Chapter 592 - Curse Theorem Ⅳ (1/2)
Forcing her gaze back to the ancient volume, Rowan returns to reading Salazar Slytherin's words only to startle at his following words.
”I have failed to cast the Malice curse and tether the curse, I was betrayed-. And thus, I can no longer trust in those around me especially Godric's Mudblood Gryffindors.”
”Wait, what?” Rowan muttered in uttered bewilderment as her eyes widened at her sudden suspicions. Was it possible that Salazar encountered Hydra?
Rowan's mind races as she begins to match updates with that which knew and had been told. The Hassan clan would have split more or less during Herpo, the Foul's time. Hundreds of years later, based on Salazar Slytherin's own words and during the discovery of her own research, she knew that the first apprentice had betrayed Herpo, the Foul. And the second lesser-known apprentice had fled with Herpo, the Foul's evil research.
Suddenly the dots come together as Rowan pieces the strange rune mark that appeared after Wilkes death. The second apprentice! ”Yes, that's it,” she mumbled to herself.
Rowan's mind raced as the pieces of the puzzle fit to form a macabre puzzle. ”The Puppeteer hidden in the shadows,” she whispered to herself as she recalled the serpents' warning.
”Beware of the Hydra that comes in the shadows of the night. Beware of the Hydra that hides in the phantoms of the past. And beware of the Hydra that hunts in the shadows of the light and the day.”
A hysterical laugh escapes Rowan, before a grave expression appears on her face. ”So, the second apprentice completed Herpo, the Foul's work. He found the means to prolong his life by constant rebirth and never tasting death, H-Y-D-R-A.”
The memory of Potter brat comes to mind, a living breathing Horcrux, but one with its own soul. And if Potter could be a Horcrux, and Credence's Obscurial possessed an almost impossible power to regenerate then why could one not make something in between? But more importantly, after having perfected the art, eternal life was guaranteed.
Rowan's hand trembles at the sudden revelation as a sickly expression appeared on her face. Then Salazar Slytherin through beyond a shadow of a doubt was somewhat evil and malicious had not acted in such a manner without cause. And as maddening as that sounded, he had done so to prevent an even greater tragedy. It was something she had never dreamed of sharing with her misguided ancestor, who was not so misguided in the end after all.
Hurriedly Rowan returns to her previous spot and keenly reads ahead.
”Descendant trust no one and especially those mudblood's. Mudblood's are far too easily found and taken. And though weak they are not; they are not taught in our ways and have no means of resisting it. Godric nor Helga nor Rowena understand my actions, they all call me arrogant, power-hungry, and obsessed. Perchance I am all those things, but I have not yet gone mad.
I have seen it trying to creep in through our hallowed doors, but it cannot yet enter these walls except through another. Thankfully, the wards hold true and only one can enter at a time, but I fear with my departure and our natural passing away the wards will begin to crack and allow more of it inside. And as for the guardian chosen by Godric and Rowena, I hold no faith in it. It is a stupid arrogant beast that knows nothing of survival and cunning. And it will surely be slain by it with ease.”
Rowan's lips twitch with an ironic smile as that tone of voice sounds all too familiar and belonging to Aunt Georgine. Well, they were related, after all, she thought, before glancing back down.
”Before I depart, I shall leave behind one of my Basilisk's, the male out of the couple which, I have hatched. I shall take the female Basilisk with me, but their egg, I shall entrust to you, Descendant to do as you see fit. The male Basilisk will remain behind to guard Hogwarts and bind that vile abominations movement until its natural demise.”
Rowan visibly winces at the statement with some guilt. And though she now somewhat regretted her course of actions, she did not regret her decision in the end. The male Basilisk would not have acknowledged her commands and as for the egg-. Well, she had no confidence in taming such a dangerous beast even with all her abilities. And some things are never meant to be tamed, and a Basilisk was certainly one of them.