As Harry and Luna desded into the Chamber of Secrets, the temperature dropped noticeably, the dampness of the walls being more apparent. Whether it was from the age of the Chamber or the water trig down from the bathroom above was unclear. They moved deeper into the underbelly of Hogwarts, past a aqueducts and a work of what looked like dangerously outdated lead pipes that fed the castle's water supply

  Luna looked at Harry and the boy looked back.

  Luna g Harry, who met her gaze.

  “I’m not sure it’s safe to drink the water here,” Luna ented, her voice thoughtful but tinged with amusement.

  Harry followed her eyes to the pipes, then gnced over at Daphne, whose expression of growing horror betrayed her thoughts. Clearly, she was beginning to suspect that these pipes might be part of the wizarding world's bigger problems.

  “We're probably going to have to fix that ter, aren’t we? You know, as heirs to the castle?” Harry asked, his tone half-serious.

  Daphne’s jaw dropped slightly. “Wait... you two own the castle?”

  “More or less,” Luna replied, waving off the teicality as they reached the t stone doors of the Chamber. She turo Harry, her eyes gleaming with excitement and an unmistakable touch of bloodlust. “Dear, would you do the honors?”

  Harry didn’t o be asked twice. With a hiss of Parseltohe a doors creaked open, revealing the dark, cavernous space within. Without missing a beat, Luna darted ahead, sprinting into the Chamber where the legendary basilisk awaited. The air thrummed with the presence of something powerful in her wake.

  Daphched, wide-eyed, as Luna’s magic subtly radiated from her. "Holy crap... she has a ton of magic,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Shall we?” Harry asked, extending a hand to her.

  Daphated, then smiled slightly, taking his hand. “Let’s not let her have all the fun.”

  Harry chuckled as they ventured deeper into the shadows. Ahead, Luna’s cheerful voice rang out: “Here snakey, snakey, snakey!”

  The ground began to rumble ominously, signaling the arrival of a very rge, very irritated basilisk.

  “We’re going to die,” Daphne whispered, her voice trembling.

  “Daphne,” Luna’s voice called back from the darkness, “I thought you’d learned by now—dying is for noobs!”

  Daphne blihhly fused. “Why is a witch talking about video games? Eleics don’t work here!”

  When they caught up with Luna, she was standing at the entrance of the antechamber, a Walkman held high above her head, a mischievous smile on her face. I’m Still Standing by Elton John bsted through the headphones as she bobbed to the beat, preparing herself for the fight.

  Harry doubled over with ughter at the sheer absurdity of it all, while Daphared in disbelief.

  “I would’ve thought Ajuka would’ve figured out how to make eleics work around magic by now,” Luna said casually. “If you want to set up a deal, just let me know. Could be useful.”

  With that, she popped the headphones on and charged into the antechamber, disappearing in a blur of motion. The ground tio shake as the basilisk drew closer.

  Daphuro Harry, exasperated. “She’s pletely mad… and I think I’m in love. Is that how you feel?”

  “A little bit, yes,” Harry said, grinning.

  Luna’s voice echoed through the Chamber: “Engarde, ye foul beastie!”

  Suddenly, the entire floor vibrated with a pulse of magical energy, followed by an ominous silence.

  Daphne’s face paled. “Uh, is she going to be okay?”

  The sound of Luna’s voice echoed back faintly: “Oi! No running away, ye cur!”

  The door in front of them bulged outward for a split sed, before settling bato pce.

  “She’ll be fine,” Harry assured her, though there was a flicker of in his eyes.

  Daphne frowned. “Doesn’t the basilisk have an instah gaze? You know, the whole 'look it in the eyes and die' thing?”

  “I’m not sure that could actually kill her,” Harry mused, stroking his thoughtfully.

  There was aremor, followed by the sound of crag stohen, all was still.

  “We should probably che her,” Daphne said, walking toward the stone door. She reached out and touched it gently.

  The door colpsed instantly, having been weakened by the short but intense fight. As the dust settled, Harry and Daphne could finally see Luna. Her eyes glowed a vivid red, her lips tinged with a sickly greeeeth into the hide of the now-defeated basilisk.

  Daphne’s eyes widened. “Luna’s a vampire?”

  Harry examihe se calmly. “After reading that book, I think it’s more likely the thestral traits ing out in her human form.”

  Luna lifted her head, wiping her mouth with a triumphant grin. "Snake's down. Who’s hungry?"

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