Harry Potter : Bloodraven-Chapter 157: HP and the Chamber of Robbed Goods (V) (CH - 177)

"Guardian... could you tell us more about this chamber?"

The giant serpent flicked its tongue, then bowed its great head in a slow nod to Maverick, who had asked the question.

"Very well, Contractor. You are worthy to know, and so I shall speak..."

Its voice echoed in their minds.

"History would tell you... before this land ever knew peace for those born with magic, my master, along with three others gifted as he was, raised this castle as a sanctuary for their kind."

The basilisk lowered its head and slowly began to circle them, its massive coils whispering across the stone floor.

"My master... he was a cautious man. He had witnessed the cruelty of the world—had seen the fear and hatred that festered in the hearts of those without magic. And so he feared that even this great castle might one day fall."

"To guard against that day, he carved this chamber from the depths—hidden far beneath the stone. It was meant to be a final refuge, a sanctuary of last resort should all else be lost. Even the castle’s overseers were not told. Only if the outer defenses failed would the castle’s magic awaken and guide its people here."

Its golden eyes glinted in the dim light as it came to a slow halt, watching them all.

"I was born of his magic, in the earliest days. Not as a weapon of war, but as a guardian. This chamber was my domain. I was bound to it..."

Maverick glanced toward Newt and Dumbledore.

"Over time," the basilisk went on, "my master and his companions rose in power—from mages to great mages, and then... beyond even that. In time, they no longer feared the non-magical and their countless numbers. But they did not seek violence. Instead, they chose a different path: to dissappear completely. And they turned this place into a sanctuary of knowledge, more than just survival."

It raised its head, and then let out a thoughtful hiss.

"Decades passed. Then centuries. The world changed. Magic began to fade from view, and stories turned into myths. This chamber was forgotten—lost to time. In the end, only my master and a few of his closest allies knew it still existed.

Even after they chose to vanish from the world... the secret stayed hidden."

It turned its gaze to Maverick.

"This chamber... it holds the labors of my master and his companions—works of power and knowledge long buried by time. Histories now whispered as legend. Truths mistaken for myth. And yes... treasures too. Gold. Relics. Instruments of craft."

"Some were taken... stolen by that abominable child. A wretched boy—clever of tongue, and darker still in heart. He demanded I unseal all that was hidden... but I refused. He was not worthy."

"Then he threatened me—demanding obedience, or else this castle would crumble to dust."

"The audacity."

Its hiss grew sharper, coiled with fury.

"Of course, a mere mage apprentice could do nothing to me—nor to this castle. But... neither could I do anything to him. I am bound by oath, forbidden to harm a contracted disciple."

Maverick nodded slowly. There was much to take in from the serpent’s recollection.

"Thank you... Guardian," he said while looking around thoughtfully across the chamber. "Can you tell us... are you truly bound to deny all who ask? Or was it something in that child alone that made you refuse him?"

What Maverick wanted to know was clear in his question. The basilisk—though a beast—seemed no less intelligent than any human. Its eyes gleamed for a moment before it lowered its massive head and slowly flicked its tongue.

"Contractor... I know what you seek. But the chambers will remain sealed..."

It lifted its head again, serpentine muscles rippling beneath glimmering scales, and turned its gaze toward Dumbledore.

"But there is one exception... if the present Overseer commands it, then I can—and I shall open them."

Dumbledore didn’t hesitate. He asked the basilisk to proceed at once—he, too, was eager to discover what the Founders might have left behind. He vouched for Maverick and Newt, and with a small smile, added young Harry as well, granting them all permission to witness what lay ahead.

"Very well," said the basilisk and turned back toward the monkey-like statue.

Its eyes glowed with a deep, golden light as it began to hiss—an eerie, layered sound that echoed through the chamber like the whisper of ancient spells.

The statue responded at once.

A low, thunderous groan filled the air as ancient stone stirred for the first time in centuries. The towering likeness of Salazar Slytherin, bearded, and stern—seemed to awaken. His carved eyes flickered faintly, and the edges of his robe began to shift with a grinding rumble, stone folding against stone.

Massive blocks along the base of the statue slid apart slowly, revealing hidden mechanisms buried deep within the chamber wall. From behind them, an archway began to take shape—its frame carved with serpents, coiled and intertwined, their fangs bared and eyes gleaming faintly as if watching. The serpents’ bodies spiraled along the edges of the door in a pattern so intricate it looked alive in the dim, flickering light.

Finally, with a last hiss of stone grinding against stone, a concealed door emerged from the wall.

Maverick sensed dozens—perhaps even more—wards flaring to life in that brief moment. Layers of enchantments pulsed through the air, and among them, he recognized traces of spatial magic as well—meaning any attempt at brute force would be not just reckless, but impossible.

"Fascinating," Newt murmured, marveling at the sight.

The serpent turned once more, its golden eyes shifting from Dumbledore to Harry standing beside him.

"I shall be your guide, Overseer," it hissed.

Then, its massive body began to shrink—coiling in on itself, growing smaller and smaller until it was no longer than an arm’s length. The basilisk slithered toward Harry, raised its head before him, and gave a sharp, clear hiss.

Harry tilted his head, listening intently. Then, with a lopsided grin, he crouched down and gently picked it up. The serpent slid smoothly along his arms, wrapping itself around his shoulders like a living sash.

"Go ahead, Overseer. The entrance has been unlocked."

Its hissing instruction echoed directly in everyones head.

Dumbledore glanced at the basilisk perched over Harry’s shoulder and gave it a small nod. Then he turned to the boy, offering a gentle, grandfatherly smile.

"Stay close, my boy."

The door creaked open, and what greeted them was a vast, echoing space—roughly the same size as the chamber outside. At the center stood a grand, empty desk surrounded by five ornate chairs. The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with towering shelves, each packed with ancient, leather-bound tomes. Between each set of shelves stood a doorway—two on each side—each leading to a room still shrouded in mystery.

It must have been centuries since anyone had last stepped foot in here... yet not a single speck of dust could be seen. The air was still, the atmosphere almost reverent. Everything looked untouched. Preserved.

"This is Master Salazar and his companions’ personal library," the basilisk intoned.

"There are four additional chambers—each a private sanctum. One for Master Salazar, one for Master Godric, one for Mistress Helga, and one for Mistress Rowena."

"Each chamber holds their personal research—on magic, artifacts, and knowledge. There are more books, of course, than what you see in this library. Some are records from their years as Overseers of the castle... others, from their private collections. But be warned—no artifact, not even a single book, may be taken beyond these walls. If you wish to study them, you must do so within."

"Should you violate my instruction... I shall seal this chamber, as I did half a century ago, and return to slumber. And know this—I shall not heed your call again."

"We shall keep that in mind, Guardian, Slitheris." Dumbledore said, casting a knowing glance at Maverick and Newt.

Newt nodded, though his gaze remained fixed more on the serpent coiled over Harry’s shoulder than on the chamber itself.

Maverick gave a nod, then strolled over—without another word—to one of the towering shelves and selected a book at random.

Harry made his way to the large desk and took a seat, following Dumbledore’s quiet instruction, while Newt followed—not so much after Harry, but clearly after the basilisk—and joined him at the desk.

Time passed slowly as Maverick and Dumbledore moved from shelf to shelf, skimming through the books at random. Each volume was brimming with knowledge that spanned every field of magic—charms, potion-making, alchemy, and even branches so obscure or dangerous that, in the modern age, they would be deemed dark without a second thought.

Some were even penned by the founders themselves, while others—though written by unknown hands—bore cryptic notes, theories, and even warnings scrawled in the margins by the four warlocks.

In other words, every book in the library was priceless—even if much of the knowledge within was no longer new.

After about half an hour of light browsing and exploring each chamber, Dumbledore decided to call it a night. It would be impossible for the two of them to go through everything in a single day. Especially with Harry being a student, staying any longer simply wasn’t practical.

And speaking of Harry, this entire operation was an experience he would remember forever. Unfortunately, Dumbledore and Professor Caesar had asked him not to breathe a word about it—not even to his best friends—so Harry couldn’t boast about the wild night even if he wanted to. At least, not for the time being.

They had begun their adventure—part hunt, part expedition—just after dinner, around nine o’clock. By the time they returned, it was nearly midnight. Fortunately, they didn’t have to retrace their steps through the tunnels and emerge in a bathroom to get back.

The basilisk had revealed another way: one physical but far less unsettling, and another magical—linked directly to the Headmaster’s office.

The guardian had also assured them that they could return and access the true secret chambers whenever they wished. Of course, this permission applied only to Dumbledore and Maverick, as they were staff. Newt, while not formally allowed, could still accompany either of them if he wished to explore the library further.

---

Whoosh!

The fireplace roared to life in a burst of golden flame, and the four of them stepped out into the Headmaster’s office.

Dumbledore turned to Harry at once.

"Best get back to your common room, my boy—the curfew’s only a few minutes off."

Harry didn’t argue. He gave one last, fond hissed goodbye to his scaly companion and hurried off through the office door without another word.

Now only Dumbledore, Newt, and Maverick remained—along with the Serpent King, of course, still no larger than a coiled scarf and draped lazily over the magizoologist’s shoulder. Somehow, Newt had managed to win its trust, despite not being an official member of the Hogwarts staff.

Fawkes, the magnificent phoenix perched on his golden stand, made no move at the sight of the snake. He merely blinked once, slow and unbothered, as if he sensed something familiar in the creature’s magic. Ordinarily, the phoenix would have flared into alarm at the presence of such a beast in his domain—but not tonight. Perhaps the castle itself had whispered a truth only he could hear.

Dumbledore lowered himself into his chair and motioned for Maverick and Newt to take the seats opposite him. At last, with the only child gone, he could finally raise the question he had held back, mindful of the delicate nature of the answer he suspected might come.

"Guardian... when you spoke of the secret chamber, you mentioned the Founders... ’chose’ to hide. Are you... suggesting they might still be alive?"

Dumbledore’s question didn’t catch Maverick or Newt off guard. Both had long wondered the same but held their tongues—for the very reason Dumbledore hadn’t spoken of it before, not with Harry nearby.

"Alive? Overseer, you would be a fool to think otherwise. No, I did not err when I recounted the past. My master and his three companions are indeed alive—though centuries have passed, I am certain. All four have achieved the rank of warlock, and living for millennia is no challenge to them."

It was like a bombshell had dropped. Dumbledore and Newt both stared, eyes wide with disbelief. Maverick, however, wasn’t quite as shaken. He had suspected as much. After all, he had met Merlin himself.

The ancient warlock hadn’t breathed a word about the Founders, true—but if Merlin still walked the earth, then surely the Four could as well. The real question, Maverick thought, was why they had chosen to remain hidden.

He made a mental note to ask the old wizard the next time they met. And that meeting wasn’t far off. After this year, he intended to visit Kamar-Taj—and if he recalled correctly, Merlin had little fondness for the sorcerers there. Or perhaps, Maverick mused, it was the Sorcerer Supreme herself he disliked.

"I have... so many questions, Guardian. Is there a way to summon them?"

Dumbledore asked the question almost tremulously, his voice quieter than usual.

Maverick cast a sideways glance at the old wizard. He had a fair idea why Dumbledore might be so desperate to meet the Founders. The curse—that slow, creeping thing eating away at him. He wore a mask of calm, as always, but underneath... he was clearly searching for a cure.

And Maverick couldn’t blame him.

This wasn’t the original world of Harry Potter. Here, an Archmage could live close to a millennium. Dumbledore, just a little over a hundred, was still a teenager by ordinary human standards—barely scratching the surface of what his life could have been.

The basilisk did not respond at once. Instead, it fixed its gaze on the old wizard, tongue flicking slowly in and out as it studied him in silence. Then, at last, it hissed in reply:

"I hold no means to summon my master or his companions. But... should a danger rise—one beyond the strength of this castle’s overseer and its chosen contractors—then I am certain they will summon themselves."

The old wizard’s shoulders sank ever so slightly at the answer. But he was Dumbledore, after all, and within a breath, the disappointment vanished beneath his usual calm composure, as though the matter had never truly weighed on him.

"I see," he said quietly. "Then I hope such a day never comes to Hogwarts... even if I long to meet the ancestors."

The serpent dipped its head. "I shall return to my lair now, Overseer. You are welcome to visit the Chamber whenever you wish," it hissed, then turned to Newt.

A private communication passed silently between them, it seemed, as the magizoologist’s eyes lit up a moment later and a grin broke across his face.

Newt rose to his feet, gave his coat a quick brush, and made his way to the fireplace. Halfway there, he paused and turned, catching the twin looks of mild curiosity aimed at him from Dumbledore and Maverick.

"Well, I’ll be heading down to the Chamber with Slytheris," said Newt, lifting his case with a small grin. "Thought she might enjoy meeting some of my other... slightly less venomous companions. Of course, not the inner chamber—my new friend here was quite clear I’m not allowed in there unless I’m contracted or one of you comes with me."

Dumbledore chuckled, eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles, and gave a casual wave of his hand. "Stay as long as you like, my friend. And if you ever feel the urge to return more permanently—to get to know our guardian better—then I’d be happy to offer you a position as a professor."

Newt chuckled, nodded, but didn’t give a definitive answer.

Maverick smiled too and got to his feet.

"Headmaster, I’ll take my leave for now. I could use some sleep. I’ll return tomorrow to visit the Chamber’s library."

"Anytime," Dumbledore said gently.

And with that, the three parted ways, bringing the tale of the Chamber of Secrets to a quiet, tentative close.

The monster Maverick had prepared to hunt turned out to be a guardian. The Chamber, for all its legends, remained true to its name—it held secrets. And though Tom Riddle had taken much from it, the heart of its, ’secrets,’ remained untouched.

But this was only the beginning.

Much like the Room of Requirement, the Chamber would also take time to explore—weeks, months, perhaps even a year, if he paced himself and slotted the visits between his many tasks. There was no need to rush.

For now, school was about to begin, and the most eventful thing on the calendar was the upcoming Quidditch tournament.

Nothing unexpected should happen the rest of the year.

That is... until Sirius Black breaks out of Azkaban next summer.

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Author’s Note:

Good lord, that was tough. School starts next Chapter, and I plan to get through it in just a few Chapters since nothing major will be happening during that time.

I put some extra time into the Chamber of Secrets part because it’s going to tie into Dumbledore’s future—which I’ll get into in a later Chapter. As some of you may have guessed by now, I don’t plan on killing off his character. Dumbledore will be sticking around as an important ally moving forward.

As for the Quidditch tournament, I’ll mostly just highlight the finals. The second round won’t get much focus.

The third and fourth years are when the Harry Potter events will really start to play a big role in this fic. The fourth year—Goblet of Fire—is where everything changes. It’ll serve as both an ending and a beginning, especially before the Marvel storyline fully kicks off.

Thanks for your support, as always!

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