standing and one bowed down low on the floor.  The standing figure had a satisfied air about him, something had pleased him. Harry realised this was the Dark Lord; the man on the floor was not facing him but there was nothing familiar about him. The aura he was giving off was of submission and service but not fear; the prostrating man was there willingly, he was there to serve his Lord. 

Harry closed his eyes again and waited for the colours to return behind his eyelids before he slowly opened his eyes again. Tom was no longer alone; he had someone to help him with whatever he was planning. Harry's stomach felt like it held a lead weight. He replaced his mirror in the drawer and lay down drawing his heavy blankets over him. He was not sure what he had hoped to see but what he had seen had only unsettled him further.

 🐍🐍🐍

Breakfast was a somber affair the next morning Draco was confused by the air of caution and uncertainty. Harry did not help; he was staring at his plate and pushing his scrambled eggs around, he had not eaten more than two bites.

Severus had noticed and was watching Harry closely so Draco decided to leave whatever was troubling Harry for his Godfather to sort out. He finished his food and excused himself, leaving his silent family to their secrets. 

When Draco was out of sight, Severus gave up the pretence of eating he stood up and requested Harry accompany him to the Orangery. He had planned to go back to the school early; he did not want to alter his usual Christmas routine again this year. Albus had not requested he stay close to Harry so he did not have a reason to stay longer than he would have before Harry became part of the Malfoy family.

The pair made their way to the seat they had sat on Christmas day. “You’re leaving aren't you?”  Harry asked sullenly. 

Severus hummed non committedly. “I would not normally stay longer than a few days over Christmas. Last year the Headmaster ordered me to stay. This year I have no such excuse.”

Harry did not reply to the answer, instead he said, “Tom has someone helping him. I saw it in my scrying mirror last night. Someone loyal who bowed down at his feet. Tom was pleased and the man on the floor was not scared.”  

 The teacher absorbed that information. “Was this the first thing you have seen in your mirror?’ he asked 

“Yes, but I cleaned the mirror with mugwort tea and I have been meditating while holding it the way the book said I should. I am sure I did it all properly,” he replied.

“Do you know who the servant was?” Severus asked, not doubting Harry for a moment.

“No, he was not familiar to me,” Harry said sadly. 

“Hummm, I will talk to Lucius and try to figure out who it might be. There are not many who would be loyal enough or brave enough to seek him while he is still weak. You did well Harry, I don't just mean with the scrying. You did well when you spoke with him too. I am so proud of you,” Severus told him. 

Harry looked up into the older man’s eyes searching for a lie or a trick but he did not find one. “Thank you,” he whispered and then he leaned into Severus. This time the man lifted his arm and allowed Harry to press against him, then he wrapped his arm around him and held him close, offering what comfort he could to the young man.

 🐍🐍🐍

Albus looked up as the door to his office swung open and Augustus Rookwood walked into his office. “Good afternoon  Headmaster,” he said smoothly. 

“Ahh, Unspeakable Rookwood. Welcome please take a seat,” the Headmaster said hiding his distaste at being forced to work with a Death Eater. 

“I understand you have a problem with a snake,” the unspeakable said with a smirk. 

Dumbledore looked grim. “The snake is very likely a Basilisk and I need it sealed in its Chamber. I also need a plausible explanation for this situation. I have students in the hospital wing petrified waiting for Pomona’s mandrakes to mature and I cannot have this situation blamed on any member of my staff or a student,” he said carefully. 

Rookwood looked thoughtful and leaned back in his seat. He was not sure why Dumbledore was waiting for the school mandrakes to mature, when he could simply buy them ready to use. Snape could have the potion ready within a month and the students could return to their classes.  However, he was not there to question the Headmasters' decisions; he had been enlisted to complete a job and he had an extra job to do the side. “So, what do you wish for me to do, Headmaster?” he enquired.

“I need the Chamber sealed,” the old man said with a sigh. “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened once before, at that time the person responsible for opening it also sealed it; this time that cannot happen. I have an idea where it is located but I have been unable to find the entrance to seal it,” the Headmaster confessed. It grated on him to have to entrust this to a Slytherin and Death Eater who was not Severus.

Rookwood suppressed a grin. He knew as well as the Headmaster did, just who had opened the Chamber fifty years ago. However, he could not let Albus in on that secret. “So who opened it, Headmaster?” he asked, sounding curious.

“The same person who opened it last time,” Albus hissed angrily. That cannot come out either, he thought but did not say.

Rookwood raised his eyebrow at the old man who simply continued to stare at him over his glasses, his trademark twinkle conspicuously absent from his expression .“I see, well you best show me where you think this Chamber is,” he replied, his Slytherin mask firmly in place. 

Dumbledore stood and indicated to Rookwood they would need to leave the office. The two men walked side by side to the second floor girls bathroom. “I am certain the entrance is in this hallway or in one of the rooms along it. This…” he said, indicating the bathroom. “...is the most likely place I believe,” Albus told him. 

The unspeakable took out his wand and ran it along the wall either side of the bathroom door then he nodded sharply. “I must ask you to leave me here, Headmaster,” the man said in his most authoritative tone and he pushed open the door and stalked into the bathroom leaving the door to slam behind him.

Albus stood and stared at the closed door, he felt the protective charms Rookwood was casting and let out a sigh and he returned to his office hoping that the man could solve all his problems. No one was allowed to watch the Unspeakables work, not even the great Albus Dumbledore. 

Once he had secured the bathroom and expelled the resident ghost Rookwood took a good look around the room. When he told the Dark Lord about this off the books job he had accepted His Lord had been very pleased. 

The Chamber could not be effectively sealed by anyone who was not a Parselmouth and a descendant of Slytherin. However, there was a way to make it look as if it was properly sealed and the Dark Lord had given him very clear instructions.

However, Rookwood was not only working for Dumbledore, he had orders from his Lord as well. He was to advise the Headmaster that the task was more difficult than he had expected and that he would need to stay at Hogwarts for several weeks; until the students returned, then he was to complete two more tasks.

Augustus took a small  device out of his bag and tapped it twice with his wand, it began to hum and colours shimmered off it.  After several minutes the machine began to print a long parchment. 

Rookwood read the parchment and smiled.

 🐍🐍🐍

Severus poured himself a drink and settled into his favourite chair. In the years he had lived and worked at Hogwarts his rooms had always been a place of comfort and relaxation. He could retreat here and know that he would not be disturbed unless there was an emergency. Dumbledore was actually quite good about allowing his teachers their own time; he acknowledged that living in a Castle in the Scottish Highlands with over 900 teenagers for nine months of the year would test most people's patience eventually.    

Professor Snape’s quarters were his sanctuary, no student had ever entered these rooms, at least not until Harry had arrived at Hogwarts. Now Severus found he missed the young man’s presence; Hogwarts was not the same when Harry was not in his common room and there was no chance he might appear in his office for a visit at the end of office hours.

The room was blissfully silent and Severus closed his eyes and relaxed, he had completed all his essential tasks. All his lesson plans and preparation were completed ready for lessons to resume. The long list of potions Poppy had requested for the hospital wing was halfway completed; he would finish off the last of them in the morning. He had just fully relaxed when there was a knock on his door. Cursing under his breath at the nerve of the Headmaster for disturbing his peace so late at night he opened the door.

“Hello Snape,” Augustus Rookwood drawled, when the door was flung open. He grinned at the look of shock on the professor's face as he registered who was at his door.  Rookwood was a man who liked to catch people off guard and rattle their cage; sometimes he did this at the Dark Lord's request, sometimes for his own pleasure.

Severus quickly gained control of himself and his mask slid into place. “Rookwood,” he replied “...to what do I owe the honour?” he asked. 

“I am here at the Headmaster’s request, looking into what has petrified some of the students. I am going to be here for a few weeks and I thought I might come for a drink with an old friend,” the man said smoothly.  

Severus' mind raced. Rookwood was one of the few Death Eaters who would be both loyal and brave enough to seek out the Dark Lord even in his current state; as an unspeakable he would also have the resources to find the signs. He made a quick decision he could not afford to offend the man he stepped back and indicated to his unexpected guest to enter his rooms.

Rookwood walked into the Potion Master’s quarters as if he owned them and looked around. The sitting room was quite cosy considering they were below the water level of the lake. A soft green light which infused the room was offset by oil lamps and the fire burning in the grate. Augustus took a seat on the soft couch and accepted the glass Snape offered. 

“Quite a cosy space you have here, nice to relax after a long day teaching the brats,” Rookwood observed. 

“Indeed,” Severus replied. He sat back in his chair and gave the impression he had relaxed.

The two men eyed each other over their glasses each silently sizing the other up. Finally it was Rookwood who spoke first. “So, what do you think is petrifying students?” 

Snape considered the possible answers to the question with a thoughtful expression. “I have examined the victims and the only conclusion I can draw is that it is a Basilisk,” he replied calmly, his eyes never leaving the man in front of him.

The Unspeakables thin eyebrows rose almost to his hairline, he had not expected Snape to give that answer. “A Basilisk?” He said suppressing his surprise. “What makes you say that?”

The professor leaned forward as if he was sharing a confidence. “The victims are all in a completely solid state. I have spent quite some time researching but I have been unable to find a spell or a potion which could create the same effect. It has also come to my attention that Hagrid's roosters were killed and the spiders have been behaving in a strange manner,” Severus said slowly. 

“What’s going on with the spiders?” the other man asked. 

“They are leaving the castle in droves, or so I have been told by several of my Slytherins,” Snape replied, it was only a partial lie. Harry had been the one to mention it even if he had read it out of Miss Granger’s journal. Severus had already resolved to keep a closer eye on that particular young lion once this was over.

Rookwood stroked his chin thoughtfully; it was clear Snape knew what was in the Chamber but he was not sure how the man knew. Snape was highly intelligent and he would not overlook clues simply because they led to an uncomfortable conclusion. However, Augustus knew this man was the unknown magical guardian of Harry Potter and the Dark Lord was very interested in Potter. The boy could speak parseltongue and he had both impressed and irritated his Lord. “That would seem to be a logical conclusion but surely that is not possible? A Basilisk here at Hogwarts?” he challenged, eager to see how Snape would react.

Severus raised an eyebrow. “You disagree? The evidence would seem to be clear, Rookwood,” he said smoothly. “However, there would be no need for you to be here for weeks to work that out. So why are you really here Augustus?” Snape asked. 

Rookwood smiled, Severus Snape was still the same Severus Snape he had seen so much potential in as a young man. He was going to enjoy toying with him. “Hogwarts holds many secrets, Severus. It's not often I get the chance to roam freely in her halls; surely you can see why I took the chance. Dumbledore is worried enough that he has accepted my reasons for needing to stay on; naturally, I never expected them to fool you. No Severus, I am here because I am curious about one of your students. Tell me, how did you manage to become the heir of Slytherin’s magical guardian and his betrothed?” 

🐍🐍🐍

The train arrived at Hogsmeade station just after 6:00pm and the students all filed off the train headed for the carriages. They were tired and hungry after the long trip and were ready for a good Hogwarts feast before bed. 

Harry was relieved to be back; he had been worried Narcissa would insist he stay home. He understood why she was worried about him; she knew he was the Heir of Slytherin but that was precisely why he had to come back. He felt guilty about the people who had been petrified and he needed to make sure no one else was attacked and that the Chamber was resealed for good this time.

The gentle rocking motion of the carriage was soothing. Harry had spent some time researching thestrals over Christmas and he had learned that in spite of their alarming appearance they were in fact gentle beasts. He leaned back and closed his eyes for the short trip, Draco watched him carefully, his mother had given him strict instruction to keep an eye on Harry this term and go to Severus the moment he noticed anything at all out of the ordinary.

Harry fully intended for the rest of the year to be quiet, just a normal school year. Tom’s Diary was no longer at Hogwarts, Ginny Weasley was back to normal and once he had sealed the Chamber the Basilisk would settle again and go back to sleep.

The first thing Harry noticed as he entered the Great Hall was that there was an extra person at the teachers table. The man was older than Severus he had brown wavy hair, piercing blue eyes and a scar on his cheek, he wore dark grey robes and he looked like a man with secrets. 

The Headmaster gave a brief welcome back speech and then he introduced the newcomer as Unspeakable Rookwood. He was here to help with the upkeep and Maintenance of Hogwarts wards. Harry was not sure he bought that, as Dumbledore instructed all students to be respectful and to stay out of Rookwood way, Harry tried to catch Professor Snape's eye. When the man finally looked at him it was with a closed expression, which gave nothing away.

Harry did not like the look of this strange man and he decided he would be keeping an eye on the man. However, when the food appeared Harry forgot all about Unspeakable Rookwood as he piled his plate with food and dug in; as such he did not notice when Rookwood stood and left the table before dessert was served.

🐍🐍🐍

Leaving the Great Hall via the door behind the teachers table Rookwood made his way to Gryffindor Tower. There was not long before the students would be heading to their beds and he had a vital job to do. He located the entrance to the Gryffindor common room and gave the fat lady the password. Once inside he made his way to the first year girls dorm and found the trunk he required. He opened it with an unlocking charm known only to those who worked in the Department of Mysteries. The charm would leave no trace of magic no one would know he had opened it. 

Rookwood, took the Dark Lord’s small brown diary from his robe pocket and placed it on the girls desk; then he summoned Ginny’s standard book of spells grade one and placed it beside the diary. He put his wand on the spell book and moved the tip down the cover in a wavy motion, then he did the same to the diary transforming it into a perfect replica of the spells book, even Ginny’s notes scribbled in the margins were copied. He put the transformed diary into the girl's trunk which he locked and returned to its place at the foot of her bed. He took the original spell book, slipping it into his pocket and left the dorm exactly as he found it.

All he had to do now was wait for the girl to come back to the second floor bathroom, then he could cast the charms the Dark Lord required. One more attack on the students should be enough for Fudge to act and remove Dumbledore as Headmaster. 

Once he was gone Ginny Weasley would be taken into the Chamber of Secrets, where she would have the very great honour of being the sacrifice who would restore his master to his full strength. 

In the meantime Augustus was going to learn everything he could about Harry Potter, His Lord had asked for his assessment of the boy. Rookwood would have to be careful Snape would be watching him closely but he meant Mr Potter no harm; His Lord had been very clear on that point, Harry Potter was untouchable.