The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter Twenty-one: Stopping the basilisk and rage...

A/N Parstletounge will be written like this *parstletounge*. 

The next few days, Harry kept to himself, slowly but diligently planning exactly how he would stop the basilisk.

If you did not know Harry well, you might assume he was tired or sad. But if you did know him, you would know his mind was racing with endless possibilities and scenarios.

"Do you need any help?" Draco asked.

"No, I am fine. Thank you. I am just running through my plan, making sure there are no holes or errors," Harry replied casually.

Draco nodded and continued eating his breakfast.

Unfortunately for Harry, his behavior had not gone unnoticed. James and Lily had been casting worry-filled glances his way all week, unsure if they were close enough to ask directly.

Finally, they decided it was time. They planned to catch him after his last class, which happened to be charms.

"Brilliant work, everyone. I am glad to see improvement. Have a good afternoon. Do not forget your homework. I know we only have one class before the holidays, but it is still important," Lily said as the students left.

"Harry, could you wait for a moment?" she asked.

"Sure. Is there a problem?" Harry replied as he walked over.

"I was just wondering if you are okay. Recently, you have seemed down, so James and I thought we should ask, given the rumors," she said softly.

"Oh, I am fine. Just working on altering a spell, so I am focused," Harry explained.

"Oh, well that is good then. What spell?" Lily asked thoughtfully.

"It is a surprise. For now, I have to go. Bye!" Harry said, running out of the class.

"I have a bad feeling," Lily muttered as she watched him leave.

Harry ran all the way to the abandoned girls' bathroom, ready to put his plan into action.

"Hey, Myrtle!" he greeted.

"Harry!" Myrtle yelled. "Yay! You finally came back. Did you find who threw the book at me?"

"No, sorry. No clues yet, but next time it happens, I will get them for sure," Harry said confidently. Myrtle smiled.

"Thanks, Harry! You are a great friend!" she said, beaming. Harry smiled genuinely.

"Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go," he said.

"Oh, where?" Myrtle asked.

"Down there," Harry said, pointing to the sink.

Myrtle's face paled, if that was even possible. "No, Harry! You will get hurt!" she frantically protested.

"Do not worry, Myrtle. I have a plan," Harry said, smiling. Her worry instantly eased.

"Okay, good luck, Harry," she said.

Harry traced the engravings on the sink and whispered, "Open."

There was a loud click as the floor beneath the sink disappeared, revealing a set of stairs leading down into a dimly lit passage. Harry waved to Myrtle and descended.

At the bottom, wand in hand, he froze.

In front of him stood a huge statue of Salazar Slytherin, surrounded by water, with a gold aisle down the middle. Before he could fully take it in, a rustle came from inside the statue.

Harry quickly put on the blindfold he had packed.

"Approach!" he commanded.

Out slithered a massive snake, ten times the size of a normal one.