The next morning I woke up pretty early, at least earlier than my usual time, it was 4 in the morning. Sneaking out of the common room was laughingly easy. Some spells like a pretty weak version of disillusionment charm was enough to make sure the portraits, which were the only thing keeping an eye on us students at this hour, wouldn't catch drift of me.
After a long silent walk through the castle towards the forbidden forest I was ready to enter it. The time being before of Hagrid's student years mention there were no acromantula here. Making it pretty safe, at least in the outer regions of the forest.
Entering the forest I took my wand out of my robe sleeves, this robe in particular was modified by me to have a pocket to store my wand in, it easily accessible for now. I do plan on adding enchantments but that is for second year in which I would start to study wards, runes and enchanting properly. The ROR would provide me with the supplies, I have already confirmed it can.
Walking through the relatively quiet forest, I checked on various places I would find a snake while also straining my ears to catch any hissing. For half an hour I couldn't find any of them, which is probably better as them being this far out in the forest would mean they could sneak in towards the Castle grounds. Not that they could enter it, I have heard there are wards preventing it. But curious students would definitely enter the forest for fun.
Anyways after half an hour of searching I finally found one. And let me tell you it was not happy that I disturbed it's sleep.
$"BLOODY LITTLE WIZARD DOESN'T HAVE THE COMMON SENSE TO NOT DISTURB SOMEONES SLEEP, PEASENT TROUBLING SUCH A NOBLE CREATURE AS I....."$
And it went on and on about brats and whatnot, well atleast it confirmed that I can talk to snakes. I tried talking to it.
$"I AM SORRY NOBLE SERPENT, I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE AS NOBLE AS YOU TO HAVE A ENLIGHTENING CONVERSATION WITH."$
It stopped its complaints abruptly and whipped it's head towards me hissing out.
$"A SPEAKER? HEVANS HAVE BLESSED ME WITH SUCH AN AUSPICIOUS MOMENT. IT IS I THAT SHOULD APOLOGISE NOBLE SPEAKER IT IS MINE HONOR TO SPEAK WITH SUCH A NOBLE WIZARD."$ It bowed it's head slightly.
$"IT IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE, I HAVE DISTURBED YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT I CAN TALK THIS NOBLE TOUNGE."$ I said truthfully. $"NOW THAT MY TASK IS DONE I SHOULD LEAVE, HAVE A GREAT HUNT TODAY NOBLE CREATURE."$ I said ready to get back, not wanting to stay more in this forest. Even though it was safe for me till now the forest still feels unwelcoming.
$"GO YOUR WAY SPEAKER, I WISH YOU A GREAT HUNT AS WELL."$ It said, I guess my greetings was somewhat correct.
After that I went back the way I came. Judging from the position of the sun It seemed like it was 6 or later than that, but no earlier than 7. Which is good I would have plenty of time for myself. I could just read some more material on the parsel tongue in the library. It is not uncommon for me to be there at such an hour with the curfew long since finished, it is removed at 5 in the morning.
Getting out of the forest I was at lookout for anyone that could cause me trouble if they caught me coming out of the forbidden forest, at this hour in top of it. Seeing no one I cast another weak version of disillusionment charm and moved towards the ravenclaw common room. Staying clear of any voices I made it into the common room which to my relief was still empty.
Taking seat at one couch I took some time to rest and think about how to get a dragon in order to confirm If I can speak with them. It would be definitely difficult to even get close to one even if I found it. After thinking for a while I got to conclusion that it's best left to deal with later.
While thinking this one more thing came to my mind.
The basilisk.
It would be a nightmare to deal with alone, but there are slim chances of me being able to control it. I would have to get stronger if I have to do it alone.
The reason for me wanting to do it alone is the rune language, parsel script. It could be down there and I won't be able to get my hands on it if I took help from professors. Dealing with it alone will be tough but it can be manageable till the end of the year.
I would have to verify if rooster's voice is it's weakness, the ROR will be able to provide books on it. I should wait till winter holidays start.
Few days later evening time.
Today was Halloween feast or as it is majorly known today as the ALL HALLOWS EVE, today is said to be the day on which the dead are most possible, the Ghost are allowed by something to interact with material world today. It is widely known that they are ALLOWED and can't automatically do it. But no one knows who or what is it that allows them this.
Today's classes were light in nature only practical work done like revision of the spells taught in the transfiguration and charms class, in potions and defence we were just told to practice on our own. In the other there was just light reading done. One by one we appeared in the great hall. The food was pumpkin themed but one could ask the house elves to exchange it for something else if it was not to there liking.
I arrived along with Edgar and Eleanor and we took our seat amongst the already present ravenclaw students.
"I do hope we won't have to get heavy homework for the winter holidays." Edgar said I a hopeful voice, ever eager to skip homework. Some might doubt how he got in ravenclaw but his results speak for themselves. Every essay he writes is perfect with minimal words. Some professors even praise him for it as it eases there workload. His work bringing positive response made me and Eleanor to keep it like him, even then it is unique for each of us, easily making us top year students. It doesn't mean much for now but it helps with older ravenclaws being more lenient to us.
"Even if we get more you would just do the minimum and even then get good grades." Eleanor said, with a small smile.
"So what you two copy my style too. And heavy work is heavy work no matter what I do to circumvent it." Edgar said making a funny face at Eleanor which caused us all to laugh, him included.
After that The headmaster gave a small speech on the topic of who we have lost, for some it was minor things like pets but for people like me it was our parents loved ones, not to say pets aren't loved ones but they can be replaced. Parents and the like can never be replaced, at least not for me. The speech made some of us emotional and with the feast going on till late night, I went to sleep lamenting my fate of not being blessed with my parents presence in this life.