In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 81: Release of Basilisk

“Open!” The hissing voice said and the gears behind the pipes started moving.

In just a few moments, the secret passage to the chamber of secrets opened up and the shadow jumped inside.

The shadow walked robotically like all his actions were pre-planned but there was a sense of an unnatural tendency to the movements. It walked on the long passage that was covered by huge murals of snakes on the sides. The chamber was huge, covered with many murals and arrays and the statues of snake’s heads on the sides looked extraordinary.

The shadow didn’t care though. It had no interest in the murals of the past century. It walked towards the largest snake head and stood in front.

“I, the chosen heir, command you to open up!” The shadow said twisting its face in pain and the hissing voice was loud.

The large snake head slowly opened its mouth and inside the darkness, a loud hiss could be heard.

“Proditor…..Proditor!” The snake said in its language.

(Proditor means Traitor)

The shadow had its back towards the face of Basilisk.

Basilisk, the name itself represents the vilest and most dangerous creatures in the family of snakes. It is called the king of snakes and just a mere sight of can kill any living being and even destroy the ghosts and wandering wraiths.

The poison in its fangs has no cure other than the Phoenix tears and one can imagine the danger the beast presents. However, the shadow was not afraid of Basilisk but ordered it like its own pet.

“Shut up! I am back to command you to fill your purpose. Hogwarts, the Great Hogwarts, home of the greatest magician and your own master, Salazar Slytherin is now filled with mudblood.

Fulfil your purpose and serve your master. As his heir, I command you to attack the mudblood! Go!”

The shadow hissed and a thin glowing string of lights flashed across the body of Basilisk. Its eyes dimmed and Basilisk moved. Hissing and slithering, it disappeared inside another large pipe and left the chamber.

“Harry Potter! A mere boy killed me! Me… The greatest Wizard. Thankfully I prepared for this day. Where is my main soul?” The shadow said in a normal voice before sighing and walking outside the chamber.

The shadow walked out, the chamber closed, and one could hear a slight humming passing through the hallway.

Unaware of the monster that was just released in Hogwarts, a young first-year student and a die-hard fan of Harry Potter was walking dejectedly and kept checking his camera.

This is our first-year student, the new budding photographer, Colin Creevey. A bright young boy whose current passion is to take cool pictures of the legend Harry Potter. Ever since he got his letter for Hogwarts, his life changed completely.

He found out about the wizarding world, about Harry Potter and then he became his true loyal fan.

“Maybe he thinks my pictures are not good enough?!” Colin talked to himself.

Just an hour ago, he tried to take another picture of Harry Potter for his collection, but Harry rudely rejected him. He tried to secretly take one when they were inside the Duel Club but Professor won’t allow him to interrupt the classes.

“How unfair!” He shouted and grabbed his camera. He wanted to smash it on the ground but suddenly, he saw a shadow getting bigger and bigger on the floor.

From a small thin line to a large monster shape shadow covered him and he was too afraid to turn back. Feeling his hands shaking, he decided to run away but before that, he just turned back and clicked the picture.

“Triccc…Click!”

Colin Creevey could not speak about what he saw from the camera pinhole. He could not even speak or shout or ask for help. The second his eyes matched the yellow glowing iris of Basilisk, all time stopped for him.

“BOOOM!”

A frozen, statue-type Colin just fell backwards on the floor and his camera got smashed on the impact.

The Basilisk opened its jaw wide but then the glow inside his eyes dimmed and it closed his mouth and went away. Colin was still lying on the floor. The empty passageway had no one else except the fallen photographer and the reflection of the large snake going back inside the pipes.

The snake slithered away and unknowingly the familiar shadow that let the monster out in the first place managed to find its first victim.

“What rubbish! Hogwarts has truly fallen! How did I fail to save this school! That Harry Potter… Wait…. I will find you…” The shadow spoke in a cryptic monotone and moved away.

The evening turned into night and students were coming back from the Duel club meeting.

“Who’s that?” Ron who was walking in front noticed a fallen body on the floor.

Harry immediately recognized the fearsome foe and his weapon, the broken camera.

“Colin!” Harry shouted and he rushed. Ron chased after him and others also followed.

“What happened to him?” Someone asked from the crowd.

Harry was checking the statue-type situation of Colin and he had no idea how to respond to this.

“Someone hexed him?” Hermione who came in front of the crowd questioned.

Harry couldn’t find words to respond and Hermione without waiting for any answer ran back to get the Professor for help.

Dean, Seamus and Neville were there with him, arranging notes and helping Professor in filing some papers for the next duel club meeting.

Hermione came rushing in, taking big breaths, “Someone…hexed… Colin! First-year student in the hallway.”

“WHAAAAT!” Professor Flitwick jumped down from the small stool he was standing on and rushed outside to check.

A hex that can scare such an outstanding girl like Hermione, can never be a simple Hex.