"Why don't we just go to the Black Lake or the Prefects' Bathroom if we're only studying the golden egg?" Harry began hesitating after dinner.
"Because neither of those places has what you like," Coen replied as if it were obvious. "Unless you think Moaning Myrtle or the giant squid is still your type—"
"Honestly, compared to the basilisk, they might not be far off…" Harry's cheek twitched like he'd just been electrocuted. "She must be huge by now…"
"She's already fully grown," Coen said. "But her intelligence still needs work. I think she missed a crucial step during her birth… Anyway, quit thinking weird things. If you like her, go for it. If not, just tell her. Don't string her along."
"I'm not stringing her along—" Harry tried to argue.
"You were literally acting like you were dating her yesterday," Coen said seriously. "That's why she was asking to see you again last night. If you're not planning on being her boyfriend, you better make that clear fast. Otherwise, Xisoco might sneak out of hiding and crawl into your bed—just like she did to mine in second year."
Harry shivered at the thought of a massive basilisk lifting his blankets in the middle of the night. He nodded solemnly.
Harry retrieved the golden egg from the common room, then followed Coen to the Room of Requirement.
"You've been secretly studying here every day, haven't you?" Harry eyed the mess of books and the open alchemy workbench suspiciously. "No wonder you always say no when Ron and I ask you to hang out… You're secretly—what was that word you used—'grinding'!"
"Fine, I won't help you anymore," Coen said flatly, turning his head. "Even if you scream 'Amazing Coen!', I won't make you anything. No more alchemical diving masks or artificial girlfriends—"
"I never asked for anything like that!" Harry said, exasperated. "And 'artificial girlfriend' sounds like something a total perv—"
Harry stopped mid-sentence.
Coen had said the basilisk's human form was alchemically created.
So technically, that did make her an—
No wonder Xisoco called him a pervert. Maybe he was one all along?
Considering how much he still needed Coen's help, Harry thought for half a second and made a decision. "Coen, buddy, my amazing Coen~" Harry hooked an arm around Coen's shoulders. "You know I've never thought reading or studying was a bad thing—"
"Okay, okay, that's enough." Coen shivered at the cheesiness. Ever since living with Sirius, Harry had started developing James Potter levels of cringe. "So, have you figured out what to say to the basilisk? Just a reminder, when she gets emotional, her instincts take over."
"Wait—what do you mean 'instincts take over'?" Harry asked, panicking.
"Sounds like you're ready," Coen muttered, then shoved Harry into the open box that served as the basilisks' den—and jumped in after him.
The moment Harry landed, a long, emerald-green shadow shot toward him at an incredible speed, followed closely by an even bigger shape.
[Harry!] the small basilisk said excitedly, oblivious to the fact that, at her current size, a full-speed collision might actually kill him.
Thankfully, Xisoco yanked her back just in time—or Coen might've had to shift into basilisk form to block her.
"Hhh…" Harry gasped as he caught sight of her enormous serpentine body. He couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
[Did you come to see me?!] she asked joyfully.
Xisoco, oddly quiet, just watched Harry closely with her orange-yellow eyes.
Harry took a step back, inhaled deeply, then nodded.
[Let's go out and play then!] she beamed. [I'll show you where the spiders live—Watersnake took me once. And then we can lay eggs—]
"Okay, stop there. Laying eggs is a bit too intense," Coen interrupted. "We're keeping this PG-13."
"Um…" Harry stammered, guilt creeping in. "Actually… we… uh…"
[What?] she tilted her head.
"I'm here to clear up a misunderstanding from yesterday," Harry said carefully.
[Misunderstanding?] she blinked in confusion.
"We were just… dance partners, you know? It's a school thing—everyone has to find a partner…" Harry said nervously. "It didn't mean we were… laying-egg level close…"
[…] She silently stared at him.
"And we're, um, different species—so we probably wouldn't work out, romantically—"
[But we had fun, didn't we?] she asked quietly. [You were great—and you're one of the few friends I've had who didn't pass out halfway through playing…]
Did she say "still able to move"?! Harry's heart clenched. His imagination conjured terrifying images of how she must've "played" with other friends…
"Don't overthink it," Coen said. "At least the unicorns are still alive."
"Y-yeah… maybe it's better this way," Harry said politely. "I hope you find a nice… uh, male basilisk?"
[Got it…] she said softly, her massive body drooping sadly as she turned and slithered slowly back toward her little wooden hut.
[Sigh…] Xisoco exhaled.
"You came to end the band," Coen sighed too.
"What are you even talking about—what band?!" Harry looked confusedly at them both.
[Guess he's not a perv after all… I thought he'd be like those human love stories—clingy, dramatic, messy…] Xisoco muttered.
"What?! You literally said yesterday I wasn't allowed to go near her—"
[Coward.] Xisoco pointed her tail at Harry. [Just because I said no, you gave up? Now I have to go comfort her. She whacked me three times last night over this.]
Harry turned to Coen.
"That's just how my basilisk family rolls," Coen nodded. "You and us—man and monster—it was never going to work… Ah, love."
"Let's just… go study the egg," Harry groaned, covering his face. "I think I'm going to need therapy after this…"