The Truth

Chapter 12: Questions

They finally make it to the common room after an uneventful dinner.

"Alright," Draco begins after the portrait closes. "Where were you?"

Harry ignores him and goes straight to Slytherin's portrait.

Hello, Beatric, Slytherin. He hisses to the two.

Salazar stares down at the young boy in surprise, having not known that there were still magicals alive that could speak it.

"How do you know parseltongue, child?" The man asks, unsure of what to do.

"I've always known it. I don't know anything else." Harry answers simply. "Anyway, that's not important. What is important is why is there a basilisk in the castle?"

The entire common stares at the two stunned.

"How do you know about Beatric?" Salazar asks, on the defensive.

"I followed what my magic told me. Now, I'll ask again, why is there a basilisk on school grounds?" Harry's previously curious question turning into a demand.

"Beatric is here to protect the students and aid in controlling any excess magic they produce. They will not be harming anyone." Salazar answers, his voice showing his upset.

Harry sighs and relaxes. "So they were telling the truth, good."

He grabs a chair and sets it up in front of the portrait.

"I have a few more questions. Two are of importance." Harry says, looking at the man.

"Alright..." Salazar says, wary of the young boy in front of him.

"First of all, is there any way to protect Beatric from being controlled from any spells or potions or such?" Harry begins.

"They are naturally immune. Basilisk skin is quite tough, like dragon skin. The only difference is that basilisk skin absorbs magic rather than reflecting it." Was the simple answer received.

"Then, years ago, how were they controlled to kill a student that they were raised to protect?" Harry questions, doubting the answer.

"What do you mean?" Godric Gryffindor asks in return. "There wouldn't have been a way for Beatric to be controlled by anyone. Not even an heir to any of the houses."

"Well, according to Beatric, someone forced them to kill a student. That student I can assume was Moaning Myrtle." Is Harry's response.

"What?!" Salazar rises from his seat in anger. "You lie! There is no possible way that Beatric could have been possessed or controlled! As I said, basilisk skin absorbs magic. Basilisk skin is often used as protective armor because it can absorb magic. Even after centuries of absorption, there is no possible way that Beatric could have been controlled."

Harry stares calmly at the portrait, contemplating what he just learned.

"If what you say is true-"

"It is." Salazar hisses.

"-Then someone must have found a way around that. Hogwarts was created centuries ago. Basilisks are practically extinct so it is unlikely that their skin is used for armor anymore. And magic has greatly advanced since. I would not be surprised if Beatric could not resist something like the Imperious curse. From what they've told me, they've been trapped where they are for centuries as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they are resistant to most magic that wasn't created after Beatric was locked in the chamber." Harry dismisses. "If what you say is true, then I would say that they need to grow accustomed to the new magic that is of this century and decade."

This causes pause in Salazar. He runs what the young boy said through his head, thinking deeply.

"All of our familiars would be weak to new magic if they've been trapped for centuries." Helga Hufflepuff says, hoping that Rowena Ravenclaw would continue.

And she does. "Yes. The spells they are resistant to we cast on them so that their bodies could become familiar with how it feels. But basilisks are naturally resistant to most spells, no matter when they were created. Although... We never attempted any control spells on them, Salazar. We know that Phoeny, Bella, and Garrid aren't resistant to such spells. But who's to say that Beatric is? You never attempted such spells on them either." Rowena explains calmly.

Salazar sighs and returns to his seat. "We will discuss this in full another time. Preferably with my familiar here so they may explain their story."

"Do you have any other questions?" Godric asks, debating whether to join Salazar in his painting or remain in his own.

"Yes. One more. Why are your paintings here? They were believed to be lost." Harry asks his final question.

"Ah. That is because all of our other frames have been destroyed. We created this room to protect one of each just in case. We hid it, only to be opened when the right heir came to Hogwarts. I can assume that this heir is you, child?" Rowena explains, ending with a question.

"It would appear so. Harold was having a hard time sorting me so I just suggested making another house or getting rid of the system entirely. Apparently, Hogwarts agreed with making another house and did so. This is the result." Harry answers.

"Now, I have a question for you." Godric begins, also having moved to Salazar's lap. "Why are you wearing a skirt? Aren't you a boy?"

The entirety of the common room backs away from Harry, not wanting to get involved with what Harry could possibly do.

"Because I don't like dress pants. They are uncomfortable. I don't even really like jeans. I would much rather a skirt, dress, or loose pants that are soft. I also don't care about gender roles or any of that. I'd just much rather live my life in a way that I enjoy and have some control in it." Harry answers poutily, much to the common room's relief.

Rowena and Salazar merely chuckle, agreeing with the young lad.

"Well, I think that's enough excitement for tonight. Off to bed, all of you." Helga says, slipping into mother mode.

The common room moves and everyone starts heading to their dorms to sleep for the night.

Harry puts the chair back and wishes the founders a good night before heading up to his dorm with Draco, quickly changing and heading to bed with a nox.

I am back... for the most-ish part. No update schedule as usual. I am feeling much much better. I also have a job where I have next to no reception and no wifi, so my posts won't be coming that often. I'll shoot for once a month, but, likely, you'll be waiting until May for the next update. Only getting this one out there because I'm at home due to an injury. I don't even know how long I'll be at home. Anyway, do enjoy whatever I do end up posting... Or don't. It's up to you. L out.