Harry woke up normally the next day and told Andromeda and Narcissa about the woman who had his way with him earlier in the night. When they heard the description they grimaced but did not say anything.
Apparently they knew here but just figured it would be better to leave the topic alone. So he decided they would not be any help in figuring out what was going on. With this train of thought he decided that the best course of action was to follow his instincts.
At the moment his instincts were whispering the same thing. To head into the forest. It was strictly prohibited but he felt it was the right course of action. So that is what he did. After classes when he had some free time between a few 'appointments' he left the castle and walked into the forest.
As he walked into the forest he could feel a gaze on him. No, not just one gaze, many gazes, like many powerful creatures were watching him. They were the creatures that had control of this forest. But there was something else, something stronger.
He walked in the direction of that creature because he felt it was right. As he did he could feel that he was getting closer. Eventually it was pitch black and Harry stopped; he looked around until he could hear branches breaking and bushes moving.
Then he saw it, a giant basilisk began circling around him while its head raised high above him. Its eyes looked right into him and Harry looked back. Harry could feel it, a connection to this creature. It was not hostile in fact it felt defensive.
"What are you?" Harry asked aloud.
I am your servant master.
Harry flinched as he could feel a voice directly into his mind. It felt right but it also felt wrong, like something about the situation was wrong. "Why does your voice hurt when you talk to me?"
Because you are not yet strong enough to command me. Your magic is far too weak. The same is true of your physical body; it can barely withstand my presence when I am holding back. You first need to get stronger before you can truly command me. But you seem to have come here for a reason. What is it you desire to know?
Harry blinked as he processed the message the basilisk sent him. "I came to ask what is going on at Hogwarts. Something or someone has killed a student. But no one can find the culprit and the teachers are scared about talking about it. Then there are a few other things that I feel are not right. Can you tell me what I want to know?"
Hmmm… not everything you wish to know. You are not ready to know everything just yet. But I can tell you the enemy you seek is not who the teachers believe it is. The shadow of falsehood rests over that one. As for what else you want to know, you need to talk to your mother to know what secrets you can feel are being hidden from you.
Harry became lost in thought. His own mother was keeping secrets from him. But it was not yet time to go out and ask her about it. He knew that he had to resolve whatever was going on at the school first.
"Okay… then this person that killed a student at the school. They are not who everyone believes they are. Who do people think they are?" Harry asked as he could feel something locked into place.
They believe it is the same person who murdered my master. They are wrong, he is but a mere shadow of the man. It would be best for you to figure it out on your own. It will be a challenge but is necessary for you to grow.
Harry went to ask another question but then shook his head. The basilisk clearly wanted him to grow. So he would just accept what the basilisk was telling him. "How do I get stronger?"
Train your magic, mind, and body. Now go, son of my master and tell the dog that she should be more careful.
Harry blinked and felt the area was lighter. Then he realized that he could see the sunlight through the trees and the basilisk was gone. He turned around and began walking toward the exit of the forest. As he did he noticed a black dog hiding behind a tree. It was looking around.
He remembered the basilisk words. "Hey the basilisk said you should be more careful." Harry called out to the dog. The dog looked at him and then ran away. It probably did not see him before. How strange. But the way that dog looked, was it the same one the woman transformed out of last night?
Well he would think about that later. For now he had something else to worry about.
Where should he look for this fake serial killer? Or was it a copy cat serial killer. Should he look at one of the houses? Should he look into the teachers? One of the many guests who were staying here? Or should he look into Hogsmeade?
There were only so many things he could do with the limited amount of time he had.
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