And the Basilisk made Three

Ron makes a bad choice about seeking out Hermione, and Harry, panicking, calls for aid using parseltongue as the tap is right in front of him. He and Hermione make a new friend, and Snape recognises the lack of self-worth of the abused. A Snape-mentor fic with a 60 foot twist. This has four years/chapters, and it's a good place to stop.