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Dante stood in the Owlery, the cold wind brushing against his face as he held the latest letter from his father. The parchment detailed yet another failed attempt to procure basilisk skin. Lucius had exhausted every contact, every black-market dealer, and even a few unsavory characters in Knockturn Alley, but no one had what Dante needed. The basilisk's skin was simply too rare.

Dante set the letter ablaze, watching as the flames consumed the parchment and reduced it to ash. He sighed, his silver eyes narrowing as he stared out at the horizon. The designs for his two Magic Circuits, 'Reparo Maxima' and 'Crucio Protego', were complete, but without basilisk skin, they were little more than theoretical constructs. He could, of course, settle for a less resistant material, but that would mean compromising the circuits' power and durability. Dante hated compromises.

[Perhaps I should focus on lower-powered spells for now], he thought, though the idea left a bitter taste in his mouth. He despised unfinished work, but for now, he has nothing he can do unless he finds an alternative for the basilisk skin.

Descending the Owlery, Dante made his way back to the castle, his mind already racing through alternative works he could do. As he stepped into the corridor, he was met by Draco, who looked unusually excited.

"Dante!" Draco called, jogging to catch up. "Where have you been? There's a dueling club starting in the Great Hall. All fourth-years and below are required to attend."

Dante raised an eyebrow. "A dueling club? Since when does Hogwarts care about teaching students practical defense?"

Draco shrugged. "Because the chamber of secrets and attacks, I guess. They're saying it's to help us defend ourselves in case a real monster targets us next."

Dante became curious, what are the staff planning?

"Fine. Let's see what this is about." Dante said and followed Draco

The Great Hall was packed with students when Dante and Draco arrived. The younger years were clustered together, their faces a mix of curiosity and nervousness. At the center of the room stood Gilderoy Lockhart, his usual flamboyant self, and beside him, Professor Snape, looking as though he'd rather be anywhere else.

Dante stood at the back of the crowd, his arms crossed as he observed the scene. Lockhart was in the middle of a grandiose speech about the importance of self-defense in these "dark and troubling times." Dante tuned him out almost immediately, his attention shifting to Snape, who looked like he was barely restraining himself from hexing Lockhart on the spot.

When Lockhart finally finished his spiel, he introduced Snape as his "assistant" for the demonstration. The two professors took their positions, and the students watched with bated breath as they performed the dueling greeting. Lockhart counted to three, and before he could even raise his wand, Snape fired off a swift 'Expelliarmus' that sent Lockhart sprawling to the floor.

Dante shook his head in disbelief. [This is what they call a demonstration?] he thought, his disdain evident. Lockhart, ever the showman, laughed it off and made some excuse about Snape catching him off guard, but Dante wasn't fooled. The man was a fraud, plain and simple.

As the students murmured among themselves, Dante spoke, his voice cutting through the noise. "Professor Snape, what is the purpose of this dueling club? Why the sudden interest in teaching dueling?"

The room fell silent, every eye turning to Dante. Even Snape looked momentarily stunned by the question. After a brief pause, the Potions Master replied, his tone dry, "Mr. Malfoy, I never thought I would say this to a student, but you really should take a break from your reading and research. Your behavior is… unhealthy."

Dante raised an eyebrow, unamused. "I assure you, Professor, my behavior is perfectly healthy. Now, if you wouldn't mind answering the question?"

Snape's lips thinned, but he obliged. "There was another attack last night. A Gryffindor student, a Muggle-born, was found petrified. The staff believes the Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened, and that a monster capable of petrifying its victims is responsible as we couldn't find traces of magic or potion use. This dueling club is an attempt to prepare the students for… unforeseen dangers."

Dante's expression shifted, his mind racing. [A monster that can petrify without leaving traces…] He recalled that brat, Salazar, and his unhinged personality. [What could live for centuries and petrify people without a trace?]

"Professor," Dante said, his voice calm but commanding, "can you describe the state in which the student was found?"

Snape hesitated, then replied, "He was holding a camera, taking a photo. We tried to check if the camera took a picture but it was burned, whatever petrified the boy destroyed his films as well."

Dante's eyes glowed faintly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The pieces clicked into place. "I've been searching for months, and here one is free, living beneath the school."

The Great Hall erupted into murmurs, the students exchanging confused glances. Draco, standing closest to Dante, looked at his brother with curiosity. "Dante, what are you talking about?"

Dante ignored Draco and focused on Snape, his smile widening. "You can disperse the club, Professor. I will kill the so-called monster before the day end."

Without waiting for a response, Dante strode out of the Great Hall, his mind excited for skinning the poor creature below the school. Draco followed close behind, and not far behind him was Luna Lovegood. Behind them, the hall was filled with murmurs and a confused professor.

Dante strode to the front courtyard. Behind him, Draco and Luna hurried to keep up, their curiosity evident. Draco, ever the impatient one, finally broke the silence.

"Dante, what's going on? Why are we out here?" Draco asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Dante didn't immediately answer. Instead, he stopped in the middle of the courtyard and spoke aloud, his voice carrying a commanding tone. "I require assistance from Hogwarts' house-elves. Immediately."

With a soft pop, a house-elf appeared in front of Dante, its large eyes wide with surprise. "Master calls?" the elf squeaked, bowing low.

Dante spoke to the point. "Fifty years ago, a student died here at Hogwarts. Where exactly did it happen?"

The elf blinked, then stammered, "I don't know, Master. I will ask the older elves!" With another pop, the elf disappeared.

Draco stared at his brother, his confusion growing. "What are you doing? Why does it matter where some girl died fifty years ago?"

Before Dante could answer, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were approaching, their expressions a mix of determination and curiosity. Draco noticed them too and scowled.

"What do you want, Potter?" Draco snapped, his tone dripping with disdain.

Harry ignored Draco and looked directly at Dante. "We want to know what the monster in the Chamber of Secrets is."

Dante raised an eyebrow, mildly amused by Harry's directness. Draco, however, snorted. "As if we'd tell you anything—"

"It's a basilisk," Dante interrupted, his voice calm but firm.

Draco turned to his brother, his expression one of betrayal. "Why would you tell them?" he muttered under his breath.

Hermione stepped forward. "That's not possible. Basilisks don't petrify people. Their gaze kills instantly."

Dante glanced at her "Their gaze kills directly. If the gaze is reflected or seen through a medium, it petrifies instead. Salazar Slytherin had a fondness for basilisks, and the creature can live for centuries without issue. That matches the monster that can petrify, kill and lived more than a thousand years"

Hermione opened her mouth to argue but stopped, her brow furrowing as she processed Dante's explanation. Before she could respond, the house-elf reappeared, this time accompanied by an older elf with wrinkled skin and a hunched posture.

The older elf bowed deeply to Dante. "Master, the girl was killed in the girls' bathroom on the first floor."

Dante nodded, dismissing the elves with a wave of his hand. As they disappeared, he turned to the group "That's where the Chamber of Secrets is. If the girl died there fifty years ago, she must have seen the basilisk's eyes. Wherever she died is where the entrance to the Chamber is located."

Without waiting for a response, Dante turned and began walking toward the castle. Draco, after a moment's hesitation, followed closely behind. Luna trailed after them.

The Gryffindor trio exchanged glances. Harry was the first to move, his curiosity outweighing his caution. "We're not missing this," he said, and Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement. They hurried after Dante.