Aurelian was preparing to deactivate the Stone of Resurrection when Salazar's deep voice stopped him.
"Before you go," said the founder, looking at him seriously, "if you ever have a question that no one else can answer, you can call me. But don't do it too often... Death is a jealous lover and doesn't appreciate having her souls taken away too often."
Aurelian smiled slightly, understanding that this was no joke.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Salazar nodded, then his expression softened.
"One last thing: your blood is ancient, Aurelian. Don't let it die with you. Someday, you must think about having offspring. Not on a whim, but because the strongest legacies are passed down not only in history, but in blood and magic."
Before Aurelian could respond, Nythoros let out a deep, amused hiss.
"Oh, master... that's already taken care of. Our heir has two females who, from what I've been told, accompany him everywhere."
Aurelian felt the heat rise to his face.
"They're not my... 'females.' They're my friends."
"Friends," the basilisk repeated mockingly, as if the word were absurd.
Salazar let out a deep laugh that echoed throughout the Chamber.
"Nythoros always had a good eye for these things. Don't worry, Aurelian. Time will tell."
His laughter still lingered in the air when his figure slowly faded away, returning to the ethereal mist from whence he came.
Several days passed since the conversation with Salazar. During that time, Aurelian had continued with his usual routine, although the founder's words remained swirling in his head. Finally, one afternoon, as they left the Great Hall together, he stopped in front of Hestia and Flora.
"The time has come," he said, looking at them both. "I promised you that one day I would take you to the Chamber of Secrets. That day is today."
The twins looked at each other with that particular sparkle in their eyes, a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
"We knew you wouldn't keep us waiting too long," replied Hestia with a satisfied smile.
"Of course, you wouldn't want to break your promise," added Flora, taking his arm possessively.
They descended through the corridors until they reached the abandoned bathrooms. Myrtle watched them suspiciously, floating above one of the pipes, but Aurelian gave her a look that was enough to make her move away without question.
With a whisper in Parseltongue, the entrance opened. The carved snakes moved and the door descended, revealing the dark tunnel. Aurelian conjured a green sphere of light and they descended the winding staircase.
The echo of their footsteps amplified until they reached the main hall. The giant columns, the snake carvings, and the cold dampness of the air caused the twins to fall momentarily silent.
A low hiss broke the stillness.
"Heir... you have returned."
Nythoros emerged from the shadows, moving with an unsettling grace. His golden eyes fixed first on Aurelian and then on the twins.
"So, these are the two you told me about."
Hestia and Flora tensed, but Aurelian raised a reassuring hand.
"He says he's glad to meet them and that he knows who they are."
"Really?" asked Flora, without taking her eyes off the basilisk.
"Much more than you can imagine," Aurelian replied, translating the hiss that followed. "He also said that... you're lively and remind him of the friends who used to accompany Salazar."
Hestia let out a small laugh.
"I think I like him."
Aurelian smiled and continued to bridge the two worlds: Nythoros's solemn, ancient words and the twins' direct, affectionate responses. They conversed like this for a long time, until the initial tension dissipated completely.
The conversation continued to flow, questions in English, answers in Parseltongue, and Aurelian translating in between. Nythoros was surprisingly open, recounting fragments of stories about Salazar and the early years of Hogwarts. The twins listened as if every word were a forbidden secret.
At one point, the basilisk let out a low hiss that made Aurelian press his lips together.
"Your lineage is assured with these two," it had said.
Aurelian pretended not to hear it, moving straight on to another topic.
"Nythoros says... he thanks you for coming and hopes to see you again soon," he translated, deliberately omitting that part.
Hestia looked at him with a raised eyebrow, as if she suspected he was withholding information. Flora, on the other hand, was too busy admiring the basilisk's green and black scales to notice the evasion.
"Tell him we hope to see him again too," Flora replied.
"And don't worry, we'll take care of you," Hestia added, in a tone that made it clear this was not mere courtesy.
Aurelian conveyed only what was necessary, taking care not to fuel Nythoros' jokes.
Finally, they said goodbye. The basilisk bowed its enormous head to the twins in a sign of respect and, with a long hiss, slipped back into the shadows.
The return journey was silent. Aurelian could sense Hestia and Flora's satisfaction beside him, as if they were now part of something even more intimate and secret than before.
The echo of their footsteps resounded in the hallway as they left the baths. The dim light of the torches cast long shadows on the walls, giving them a more closed, almost intimate feel.
Aurelian had barely taken a few steps when he felt two pairs of arms wrap around him at the same time. Hestia and Flora clung to him tightly, as if they never wanted to let go.
"Now it's official," Hestia whispered against his shoulder, her voice soft but laden with warning. "You won't be able to get rid of us now."
"Never," added Flora, looking at him sideways with that mixture of affection and possessiveness that characterized her. "You've shared your biggest secret with us... that means we're yours and you're ours."
Aurelian smiled subtly, knowing deep down that there was no turning back now that he had let them into his life completely. They always meant what they said.
"I had no intention of getting rid of you," he replied, each word spoken with warmth.
The hallway fell silent for a moment, broken only by the distant crackling of the torches. The embrace lasted longer than necessary, as if the twins wanted to engrave the feeling in their memory. Finally, they let go... but only to link arms as they walked, as if afraid he might escape.
By then, there was no corner of Hogwarts where the inseparable bond between Aurelian Gaunt and the Carrow twins was not known. What had happened in the Slytherin Common Room had sealed the general perception: no one dared to provoke them, let alone utter an offensive word toward them without expecting immediate retaliation.
A month later, at the end of an Enchantments class, Professor Flitwick asked Aurelian to stay behind. The other students began to leave the classroom, and soon it was just the two of them.
Flitwick smiled with that mixture of kindness and sharpness that characterized him.
"Mr. Gaunt, I must say that your progress this year has been impressive. Not only have you perfected your control, but your creativity with spells is... unusual for someone your age."
Aurelian bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, professor."
"That's precisely why," continued Flitwick, adjusting his robes, "I've thought of you for something special. This summer, France will host the International Youth Dueling Tournament, in the under-14 category. It's a highly prestigious event, and although few are invited, I believe you could represent us well."
Aurelian raised an eyebrow, interested.
"And what would participating entail?"
"Travel, accommodation, and of course the experience of facing some of the most talented young duellists in the wizarding world," explained the diminutive professor, with a hint of pride. "It's an opportunity to gauge your level outside the walls of Hogwarts and for Great Britain to have a representative who is up to the task."
Aurelian crossed his arms, pondering for a few seconds before responding.
"I would like to participate, professor. It sounds... interesting. What are the rules of the tournament?"
Flitwick's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"The format is simple: one-on-one duels, divided into elimination rounds. Any non-lethal spell is permitted, including advanced combinations of enchantments and quick transfigurations. Unforgivable curses and any magic that could cause permanent damage are prohibited. The goal is to incapacitate or disarm your opponent."
Aurelian nodded slowly.
"So it's about more than just casting spells quickly. Strategy is key."
"Exactly," confirmed Flitwick, with a proud smile. "I should add that, if you accept, you will be officially participating as a representative of Great Britain. That's no small thing, Mr. Gaunt."
Aurelian felt a slight tingle of interest in his chest. Although he wasn't really interested in representing the country, the tournament meant visibility, and with it, he would gain more influence.
"I accept."
"Excellent," said Flitwick, clapping his tiny hands. "The event will be held at the end of July, so we have little time to prepare. I will accompany you to France myself, as well as train you to make sure you are ready."
Aurelian bowed his head respectfully.
"So, professor... I guess we'll start soon."
Flitwick smiled from ear to ear.
"Sooner than you think."
The cool evening air mingled with the constant murmur of the Black Lake. Aurelian sat on the grass, a few feet from the shore, while Hestia and Flora rested beside him, enjoying the moment.
"Today, after Charms, Professor Flitwick took me aside," Aurelian began, staring at the distorted reflection of the clouds on the water. "He offered me the chance to participate in an international dueling tournament. It will be in France, at the end of July."
The twins exchanged a quick glance.
"France?" Flora repeated, her tone tinged with surprise and a hint of alarm.
"And you intend to go alone?" Hestia asked, her voice lower but laden with meaning.
Aurelian smiled faintly.
"I will represent Great Britain. Flitwick will accompany me and train me personally to ensure I am ready."
Flora pursed her lips.
"I don't like the idea of you going so far away, especially to put yourself in danger."
"I don't think there's any danger," replied Aurelian, without taking his eyes off the lake.
Hestia leaned toward him, resting her head on his chest.
"It doesn't matter how 'safe' you say it is. If we can't go with you, I want you to at least promise that you'll come back without a scratch."
Aurelian let out a light laugh.
"I promise I'll come back safe and sound."
They didn't seem entirely convinced, but they didn't insist. Instead, they hugged him, as a way of making sure that nothing would change and that he would be safe.
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