Chapter 96 – Potion of Apsens
The Yule Ball was more pleasant than I first thought, and for a night, I forgot about the competition or the dangers around us and simply enjoyed dancing with Quincy. When it ended and we headed back to our room, the moment we laid down, the exhaustion sent us into a deep sleep.
"You are in danger."
"Huh?"
It was a profound voice that roused my consciousness, but I immediately knew that I hadn't 'woken up' and was still in a dream. Looking around, I saw that it was not the forest that I was used to nor Hogwarts but a weird, dark chamber, only lit up around my immediate vicinity. This was something new. Vastly different from any of my previous lucid dreams.
"Herpo?" I asked, recognizing the voice that spoke to me. From the darkness, I watched as a giant snake, a basilisk, slithered forward into the light, making me avert my eyes in a hurry.
"Hehehe... Don't be afraid, young man." He cackled as I heard him change shape, transforming back into the form of a man.
"I am because I am not trusting you, old man." I grunted, turning towards him carefully, trying to keep some distance. "I have a feeling you are lying to me."
"Am I?"
"I don't think anyone else lives within my blood, so yes."
"Son, I told you that I already died." He continued with a kind, friendly voice, opening his arms and looking at my face. "I am just an amalgamation of memories, not a living being."
"Aren't we all?" I shot back, making his smile go even wider.