Chapter Text
[Two Weeks Earlier]
Hydrus could hear the Weasley twins answering questions as he snuck away. No one was paying any attention to him except the Headmaster. Hydrus could feel Dumbledore prodding at his occlumency shields but he wasn’t able to get through. Once he was around the corner and out of sight, Hydrus removed his chains with a wandless, wordless Alohomora .
This had not been part of the plan. He was supposed to find the Chamber then leave the aurors and Hogwarts professors to deal with the basilisk. They just needed to make Dumbledore aware of his existence and interested enough to invite him to Hogwarts. He wasn't meant to do anything that could clue the old man into how capable Hydrus was but that all went out the window the moment Fred and George uttered the words ‘ Ginny is not in the dorms ’. If it had been anyone else Hydrus would have stuck to the plan but Ginny was important so here he was, escaping Ministry custody.
He hurried to put some distance between himself and his guards while calling for his Grim. The air shimmered like a sheer curtain was hanging in the middle of the empty corridor before two huge dogs appeared. They looked too skinny to be healthy but their heads reached Hydrus’ shoulder. Their fur was soft as velvet and black as night. Dark mist seemed to cling to them, rolling down their shoulders and backs and pooling around their feet. Their eyes were red and their teeth stark white and wickedly sharp as they growled. Hydrus scratched them behind their large pointed ears and they instantly relaxed. The larger one excitedly nosed at his hand.
< Hey Anubis,> he greeted in Morstongue, the language of the dead. <I missed you too boy. >
The smaller Grim whined at being ignored and leaned their heavy body on his side, nearly knocking him over.
< You too Alphie ,> Hydrus assured the big, scary puppy. < I need your help. A friend of mine got taken. Smell anything odd? >
Both Grim immediately put their noses to the ground. They must have detected something interesting because they started leading him deeper into the castile. Half way down a long corridor Hydrus found what the Grim were tracking. A message was written in blood on the wall. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever .
“Well that's dramatic,” Hydrus thought. “But helpful if this is Ginny’s blood.”
< Anubis. Alphie ,> he said aloud. < I need to find whoevers blood this is .>
It didn’t take his Grim long to catch the scent. They howled, baying excitedly for the hunt as they ran through the halls. Hydrus chased them up a flight of stairs, past the hospital wing and through endless corridors before being led into a bathroom. Hydrus could sense a ghost somewhere, probably hidden in one of the toilets, but Anubis and Alphie were more interested in the sinks. They sat in front of the middle one and looked back at him, wagging their tails.
< Good job, > Hydrus praised, patting each on the head before dismissing them. They turned into black smoke and disappeared back behind the veil.
He looked closer at the sink and found a small snake carved into the side of the faucet. A quick ~open~ in Parseltongue caused the sink to descend into the floor revealing a tunnel sloping downward. Hydrus jumped and slid for what felt like miles before shooting out the other end and landing with a loud crunch. The floor was covered in the bones of small animals; birds and rats mostly. There were a few other pipes branching off in different directions so he summoned Anubis and Alphie again.
< Lead on, > he ordered and both Grim trotted toward the tunnel directly across from them. The walls were damp and the floor was strewn with rocks broken away from the crumbling ceiling. It was quiet and dark. To anyone else it would have been pitch black but Hydrus had no problem seeing in the dark.
They went around a bend and the Grim started growling. There was something in the tunnel. Something long, pale green and not moving. Hydrus crept forward and was amazed to discover a snake shed. It was almost forty feet long and as wide as he was tall. He ran his fingers over the impressions of palm sized scales and wondered how vibrant the basilisk would be if just its shed was such a pretty shade of milky jade.
< Leave it ,> Hydrus called to Anubis and Alphie. The pair were curiously sniffing at the skin but hurried to his side when he snapped his fingers.
They continued down the tunnel until they reached a round metal door. There were several metallic snakes acting as tumblers like on a Muggle bank vault. Another ~open~ caused them to retreat one by one and the door swung open. Inside was a massive chamber. Most of it was flooded making the statues of striking snakes seem like they were emerging from the depths. At the far end was the large stone face of a wizard with flowing hair and a long beard. Laying in front of it was Ginny Weasley.
With a wave of his hand Hydrus sent his Grim to check the rest of the chamber. They melted into the shadows as he hurried to the redhead. She was pale and cold with sunken cheeks and dark circles around her eyes. He found her pulse but it was weak and her breathing was shallow.
“Who are you?”
Hydrus looked up to see a boy. He had dark hair and dark eyes and wore a Slytherin uniform. He looked like a normal Hogwarts student but he felt similar to how Hydrus sensed ghosts only much more powerful.
Ghosts were like empty space. They were the absence of physical form, magic and soul; just after images with functioning brains. This boy on the other hand was a black hole, a void that wanted needed to consume, and right now he was consuming Ginny Weasley.
“No one important,” Hydrus replied. “Who are you?”
The boy looked him over, obviously confused by his presence and wary of what it meant for him.
“What is an Azkaban prisoner doing here?”
Hydrus sighed as if annoyed by his questions while sending his magic out to look for whatever was anchoring this wraith to Ginny.
“I don't have time for twenty questions,” Hydrus griped. “Tell you what. I'll answer your two questions if you answer mine plus another. That seems fair to me.”
“Fine,” the wraith snapped. “I'm Tom Marvolo Riddle. Heir of Slytherin.”
Hydrus fought to keep his mask of boredom in place. He hadn't expected to come face to face with Lord Voldemort so soon, even if it was only some kind of living memory.
“Heya Tom, I’m Hydrus,” he greeted chipperly. His magic had found the tether draining Ginny’s magic so he latched on and followed it. “As for why an Azkaban prisoner is at Hogwarts, I’m the last Parselmouth in Britain. They needed some help with pest control.”
Riddle’s eyes flashed red for a second.
“I'm the only Parselmouth in Britain,” he growled.
“I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news Tommy-boy but you're dead,” Hydrus argued. “You can't be anything now.”
Riddle was seething, sneering down at him with bared teeth. His chest heaved as he fought to control his temper.
“Which leads me to my question,” Hydrus continued as if he didn’t notice the danger he was in. His magic had locked onto something hidden in Ginny’s robes. “How does it feel to know you were defeated by a baby?”
“Insolent brat!” Riddle spat, eyes now a piercing red. “It doesn't matter! It's too late! I will drain this useless, prattling little girl and return to my prime! Lord Voldemort will rise again but you will not be around to see it!”
Riddle spun on his heel and reached out toward the face carved on the wall.
~ Speak to me Salazar Slytherin. Greatest of the Hogwarts four ,~ he hissed.
The statue’s mouth opened and Hydrus caught a glimpse of a scaly snout before he averted his eyes. The basilisk’s body was covered in beautiful acid green scales and its underside was a pale yellow-green. It coiled in the water, hissing softly.
~ Kill him! ~ Riddle ordered but before the basilisk could move, Hydrus spoke.
~ Hello gorgeous ,~ Hydrus hissed, focusing on the snake’s throat as it leaned forward to listen.
~ You are a speaker too? ~ she asked in a decidedly feminine voice.
~ I am ,~ Hydrus confirmed. The snake was silent for a moment. She lowered herself and Hydrus felt her tongue brush against his head.
~ You can look, hatchling. I will not harm you. ~
~ What are you doing? ~ Riddle yelled as Hydrus raised his head to find slitted amber eyes staring back at him.
~ Do you wish to use me too? ~ the basilisk asked, ignoring Riddle. Hydrus blinked. Had she been an unwilling participant? The basilisk seemed to notice his confusion. ~My bonded, Salazar, placed me here so I could watch over his precious school. I have no interest in harming those I am sworn to protect.~
Hydrus was suddenly glad he had gone off script. It would have been horrible if the Ministry had killed this innocent creature.
~ I wish to help you if you would permit me ,~ Hydrus replied. The snake nodded and retreated back to the statue, coiling up to watch.
~ No! I told you to kill him! ~ Riddle shrieked at her.
“Oh shut up Tom!” Hydrus snapped in English. “You have no power over her.”
“I am Heir Slytherin! She obeys me!”
“Wrong! She was Salazar's familiar. The bond broke when her wizard died. She is not an heirloom or a pet. She is a protector and you tried to make her kill.”
Riddle was shaking with rage.
“It doesn't matter,” he decided. “Soon I'll be whole again and I’ll kill you and little Ginny myself!”
“You're right,” Hydrus agreed, a crazed smile splitting his face. “You are nearly whole. In fact, I’ll bet you're solid enough to touch now.”
He snapped his fingers and Anubis and Alphie emerged from the shadows. They stalked forward snarling and growling, red eyes locked on their target.
< Sic him boys! > Hydrus ordered.
The Grim pounced. Riddle was able to dodge Anubis but Alphie got his jaws around his arm. The wraith fell back, sprawling across the wet floor and tearing his arm free. There was no blood but based on how Riddle screamed when Anubis started mauling his leg he was solid enough to feel pain.
While the Grim kept Riddle distracted Hydrus hurriedly rifled through Ginny’s robes until he found a thin black diary. As soon as he touched it he could feel the soul inside. It was so cold it burned and struck at him as if trying to sink poison fangs into his core. Hydrus struck back with his own magic, gripping the writhing thing tightly and drawing it out of hiding. A black orb appeared above the book. Tendrils of shadow lashed out but Hydrus snatched it in his fist, raised it to his mouth and swallowed it.
Riddle screamed. Glowing cracks spread across his body, becoming bigger and brighter as the soul shard keeping him alive was consumed by Hydrus’ much stronger core. Within seconds it dissolved into nothing but energy that Hydrus’ magic drank up happily. Riddle burst apart leaving behind glowing white particles and the stolen essence of Ginny Weasley rushed back to its proper vessel.
Hydrus fell to his knees and took deep breaths, trying to sooth his racing heart. He had never absorbed such a powerful soul and the energy boost was overwhelming. A cold nose touched his cheek and he glanced up just in time to get a wet kiss from Anubis.
< I’m alright. I’m okay ,> he assured his faithful Grim, gripping the fur at the back of his neck with shaking hands.
~ Thank you, hatchling. ~
Hydrus heard the basilisk slither closer. He did not fear looking her in the eye, knowing she would have her second eyelid closed.
~ No problem. Thank you, for not killing anyone .~
~ As you said, I am a protector. I regretted having to petrify the children but I could not kill the wicked speaker and feared what he would do to the girl if I refused him. ~
~ Very wise, ~ Hydrus agreed. ~ What should I call you? ~
~ I am Stheno ,~ she replied.
~I’m Hydrus.~
~Hydrus,~ Stheno repeated. ~That means ‘sea snake', does it not? Very fitting.~
Hydrus chuckled and stood on shaky legs. Anubis and Alphie supported him on either side.
~ Stheno, can you do me a favor? ~ he asked. She nodded. ~ I need to damage the diary and convince the Headmaster and Ministry that I killed Slytherin's monster. Can I have a few of your teeth? ~
~ Of course. I have some loose ones. ~
She opened her mouth and Hydrus very carefully looked for any wobbly fangs. He found four and plucked them out as gently as he could. He took the longest one and plunged it into the diary. He didn't want anyone asking how he managed to exercise such a dark object without damaging it. By the time he was done Ginny had begun to stir.
~ You should return to your nest, Stheno. I will visit again when I’m able .~
Stheno nudged his shoulder, nearly making him fall over, before slithering back through the statue's mouth. Just as it closed behind her Ginny gasped awake and Hydrus quickly dismissed Anubis and Alphie.
“It's okay, you're safe,” he soothed as he approached the redhead. Ginny sat up, eyes widening when they landed on Hydrus.
“Who—who are you?”
Hydrus took another step but stopped when Ginny flinched and leaned away. Waking up in the Chamber of Secrets would be scary without also being alone with a stranger. It didn't help that Hydrus had unconsciously tucked his hair behind his ears so the massive scar across the right side of his face was visible. Between that, his tattoos and piercings and the Azkaban uniform he was probably very intimidating.
“My name is Hydrus. Your professors asked me to help find you.”
“Where are we?” Ginny asked, looking around.
“The Chamber of Secrets.”
Ginny paled even farther if possible. Tears welled in her eyes.
“I swear, I didn't mean to, Riddle made me and–” she broke off when Hydrus showed her the diary with a massive hole punched in it.
“Don't worry. He can't hurt anyone anymore. I'm sure the Headmaster will understand that it wasn't your fault.”
Tears rolled down Ginny’s face as she sniffled. Hydrus felt for her. She was only a first year and had been possessed by Voldemort for most her time at Hogwarts. She needed rest and the comfort of people she trusted.
“I’ll take you back up to the castle,” he said, standing and holding out his hand to her. “We’ll go directly to your brothers.”
The thought of seeing her brothers gave Ginny the energy to take Hydrus' hand but she could barely walk. She leaned heavily on him as they traveled through the tunnels. When they reached the bone pit Hydrus followed the trail of dead animals and found the exit Stheno had once used to go hunting. They emerged in a cave in the Forbidden Forest and headed toward the castile towers. Once they slipped inside Hydrus led Ginny through hidden passages until they reached the Gryffindor common room. The Fat Lady’s eyes widened when she saw Ginny and opened without needing the password.
Hydrus went in first, planning on helping Ginny crawl through the portrait hole, when a sudden shout of Incarcerous and Levicorpus flipped his world upside down. He was hanging by his ankles with chains pinning his arms to his sides. He looked around frantically only to relax when he saw two of the aurors pointing wands at him. A couple dozen students were gathered nearby. Most were staring in shock but a few were yelling while their Head of House tried to maintain calm.
“Hey fellas,” Hydrus said with a grin. “Sorry, got a little lost.”
“Where have you been?” one of them snapped. Hydrus opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted.
“Ginny!”
Fred and George pushed past McGonagall and rushed to help their little sister through the portrait hole. They held her close, burying their faces in her fiery hair as she clung to their shirts.
“See! I was good!” Hydrus whined at his guards. “Can I come down now?”
The aurors scowled but did put him back on the ground. They were careful to put his cuffs on before vanishing the chains.
“How did you even get the cuffs off?” one of them asked.
“Skill,” Hydrus replied cheekily. The auror was about to demand he explain when another voice cut in.
“Thank you for saving our sister…”
“... We can never repay you.”
The twins had left Ginny to be fussed over by an older boy with horn rim glasses and a boy Hydrus’ age wearing offensively orange pajamas. Hydrus was pretty sure his name was Ron.
“No problem. It's what I was here for. Well, not really, but I'm an overachiever.”
His answer had drawn the attention of the other Weasleys. The older one scanned him up and down with narrowed eyes.
“Why would they need a criminal to help them?” he asked rudely. “How do we know you weren’t the one that hurt her?”
~Because I'm not a monster you ungrateful bastard,~ Hydrus hissed. Several people gasped and Glasses paled. Ron scowled, his face turning red.
“I knew it! You're a lousy Death Eater. Dark Wizard scum!”
<And you're a stupid prat,> Hydrus rasped making the boy blanch. Ginny looked at the pair in disgust, slipping away to tuck herself between the twins who looked just as pissed as she did.
“Can I go back to Azkaban now?” Hydrus asked the aurors. “The company is better.”
“I'm afraid you will have to stay a little longer my boy. We need to know what happened.”
Hydrus grimaced and turned to see Dumbledore and Snape standing just inside the portrait hole. He glared at a spot over the Headmaster’s shoulder as he dug in his pocket and grabbed the diary. Basilisk fangs clattered to the floor when he pulled it out, soliciting more gasps from the students. Hydrus tossed the book to Dumbledore who caught it and studied the damage.
“It was a nasty dark object that compelled Ginny to open the Chamber. It's been handled.”
Hydrus started to make his way out of the dorm, not interested in entertaining Dumbledore for another second. As he passed Snape he paused.
“The fangs are for you. They should have plenty of venom for potions.”
The potions master blinked at him, raising an eyebrow in surprise and confusion, but Hydrus kept walking. He had a couple dementors to collect before he could go home.