The Battle For Hogwarts

The Black Iris

Chapter 3: The Black Iris

"Are you crazy? I should know that it is indeed impossible. I've read enough Slytherin books to know that." Ame says. 

"I'm not crazy because I'm pretty sure I learned it. We just need to find the entrance." you reply.
"You really are crazy and delusional. Tsk tsk."

You walk along the basement halls searching for any entrance to Slytherin common room but nothing. Just blank, brick walls lined with torches in the gloom. They seem to be breathing as the flames flicker in the wind. It's cold and it keeps getting colder as you press on. But then you hear faint footsteps. You and Ame continue on and arrive at an intersection. The footsteps come from the left side, retreating as you press against the wall.

"Oh Albus, where did you put that Wand? Whoever possesses it would be the most powerful wizard of all!" the person mumbles to themself.

"Who is that?"

"I don't know. Why don't you check?"

"Put a charm on us, Ame. I'm not as smart as you and you know that. Create an invisibility charm or an illusion. We need to follo-"

"Who's there?" the footsteps stop. 

You gasp and hold your breath. The sound of footsteps get closer. You give a quick, worried glance at Ame. She takes her wand out, ready to attack. You take yours out too but then...

*FWOOSH*

The footsteps are gone. You look around the corner and see that the person is gone.
"They apparated!" Ame says. 

"Who was that? Why were they in Slytherin?" you ask. 

"Better question: why were they in the basement?"

"We're in Slytherin."

"Not yet. A few more meters and we're there. He was looking for something here in the dungeons. It's gotta be something about that Wand."

"All the rooms here in Slytherin need parseltongue to open. Who might know that much parseltongue?"

"Again, we're still in the dungeons, but yes, they do need parseltongue. Must be an heir to Slytherin since they know their way around the dungeons. They were going to Snape's office."

"You know your way around the dungeons?"

"I've seen the maps of the school so yes."

"But doesn't everything in the school change every once in a while?"

"Well then you just need to hope it doesn't right now."

Just then the hall shakes making dust and dirt fall from the ceiling. It was a great shaking as if the school had been hit by something big. Or the walls could have just been shifting. Either way, it's a bad sign, and you need to find an entrance fast.

"There!" you point.

"Where?" she asks.

"Over there! The snake!"

"What snake?"

"You don't see it?"

The ground starts rumbling again, causing some dirt to block your vision. You cough as it enters through your nose and mouth, tickling your throat.

"Follow me!" you shout over the sounds of screaming and quaking coming from above.

You move towards the snake which, for some reason, you can see but she can't.
"What do you see?" she asks.

"I see a snake. A few, actually. Different lengths. They're all silver, biting their own tails. It's in a loop."

"Try using your parseltongue. I don't see anything except a wall. Blank and gray. Made of bricks. Like every other wall we passed."

"Ok then. Let me try."

You try the parseltongue for open. No response. You try again. Nothing.

"Are ou sure you learned parseltongue?"

"I'm sure. Maybe I'm just saying it wrong."

You try again. It still doesn't respond.

"Try something else, Salazar."

"Oh shut up, would you? But fine I'll try something else. I'll try everything I know."

You start speaking all the words you know, and one by one they fail. The spot and ash in the air start to incapacitate you and Ame.

"There's too much dust! I can't breathe properly!"

"Let's get out of here!"

"What about Slytherin?"

"Forget them! For all I know they're probably outside already!"

"Then what the hell are we still doing here birdbrain?!?"

Just then, the snakes move and the wall starts to open up. 

"Jason! Thank goodness! We need Slytherin's help! There's a war upstairs and you probably know that, judging on how rough your hair is."

"What's happening?"

"Harry's asking for the Army. The Slytherin 4th years are the only people we're missing. Get out there!"

Jason leads Slytherin out and you and Ame follow. It wasn't until you feel an odd presence in the halls, staring at you with a sharp look, piercing the darkness. You stop in your tracks and adjust your eyes. There! In the darkness! A pale figure stands with their gleaming, silver and black eyes. They disappear and you hear footsteps running out of earshot. You chase after. Left! Right! Left! Right! He turns back to look at you and casts a spell on you, nearly hitting your head. His black iris, a slightly chilling sight to see, focuses on your face. 

"I know who you are." he says in parseltongue. 

"Me? Ha! You don't know who I am!"

He stops, stunned that you understand parseltongue despite the red stripe on your robe.

"See? You didn't expect that, did you? Now who are you? What do you want with the Wand?"

"You! It was you!"

"Yes! It was I who heard you earli-"

To be continued