[A/N: Please add my WPC entry novel to your library guys. You can find it in my profile and the name is Apocalyptic Merchant: I Get Stronger By Trading]
Harry and Ron sat in front of the twins as they stared at the empty table gloomily. Percy sat with them but his presence didn't seem to affect the twins as they said nothing and simply sat silently, as if waiting for a miracle to happen.
Harry's heart was beating loudly as he tried to think of ways to reveal the news to them but it was still a nerve-wracking situation to him.
"Guys… I did a bit of research on this monster that petrified Ron and I might also have some clues on Ginny's disappearance."
The four brothers turned to look at him, waiting for him to say something that would loosen the knot in their hearts.
"…. I think the monster that petrified Ron is a Basilisk. Remember when I thought I heard something but you called me crazy, Ron?"
After seeing his friend nod, he continued, "Well, that's because it's a snake. No one can understand it except me. I doubt you would have paid attention to hisses that are barely audible. Basilisks petrify-"
"Basilisks are very strong and dangerous magical creatures that can kill anyone with just a stare. Indirect eye contact results in petrification. It is also a snake so the thing you said makes sense. There is no doubt about it, Harry. It surely is a Basilisk.
However, I do not care. I want to know where my sister is. I want to know if she's safe. I want to see my sister as soon as possible."
Harry looked at Percy for a second before nodding, "Yes, yes. I'm sorry. The clue to Ginny is related to the Basilisk actually. There are records that state that Salazar Slytherin had a chamber of his own.
People now call it the chamber of secrets and if I'm not wrong, only the so-called heir can access it. I don't know what requirements we need to be a Heir but I'm sure that one of them is to be a pureblood. The founder of the Slytherin house didn't seem to like the muggle-borns or half-bloods.
As for the connection, Salazar Slytherin was known to have owned a basilisk in his older days so I have a feeling that this heir can control it. I do not know how Ginny got taken but I have a feeling that she is in that chamber… only if the rumors and recorded things in those books were true."
"So, you have been reading about these while I was stuck in the hospital wards?"
"Well, I found out just recently. It seems like Hermione and Neville were doing their own snooping around. I overheard them talking about the basilisk and Slytherins.
I wanted to ask them but you know how secretive they have become since they got closer to Alex. I don't know why but I felt like I should search for it all on my own."
Fred stood up and George followed.
"We know so much but it is all pointless if we don't know where this chamber is. Ron and Harry, both of you know where the incident of Ron getting petrified happened but you never told us where, how, and when it happened."
The two of them looked at each other before Harry decided to speak on behalf, "We had a book… Ginny gave it to Ron and it answered all of our questions. At first, she didn't seem to want the book back but after a week or so, she came to us asking for the book.
Ron talked to her a little and then we decided to share it among ourselves and keep it a secret. We lost it recently, the day before Ginny was taken away."
"Book?", George said, frowning, "Is it the one that she kept with her the whole time at the first half of this year? The book which Alex gave her?"
"Alex?" Asked the two second years while Percy narrowed his eyes.
George nodded but Fred answered their question.
"At first, we weren't so sure but it looked exactly the same as the book that Alex took from her cauldron that day when we went to buy our school items. The time when he stopped father from punching Lucius Malfoy's face."
Harry and Ron's eyes widened at their words, "Does that mean that Alex is the heir?"
"What do you mean?", the twins asked simultaneously.
"The book was the one that told us to visit Myrtle's bathroom when we asked about Filch's sudden disappearance and the reason for Professor Dumbledore not being present when Professor McGonagall made the announcement to not go near that bathroom."
"So, you decided to go there even when you were told not to? Not like we would listen but I didn't expect you guys to be so daring either."
The five of them said nothing as they tried to digest the information they had just heard. A few seconds passed and the twins looked at Percy, grinning.
"Hey, Percy. We're surprised that you are not reprimanding them for the reckless thing they did. Why are we doing your job?"
"I just want to see Ginny safe and sound. This is not the time to care about rules, don't you think so?"
"What about Alex then? We also have to note that he has been absent to most of the classes recently. It has been almost a month since I have seen him in the classes that we share with Ravenclaw.", Harry said as he stood up and the rest who were sitting also followed.
"Let's go talk to this guy. This concerns our sister's safety after all.", said Percy as he took the lead.
The air rippled at the corner of the common room which was closest to the table where the five just sat.
***********
Alex was counting while he did pushups using extra weights strapped on his back when he saw his elf appear in front of him.
"Master, the potter boy, and the Weasley brothers are going to look for you. They think you're the heir of Salazar Slytherin."
Alex sat up and took off the weights as he sighed, "That is… unexpected. How did they come to the conclusion?"
"Fred and George recognized the diary when you stopped their father and the Potter boy told them that you were absent to classes for a while."
"Ah… I didn't take that into consideration. It's all because I had to change plans midway. Tch, I'll get going then.", he said and walked out of the room. He didn't get to enter his common room before the group found him.
He gave them a glance and continued walking like nothing happened, only to be stopped by Percy who seemed to have covered the little distance through a short sprint.
"Stop, Alex.", he said with a serious look on his face.
Alex in turn, looked up curiously, "Is there anything wrong?"
"Yes. We have a few things to discuss with you.", Said the twins as they walked towards them, trying to loosen up their shoulder muscles as they did.
"….. About what?"
"About the book you gave to Ginny when you got involved in our and Malfoys' fight. We found out that the book was not normal and could answer people's questions pretty accurately."
Realization dawned on Alex's face as he nodded, "Oh yes. That book. That's actually a cursed book if I'm not wrong. I saw the Malfoys exit a cursed items store in Knockturn Alley so I followed them.
I lost them somehow but a few minutes later I saw them with you guys. I was quiet interested in a specific book and thought that the book they had was the one that I wanted.
What surprised me is that Draco's father put the book inside Ginny's cauldron. I was confused but it was the best time for me to take it for myself. I took one of my books and put it inside her cauldron when I got near you guys.
After everything was done, I took the book that Draco's father placed inside and left. Unfortunately for me, a few days after I came back to Hogwarts, I lost the book. I knew I hadn't misplaced it so someone deliberately stole it from me.
Since you found out that the book can answer your questions, that means you stole it. It doesn't matter anymore since it isn't the book I wanted. It did answer my questions, yes. But it also messed up my mind so I had to lock it up in my trunk."
Ron frowned, "What do you mean by messed up your mind? Also, we know that you are the Heir of Salazar Slytherin."
"…..", Alex simply stared at him, looking confused as he glanced at everyone there.
"Tell us why you didn't attend the past few classes. We have suspicions that you were involved in the incident of Petrifying Ron.", Harry interjected as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Well… I asked permission from Professor Flitwick and he talked to the other professors. All of them agreed to let me skip their classes after I wrote a small test for each of the subjects.
As for my mind being messed up, there are two incidents where I felt like time suddenly skipped forward a few hours. After the book was stolen, the same thing didn't happen again so I would rather not have it back."
"So… you're telling us that Draco might know about Ginny?", George asked, but Alex shook his head.
"I don't know. I never said that he knew anything. Maybe his father knows but Draco? There are chances of him knowing something but I cannot be so sure. In any case, I have to prepare for my exams so I'd like it if you excuse me.", he said and walked towards the common room entrance.
The Gryffindors looked at him as he answered the riddle and walked inside but after he was gone, they looked at each other's faces, seeming lost on what to do next.
"Maybe we should go ask Malfoy?", Ron said with a slight frown on his face but Percy simply shook his head.
"Even if he knew, are you sure he will tell us the truth? It's pointless talking to him. I'd say that the best option right now is to check out myrtle's bathroom. We know about the Basilisk so as long as we avoid eye contact, we should be good.
Also, it would be better if Fred and George wait here to make sure that Alex isn't trying to do something behind our backs."
"Why us?", The twins echoed, "When it comes to usefulness, we can do much better than Harry and Ron. Why not get them to wait here?"
"These two were involved with that mysterious book and we have no idea about it. Just hearing about it isn't enough. Harry and Ron will be important so I have to take them there and I am the best option when it comes to combat ability."
Fred and George looked at each other's faces and nodded, "One of us will wait here while the other will join you guys. There is no need to have four eyes to stare at an entrance. You can pick.", said Fred, looking at his elder brother who suddenly seemed pleasant to his eyes.
"I'll take George then. Let's go, everyone."
The others nodded when the heard Percy and followed him confidently.
Harry felt his heart beat harder and faster but he didn't understand why it was happening. They walked into the bathroom cautiously and after making sure that there was no danger, they looked everywhere, trying to find a crack or a clue to an entrance.
"Guys, I think I can open it… In the book about Salazar Slytherin, it was written that the heir could control the basilisk. To do this, the heir has to be able to talk to snakes."
"Like you!!", Ron whispered excitedly before adding, "Come on, do it."
"All right… here I go.", he said and took a deep breath.
"Open!"