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groaned. He hated having to jump down, even if the freefall did not
hurt him. It felt like plunging to one's death nonetheless. This didn't
even count what was waiting for him in the chamber, he thought
with a frown.

Inside the chamber was where Salazar Slytherin kept his
pet basilisk. Many speculated its purpose was to rid the school of
muggle-borns. Counterproductive, Henry thought. Its stare killed
no matter what. Truly, had there not been any casualties that
involved purebloods being killed? More importantly, was he going
to die this day from a sodding basilisk stare. He really hoped not,
jumping down into the enveloping darkness.

When he finally reached the sealed inner chamber, he took
a deep breath. This is it. Opening the door, he stood in front of the
giant statue. He looked at the statue's mouth, where the opening
was shutting.
In parseltongue, he called, 'Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest
of the Hogwarts Four!' There was rumbling, then the stone moved,
revealing a dark cave. He could hear the serpent slithering within,
drawing closer each second.
'Who dares,' he heard it say. With all the magic he could
muster, Henry summoned hell's fire to scorch the whole entirety of
the cave. Giant fangs formed as flames, hollow eyes burned
crimson, another spark of fire erupted. As the cave shook, the
basilisk battled against the intense heat, that threatened to destroy
the cave's barely held together structure.