Chapter 89: Basilisk

                                    

                                          
This one will be VERY long. I wanted to get this all done in one go because it kind of all goes together 
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Ominis wasn't used to sneaking out on his own late at night, but in this case it was a special circumstance. He'd been spending more time with him this last year when Diane and Sebastisn had been busy, but this may be the last chance he got to see him. 
He kept his wand hidden in his robes as he made his way down the stairs toward the girls bathroom, listening carefully for anyone nearby. The coast seemed to be clear, so he walked over to the sinks.
"Hassakasiiini Kasassasheir." He spoke parseltongue softly, wincing a bit when the loud mechanism of the chamber started opening, the top lifting slowly and the sinks shifting outwards to reveal the hole down into the lower chambers. 
With a well practiced movement he stepped off into the abyss, counting to five before casting a cushioning charm below him, sliding off the spell casually and landing on his feet on the wet stone floor. 
He walked along the side of the hallway and ran his hand along the stone wall, smiling back to when he'd come here a few years ago. What a little moron he'd been, sulking in these chambers. So much had changed since then. 
He heard the deep hiss of the basilisk ahead of him, but luckily he didn't have to worry at all about hiding from its eyes. He could never meet anyone's gaze, after all. 
~Masssster.~ The basilisk slid through the wide corridors, stopping in front of him and flicking its tongue out. 
~Hello, big guy.~ Ominis smiled, reaching out to rest his hand against the massive snake's snout. 
~Leave chamber?~ the basilisk asked hopefully. 
Ominis sighed wearily. Every time. It asked it every time. ~No, stay.~ 
The basilisk hissed in frustration, taking its snout away to coil past him, turning around against the back tunnel and making its way back into the main chamber at the far end. 
Ominis sighed and rolled his eyes as the giant monster coiled in a pout in the middle of the main chamber. It was such a big baby sometimes. It always pouted after he told it to stay here... but in a way, he didn't blame it. What did he even have to do down here? He had no idea when someone else would ever come down here to visit him. He didn't intend on telling any of their children, because he didn't want to pass on the Gaunt traditions. Those secrets would die with him. 
Marvolo certainly would... if he could find a woman to tolerate his madness. Ugh he didn't even want to think about that... but he had no doubt he'd be keen to sire an heir of his own. So perhaps the basilisk would have another visitor someday... he just hoped this next person would be kind to it. It listened to everything he told it to do, but it was still a dangerous beast. Like any beast, it depended on its master for how it behaved. 
~It will be alright.~ Ominis said, running his hand along the thick scales of the basilisk's hide as it sulked. ~I brought you a present.~
That seemed to perk the basilisk up, and it uncoiled itself from the tight ball it had wound in, resting its head against the floor near him. ~give present! Give!~
~have patience.~ Ominis chuckled, opening his extendable charm pack. 
He took out the large ham roast he'd brought with him, levitating it up and holding it in his hands. ~open up!~
The basilisk opened its jaws eagerly, saliva dripping from its long fangs before Ominis tossed the ham into his maw. The snake closed its mouth and let out a shuddering hiss of delight, swallowing the ham whole.