Harry took in the look on Snape's face. Looking him in the eye, Harry cut him off before Snape could say a word. "I've had to deal with enough attitudes today and I'm not in the mood to take more crap from you! So unless you have something constructive to say it would be best if you kept your mouth shut."

Harry finished with a glare that had Ron doing a double take; Harry looked like he had Snape's patented glare perfected. Hermione, on the other hand, just had more questions.

"Um, Harry? When did you get so tall? You couldn't look Snape in the eye the last time we trained. Look at your robes, those are brand new, and they look like Ron would if he put on a set of your robes from last school year." Hermione said looking incredulous.

"I have no idea," said Harry exasperated, "does it matter? I'm a teenaged boy, maybe I'm finally getting that growth spurt to catch up to everyone else." Harry rolled his eyes as the three of them flopped into chairs in the Drawing Room.

Snape, with eyebrow raised, looked over Harry to take in the change in height, before he said, "I see Order meetings haven't gotten any shorter in Albus' absence."

"I'm not sure how they ever get anything done if that's a normal meeting. Did they always argue over everything, even with Dumbledore there?" Harry asked, still fuming over the childish behavior he had to deal with that night.

"There has always been some type of disagreement going on in the Order, even with Albus there. From the looks of it tonight was worse than normal." Snape smirked, "Better you have to deal with it than I."

Ron and Hermione groaned. Harry, on the other hand, was already upset over what went on during the meeting, so he was in no mood for Snape's attitude.

"Ok that's it. What is with all the so-called adults acting childish today? UGH!!! I'm going to bed; anything you wanted tonight can wait until I've had some sleep." With that said Harry was out the door and heading upstairs.

*~~*~~*

The next morning, Harry was in a much better mood after a decent night of sleep, the three of them were having a pleasant conversation around the table while eating breakfast. Unfortunately, his good mood didn't get to last. Snape had plans for the three of them. Snape walked in and fixed himself a cup of tea while looking over the teens while they continued to chat quietly.

"We need to get started on the Horcrux search, and we will be starting in Hogwarts. It is by far the most protected place for us to search, and you have expressed that you believe more than one item there could possibly be a Horcrux." Snape said after taking a drink of his tea.

Harry looked pained; the Chamber of Secrets was one of the few places in Hogwarts he never wanted to see again. He would have much rather dealt with Fluffy and Devil's Snare again.

"When, did you want to go, Sir?" Hermione asked, making her friends groan.

"Today would be best, I know I'll be free for at least today and possibly tomorrow. We need to take advantage of that free time. I'd also like to get the last few of my things that I couldn't get packed before," Snape paused as the painful memory washed over him, "well, I just need to get a few things from my office and quarters."

Agreeing to meet back in the kitchen in forty-five minutes, everyone left to get ready for the day and gather any supplies they thought they might need while at Hogwarts.

*~~*~~*

An hour later found the four of them in the Headmistress' office, having floo'd over from Number Twelve. Snape, being who he was, insisted on going through everyone's supplies making sure the teens had everything he felt they would need. He then gave them each their own Potions pouch, and insisted they keep the pouches with them at all times. They each rolled their eyes, but did as they were told.

"Hello Professor, hope you don't mind the visit." Hermione said greeting Professor McGonagall.

"Hello Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley. Severus I can't tell you how good it is to see you." Minerva said.

"I agree, Minerva, it's very good to see that my boys are finally getting along and working together. I had always said that Severus and Harry could get along if only they attempted to."

Severus spun around wand drawn and pointed it at the portrait. "Look old man, I hexed you while you were alive, even though that nearly killed me, don't even for a second believe that I will think twice about hexing your portrait!"

Albus chuckled, "Of course, my boy, I'll leave you to your quest for now. I'm sure we will have plenty of time to chat at a later date." With that said Albus walked out of his portrait. Harry, Ron, and Hermione just looked at each other and shrugged unsure what to do.

Minerva rolled her eyes, "He's always doing that. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's even barmier than when he was alive. Well, off with you, I have a lot to do. It seems the school might not open as planned. The board of Governors is as of yet undecided."

"What's stopping them? Even with Dumbledore gone, Hogwarts is just as safe as any place else in the Wizarding world." Harry asked.

"They seem to think that Hogwarts' enrollment won't be high enough to merit opening the school. There is still talk of opening it as a refuge. I'll be here if you need me. All the teachers except for Hagrid are gone for the summer so Severus shouldn't have any worries about being seen. Filch is away as well, he's visiting family. Just stay safe please; I'm sure what the four of you are up to isn't without a good deal of danger." Snape snorted, he knew exactly where Filch was, and even if the Squib did find him, Filch wouldn't have been a problem. All four nodded and left the Headmistress' Office.

*~~*~~*

As they made their way out of the office, Snape motioned for Harry to lead the way. "Seeing as you are one of the only two living beings that knows of the location of the Chamber entrance, and you're the only sane one, I do believe you should lead the way." Harry nodded and started towards the second floor.

Much to Snape's surprise, Harry led them to the Out of Order bathroom where Moaning Myrtle resided, the very same bathroom where Harry had spilled Draco Malfoy's blood just months ago.

As they neared the bathroom, Harry began to pale, his hands got sweaty, and his stomach was doing its best impression of an out-of-control gymnast. His hand shook slightly as he opened the door; memories that he had pushed to the back of his mind after the events on the tower as well as his busy summer came rushing forward.

Ron and Hermione looked to each other, both worried about their friend. They moved quickly to Harry's side, "Harry? Are you ok?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, just peachy." Harry said sarcastically. "Seriously, I'll be better once we're back home." His voice was still a bit shaky.

Snape stepped up to the teens, "I'd love to know how long you practiced that spell, Potter. It amazes me that a Gryffindor such as yourself would use even the smallest of creatures to perfect it."

"I don't know what you mean, Sir. That was the first and only time I'd ever cast that spell. I had read it before and the note said it was to be used against an enemy, and well, my friends and allies don't try casting Crucio on me." Harry paused and thought for a second, then added, "Although, I may need to amend that, Moody looked like he wanted to during that Order meeting."

Snape looked incredulous, "Potter, that's ridiculous! I created that spell myself, and had a hard time casting it at first. Do you really think I will believe your lies, that I will truly believe the first time you cast that spell, you cast it correctly?"

"No Sir, I'd never expect you to believe anything I told you. You never have in the past, why should you start now. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to hurry and get this over with, so I can get home and forget I had to come back here!" Harry said, his voice was shaking again but this time it was from anger towards Snape.

"Rest assured, Mr. Potter, we will finish this discussion at a later time. I do believe we also need to include my property in that discussion as well, you never returned my book to me," said Snape.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine, you'll get your book back once we get home. We've learned all we can from it anyways." Harry bluffed.

"Oh is that so, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked, eyebrow arched, "We shall see, won't we. Well, what are you waiting for? Where is the entrance?" With that, Snape crossed his arms across his chest and looked expectantly towards Harry.

Harry shook his head, and then made his way to the only sink that didn't work. He looked for the snake engraving and hissed Open up. Harry turned to watch Snape and Hermione as they witnessed the opening for the first time. Granted it wasn't as dramatic as Ron's first time, but then again they were not in a rush to save anyone's sister from death either. He couldn't wait until they saw the actual Chamber opening; he figured he might even get a reaction out of Snape during that one.

Harry looked around, thankful Myrtle wasn't around. He really didn't need for Snape to hear her fawning over him and his possible death. Harry shuddered slightly as the thought of Myrtle and Trelawney teaming together. Add Dobby trying to help him, and Voldemort wouldn't need anything else to kill Harry.

Harry stepped over to the edge of the pipe and looked up to the other three, giving them a very Fred and George like grin. "Watch that first step," He said then stepped over and started sliding down the pipe.

Harry cringed at the bottom; he hadn't thought the pipe could get any nastier, he was wrong. Harry tried wiping some of the slime off of his face as he moved to the side, not wanting to be in the way when the others landed.

As soon as everyone was back on their feet, Harry led the way through the tunnel. The four of them worked together to make the opening Harry and Ginny had used, bigger and more stable.

Snape looked around after the tunnel was more secure and spotted the skin. "I can not believe there is a wealth of Basilisk skin down here just lying around waiting to be collected." Snape looked like he was in heaven.

Harry smirked, "You think that's nice, wait until you see what's waiting for us in the Chamber it self." Harry motioned for them to follow him. He paused at the door, and once again hissed Open up. Harry watched as the other three stood there, mouths slightly open in wonder. Ron looked perplexed, looking over to Harry. Harry just shook his head and motioned for them to follow him.

They all stopped once inside, looking around the room. Their gazes all fell to one thing, the carcass of the Basilisk. Harry couldn't believe that it looked almost the same as the last time he saw it. It looked as if even the rats wouldn't get near it.

"That's the thing you fought to save Ginny?" Ron said incredulously.

"Well, that and a sixteen year old version of Tom Riddle. Lucky for me, Fawkes came and took care of the Basilisk's eyes, and he brought me the hat and without that I wouldn't have had access to the sword." Harry explained.

"I always knew you were too Gryffindor for your own good, boy! You have got to be the most imbecilic child I have ever met, and considering Longbottom is in your class that's saying a lot! Why didn't you go fetch a teacher, a competent teacher? You'd had been in Lockhart's classes all year; you knew he was an idiot." Snape rolled his eyes trying to suppress a shudder, "And this is whom the world's future depends on?"

Harry was both furious and hurt, "Well, I didn't see you trying to do anything to help! You and McGonagall left it up to Lockhart to save Ginny, and you want to complain because we depended on him as well? Oh Merlin help me, why do I get stuck with the childish adults?" Harry walked off heading towards the statue of Salazar Slytherin; he refused to let Snape get to him. Ron and Hermione followed him; they left Snape to deal with the carcass.

Harry looked over to Hermione, "So where do you think we should start looking first?" He pointed to the statue, "That's where the Basilisk came from, but I'd really rather not go exploring in there if possible. Who knows what Riddle left in there when he was down here while he was in school?" The three of them shuddered at the not so pleasant thought.

"Hey Harry, what was that game Dean got from his dad last Christmas? Daggers and Demons, or Dragons and Caves, something like that wasn't it?" Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes, "It was Dungeons and Dragons Ron, why?"

"Well, we found out that a real wizard created the game to make a fortune in the Muggle world. So I was wondering if there was an equivalent to ‘Detect Magic' he used for the game, it might help us especially now that we have no idea where to start looking." Ron explained.

"Very astute notion, Mr. Weasley. The incantation is Deprehensio Veneficus, go ahead and try it." Snape said with a smirk. Harry glared back and cast the spell, "Deprehensio Veneficus!" Then quickly put his hand up to cover his eyes, the entire chamber glowed.

"You need to learn to think. As you can see, a spell like that will not work when the entire building you're in is magical. Hogwarts itself is entirely magical, and I imagine Slytherin himself included many magical means down here as well. Considering that Basilisk over there hasn't decayed at all is all the evidence you should need to prove my point." Snape said haughtily.

Hermione looked around the room, and then whipped around to look at Harry. "Why don't you try speaking the incantation in Parseltongue? This is after all Salazar Slytherin's chamber. He'd use Parseltongue triggers for everything like the entrance and doors."

Harry smirked at Snape then hissed, "Deprehsio Veneficus!" Hermione, Harry, and Ron smirked when a door sized glow lit up on the side of the chamber.

They heard Snape grumbling under his breath as they walked over to the door, "Why do I always get saddled with insolent children, first Draco and now these three? Merlin, have I not done enough for redemption?" The teens burst into giggles, trying their best not to look at Snape.

Harry hissed, "Open up." But nothing happened. Shrugging his shoulders Harry asked, "Ok, well that didn't work. Any suggestions?"

"What exactly have you been saying to open everything?" Snape asked.

"Just a simple Open up, although what Riddle used to open the chamber the Basilisk was in was a bit more complicated. Let me tell you now I refuse to say what he said. It goes against my very nature." Harry said.

Snape sighed, "What did he mention Mudbloods and bloodshed or something of the like, Potter?"

"Surprisingly no." Harry rolled his eyes, "He said something like ‘Speak to me greatest of the Hogwarts four.' While I can see that working on the statue where the mouth was the door. This is just a door."

"This must not be an ordinary door then. It's been said that the Headmaster's and Headmistress' habit of using passwords that are unique to their personalities, like Albus' use of sweets, started with the founders. So we just have to figure out the password based on this knowledge." Snape said.

They each took turns suggesting things that they thought pertained to Slytherin; Pureblood, Mudblood, Parseltongue, Parselmouth, snake, serpent, Basilisk, and so on. Nothing seemed to work. Harry then thought he'd try something that had to do with Slytherin leaving, so he hissed ‘Godric Gryffindor shall be conquered', and laughed as the door opened. "Well, he was obsessed with Godric Gryffindor it seems." Harry said and then told them what he said to open the door.

They stepped into the room, being very careful not to touch anything as they looked around. This had to have been Slytherin's office. It was as big if not bigger than the Headmaster's office, which Hermione informed them, was originally Gryffindor's office. It had said so in ‘Hogwarts: A History.' A voice startled them all.

"Yes, yes. This was my office, now who are you and what are you doing here?" said the portrait of Salazar Slytherin that was hanging over the desk.

Snape looked like he had died and gone to heaven. Not only had he found a wealth of Basilisk parts just waiting to be collected and stored for uses in innumerable potions, he was looking at the only portrait ever to be found of Salazar Slytherin. What Head of House would not love the chance to speak to their house's creator?

"Well, don't just stand there with your mouths hanging open staring at me. Answer my questions before I call for my pet to take care of you." Slytherin demanded.

"I'm sorry sir, but your pet is no longer alive, and hasn't been for going on five years now. You see, your heir is a bit mad and is trying to destroy the wizarding world. He made a very evil artifact and that artifact tried killing Muggleborns, and then me using you're so called pet. I did the only thing I could to defend myself, and the Basilisk didn't survive." Harry replied, trying to keep the disrespect he felt towards this certain founder. What idiot would house such a dangerous creature in a school filled with children, well other than Hagrid.

Slytherin looked devastated. "So what Rowena saw has actually come to past. She tried to warn me to change my views; she said that she had seen the future of my line, and that if I kept the hatred I felt towards the Muggleborn then my glorious line would fall. That it would end with a madman born from and raised in that very hatred I kept locked in my heart. I couldn't bring myself to listen to her. There was so much death happening around me, I lost my wife and children to ignorant Muggles who were scared of the unknown. After that I couldn't let go of my grief and hatred, and fought with my closest friends to close the school to Muggleborn children. I felt we couldn't trust the Muggle parents. Godric and I came to hexes one day and I left, leaving my pet here in hopes one from my line could come back and get revenge where I could not." He finished his story with a sigh.

The four of them were in awe hearing the story behind Slytherin's departure from the school and what had lead to it, from Slytherin himself. Even Ron and Harry understood enough to take this as the great opportunity it was for them. Hermione and Snape looked as if Christmas had come early and they had been given the keys to the Library of Alexandria.

Harry looked thoughtful then asked, "You haven't talked to Riddle by any chance have you? You didn't seem too surprised to hear about him."

Slytherin laughed and then replied, "No, he never found this section of the chamber. From what you've told me, if he found it I doubt he would have come up with the correct password. It's a very good thing he didn't find my office, as it's full of very dangerous spell books and potions manuals. Unfortunately for you, they are all written in Parseltongue, so they will be no good use to you."

The three teens grinned to each other. Even Snape had a slight smile as he heard Harry speak to Slytherin in Parseltongue. Harry said, ‘Oh, I'm sure we'll do just fine thank you.'

It was Slytherin's turn to look surprised. "So you're a snake speaker as well, young man. How is this so? Are you an heir of mine as well?"

"I don't think so..." Harry explained his background, the prophecy, as well as what they thought happened the first time Voldemort attacked him. Slytherin looked very interested and intrigued.

"I see, well isn't that ironic that the very protection my wife tried invoking, yet failed in, even though she gave her life, is the very protection that saved you from my wayward heir." Slytherin said once Harry was finished with his tale.

"Sir, we'd be grateful if you could tell us all you know about any research your wife had done on the subject, as well as any information on your Chamber. You see, we need to research anything that might explain what ‘The Power the Dark Lord knows not' could be, we also need to search for things Riddle might have left behind when he was here last." Hermione said, getting into research mode.

"Well, before I start imparting you with my knowledge I'd like to know if you're worthy of it." Slytherin said. "Harry here, has proven himself, even if his talents were acquired in an unusual manner. He's put them to very good use, at the very least."

Snape snorted and then said, "How much more ironic can this possibly get? Here I am, Head of Slytherin's house for fifteen years, and I have to compete with Harry Potter, Gryffindor's Golden boy, to prove myself worthy of Salazar Slytherin's knowledge?"

"Potter, you say? You never told me you were a Potter. How is it that my protégé is teamed up with Gryffindor's ally?" Slytherin inquired. Snape paled somewhat, but Hermione answered before he got a chance to.

"We're all fighting against Voldemort. While most people from Slytherin House are working with Voldemort, there are those like Professor Snape here who are against him. Unfortunately, the opposite can also be said, there are those few in the other houses that are with Voldemort. As you heard from Harry's history, his family was betrayed by a fellow Gryffindor that had turned to Voldemort's side. I'm Hermione Granger, Muggleborn witch also of Gryffindor House. This is Ron Weasley, Pureblood wizard and another in Gryffindor house."

At that, both Slytherin and Snape scowled at the thought of so many Gryffindors being near. Slytherin turned to Snape looking slightly sympathetic. "How is it you've surrounded yourself with so many Gryffindors and not lost your sanity yet?"

Snape broke out into a chuckle at that thought. The teens were shocked, Ron had to sit down, he was so shocked. They had only seen Snape smile very few times, most of the time when he was able to assign a huge punishment, but to hear Snape chuckle was unheard of!

"Oh, Weasley do get up, is it so hard to witness your ‘greasy git' potions professor being human? We've practically lived together for weeks now." Snape rolled his eyes as Weasley's mouth just hung open as he starred at Snape.

Snape then looked back towards the portrait and said, "There are many reasons I'm working with these three; as for my sanity, well, we shall see what shape I'm in when this is all over. Now, do you think it's possible for you to start by telling us about the Chamber?"

"Very well, you might as well know about the rest of my Chamber. With Harry here being a strong willed Parselmouth, there won't be any place in here he won't be able to open on his own. You really are very lucky my Heir couldn't get in here. That is, if he found my office in the first place. There are two other rooms off the main chamber. The first was my pet's chamber; now that he's dead it is more than likely empty. The second is a small ingredient room where I kept my more precious items. It has many stasis charms woven into the protection wards. There was many an explosion down here while I experimented; I had to have a place to keep things safe. I'm sure you will find many of my manuals as well as most of those ingredients very useful. I'm sure young Harry here will be more than happy to translate for you." Here, Slytherin heard Harry and Ron both snort loudly, "Ok, maybe you'll have to bribe him. Believe me, Severus, it will be well worth the cost of the bribe." At that, Harry got a down right evil grin that made Snape want to shudder, but the thought of being able to use items from Salazar Slytherin's personal stores made it worth anything the brat could dish out.

"There will plenty of time later to talk about that, I'd like to finish up here and leave. We also still need to check out the Sword and Award before we leave. I'm also positive Minerva will want to chat before she lets us leave as well." Snape then turned to the portrait to ask, "Is there anything else we need to know about the Chamber before we begin the search?" Snape finished.

"I do believe that is all, for now at least. I'll be here when you have the time to learn more about my wife's story, as well as any other questions you might have. Good luck dealing with my wayward heir." Slytherin replied.

"Thank you for your help Sir, I can't wait until I can speak to you again." said Hermione, still looking a bit awestruck. Everyone nodded to the portrait and left the office, heading back to the main statue in the chamber.

Harry looked over to Snape and asked, "So, do you think you can handle waiting long enough for us to search for anything Riddle might have left behind, or do you need me to open the storage room so you can look through that while Ron, Hermione, and I search?" Harry's cheeky grin was back.

Severus was mumbling about having to work with immature kids to save the world and to redeem himself, while he motioned for Harry to open the Basilisk's chamber. Harry quickly repeated the words he heard the diary version of Riddle say to open the mouth of the statue. Trying to suppress a shudder, Harry looked back towards the carcass to make sure the beast was dead. Harry wasn't the only tense one; Hermione was holding onto Ron's shoulder and standing so she was almost behind him and each of them had their wands out. Snape had his wand out as well and was in a battle ready stance.

They each waited as the mouth slid open. Holding their breath, wands raised, ready for anything that might happen or any beast that might emerge...nothing happened.

Hermione let out a nervous laugh as Ron said, "Well mate, that was anticlimactic." Harry just started walking towards the statue, broom in hand. He was having a hard time with the flashes of the past he kept seeing. The sooner they got done and got out of there the better. He quickly mounted his broom and rose to the opening, ignoring Snape's shouting for him to get back on the ground and wait for a plan. ‘Screw plans', Harry thought to himself, ‘I'm Gryffindor might as well live up to all that crap Snape's always spouting off about me.'

Harry looked into the opening, lighting a soft Lumos to see beyond what little light seeped in from the chamber. Seeing nothing dangerous, Harry flew in landing on a small ramp. He followed the ramp a short distance down and found himself in a warm room, parts of the floor were covered in small bones. Across from Harry, in the furthest corner from the door, was what looked to be a sitting area with just a chair and a small fireplace. Harry carefully made his way over there, if Riddle kept anything in the room, Harry felt that's where he would have put it.

Harry made sure to be careful to not touch anything. He just wanted to check out the area and see if there was a reason to drag Snape and his friends up there. As he got closer, he could see an inglenook with a small bookcase made out of the surrounding stonework. He shouted in triumph when he saw the bookcase was filled with books that didn't look old enough to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin. Deciding that Snape did indeed need to examine the room, Harry quickly made his way up the ramp and stuck his head out of the opening.