The Hogwarts Library was bigger than Solus remembered.
Corvus had known every shelf (stack). Every book. Every dark nook where students hid to study in peace.
But a thousand years had passed.
And the library had grown.
Now there were entire sections dedicated to magic from other cultures. Shelves with titles in Japanese, Arabic, Swahili, Mandarin. Books on modern magical theory that didn't exist in Corvus's time.
'The world has changed. And knowledge has grown with it.'
Solus walked through the shelves (stacks) with a clear purpose.
He needed to know more about Corvus Slytherin.
Not just the few memories he already had. But what the official history said. What had been preserved. What had been lost.
And more importantly: he needed to know if anyone else was looking.
The Magical History Section was on the second floor.
Solus walked up the stairs silently. There were only a few students: a group of fifth-year Ravenclaws studying together, a couple of Hufflepuffs whispering about their homework.
No one paid him any attention.
Solus scanned the titles.
Hogwarts: A History. Already read it.
The Four Founders: Legend and Truth. Also read.
Medieval British Magic. Read.
The Dark Era: 1000-1100 AD.
Interesting. He hadn't read that one.
He pulled it off the shelf.
It was a thick, dusty book with yellowed pages. The cover showed a map of Europe with magical symbols marking places of power.
Solus took it to a secluded table in a corner (nook), far from the other students.
He opened the book.
And began to read.
"The Dark Era (1000-1100 AD) was a period of intense conflict between wizards and Muggles. The Crusades, the forced Christianization of Europe, and the early witch hunts created a climate of terror for magical communities.
During this period, many powerful wizards were executed. Magical libraries were burned. Ancient knowledge was lost forever.
Hogwarts was founded in 990 AD as a response to this crisis. The Four Founders, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin, created a refuge where magical children could learn without fear.
However, in 1015 AD, Salazar Slytherin abandoned Hogwarts after a dispute with the other Founders regarding the admission of Muggle-born students. He never returned."
Solus turned the page.
"What many historians ignore is that Salazar Slytherin was not alone when he founded Hogwarts. He had a younger brother: Corvus Slytherin."
Solus stopped.
'Here it is.'
He kept reading.
"Corvus Slytherin (990-1065 AD) was a user of Ancient Magic, a form of magic that predated standardized spells. According to fragmentary records that survive, Corvus was a master of elemental manipulation, could feel the flow of magic in the environment, and was considered one of the most powerful wizards of his time.
After Salazar's departure, Corvus assumed the role of Headmaster of Hogwarts. Under his leadership, the school prospered. He trained dozens of students who eventually became masters in their own right.
In 1065 AD, Hogwarts was attacked by a coalition of Muggle warlords and traitorous wizards seeking to seize the castle and its knowledge. Corvus defended Hogwarts almost single-handedly, using Ancient Magic to repel the invaders.
He died in the battle.
His body was never found.
And according to legend, before dying, Corvus sealed something inside the castle. Something that only his heirs could find."
Solus closed the book slowly.
'My body was never found. Because I didn't die in the main battle. I died sealing the Map Chamber.'
The memory came clear and painful:
Blood on his hands.
Pain in his chest. The magic of the Chamber responding to his sacrifice.
"For those who will come," he had whispered. "For those who will understand."
And he had sealed the entrance with his own blood.
Solus took a deep breath.
'I need to find that Chamber. But I can't search for it openly.'
'Not yet.'
He closed the book.
And then he saw something.
A note.
Handwritten in the margin of the last page about Corvus.
In green ink that glowed faintly.
If you seek Corvus, look where the serpent sleeps beneath the lake.
Solus froze.
'What is this?'
The ink was recent. It hadn't been there when Corvus lived.
Someone had written this.
Recently.
'Who?'
He looked around the library.
The Ravenclaw students were still studying. The Hufflepuff couple had left.
No one was looking at him.
Solus pulled out his wand and muttered a spell Corvus had known:
"Revelio scriptum."
The note glowed brighter.
And more words appeared underneath:
Written on September 1, 2017.
Three days ago.
Right after the Sorting Ceremony.
Solus felt a chill run down his spine.
'Someone knows I'm here.'
'Someone knows I'll look for information about Corvus.'
'And they are leaving me clues.'
'But who?'
'Annan?'
'Someone else?'
Solus closed the book and returned it to the shelf.
Then he walked toward the Restricted Section.
He didn't expect to get in. The Restricted Section required written permission from a professor.
But he wanted to see what was nearby.
What kind of books were just on the edge of what was allowed.
The entrance to the Restricted Section was marked by a red velvet rope and a sign that read:
[ENTRY FORBIDDEN WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION]
Behind the rope, dark shelves extended into the shadows. Solus could see titles on the spines of the books:
Blood Magic: Theory and Practice
Unforgivable Curses: History and Application
Dark Artifacts of the 15th Century
And at the back, barely visible, a book with a black cover and silver symbols.
Solus narrowed his eyes.
'Is that...?'
He couldn't read it from here.
But something in that book called to him.
As if recognizing the magic emanating from it.
"Looking for something interesting, Mr. Gray?"
Solus turned sharply.
The librarian was standing behind him.
She was an older woman, with gray (grey) hair pulled back in a severe bun and glasses that made her eyes look enormous.
"Just curiosity, Madam..." Solus paused.
"Madam Pince. Irma Pince." The librarian studied him. "First year, correct?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"First years are not allowed to access the Restricted Section."
"I know. I was just looking."
"Hmm." Madam Pince looked at him with suspicion. "Slytherin, by the robes. And curious. That is a dangerous combination."
"I don't intend to cause trouble."
"No one intends to cause trouble. But it happens anyway." Madam Pince pointed toward the tables. "If you need a book from the Restricted Section, you must obtain written permission from a professor. Until then, stay in the permitted sections."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Solus began to walk away.
"Mr. Gray."
He stopped.
"Yes, Madam Pince."
"I have been a librarian here for forty years. I have seen thousands of students. And I can recognize one who is looking for something specific." Madam Pince looked at him with sharp eyes. "Be careful. Some knowledge has a price."
Solus nodded.
"I'll keep that in mind."
And he left the library.
. . . . . . .
Slytherin Common Room, 9:00 PM
When Solus returned, the Common Room was moderately full.
Older students were playing chess. Some were studying. Others were simply chatting.
Solus sat in his usual spot in front of the fireplace.
'Where the serpent sleeps beneath the lake'.
'What does that mean?'
The Slytherin Common Room was under the lake. That was obvious.
'But what serpent?'
'The basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets?'
'No. That Chamber was elsewhere in the castle.'
'Then what?'
'Think like Corvus.'
'Where would you hide something important?'
'Not in an obvious place. Not where the other Founders could find it.'
'But in a place that only your blood would recognize.'
The Map Chamber.
'It has to be close to the Common Room. Corvus wanted his heirs to be able to access it easily.'
'But not so obvious that just anyone would find it.'
Solus looked at the green stone walls.
The windows looking out into the lake.
'Beneath the lake'.
His mind began to work.
'If the Chamber is under the lake, then there has to be an entrance from the Common Room. But it can't be visible. It has to be hidden.'
Ancient Magic.
Corvus would have used Ancient Magic to seal it.
And Ancient Magic responded to blood.
Or to Intent.
'I need time. I need to explore the Common Room when it's empty.'
'I need...'
"Gray."
Solus looked up.
Stella was standing in front of him with her arms crossed and an expression that clearly said: I know you're up to something.
"Zabini."
"What were you doing in the library?"
"Reading."
"Lie."
Stella sat across from him. "I saw you leave half an hour ago. You had that look."
"What look?"
"The 'I just found something important and I'm not telling anyone' look." Stella leaned forward. "So, what did you find?"
Solus studied her.
'Can I trust her?'
'She's curious. Smart. Impulsive.'
'But she's also loyal. And I need allies.'
"If I tell you," he said slowly, "you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not even your brother."
Stella arched an eyebrow.
"This sounds serious."
"It is."
She looked at him for a long moment.
"Okay. I promise."
Solus looked around the Common Room. No one was paying attention.
He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"I found a note in a book in the library. About Corvus Slytherin."
"Salazar's brother?"
"Yes. The note said: 'If you seek Corvus, look where the serpent sleeps beneath the lake.'"
Stella's eyes went wide.
"Is that...?"
"A clue. To find something Corvus left behind."
"What did he leave behind?"
"I don't know. But I need to find out."
Stella leaned back in her seat, processing.
"And who wrote the note?"
"I don't know. But it was written three days ago. Just after the Sorting Ceremony."
"So someone knows you're here. And that you'll look for information about Corvus." Stella frowned. "That is... disturbing."
"Yeah."
Silence.
Then Stella grinned.
"This is great."
Solus blinked.
"Great?"
"A mystery. A hidden legacy. A cryptic clue." Stella rubbed her hands together. "It's like something out of an adventure novel."
"This isn't a novel, Zabini."
"I know. That's why it's even better." Stella leaned forward. "Count me in."
"Count you in for what?"
"For whatever you're planning. Finding the Chamber. Discovering secrets. Exploring forbidden places." Stella smiled. "I'm good at those things."
Solus studied her.
'She's impulsive. But she's also brilliant.'
'And I'll need help if I'm going to do this alone.'
"Alright," he finally said. "But we have to be careful. And discreet."
"I always am."
"No, you're not."
Stella laughed.
"Okay, you're right. But I promise to try."
Albus came down the stairs from the dormitory at that moment, yawning.
"What are you two doing?" he asked, sitting next to Solus.
Stella and Solus exchanged a look.
"Nothing," they said in unison.
Albus looked at them with suspicion.
"You two are up to something."
"We're not up to anything," Stella said innocently.
"Liars."
Albus crossed his arms. "I can see it. You both have that 'we're hiding something' look."
Solus sighed.
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Depends on the secret?"
"We're looking for something. Something hidden in the castle."
Albus blinked.
"Something like what?"
"Like a legacy. Left by one of the Founders."
"Which Founder?"
Solus hesitated.
Then he decided that Albus deserved to know the truth.
Or at least, part of it.
"Corvus Slytherin. Salazar's younger brother."
Albus went still.
"Salazar had a brother?"
"Yes. And he left something behind. Something important."
"How do you know?"
"Because I found a clue. And because..." Solus paused. "Because I trust my instincts."
Albus looked at him for a long moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Okay. I'm in."
"In for what?" Stella asked.
"For whatever you guys are planning." Albus smiled faintly. "You guys are the most interesting thing that's happened to me at Hogwarts. I'm not getting left behind."
Stella smiled broadly.
"We officially have a team."
Solus looked at both of them.
'A team.'
'Albus Potter. Stella Zabini. And me.'
'This could work.'
'Or it could be a complete disaster.'
But for the first time since he had arrived at Hogwarts, Solus didn't feel alone.
'I have allies.'
'I have friends.'
'And together, we are going to find what Corvus left behind.'
That night, Solus dreamed.
Not of Rome.
Not of Hogwarts burning.
But of a door.
A green stone door with symbols glowing in silver.
And behind the door, a voice whispering:
"Welcome home, heir."