Last time:

Suspecting correctly that there was no chance anyone would find him down this strange corridor, even if he stayed still, he kept walking. He soon reached a door that had a portrait on it. He felt he had seen the man in that portrait before, though he couldn't place when or where. It wasn't until the portrait started speaking that Harry had a hint of who it might be. For the speaker spoke in an odd accent that he had heard only once before: at the zoo when he had released the snake from it's cage. The one speaking said "What isss a ssstudent doing down in thessse depthsss? Only a sssselect few could have even found the corridor, much lessss my portrait. Wait a sssecond, do you undersssstand me young one?" When Harry nodded, the portrait looked flabbergasted for a few moments. In those moments, Harry thought to himself What strange circumstances I've got myself into.

The portrait started talking in English, though an admittedly old form of the language "Youngling, how is it that thou speaketh Parseltongue?" Harry shrugged while at the same time looking confused. The portrait sighed, and shifted to the strange accent "Thisss, child, isss Parssseltongue. There are very few ssspeakers, and it sssseemsss that there are only one in every fifty yearsss." Harry's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't realized that his talking to snakes was a talent at all, let alone that the talent had a name.

The portrait chuckled softly, and said "I reacted the same way when I was a child. Never mind, it is time I introduced myself. I am Salazar Slytherin, founder of the Slytherin House. Who art thou, Youngling?" Harry closed his jaw with a finger, as it had dropped when Salazar had stated his name. He replied softly "I'm Harry, sir, Harry Potter." He should have realized who the dour man was. He'd seen a portrait of him somewhere in the dungeons after all! He also resembled the Potions Master in a way, and Harry wondered if they might not be related. Maybe a many times removed cousin?

Salazar, who had once again slipped into Parseltongue, said softly "Ssso, that'sss why. Harry, I mussst assk a favor of you." When Harry nodded, the Founder continued "Godric, Helga, Rowena and I formed the passsage that you jussst walked down. We enchanted it ssso that only thossse in need of the passage would find it, and only thossse who could help would ever find my portrait. There have been, to thisss date, only a handful who have made their way here, and none sssspoke Parssseltongue. Now, my familiar isss ssstill alive within the depthsss of the cassstle, and ssshe isss in great danger. The only way to sssave her iss for a Parssseltongue to enter her lair, and try to make a bonding with her. I know thisss isss a lot to assk of a Firsst Year, but I'd rather not sssee my old friend dead. Will you ssave her, young Harry?"

Harry, who's jaw was threatening to drop again, just stared for a brief time. Then he nodded, understanding what Salazar was asking of him. After all, if Hedwig was in the type of danger that Slytherin described, Harry would do anything to help her. At his nod, the Founder pointed to a book that Harry could have sworn had not been there. Walking over to it, he was amazed at the complicated words within. It first had a spell to bind the familiar with him, which must be spoken as Latin in Parseltongue. How Harry would manage that, he wasn't sure, but he settled down to study. This was going to take much longer then just a hour.

***

Severus fumed as he marched the two miscreants to the Headmaster's office. While he could deal with theft on his own, he knew that them having that powder meant far more then just stealing. He was surprised to see Minerva at the gargoyle's statue, with one of her lions behind her. He raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask questions as the Transfiguration Mistress shook her head. Sighing, he turned and gave the password (Marshmallow Peeps) and the three students and two teachers stepped onto the rising staircase.

While they waited for the staircase to reach the office, the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff glared at the Gryffindor. The one receiving the glares just shrugged in helplessness. He hoped against hope that the Headmaster would show mercy to him, as McGonagall had shown mercy to the wayward First Year. At least Finnigan would never be brought before Dumbledore. That man could be surprisingly scary at times, especially when it came to what they had done to the small Snakeling. And while it might be easier in the short run to be expelled, in the long run they would all regret sacrificing their last year or two of schooling just to bully a Slytherin.

When the staircase stopped, Severus opened the door, directing for the students to go first. He also let Minerva in before him, and entered last, closing the door. He wasn't all too surprised to see that Albus was missing from his office. Sighing, he muttered "Should have sent on ahead, let him know we were coming." A voice came from a corner of the room that he hadn't looked in "No need for that Severus. I was sort of expecting you anyways. But why are you here, Minerva? And with three students as well?"Severus, who had to suppress starting, cursed mentally for letting his guard down even for a minute. His combined fury at the students and at himself caused his voice to come out more sharply then he had intended "We need to speak to you Albus. This is a very serious matter." Albus looked from the angry face of his Potions Master, to the frightened and somewhat sullen face of the students. Nodding, he said softly "Very well, let us get to it then." Sitting down at his desk, he prepared to listen. He knew the three students, and was very disappointed that they would be brought up not just by Severus but Minerva as well. He had a feeling that the disappointment was only going to get worse.

***

Harry sighed, exhausted from reading so much. He had said the first lines, the one that requested the bonding, over and over until he had memorized it perfectly. Salazar had been very helpful, correcting any mistakes he made in pronouncing the difficult Latin. Harry had then worked out the second spell, the one that would save the life of the great serpent. He said softly "I am ready, sir."

Salazar nodded, and said "Say open in Parseltongue, and the portrait will reveal a tunnel that goes to my Secret Chambers." Harry nodded, and did as he was bid. "Open." he all but hissed. Then he walked into the tunnel that appeared. He kept in mind what Salazar had told him "Do not look directly at her, less you catch sight of her eyes. Instead, use your magic to see her, for that won't kill you." So, as soon as he reached the end of the tunnel, he closed his eyes and stepped into the large chamber that the tunnel led to.

It was strange to use his magic, though he had done so a few times before. It made him see everything as a snake would, which was quite confusing at time. However, it was easy to tell where the serpent was. She was the largest spot of heat around. According to his magic, she was curled up resting. She should be able to hear him, though, so he opened his mouth and shouted "Queen of Serpents, the old ssspeaker ssendss hiss greetingss, and hasss sssent me to sssspeak with you. Will you consent to ssspeak?"

The sound of scales sliding across stone sounded loudly in the Chamber as the great serpent started moving. He stayed still, despite his throbbing heart. All instincts said to run, to flee and escape this mighty predator. However, that would most likely get him killed, for she could move far faster then he could. A hissing sounded, one that was older, more tired, and far sadder then Salazar's had been. It said "Ssssalazar? My old friend hasss sssent you? But your only a child! And an underssssized one at that. However, I sssshal ssspeak with you. If he sssent you, it meansss you are under hisss regard and protection. Do not worry, child, I will not hurt you."

Harry, who had been standing still with fright, relaxed. His heart stopped beating like a scared rabbit's. Perhaps, just perhaps, this would work. It would be difficult, and he had no clue as to how he was going to get back to the main castle afterwards. But the least he could do to help this ancient royal was to save her life. He hoped that the words he had memorized worked. All would show in the following hours.