The Great Basilisk

**The Great Basilisk** is a basilisk created by Salazar Slytherin to act as an anti-siege weapon to protect Hogwarts from attack.

## History

### Creation

Within the first decade of Hogwart's first decade, due to the vast threats still plaguing Magical Britain, the Founders of Hogwarts agreed to develop permanent defences for Hogwarts Castle. To this end, Salazar Slytherin created the Great Serpent. After gaining his hands on the egg, he imbued the egg (and the creature inside) with the magical essences of other magical creatures, granting his creation the magical attributes of those creatures. He also granted it the ability to move anywhere on the Hogwarts Grounds freely, moving through the school's plumbing system and being able to squeeze within any room within Hogwarts Castle.

When presented to the other Founders, there was a mixed reaction with Helga Hufflepuff being delighted whilst Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor were less impressed. Since the creature's gaze only petrified and didn't kill, the creature complied with Hufflepuff's diplomatic nature. As a gesture of her esteem, she even fashioned an enchanted ewer which could facilitate the swift revivification of the petrified, regardless whether friend or foe.

However, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor disapproved of it, as the procedures used to making it were (and are) considered inherently Dark Magic. Slytherin thought they were jealous of how useful the Basilisk was compared to their contributions; the Hogwarts Wards and Stone Guardians, respectively. This led to much strife between the Founders until a compromise was reached; Slytherin would alter the Basilisk so that it could be controlled by Ravenclaw's Diadem or put to sleep by the Sword of Gryffindor.

After this, the Basilisk was stowed within the Chamber of Secrets until it was required.

## Powers and Abilities

### Slytherin's Modifications

The Great Basilisk was far more than a mere basilisk. When created, Salazar Slytherin (one of the greatest wizards of his time) imbued it with the magical essences from other magical creatures, granting his Basilisk some of the attributes of those creatures. These include:

* **Petrifying Gaze**, from a Thracian Gorgon. Salazar added this to avoid the risk of slaying allies alongside enemies in the event of a siege.

* **Regenerative Powers**, from a Mountain Troll.

* **Magic-Resistant Scales**, from a Welsh Green Dragon.

* **Silent Movement**, from a Great European Strix.

* **Rebirth**, from a Phoenix. Slytherin ensured that upon the Basilisk's death, it would be reborn into an egg concealed inside the giant statue of Slytherin's head until it's needed again.

### Freedom of Movement

As the Great Basilisk is tied to Hogwarts as an anti-siege weapon, Slytherin imbued it with the ability to move freely within Hogwarts Castle and its surrounding grounds. This was done through two methods; **Fast Travel** and **Size-Altering Charms**.

When commanded by its handler, the Great Basilisk can enter any point of the Hogwarts plumbing system and exit from another point, including the sluice gates in the moat or Black Lake, regardless of the size of the connecting pipes. This allowed the Basilisk to flank armies that were assaulting Hogwarts Castle.

The size-altering charms were imbued within so ensure the Basilisk could fight enemies even if they were within Hogwarts halls and classrooms. This prevented the Basilisk's size from stopping it from performing its duty.

These skills were demonstrated when Tom Riddle had the Basilisk emerge from the Staff toilets into the Staff Room and proceeded to petrify everyone within the room, including the majority of the Hogwarts staff and several students.

## Weaknesses

Upon disapproval by Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor, Slytherin added weaknesses to the Basilisk to make it more acceptable. These were:

* **Diadem of Ravenclaw**: the wearer of the Diadem of Ravenclaw is able to overcome the control of any ordinary Parselmouth upon the Great Basilisk, along with control the Basilisk with a greater degree of control.

* **Sword of Gryffindor**: the Sword of Gryffindor can put the Great Basilisk to sleep if its is cut by the Sword, which can bypass the Basilisk's Scales. Also, it is one of the only objects that can kill the Basilisk.

## References

Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 75 - Endgame (Pt 2),

Written in Hogwarts: A History, 1st Edition, page 193.

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Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 75 - Endgame (Pt 2),

Written in Hogwarts: A History, 1st Edition, page 194.

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Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 78 - The Riddle of the Diary,

Harry confirms the Basilisk's rebirth abilities by find its egg within Salazar's Statue.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 75 - Endgame (Pt 2),

The Great Basilisk is unleashed within the Staff Room.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 76 - Revelations in a Disused Lavatory,

Harry explains that Ravenclaw's Diadem can control the Basilisk.
Book 2 - HP&TSE - Ch. 77 - The Chamber of Secrets,

Harry explains the Basilisk's weakness to the Sword of Gryffindor to Jim.