Imprisoned in the Past

The Three Broomsticks Pub, Hogsmeade, 12/21,1982, 16:58

Harry led Bellatrix into the pub, they both caught glances from the patrons as they made their way to a table that was occupied by an older couple.

The man was tall and lanky with tanned skin suggesting he spent a lot of time outdoors, his brown hair hair was liberally streaked with grey and even from a distance he could tell the man seemed uncomfortable in the crowded pub.

The woman similarly was tall for a woman and very thin, her hair was comletely grey but she seemed perfectly at ease as ahe looked over the menu.

Both of them were wearing muggle style clothing, the man was wearing a thick brown wool pullover and tan trousers, and his wife was wearing a longsleeved blue dress.

"Mr Scamander?" Harry asked politely ctching the couples attention.

"Ah, uh yes, that would be me, are you Harry Peverell by any chance?" Newt asked curiously.

"I am, please let me introduce my wife, Bellatrix," Harry said shaking the mans hand.

"It's a pleasure, Mrs Peverell, this is my wife Porpentina," Newt said.

"It's just Tina, Mr Prverell," Newt's wife said shaking his hand briskly.

"Please join us," Newt said gesturing to the seats across from him.

"Thank you," Harry said pulling a seat out for Bellatrix and then taking his own.

"So in your letter, you said you wished to pursue a career in magizoology, is there a particular interest you have?" Newt asked getting straight to the point.

"Interest?" Harry asked.

"Well some people specialize in dragons and others like to work with the herd animals unicorns, thestrals and the like," Newt explained.

"Oh yes, I would like to specialise in serpents," Harry said in understanding.

"Oh, that would explain why we're going into a basilisk lair," Newt said thoughtfully.

"I can talk to snakes and there are many different magical serpents all over the world, I would like to put that talent to good use," Harry shrugged.

"Oh how interesting, I would give my right arm for a talent like that," Newt said excitedly.

"Now dear you've almost lost your right arm plenty of times working with that infernal thunderbird," Tina said in amusement, Harry noticed she had a slight American accent.

Bellatrix giggled, "Harry here almost lost his left arm to a werewolf a few weeks before our wedding."

"Ah I read about that in the paper, it didn't say what happened to the rest of the pack after you had slain the alpha," Newt said curiously as a much younger but still very curvy Madam Rosmerta came to take their order.

After they had placed their order and Madam Rosmerta had left Harry turned to Newt and explained, " they are working for the Blacks at the potion warehouse, they seem fairly content with the arrangement."

"Why didn't you just hand them over to the Bulgarian Ministry?" Tina asked curiously.

"They would have been executed, the alpha has a large amount of control over the pack and I assume that most of them were just doing as they were ordered," Harry shrugged.

Their food arrived soon and the table fell silent as they dug in, Harry noticing the patrons still kept shooting his wife wary glances.

"So I am curious, why do you think the monster in the chamber is a basilisk?" Newt asked after a few moments.

"I've been interested in the chamber for a while, I recently discovered records of a series of attacks that took place in nineteen forty-three. All but one of the attacks were petrifications, the final attack was fatal leaving no marks on the body. Now the fact that the beast was still alive was the first clue, only a very small group of animals can live almost a thousand years. Then you factor in the animals on that list that can be controlled by parseltongue and I came up with two possibilities a gorgon or a basilisk."

"The gorgon would fit most of the attacks, they are rumoured to live thousands of years and turn their victims to stone, I think the muggle legends of Meduza are based around them. This however doesn't fit the final attack."

"Which leaves the basilisk, they are also long-lived serpents, their gaze can kill which fits the final victim. I have a theory that an indirect gaze from a basilisk could explain the petrification on the other victims," Harry explained.

"Indirect gaze, you mean like out of the corner of your eye or something?" Tina asked between bites of her chicken salad.

"I suppose that would count too but what I mean would be more along the lines of seeing the reflection through a mirror or a puddle of water," Harry clarified.

"So how did you plan on handling the basilisk assuming we find one?" Newt asked after a few minutes of thinking over what he heard.

"I was hoping to find a way to get it out of the castle and into the forest, there is a substantial acromantula colony in the forest that needs some population control," Harry admitted.

"That could be problematic, the basilisk is coldblooded I imagine it will be in a sort of torpor at the moment," Newt explained between bites of food.

"Torpor?" Bellatrix asked curiously.

"It's like hibernation," Harry said.

"Exactly, I believe we will have to bring the area the animal is resting up to a warmer temperature before we can move it anywhere but even then I doubt it would be able to function outside of the castle," Newt elaborated.

"What would you suggest then?" Harry asked curiously.

"We somehow get the animal into a container of some form that way it can be transported to an island off of the coast of Greece," Newt answered.

"Is that a preserve or something?" Harry asked.

"Yes, it is a tiny Island that host nothing but the most dangerous XXXXX in the region, chimaera, manticores and I believe even a few basilisks," Newt said.

"So the basilisk could live the rest of its life with its own kind, Harry nodded.

"Exactly, I think it would be best to let it live at the preserve until it passes," Newt agreed.

"As long as it's out of the castle that sounds fine with me," Harry exclaimed

"Excellent, how big would you estimate the serpent is?" Newt asked between bites of his food.

"Probably between forty-five and sixty feet in length and around nine feet in girth but I am just guessing based on what I've read about them, it's almost a millennia-old after all," Harry said thoughtfully.

"I believe I have an extra travel suitcase that will work, that is if you can talk the serpent inside," Newt said after some thought.

"I think I can, but we should probably bring it an offering," Harry said before taking another bite of his shepherd's pie.

"Yes, larger serpents like that love a nice juicy pig," Newt agreed.

"What about its eyes?" Bellatrix asked.

"A basilisk has a second eyelid, it is completely transparent so the animal can still see but stops the eyes stare from killing or petrifying. It only opens this eyelid when it's hunting or feels threatened. As long as the snake doesn't get agitated we should be fine," Newt assured her.

"The eyes are not what concerns me the most anyway," Harry shrugged.

"Agreed, the basilisk venom is one of the deadliest poisons on earth," Newt nodded after he finished his steak and kidney pie.

"Is the headmaster going to be accompanying us into the chamber?" Harry asked as he finished his own food.

"He hasn't said but if I know Albus then he will undoubtedly want to come along," Newt chuckled.

"Good," Harry said getting a surprised look from Bellatrix.

"Well, I think that covers everything, I hate to rush off but I do have a few charges that need tending to, nifflers are a nightmare to care for you know," Newt sighed.

"I will see you in the morning, thank you for meeting with me," Harry said sincerely.

"Thank nothing of it," Newt said as he stood from his seat.

"It was a pleasure to meet you both," Tina said before following her husband out of the pub.

Harry raised his hand signalling the barmaid.

"Ah ready to settle up?" Rosmerta asked when she arrived at their table.

"Not quite, can you bring us a large slice of chocolate cake and two butterbeers please?" Harry asked.

"Of course dear," Rosmerta said as she hovered the empty plates from the table and headed back to the kitchen.

"You're sharing that cake," Bellatrix said matter of factly.

"No, I'm not. It's for you," Harry chuckled as Rosmerta returned with Bella's dessert.

Bella beamed at him as she dug into her cake while Harry sipped his butterbeer.

"I was a bit surprised you want Dumbles to come with you," Bella said after a few moments of eating.

"Truthfully I don't really want him anywhere near me," Harry admitted.

"Then why did you seem pleased that he will be going into the chamber?" Bella asked.

"Because his phoenix literally cries antidote to basilisk venom," Harry explained before taking another swig of butterbeer.

"Yes, I suppose that is a good reason to bring him along," Bellatrix agreed before taking a large bite of cake.

After Bella had finished her cake Harry paid the tab and the two of them left the pub.

Harry didn't enjoy eating here as much as he would have liked, the constant staring of the patrons was starting to get irritating.

"Let's go home," Harry said as he led Bella to the floo and let her step through first.

'Tomorrow should be rather interesting,' Harry thought as he watched her disappear in green flames and stepped in himself.

Hogwarts Second Floor Girls Bathroom, Scotland, 2/22/1982, 09:43

Harry led Albus and Newt into the second-floor girl's bathroom and noticed with some relief that Myrtle wasn't in her usual cubicle.

"You believe the entrance is in here?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"I do, according to reports of the incident all the attacks in forty-three happened close to this bathroom. I believe a student was even found dead in this very stall," Harry said gesturing towards the stall Moaning Myrtle usually occupied.

"Yes, Myrtle Waren was found here on June ninth nineteen forty-three, we were never able to determine her cause of death," Albus answered sadly.

"Alright, let's see if we can find the entrance then Harry said pulling out his wand.

" Very well," Dumbledore agreed and took out his wand running different diagnostic spells over the back wall of the bathroom stall.

Harry began scanning the walls by the sinks, sure he already knew where the entrance to the chamber was but he thought it best to search the room as he would any other warded or hidden area.

Newt just stood back and watched them work, he seemed almost amused as he watched them running complicated spells to detect concealment magic.

Newt went over to one of the sinks and turned the tap only for nothing to happen, curiously he looked at it noticing the tiny snake etched into its surface.

"Excuse me, I think I may have found something," Newt said catching the attention of tbe other two.

"What did you find Newt?" Albus asked coming out of the last cubicle.

"There is an etching here on this tap, it actually looks like a young basilisk," Newt said thoughtfully.

"Yes, I see," Dumbledore said looking at it before waving his wand over the sink.

"How is that possible?" Harry asked in amusement.

"What do you mean, you are the one who thought the chamber was in here," Newt said in confusion.

"Not that Mr Scamannder," Harry chuckled, " I mean how is it possible the entrance is on a sink, they didn't invent indoor plumbing until the late eighteen hundreds?" Harry asked sounding amused.

"Actually wizards had working sinks and toilets for centuries, indoor plumbing was helped along in the muggle world by a squib who was appalled that muggles still used a privy. They're quite unpleasant to use in the winter months you know," Albus said going into full teacher mode.

"Huh, are you picking up anything, headmaster?" Harry asked.

"Yes, there is definitely an entrance here it requires a passphrase in a language I believe to be parseltongue," Albus answered.

"That would make sense," Harry agreed before he pictured a boa construction in his mind and hissed, §Open§

The floor rumbled for a few seconds before the entire section of the sink sank into the floor revealing a hole in the stone floor that went downward at a steep angle under the wall behind it, Harry could see the surface was coated in a scummy green slime.

" Albus, I rather think you will need some new robes after this little adventure of ours is over," Newt said as he squatted down and ran his finger in some of the slime and sniffed it for a moment before tasting it.

"What is it?" Harry asked slightly disgusted.

"Basilisk spoor, they often secrete a mucus on very rough surfaces, I imagine this basilisk did this on the way down the tunnel so it could move much faster," Newt answered.

"Wouldn't that be a problem when it wanted to climb back up?" Harry asked.

"I doubt it, the scales on its underbelly are very good at finding purchase, I imagine it could climb through its own slime with no trouble," Newt lectured.

"Alright, who wants to go down the dark slimy tunnel first," Harry asked looking at the slime dubiously.

"I am always up for a good adventure," Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling merrily as he sat down on the edge of the pipe and prepared to drop in.

"How are we going to get back out?" Harry asked before Dumbledore could slide in.

"I am sure Fawkes would be more than agreeable to take us back up the tunnel," Albus said before dropping into the pipe.

"Fawkes?" Harry asked looking at Newt.

"His phoenix," Newt explained before sitting on the edge of the pipe and sliding in as Dumbledore had before him.

Harry gave it about twenty seconds before he sat on the edge of the pipe and let himself slide down the pipe. It was a lot more exhilarating than the last time he had done it but he put that down to the difference in the situation.

Harry slid down the pipe at phenomenal speed and was surprised at how quickly the ride ended, he went shooting out the other end and hastily flicked his wand to slow his momentum so that he landed gracefully on his feet crushing a few rat skills in the process.

"Rather dark and gloomy for the fabled chamber of secrets I think. We might have to walk a bit," Dumbledore said as he inspected the cavern they were in by the light of his wand.

"This looks natural," Harry remarked lighting the top of his own wand and observing the ceiling.

"I'm sure that it is, there are a fair few cave systems in the area," Dumbledore said as he started leading them through the cavern.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Dumbledore exclaimed, "Oh my!"

The massive snakeskin was draped across the passage just as he remembered it.

The shed skin was over forty feet long and a dark poisonous green colour, the skin over the eye sockets was a vibrant yellow leaving no doubt that this was a basilisk skin.

"Oh yes, this will be an excellent specimen," Newt said excitedly as he examined the skin closely.

"I am just thankful I sent all the students home for the holidays in case this animal decides not to cooperate," Albus said the look on his face making it clear he did not share Newt's sentiments.

"I have every confidence that serpent will be agreeable," Newt said distractedly as he inspected the skin with fascination.

"I guess this confirms my theory of the animal being a basilisk," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Oh yes, this is most definitely a basilisk skin," Newt said finally looking away from the shed skin.

"Shall we proceed?" Dumbledore asked looking just a touch anxious.

"Yes, I would like to keep the skin if it's alright with you, Albus?" Newt asked looking at Dumbledore hopefully.

"Of course, consider it payment for creature removal," Dumbledore said graciously.

"Thank you, now let's see if we can find this serpent," Newt said as he reached into his pocket and removed what looked like an ordinary leather suitcase.

"I had to bring my basic model but it should be more than enough to accommodate the serpent," Newt said as he set the suitcase on the cave floor and flipped open the lid.

Harry watched as he levitated the skin into the suitcase starting with the head, within a minute the tail disappeared and Newt shut the lid.

"Alright let the adventure continue," Albus said as he began leading them down the tunnel.

It wasn't very far from the snakeskin before they came upon tbe door that led into the main chamber.

It was a solid steel door, the surface was polished to shine with an almost mirror finish, it had two sculptures set into either side of the door, they were coiled snakes with glowing emeralds for eyes.

Harry had the same strange feeling he had when he was twelve almost as if the snakes were looking upon him, judging his worthiness.

Open§,Harry hissed looking at the eerie metal snake, a seam appeared in the circular door splitting it n half and the two sides swung outward.

The chamber ahead was pitch black almost unnaturally dark, getting an idea Harry hissed, §Light§, into the darkened room and green flame torches flared to life.

"Amazing," Dumbledore whispered in awe.

The room was absolutely massive making the great hall look small in comparison, it had a long rectangular shape to it, the ceiling was so high it couldn't be made out clearly.

There were two rows of pillars sculpted to look like striking serpents with empty eye sockets that formed a sort of central corridor running longways across the middle of the room and led to a humongous statue of Salazar Slytherin set into the wall across from the entrance.

To their left a good portion of the room was taken up by a pool that ran the length of the room, the water was almost pitch black and completely still.

"Very impressive," Newt said as he inspected one of the snake statues.

"Quite," Dumbledore agreed looking at the statue of one of Hogwarts founders.

"He kind of looks like an ape but I think he has you beat in the beard department, headmaster," Harry grinned.

The statue was of a stout bearded man, there was something about his appearance that put Harry in mind of a primate, the statue had a beard that reached to the floor and curled over itself between Slytherin's bare sculpted feet.

"Indeed, he seems to have taken the long-bearded look to another level," Dumbledore agreed.

"Hm, I wonder where the snake is?" Newt asked as he set the suitcase onto the floor.

" I believe it is inside the statue," Dumbledore said as he ran scans over the stone.

"Don't we have to raise the temperature in here first?" Harry pointed out.

"Oh yea, I almost forgot," Newt said as he pulled out a strange-looking wand the handle flared out almost like a trumpet and began casting a series of spells.

"It's fifty-one degrees in here, we need to get the room to at least seventy," Newt said before he began casting atmospheric charms on the ceiling.

Harry could fell the massive room start to heat instantly and noticed a tiny artificial sun forming just below the ceiling filling the room with light.

"Ah-ha," Dumbledore exclaimed happily having been casting spells over the statue while Newt worked on the temperature.

"You've found it?" Harry asked hopefully.

Harry had decided his best bet on this little expedition was to let the other two make the discoveries. He obviously knew where everything was having been here before but he did not think it wise to come in here acting like a tour guide.

Dumbledore made this very easy as he was very intelligent and worked out where the entrances were in a timely manner.

This helped with his ruse tremendously, as far as the two older men knew, Harry had just made an educated guess as to where the chamber was and his only contribution to the expedition was speaking parseltongue to open the doors.

"I believe so, it appears to be another passphrase activated passage, Salazar was very consistent," Albus chuckled.

Open§, Harry hissed only for nothing to happen.

"Hm, perhaps a different password," Albus said thoughtfully.

Speak to me Salazar Slytherin greatest of the Hogwarts four§,Harry hissed at the statue and was rewarded with the sound of stone scraping stone.

The lower jaw of the statue opened impossibly wide and then the hundred-foot tall statue started to sink very smoothly into the floor as if Slytherin were sinking into quicksand.

The statue came to stop with just a gargantuan bust of Salazar Slytherin's head and shoulders protruding from the floor.

They could now see a tunnel about five feet in diameter leading into Salazar Slytherin's open mouth but that was still ten feet over their heads.

Harry heard the sound of scales scraping stone, the same sound he remembered hearing the last time he had come down here and he hoped this time would have a different outcome.

"What did you say?" Dumbledore asked curiously as he watched the passage unlock.

"Release the basilisk," Harry lied easily more preoccupied with the sound of the approaching snake to think up a better lie.

"Be prepared my boy, I do believe she is coming to us," Newt said from Harry's left sounding perfectly at ease.

"How do you know it's a she?" Harry asked as he heard the massive creature sliding down the tunnel.

"The taste of the slime from earlier, it had female pheromones in it, she was trying to lure in a mate," Newt said matter of factly.

"I'll take your word for it, sir," Harry muttered shuddering at the thought of putting that substance anywhere near his mouth.

Master is that you, have you finally come to feeeed me§,a bone-chilling voice came from just inside the statue.I am not your master but I have brought you a nice juicy pig, Great Serpant§,Harry hissed soothingly.

"What did it say?" Dumbledore asked nervously.

"She asked if I was her master and I think she is hungry," Harry explained distractedly.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot," Newt said as he opened his suitcase and summoned a truly massive pig from inside it before levitating it in the air.

As the pig floated through the air it squirmed and squealed in protest, its squeals echoing in the stone room.

You have brought live food, how wonderful§,the snake hissed happily.There will be more after this if you do not kill us with your stare§,Harry hissed back.You have a deal human, I will keep my lids closed unless you attack me, then you will all dieeee§,The snake said as her nose started to appear from the mouth of the tunnel (no pun intended.)

"She has agreed not to harm us as long as we do not attack her, she really wants that pig," Harry answered at the questioning gaze he received from the other two.

Harry watched with bated breath as her head came into the light of Newt's artificial sun, he actually heard her purr in appreciation as her great body descended to the floor.

It's so warm§,the snake hissed in pleasure as coil after coil of her body slid across the chamber floor and started slithering towards the pig who fled at the sight of her.Come here little piggy, let me taste you§ the serpent crooned as she quickly caught up to the pig

Harry watched as she coiled her body around the pig but not like a boa constrictor would, it was more like she tapped the pig inside using her coiled body to create a small paddock around the pig.

"I have never seen a snake do that," Dumbledore said intrigued.

"Basilisks prefer to eat their prey while they are still alive, their venom is several magnitudes stronger than most poisonous snakes. The venom literally destroys the meat so they only use it for defence," Newt explained

Harry watched as the snake's head disappeared inside her coils and the pig squealed desperately for a moment before it went silent.

Yes good piggy§, the snake crooned sleepily as she settled her head on the floor and started stretching herself under the artificial sun.

"She has to be more than sixty-five feet long," Newt said appreciatively.

Harry looked over the snake admiring its vibrant green colour, the head had the distinctive arrow shape of a venomous snake and Harry could make out poison glands the size of pumpkins on either side of her head, her eyes were closed and she seemed to be digesting her meal and soaking up the rays from the artificial sunlight.

Harry saw a large distended section where the pig had settled he could swear he saw it jerking slightly as if fighting frantically to escape

"The sleeping draft will have done its work soon," Newt said watching as the snake's breathing slowed.

"Sleeping draft?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh yes, I meant to fill you in, I thought it best that we put her to sleep instead of trying to talk her into my suitcase," Newt answered distractedly as the snake started to snore.

"Yeah that makes sense," Harry agreed somewhat annoyed at the change in plans and not being filled in.

"If you two have the serpent in hand I would like to explore a bit," Dumbledore cut in.

"Go ahead Albus it's your bloody school," Newt said with an amused chuckle.

"How long until we can move her?" Harry asked as he cautiously approached the sleeping snake.

"Thirty minutes, long enough for her to start digesting the pig, she is still sleeping naturally at the moment," Newt explained as he pulled out a length of measuring tape from his pocket as well as a muggle notepad and a pen.

"Will you take notes, I can't pass up an opportunity to document her," Newt asked as he began measuring her snout.

"Of course," Harry said as he accepted the pen and paper

Over the next hour, Harry wrote down the measurements of different parts of the basilisk.

There were the obvious measurements, her length was sixty-eight feet four inches from nose to tail, her girth was one hundred and fifty-three inches in circumference at the widest point of her body.

Then Newt got measurements for her poison sacs, her eye sockets, the distance between the pits in her nose and so on.

Harry was interrupted in documenting the snake when Dumbledore approached him and asked, " would you mind speaking some parseltongue for me, Mr Peverell?"

"Go ahead Harry, that was the last measurement," Newt said accepting the pen and notebook and looking over his notes scrupulously.

Harry followed Dumbledore as he led him to the mouth of the statue and up a transfigured set of steps that led into the tunnel.

"I take it you found another hidden door, headmaster?" Harry asked as he ducked his head in the low tunnel following Dumbledore inside.

"I believe so," Dumbledore said as they came to a fork in the tunnel.

Harry could see into the left fork and saw a cavernous room with gubraithian fire burning in the centre of the room.

"I believe this was where the snake slept, that fire was probably cast by Salazar Slytherin himself," Dumbledore said when he noticed Harry had stopped following him.

"It's been burning for a thousand years?" Harry said in awe.

"Yes, I imagine so," Dumbledore chuckled.

Harry shook his head and followed Dumbledore down the right fork, they walked for about five minutes before they came to a dead-end in the tunnel with an intricate snake carved into the wall on the right side.

"I believe there is a doorway here," Dumbledore said pointing to the snake carving.

Open§, Harry hissed and watched as a door formed into the tunnel wall reminding him eerily of another cave he had visited with Dumbledore years ago.

Harry looked into the pitch-black room on the other side of the door and hissed, §light§

The room lit up in a magnificent golden light showing an expansive library with dozens of shelves full of ancient tomes and scrolls.

Harry stood there for a minute looking over the books noticing words written on their spines in strange languages.

"Can you read any of this?" Harry asked gesturing to the spine of one of the books written in a language he wasn't familiar with.

"Oh yes, I can read in many languages," Dumbledore said happily

Harry watched as Dumbledore perused the books and stopped in front of one picking it up looking puzzled.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked curiously.

"I have never seen this language before," Dumbledore said looking flummoxed.

Harry looked at the book and was momentarily confused, he could read the title easily it was a dark leather book with the letters inlaid in gold leaf that read 'Serpent Battle Magicks'.

"You can't read that?" Harry asked in surprise.

"No, it looks like squiggly lines, can you read it?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"Yes, it says 'Parsel Healing Methods of the Indian Continent," Harry lied easily.

"Why don't you keep this then, it is useless to me," Dumbledore said handing Harry the tiny book that he quickly slipped into his pocket.

"Thank you, sir," Harry said gratefully.

"Don't mention it, you are the reason I will have a lot more to read from now on," Dumbledore chuckled as he began looking through the shelves again.

"If you're okay here I'll just go out and see if the basilisk is ready for transport," Harry said.

"Go ahead my boy and thank you for your help," Dumbledore said distractedly.

Harry came out into the chamber to find Newt measuring random scales and making notes in the notebook.

"Oh this is simply remarkable, this is the largest specimen ever recorded," Newt said happily when he saw Harry approaching him.

"Are we about ready to put her in the container?" Harry asked curiously.

" Yes, I just have to prepare it," Newt said as he walked over to his suitcase.

Harry noticed that on the top side of the suitcase near the latch was a combination lock he had seen on muggle briefcases before.

Newt slowly fiddled with the four little numbered wheels until Harry heard a click and the suitcase expanded in length and width now it was around five feet by five feet with the same height it was before.

"I used to have the hardest time getting larger animals in here until I developed this little enchantment," Newt explain as he carried the case over in front of the basilisks head and set it on the floor before opening the lid.

Harry could see a vast sunlit field inside the suitcase with a couple of pigs rooting around in the grass.

"She should be pretty comfortable in there," Harry said impressed by how much space was inside the suitcase.

"Yes, now comes the fun part, getting her inside without rousing her," Newt said standing up.

"Do you need any assistance?" Dumbledore asked setting a large trunk on the floor and coming over toward them.

"Yes, I should think so, we need to gently levitate her into the case," Newt said as he raised his wand.

The three of them very slowly began to levitate the gigantic snake into the trunk, the progress was slow at first until they got her front half inside then gravity took care of the rest and they just had to slow how fast she slid into the suitcase.

Finally, the tip of her tail disappeared into the suitcase and Newt shut the lid before turning the combination wheels again thus shrinking the suitcase down to its original size.

"I think that's that," Newt said happily.

"How long until she wakes up?" Harry asked curiously.

"Maybe an hour," Newt said as he started pushing the suitcase into his robe pocket, Newt seemed to love undetectable expansion charms.

"I think we can leave now, it's well past lunchtime," Dumbledore said after checking his pocket watch.

"Think you have a big enough trunk, Albus," Newt said when he saw the trunk Dumbledore had brought with him.

"I borrowed a few books for a bit of light reading," Albus shrugged as he started leading them out of tbe chamber.

"Will that even fit up the pipe we came in through?" Harry asked.

"Oh, you might be right," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "Fawkes."

There was a flash of flame and a red and gold phoenix appeared in front of them hovering in the air.

"Do you think you can take us back to the bathroom?" Dumbledore asked hopefully.

There was another flash and Dumbledore and the trunk vanished in a flash of orange fire.

"Lovely, now we get to climb the slimy pipe," Harry grumbled.

"I have a pair of brooms in my pocket, not to worry Harry," Newt said as they continued their walk through the tunnel.

Ten minutes later the two of them flew out the pipe in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom to find a sheepish Dumbledore waiting for them sitting on his oversized trunk.

"My apologies, Fawkes misunderstood my meaning," Dumbledore said ruefully.

"Of course he didn't, phoenixes are willful animals and like to mess with wizards," Newt said with a shake of his head as he accepted the broom Harry handed him and shrunk it back down.

"Well I believe it is lunchtime, care to join me?" Dumbledore offered.

"No thank you, I have a pregnant wife at home who will be worried sick if I don't get back soon," Harry chuckled.

"Ah yes best not keep her waiting," Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"I must decline as well I need to get the basilisk to the Greek nature preserve before she wakes up," Newt said.

"Well you both have my thanks for making Hogwarts a little safer," Dumbledore said as he led them out of the bathroom.

Harry heard the 'pop' of a house behind him and turned in time to see Dumbledore's trunk disappear.

"Honestly I think he went just to hunt for treasure," Newt said as they were walking across the lawn twenty minutes later.

"He didn't seem very interested in Emerald did he?" Harry asked.

"Emerald?" Newt asked curiously.

"She's got to have a name," Harry shrugged.

"True, Emerald it is," Newt agreed with a grin.

"Thank you for your assistance with this, I know you're retiring from fieldwork," Harry said as the gates were getting closer.

"I wouldn't miss this opportunity for all the gold in Gringotts," Newt said waving him off.

When they arrived at the gates Newt turned and said, " I'll be in touch soon, I will also send you some material to read about the veterinary side of caring for magical creatures."

"Thank you, I would really appreciate that, sir," Harry replied.

"Just call me Newt," Newt said before turning on the spot leaving Harry standing there.

All in all, today had gone how he hoped, the basilisk was out of the castle, he had hopefully proved to Newt Scamander his interest in magical creatures and that small library of books should keep Dumbledore out of Sirius' hair for a while.

Albus arrived in his office after a wonderful lunch, today had gone very well in his opinion.

He was shocked beyond words when they had actually discovered the entrance to the chamber. If he was being truthful he thought that today would have been another pointless search but young Mr Peverell was correct in his hypothesis that the entrance was in that bathroom.

His first impression of Peverell was that the man was fairly mellow and easy-going, he didn't seem all that nervous about going into the chamber to capture a monster serpent. Truthfully Albus wasn't even bothered by Peverell's parseltongue ability.

Contrary to popular belief it was not a dark gift and was fairly common in India and parts of Egypt.

He seemed like a decent fellow which raised the question, 'how did he get involved with Bellatrix Black?'

Then another worrying thought hit him, they have a child on the way, and that child was likely going to grow up next to young Harry Potter who was being raised by Sirius Black.

Albus remembered Bellatrix in school she was quite spirited and had no qualms about solving problems with her wand, none of her sisters did either come to think of it. He could only imagine her son or daughter would inherit those traits as well.

He would bet anything that there was going to be a second coming of the marauders when those children attended Hogwarts.

'Perhaps I should warn Minerva now, help ease her into it,' Dumbledore thought as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth.