The next day was Saturday and the whole Hogwarts was in a relaxed state. Students were busy in their daily lives and Professors were busy finalising the winter holiday howork.
However, Neville was not in this group. Dumping his group of friends with an excuse of training in a new spell, he left for the Astronomy Tower.
On top of the tower, there was a mild soft breeze. The air was cold giving a hint of coming winters and the Sun would sneak out of the clouds from ti to ti. Neville after climbing the never-ending long stairs and cursing the architectural style of a castle, ca up to find two strangest beings enjoying the morning.
A ghost who used to be a daughter of one of the founders and a beast who used to be a pet of another. One beca House ghosts for Ravenclaw, helping the gifted Ravenclaw students through centuries while another beca Hogwarts Guardian Beast, protecting the castle throughout his life.
Two strange beings, out of their ti with a rather unbelievable history.
"Ahem! Sorry to intrude, Professor, may I also join in?" Neville asked after finding the two lost in their respective thoughts.
"Well, you are already here Neville. No point in asking I suppose." Professor replied.
"Ah! Yes I just wanted to you know ." Neville tried to justify his actions, but he had no words to finish his sentence.
"Yes, I know. The never-ending curiosity of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. While Ravens try to watch the scene from far, lions will always take the front seat. Co, sit here." Professor asked Neville to join them, and Neville happily sat beside them.
The Basilisk, at this ti, was still bound inside the suitcase but the suitcase was opened, and Neville had used a lighting charm to loosen the bonds of vines to make him more comfortable. However, he was still inside the suitcase and Neville couldn't risk bringing the Basilisk out in open.
Who knows when students on broom will accidentally witness this or maybe Headmaster might simply drop by unannounced. This was not a risk Neville was ready to take.
"So, Neville why are you really here?" Professor asked after a long silence.
"Well, I have been thinking Professor. Thinking about life and its aning." Neville replied.
" Isn't that too big a topic for a 12-year-old body?" Professor asked humorously.
"It is. Isn't it? I was rather focused on the life of this particular creature and the question he asked . Because he was born different, he has no place in our wizarding world and his presence is nothing if not a disaster, waiting to happen.
However, all its life, it had served Hogwarts and never gave up on its mission. So, has it not served enough? Do I need to take its life? If Yes, then am I killing an innocent creature just because I am afraid of it?" Neville spoke about the difficult thoughts he had in his mind that prevented him from getting a good sleep since last night.
"You know Neville... I don't know why you are not a Ravenclaw. You have all the qualities a raven should truly possess but you are wearing the skin of a lion.
Also, looking at you, I don't know if should I be happy or sad. What have you gone through my child?" Professor Ravenclaw for the first ti asked Neville about his history.
This student has impressed her since the day of their first eting but he always kept his own story too close to his heart and never shared those details. However, Professor already guessed most of it because of his last na and never asked it in detail.
Today, it seems, she wanted Neville to open up.
"I think you know Professor. I am Lord Longbottom. A lord at the age of 12 is never truly a good sign. Isn't it? Besides, I know, you must have heard the stories and whispers about my parents on these walls.
All of them might be true Professor. But there is one thing I never told anyone. I don't hate killing Professor and I am not bound by the moral dilemma of it. One day, the people who destroyed or tried to destroy my family will be at my rcy.
I shall torture them in a way, that even future storytellers would refrain from speaking. Will it corrupt my magic or damage my affinity? I have no care. However, killing an innocent creature out of fear is not sothing I can truly digest." Neville spoke in a plain tone like he is talking about baking cookies.
The idea of killing soone is truly a horrific one in the wizarding world. Even the ministry would not allow Aurors to use a killing curse until it is their only choice. Taking a life would distort wizards, corrupt their magic and soul and in the basic essence, can push even the noblest wizard to a path of madness and monstrosity.
"Neville... killing soone is not a joke. It takes more than just a strong belief. It never gives the closure we need nor the comfort we seek. It only gives more pain and sotis the guilt is more than we can bear.
There is soone I know. A killer. He is also wandering the halls for centuries after his murder and he is yet to make his peace with it." Professor shared her ideas in hope of preventing the gifted student from walking on the path he might regret one day but Neville didn't reply after listening to Professor.
A long silence took over the terrace and the wind moved as if trying to freeze their emotions.
"POP!"
A sudden pop sound suddenly broke the silence and Neville found the person he wrote to last night is here.
"Lord Longbottom, Silvi is here!"
A female house elf dressed in fine clothing, with a proper shirt and pants along with a coat. The attire made her look quite different from the elves Professor has ever seen.
"My My... Neville... is this your house elf?" Professor asked Neville with interest.
"Ah...Yes! I wanted them to look presentable like those goblins. At least it's better than wearing those rags." Neville replied while giving space to Silvi.
"Is everything ready Silvi?" Neville asked.
"Yes, master. Silvi brought the thing Lord asked." Silvi replied.
"Good work," Neville replied and then walked closer to the open suitcase on the terrace. Indicating his presence to the bound Basilisk, he spoke loudly.
"I have a deal for you. Your master is gone. So are his descendants; and your presence would soon be revealed if you stay here. After today, the best thing I can offer you is a peaceful death of your choosing.
However, there is another option. I can offer you sanctuary but for that, you need to pay a price. You have been a guardian beast for this castle all your life, I respect that. If you want, you can trade your loyalty with your life.
I will take your remaining eye and we will both be bound by a blood contract but in return, I will offer you a new place. A place where you can live without the fear of being hunted. A place where there are others, others who might need soone to protect them while they grow up.
You decide."
Neville spoke his thoughts clearly and a thin mist from his wand ford a line connecting itself to the Basilisk, conveying his thoughts.
"You offer freedom but with a new bounding contract. You offer a safe place but take away my eyes. Is this a fair deal young wizard?" The Basilisk spoke.
"Life is not fair. Stop talking like you were born a minute ago. This is the best I can offer. Rest is up to you. You have today's ti to think about it. I will co tomorrow." Neville spoke and then left the Basilisk alone with his thoughts.
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