In the dead of night, after the professors had all departed, Snape made his way alone to the Headmaster's office.
On the Headmaster's desk lay a thick book, and Dumbledore was tirelessly flipping through its pages, searching for something.
As soon as he entered, Snape burst out impatiently, "Dumbledore, this whole business has to be aimed at Potter!"
"Tonight, Potter and Granger were practicing magic right here in the castle. Later, Potter even went back to the common room by himself. The attacker must have simply mixed up Ravenclaw Tower and Gryffindor Tower."
At this, Dumbledore looked up, rubbing his temples with a troubled expression. "Severus, calm yourself for a moment. Let me think this through properly."
Snape took the tea Dumbledore offered him and sat down. The Sorting Hat nearby tried to share a newly composed song, but Snape simply ignored it.
After a little while longer, Dumbledore finally put down the book.
"Severus, the attacker may not necessarily be targeting Harry."
Snape immediately shot to his feet. "Dumbledore, have you gone senile? Don't tell me you've forgotten what we saw in that house-elf's mind!"
"I haven't forgotten, Severus."
Dumbledore motioned for Snape to take it easy, then placed the book in front of him.
Snape peered closer; the book detailed stories from the time of the Four Founders.
Noticing Snape's puzzled gaze, Dumbledore explained, "Gilderoy's words made me realize something. The true culprit behind Miss Crivat's petrification could very well be a Basilisk."
"And what does that have to do with the Four Founders?"
"There's a legend that Slytherin left behind a Chamber of Secrets, containing something that could 'purge' Hogwarts. And Slytherin himself, as you know, was a Parselmouth."
"You think Slytherin left a Basilisk in the Chamber? I've never heard anything of the sort."
Hearing Snape's skepticism, Dumbledore said nothing. Instead, he walked out from behind his desk and took down a portrait hanging high on the wall.
The wizard in the portrait was dressed in exquisite robes, with an orange-yellow snake coiled around his neck. Snape immediately recognized him as a Headmaster who had been in Slytherin.
Dumbledore shook the portrait vigorously until the wizard inside reluctantly let out a grunt.
"Stop shaking me! I will abide by the ancient contract and serve the current Headmaster of Hogwarts," the portrait grumbled, eyes still closed.
"Grayson, as the first Slytherin Headmaster after the era of the Four Founders, have you ever heard of a Chamber of Secrets left by Slytherin?"
At this question, Grayson Lestrange's expression remained unchanged. He kept his eyes closed, slowly drawling, "Oh, here we go again. Every so often, a Headmaster asks me this same question. I've said it many times: I don't know."
But Dumbledore didn't give up easily; he rephrased his question. "Well then, have you ever heard of Slytherin keeping a magical creature that could petrify people? Like, say, a Basilisk?"
For the first time, Grayson Lestrange opened his eyes. He scrutinized Dumbledore for a few moments, then stated that he hadn't heard of such a thing.
However, Grayson Lestrange's answer clearly irked another portrait.
"Little Grayson, you're lying!" shrieked Valentina Longbottom, Grayson's predecessor as Headmistress. "I distinctly remember during your time as Headmaster, you were so excited to—"
Mid-sentence, a look of confusion spread across Valentina Longbottom's face. "Why can't I remember? No, why is there a blank in my memory?"
Grayson Lestrange scoffed, sarcastically remarking that Valentina Longbottom had slept so long she'd gone soft. The two immediately erupted into an argument.
The other portraits stirred, their eyes wide, watching the unfolding scene.
Suddenly, another portrait, Albert Eddas, barked, halting their squabble. He turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, you should know that if a subsequent Headmaster wishes to conceal something, they can cast a spell on our portraits. We cannot refuse."
(This serves as a bit of a patch for the original story, as Dumbledore could surely have asked the portraits about events from the Four Founders' era; I refuse to believe they knew nothing.)
Dumbledore frowned. If that were the case, it seemed he wouldn't be able to glean any useful clues from the portraits.
Snape couldn't help but interject, "Dumbledore, even if Slytherin left a Basilisk, after a thousand years without food or water, it should be long dead."
Dumbledore, however, shook his head, stating that there had been a similar attack fifty years ago. "A Muggle-born witch died then. The Basilisk very likely fed during that time."
"But Miss Crivat didn't die; she was merely petrified. If it truly were a Basilisk, she should be dead," Snape countered.
Grayson couldn't resist chiming in, "As long as you don't look directly into a Basilisk's eyes, you won't die."
Since learning that the Headmaster portraits could have their memories altered, Snape had grown distrustful of them. So he said, "Are you sure? Did you try it yourself?"
At this, Grayson Lestrange shot Snape a contemptuous look, implying that even if Snape had, by some fluke, become the Head of Slytherin, he was still just a half-blood.
"Many things are only known to pure-blood wizards," Grayson declared haughtily.
"Oh? And does your pure-blood Lestrange self know that your family has no heirs left?" Snape retorted, not to be outdone.
Grayson fell silent immediately. Seeing this, Valentina began to comfort her troublesome former student.
"Don't be sad, little Grayson. Look, the Gaunt family is entirely extinct, while your descendants are still alive and well in Azkaban."
Grayson's face in the portrait instantly flushed red, and he furiously told Valentina to shut up.
"Dumbledore," Grayson said earnestly, "I know you are the greatest wizard of this age. If you are willing to allow the Lestranges to have heirs, then I am willing to offer you a small clue."
But his words stirred up indignation among the other portraits.
Armando Dippet roared, "Lestrange! Don't forget our contract! We must serve the current Headmaster of Hogwarts!"
"Little Grayson, did you really erase my memory?" Valentina stared at Grayson in disbelief.
"If a Lestrange can do it, why not a Black?!" Phineas Nigellus Black clamored.
Snape was astonished by the portraits' apparent freedom. He frowned, looking at Dumbledore, suggesting they use the Headmaster's authority to forcibly extract information.
"Half-bloods are half-bloods; utterly foolish," Grayson sneered at Snape.
As the Headmaster's office grew more chaotic, Dumbledore slammed his hand heavily on the desk.
The portraits immediately fell silent, looking at Dumbledore expectantly.
"I apologize, Grayson. I cannot arrange for your descendants to leave Azkaban. They are where they belong."
Dumbledore paused, then continued, "But I still hope you'll tell me what you know. A student at Hogwarts has already been petrified."
Facing Dumbledore's sincere request, Grayson asked, puzzled, "You are the greatest wizard of this age. Is there truly someone who can prevent you from freeing my descendants?"
Suddenly, Snape chuckled, mockingly saying to Grayson, "It seems even the great Lestrange doesn't grasp the true greatness of Albus Dumbledore."
Grayson ignored Snape's taunt, stubbornly staring at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore repeated, "I will not do that. Azkaban is where they belong."
Hearing this, Grayson was silent for a moment, then slowly began to speak. "Since you're unwilling to free my descendants, then bring a pure-blood witch in and let her bear a Lestrange. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Seeing Dumbledore still about to refuse, Grayson quickly added, "I'm sure, with the Lestrange vault, there will be witches willing."
Seeing Dumbledore actually hesitate, Snape exclaimed in disbelief, "Are you joking? Don't tell me you've forgotten Rodolphus and Rabastan—"
But Dumbledore cut off Snape's next words. He fell silent again for a moment, then finally made up his mind.
"I promise you. However, the child will be named by me. If it's a girl, she will be named Lyra Lestrange."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Grayson looked greatly relieved.
"Thank you, Albus. I will tell you everything I know, to the best of my ability."
Grayson then stated that he couldn't clearly recall the events from that time either. "If I truly did tamper with the portraits' memories, I certainly wouldn't have left that memory for myself. But I know who might know about this: the ghost Bloody Baron. He was Salazar Slytherin's apprentice."
At this, Dumbledore immediately looked at Snape, but Snape stated that the Bloody Baron had never communicated with him. "The Bloody Baron didn't sign a contract with Hogwarts; he's a free ghost. I can't guarantee I can pry anything out of him," Snape said.
"Even so, Severus, I still want you to go speak with the Bloody Baron," Dumbledore insisted.
Snape left the Headmaster's office without a word, while Dumbledore sat quietly at his desk, waiting.
Not long after, a Patronus entered. Snape's dry voice rang out: "The Bloody Baron won't say anything."
Dumbledore had no choice but to press Grayson further. "Is there any other information?"
Grayson paused, then continued, "The Ravenclaw ghost, the Grey Lady, her true name is Helena Ravenclaw. If Mr. Slytherin truly left anything behind, she is the most likely to know."
At this, the portraits erupted in chatter, and even Dumbledore felt a shock of disbelief. Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter had become a ghost and remained at Hogwarts!
Valentina suddenly exclaimed, "Did you erase my memory just to cover up Helena becoming a ghost?"
"I don't remember, but I don't regret it," Grayson stated calmly to his former teacher.
"Thank you, Grayson. Your information is very important."
Dumbledore finished speaking and left the Headmaster's office, preparing to speak with Helena.
Not long after, Dumbledore left Ravenclaw Tower empty-handed. The Grey Lady refused to admit she was Helena Ravenclaw.
Dumbledore returned to the Headmaster's office, where Snape was already waiting.
Hearing that Dumbledore hadn't learned anything either, Grayson quickly insisted that he had already told them everything he knew.
"Yes, you've been a great help. At least now we know that Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets definitely exists, but we just can't find it," Snape sneered.
"It's your problem if you can't get answers. Don't forget your promise, Dumbledore," Grayson reminded him.
Snape ignored the portrait, turning to Dumbledore. "Should we do another surprise inspection of Lucius Malfoy's house? I can't shake the feeling this is connected to that black diary."
"No, if we startle them, we might never find the attacker," Dumbledore refused.
Snape then flatly asked Dumbledore what he intended to do.
"Don't worry, I already have a plan," Dumbledore reassured him.
The next day, Dumbledore announced new regulations in the Great Hall, causing an immediate uproar among the students.
"Cancel Quidditch?! Why?!" Wood demanded loudly.
"We can't go to Hogsmeade? What about my date?!" came the complaints from couples.
...
Snape watched Gemma Farley with an unamused expression; she had just made some requests that Snape found utterly tedious.
"Professor Snape, do we really have to spend time escorting the younger students to their classes? You know, this is my exam year—"
"Enough! Headmaster Dumbledore has made himself perfectly clear. And besides, I don't believe you need that Wizarding Levels certificate."
Seeing Snape about to turn and leave, Farley anxiously tried to say something more, but at that moment, another figure rudely pushed her aside.
"Professor, did Dumbledore just say he's canceling Quidditch? This is outrageous!"
"Did McGonagall find out about our new equipment? Is that why she convinced Dumbledore to stop Quidditch this year?"
Draco was shouting and ranting. His father had just donated brand-new Nimbus 2001s to the entire Slytherin Quidditch team, and he was looking forward to defeating Gryffindor and seeing Potter's humiliated face.
"Professor, you have to go talk to Dumbledore; he must be going senile—" Draco continued.
Snape finally couldn't take it anymore and began to unleash his venom. "Perhaps Draco Malfoy has forgotten that Potter has no shortage of Galleons; he could get a new broom as easily as you. And no one can change Dumbledore's decision. Perhaps you could ask Lucius to try, if he still dares to set foot in the Headmaster's office."
Hearing Snape's cutting sarcasm, Draco froze in place, then stormed off, seething with indignation.
Seeing this, Prefect Farley also fell silent. If even Malfoy couldn't change anything, what hope did she have?
Meanwhile, Harry, completely oblivious to the commotion in the Great Hall, was on his way to the Hospital Wing.
"Madam Pomfrey, Hermione—"
Before Harry could finish, he was suddenly hugged tightly into someone's embrace.
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