Percy Jackson and The Wizarding World

Percy, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried away from Hagrid's hut, their hearts pounding after the unexpected run-in with Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore. The darkness of the Hogwarts grounds seemed to press in on them as they navigated their way back to the castle under the cover of Harry's invisibility cloak.

"That was too close," Ron whispered, wiping his brow once they reached the safety of the second-floor corridor.

"Yeah, and I don't trust Malfoy," Percy muttered. "He knows something, and I don't think he's done causing trouble."

Hermione, ever the logical one, refocused them. "Right now, we have something more pressing—the Chamber of Secrets. If Hagrid was right, and Myrtle's bathroom is the entrance, we need to check it out."

"Great," Ron groaned. "Because hanging out in a haunted girl's bathroom is exactly what I wanted to do at midnight."

Percy smirked. "Come on, Weasley. Scared of a ghost?"

"I'm scared of a lot of things, Percy, and creepy ghosts are high on the list."

The group arrived at the entrance to the out-of-order bathroom, the cracked, ancient door creaking as they pushed it open. The inside was just as Percy imagined—damp, dimly lit, and reeking of mildew. Water dripped ominously from the broken pipes, and a single ghostly figure hovered near a stall, sobbing loudly.

"Moaning Myrtle," Hermione said softly.

Myrtle noticed them and floated toward them with an exaggerated pout. "Oh, wonderful! More visitors to make fun of me!" she wailed, spinning dramatically in the air. "What do you want?"

"Hey, Myrtle," Harry said carefully. "We're just… uh, looking around."

Percy stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Actually, we're trying to find out what's been scaring people around here. Heard anything strange lately?"

Myrtle's translucent eyes widened with excitement. "Strange? Oh, yes! I've seen shadows slithering around my bathroom! No one ever listens to poor Myrtle, but I know things!"

Ron gulped. "Slithering?"

Myrtle nodded, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Sometimes I hear hissing… coming from the sink."

Percy's interest piqued. "The sink? What's so special about it?"

Myrtle floated dramatically to a large, cracked sink in the far corner of the bathroom. "Right here. Sometimes it even glows green, but whenever I try to tell someone, they just shoo me away!"

Percy knelt by the sink, running his fingers over the porcelain. It was covered in ancient markings that looked almost… Greek.

"Guys," Percy said, standing up. "I think this is it."

Hermione leaned over his shoulder, eyes scanning the runes. "It's Parseltongue, the language of snakes," she whispered. "Salazar Slytherin's signature."

Harry frowned. "But I can only speak it when I'm facing a real snake."

Percy thought for a moment, then said, "Maybe you just need to pretend the sink is a snake."

Harry gave him a dubious look but nodded. He took a deep breath, leaning close to the faucet, and whispered, "Open." His voice came out in a low, strange hiss that made Percy's skin crawl.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, with a low rumble, the sink began to shift. The basin sunk down into the floor, revealing a dark, spiraling tunnel leading deep into the unknown.

Ron paled. "Oh, I really don't like this."

Percy grinned, stepping closer to the edge. "Looks like we found our way in. Who's up for a little adventure?"

Inside the Chamber of Secrets

The tunnel was a long, winding slide that deposited them into a damp, cavernous passageway deep beneath Hogwarts. Percy landed on his feet, drawing Riptide instinctively as he scanned the darkness.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione landed behind him, brushing themselves off. The air was thick with moisture, and the walls were covered in eerie serpent carvings.

Hermione shivered. "This place feels… ancient."

"No kidding," Percy muttered. "Reminds me of some of the creepy temples I've been in back home."

They moved cautiously through the tunnel, the only sound their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. Strange, hissing whispers echoed around them, sending shivers down Percy's spine.

Ron groaned. "Why is it always snakes?"

Percy smirked. "I could say the same thing about water."

As they turned a corner, they came face-to-face with a massive stone door adorned with carved serpents. In the center, a large emblem of Salazar Slytherin's face sneered down at them.

Harry stepped forward again, whispering in Parseltongue. "Open."

The serpents slithered apart, and the door creaked open, revealing an enormous underground chamber. A long stone pathway stretched into the darkness, leading to a towering statue of Salazar Slytherin himself.

And lying at the base of the statue was Ginny Weasley.

Ron gasped. "Ginny!"

Percy rushed forward, kneeling beside her. She was pale, her skin cold to the touch. "She's alive, but barely," he said, relief flooding his voice.

Then a voice echoed through the chamber, deep and sinister.

"She won't be for much longer."

They all turned as a figure stepped out of the shadows—Tom Riddle, looking far too pleased with himself. His wand was twirling lazily in his hand, and his eyes glowed with eerie satisfaction.

"Ah, the famous Harry Potter," Riddle drawled. "And… interesting. An outsider. Who are you?"

Percy stood, drawing Riptide. "Someone who's about to kick your sorry butt, that's who."

Tom Riddle's smile never wavered. "How amusing. But I have a better idea." He raised his hand and whispered something in Parseltongue.

The chamber trembled, and the sound of something massive stirring filled the air. The basilisk.

Ron backed up. "Uh… Percy?"

"Yeah, I hear it," Percy said grimly, eyes scanning the shadows.

Riddle smirked. "Let's see if the Son of Poseidon can stand against the King of Serpents."

Before Percy could even respond, the basilisk emerged from the shadows, its massive form towering over them. Its golden eyes scanned the chamber, and Percy instinctively shut his eyes.

"Run!" Percy shouted.

Ron and Hermione scrambled to move Ginny to safety while Harry stood his ground, gripping his wand tightly.

Percy, gripping Riptide, muttered under his breath. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."

He heard the basilisk lunge toward him, and Percy rolled to the side, swinging his sword blindly. He felt the blade slice into scales but knew it barely scratched the surface.

"Harry, the eyes!" Hermione shouted.

Harry raised his wand. "Lumos Maxima!"

A burst of blinding light filled the chamber, forcing the basilisk to recoil. Percy took the opportunity to strike, slashing at its side with all his strength.

The battle was on.

End of Chapter 9