The Golden Age of Hollywood . Tom Riddle

Chapter 11

Mature content in this chapter, but not too explicit.

The fall was short- Norma had only begun to scream when Salazar's magic stopped their fall, landing them softly on the stone floor. Tom was feeling giddy at this point and ignored Norma's stuttering inhale: he swiftly pulled her to her feet and began leading her farther into the bowels of Hogwarts. The tunnel was pitch black, but Tom didn't need light anyway- he had visited the Chamber enough times to know every uneven floor stone, while clicking of Norma's shoes and her soft hand in his palm said that she was doing alright, despite often stepping on rats' carcasses.

"Tom, explain-" Norma finally exclaimed when Tom stopped in front of the trapdoor to the Chamber of Secrets. His chest heaved from extorsion, and his palms had gown sweaty, whether from running or Norma's presence, he couldn't tell. He moved to face Norma, although she likely couldn't see him anyway.

"I will show you something, just listen to me," Tom said firmly and took a deep breath to control himself. "This is my legacy. Myrtle Warren was killed by a basilisk- a giant snake that Salazar himself placed here, so his heir could wipe out mudbloods from the school."

Tom watched Norma's eyes widen, and although she gave an unsure glance to the trapdoor, she didn't make a move to run away.

"But she won't hurt you if I tell her so. I'll go in first, alright? No need to be afraid," he said soothingly and squeezed Norma's hand.

The Chamber of Secrets hadn't changed one bit, of course, just like Tom expected. He wondered if Norma was put off by damp, stale air of the dungeons and casted some lights around the space: the long chamber now was illuminated better than ever before.

"Stay here," he commanded. "Close your eyes, and no matter what, don't open them. Basilisk kills with eye contact."

His voice didn't sound like that of a lover, but Norma obeyed, and stood on the stone podium tense and with her arms crossed on her chest. Tom couldn't stop himself from looking her head to toe once, before turning away and walking deep into the Chamber, to the sculpture of Salazar Slytherin.

"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four," Tom hissed in parseltongue.

Salazar's stone face began to move, and its mouth opened wider and wider. Soon Tom heard familiar sound of the giant serpent gliding on the smooth stone. He closed his eyes just in case, although he had told the snake to keep her eyes closed unless instructed by him.

"Master," the basilisk hissed, and Tom smiled, feeling goosebumps down his spine.

Tom reminded basilisk to keep her eyes closed and opened his. The snake was beautiful, without a doubt. He spent some time stroking its massive head.

"Don't open your eyes, Norma, remember?" Tom called out, his voice echoing through the empty space. He could still make out Norma standing in the same spot, with her eyes dutifully closed.

"Master brought prey-"

"No!" Tom cut snake off sharply. "Under no circumstances you are to harm her. She's here so-" Why did he even call the basilisk in the first place? That was completely unnecessary- Tom thought. "-so you can get familiar with her. Her name's Norma."

The snake didn't reply, but Tom sensed her acquiescence. He watched as the basilisk slithered through the chamber to Norma's lone figure. Last thing he saw before closing his eyes was Norma flinching as gust of wind caused by basilisk brushed her face.

The snake returned without comment and spoke only when Tom began stroking it again.

"Mate?" The snake asked casually, but Tom froze, his palm stilling on monster's scales. What title did Norma hold? Girlfriend? That didn't feel like enough anymore, but he assumed that by animal's standards, "mate" was an appropriate term.