Author's Note: Oh my dear Merlin, I never expected so many reviews. Thank you my beloved readers! I love you guys so much or supporting this story. Here is the end of year two. Review!
~Of Silver and Gold~
Chapter 9: Frauds, Basilisk, and Reunion
"Harry" Ron whispered as Harry ran off.
Ron had no choice but to follow his friend, but if was honest with himself he didn't understand it. Why weren't they heading towards the infirmary to check on Ginny, than go chase after Lockhart?
"What are you doing?" he asked once again.
"Lockhart might be useless" Harry panted "But he will try and get into the Chamber"
"So?" Ron asked.
"At least we can tell him what we know!" Harry said.
"Who cares" Ron huffed after chasing after him "Let him take care of the monster and Malfoy. You and I should go check on Ginny"
Harry turned immediately and Ron crashed into him.
"No Ron" he said shaking his head "We have to save her."
Ron looked at him incredulously.
"Why? She's been nothing but mean to us" Ron whined.
"Ron, imagine that if instead of Malfoy they took Ginny?" he asked "What would you do?"
Ron paled and looked away as if he knew now understood, but was ashamed to admit it. How could you legitimize the idea of letting a twelve year old die at the hands of a Basilisk? Ron's moral compass would not allow it.
"Fine Harry, let's go" he whispered somewhat reluctantly.
They ran up the stairs and opened the door opened, only to see a frazzled Lockhart putting his clothes away.
"Professor, we have some information for you" Harry called out.
They saw him immediately close his suitcase then turned to the pair giving them his best rendition of a charming smile...except it wasn't sincere. The shaky smile was clearly bleeding out his nervousness.
"Are you leaving professor?" Harry asked.
"Um, w-well yes, urgent call gotta go." Lockhard uttered nervously.
"What about Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed.
Harry looked at him and was surprised at how passionate he was. He supposed that when the situation was that when it came to see it in his perspective, the thought of losing Ginny had put things into perspective.
"As to that most unfortunate, trust me no one is a regretted as me."
"You are the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher!" Harry yelled.
"You can't go now!" Ron commented.
"There was nothing in the job description of-" He began to leave, that is until Harry and Ron blocked his way.
"You're running away?" Harry asked surprised.
"What happened to the stuff you did in your books?" Ron asked.
"Books can be deceiving" Lockhart replied snippety.
"You're a fraud!" Harry glared.
"Is there anything you can do?" Ron asked.
"Yes, now that you mention it, I'm rather good with Memory spells" he replied. "In fact I'm….going to have to do the same to you"
As he turned to show him his wand he saw two pointed at him ready to strike.
"Don't even think about it" Harry smirked.
He dropped his wand nervously.
Moments later….
After asking Moaning Myrtle about her death, they had managed to figure out what had happened. She apparently had heard someone come in who was speaking in a snake tone. Before she could yell at someone to go away, she had seen the big yellow eyes near the sink and she died.
As they looked over to see the sink, they saw that there was an engraved snake pattern on the sink. Harry had whispered "Open" in his Parseltongue, and had found the entrance to the chamber of secrets. They forced Lockhart down the chamber and then they went after him after all he had uttered was "Utterly filthy down here"
They looked around the tunnels and they noticed just why the basilisk had lived in the tunnels for so long: They were incredibly large. Harry looked around at all the grand space and the possible paths they could take. Lockhart in turn looked frightened beyond belief and Ron looked exactly the same.
'If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet' ran through Harry's mind the moment that Ron made a noise of disgust. As he looked down he saw that the tunnels' floors were covered in bones.
"R-remember" Harry said to both of them "Any sign of moment, close your eyes immediately"
Harry climbed the first tunnel with Lockhart following, and lastly Ron pointing his broken want to
Lockhart.
"This way" Harry ordered and took a right from the main tunnel.
"What's this?" Ron asked.
There in front of them was a large, and fat snake skin.
"Looks like a …..snake" Lockhart said.
"Bloody hell" Ron said "whoever shed this must be sixty feet long"
Harry followed the shed skin till he reached the head of the snake skin. Harry turned immediately as he heard a thump, only to see Lockhart had fainted.
"Heart of a lion this one" Ron teased.
The silliness soon dissipated as they realized that this was all according to plan. Ron jumped as Lockhart took hold of his wand and immediately pointed it at him.
"The adventure ends here boys" He said. "But don't fret, the world will know our story. How I was too late to save the girl, how you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body. So….your first Mr. Potter" Lockhart uttered "Say goodbye to your memories. Obliviate!"
A green light appeared through Ron's taped wand, but then suddenly Lockhart was pushed back, as he hit the wall. He hit it so hard that the whole chamber began to shake. A cave in began that divided Ron and Lockhart from Harry. Crying out in surprise, both ducked hoping to find some safety.
But once the dust settled one thing was clear: Harry had to face reality; he was now supposed to face the Basilisk alone. Once he heard that Ron was alright, Harry had to go and face the basilisk. He ordered Ron to begin and move some rocks so there would be a path to escape, meanwhile he went off to find Malfoy.
He reached the door that was designed with snakes and as he hissed open in Parseltongue, the door opened itself. He pointed his wand out trying to stay calm, and walked into the deeper parts of the chamber. As he walked through the chambers, he saw that it was all water and snake head statues all over. The tile was wet and mossy from the water and the chamber did look as old as it was described.
He walked ahead wary of anything and as he reached the head of Salazar Slytherin, he then saw Angel lying on the ground. Her state almost broke his heart. Her straight hair that she had prided herself in wearing when out of the common room was back to its waviness. It covered her face which was not facing him, but he did notice the odd angle that her body was in.
"Malfoy" he whispered and began to run towards her direction.
As he reached her he dropped his wand not caring and bent down to pull her to him. Looking down at her, he pushed her hair away from her face to truly try to see her state. Her skin was so very pale and cold. He regretted the idea, that the first time he touched her intimately was when she was near death.
"Malfoy, Angel, Merlin please be alive" he begged her.
She didn't respond to his begging.
"Wake up, wake up!" he yelled. "Please wake up" he begged in a softer tone.
He failed to notice that there was a younger figure of a boy staring at the pair.
"She won't wake" the figure said.
"What do you mean she won't wake?" Harry asked. "Do you mean she's-"
"Not yet. But only just" the figure said.
He then noticed that it was the one that he had seen in the memories.
"Are you a ghost?" Harry asked.
"Merely a memory" Riddle replied "Protected in the diary for fifty years."
Tom walked towards them and stopped to face down the unconscious form of Angel.
"She's cold as ice" Harry whispered as he touched her hand. "Please don't be dead, wake up"
Harry had foolishly cared more over Angel than his wand, and Riddle took advantage of this to take it as his own.
"You have to help me Tom, it's the basilisk" Harry begged.
"It won't come unless called" Tom informed him.
Harry looked at the boy and tensed; something was odd, he knew it. Placing Angel back on the ground, he found himself slowly getting up, as the boy was clearly taking ownership of his wand.
"Give me my wand Tom" Harry asked.
"You won't be needing it" Tom replied with a smirk.
"Listen, we've got to go, we've got to save her" Harry begged.
"No, you listen" Tom replied "See I can't do that Harry. Because as poor Angel grows weaker, I grow stronger"
Harry looked around the chamber.
"Yes Harry, it was Angel Malfoy who opened the chamber of secrets. With my help of course, Parseltongue was easier to manipulate with her being Slytherin and all" he smirked.
"No she couldn't. She wouldn't." Harry denied it.
"She opened the Chamber of secrets, letting out the basilisk free to attack the mudbloods and Mrs. Norris" Tom explained. "I did ask your dear Gryffindor Ginny though to write the messages on the walls. At first I wanted to use Ginny you see, blood traitors are the most disgusting other than mudbloods. But when Angel touched the diary her life core was stronger, she was going to bring me life"
"Why would Ginny do it?" Harry asked.
"Cause I told her to. You'll find I can be very persuasive" Tom purred. "But your dear Ginny was in a trance of some sort. She was the one that captured Angel and placed her in the chamber.
See the power was overcoming Ginny, but before it could properly take over, your precious little Angel took the diary away. And as the power was beginning to take over Angel, some other took it from her. She had tried to dispose of it in the girl chamber of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. And then, who should find it, the person I was most anxious to meet."
"Why did you want to meet me?" Harry asked.
"I knew I had to talk to you" Tom replied. "I decided to show you my memory of the capture of that oaf Hagrid to gain your trust"
"Hagrids my friend!" Harry yelled. "And you framed him didn't you"
"It was my word against Hagrid's" Tom hissed. "Only Dumbledore thought that he was innocent"
Harry let out a dark smile.
"I bet Dumbledore saw right through you" Harry said throatily.
"He did and he kept and annoyingly kept a close eye after me after that" Tom said disdained. "I knew it would be too risky to open the chamber while I was at school, so I decided to leave behind a diary preserving my sixteen year old self inside it so then one day I would be able to lead one to continue Slytherin's noble work.
"Well you haven't finished this next time" Harry interrupted. "In a few hours the mandrake potion will be ready and everyone who is petrified will be recovered."
"Doesn't matter. Killing mudbloods doesn't matter anymore. For many months now the new target is you. How is it that a baby with no ordinary talent was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time. How did you escape with just a scar" Tom glared pointing Harry's own wand to him.
"While Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed."
"Why did you care that I escaped." Harry said. "Tom was after your time"
Tom let out a smile.
"Voldemort is my past" he whispered "present, and future."
He turned his back on Harry and with his wand he began to write "Tom Marvolo Riddle" then it began to shapeshift to word out "I am Lord Voldemort"
"You" Harry said breathless. "You're the heir of Slytherin. You're Voldemort"
"Surely you didn't believe I would keep my filthy father's muggle name did you?" he hissed "No.
I fashioned myself a new name, one that would make people feared speak their name when I became the greatest wizard alive."
"Dumbledore is the greatest wizard alive, so long as his followers remain loyal to him!" Harry yelled.
A squawk was heard and Harry looked up to face Fawkes. He looked so beautiful as he flew in; as he got closer Harry realized what he was carrying: the Sorting hat? Fawkes nonetheless, dropped the sorting hat for him.
"So this is what Dumbledore's sends his great defender? A bird and an old hat" Tom teased.
He spoke out in Parseltongue and then the great Basilisk appeared. Harry began to run letting a few phrases out in Parseltongue trying to make it listen to him and stop.
"Parseltongue won't save you know Potter it only obeys me!" Tom yelled.
He heard Fawkes song and as it swooped down it began to attack the Basilisk. From the shadow Harry saw Fawkes poking out the Basilisk's eyes.
"No!"Tom yelled out "You're bird may have blinded the Basilisk, but it can still hear you"
As Harry took a few steps back he heard the noise his feet made on the wet floor and the Basilisk heard his location. Harry ran as fast as he could, the water splashing all over and panted as it slid faster towards hin. As he reached the dry tunnels he immediately pressed himself against one of the walls and thanked Merlin when it failed to notice him while it passed knew that it was trying to find him; it was smart, especially as it hissed unmoving and waiting for any noise to come it's way. Thinking quickly, Harry threw the rock towards a farther away location.
And once the snake rushed towards the noise Harry then ran back towards the chamber in hopes of getting Angel out safely. Bending down once more he tried to pick her up but it was no use, she was even limper than before.
"Yes Potter, the process is near complete" Tom said. "In a few minutes Angel Malfoy will be dead and I will cease to be a memory. Lord Voldemort will return, very much alive"
"Angel" Harry croaked out.
Suddenly the Basilisk appeared once again, fiercer than ever. Harry immediately pulled away from the girl and rushed towards the Sorting Hat. Something must have been in there if Fawkes decided to bring it. So as he slid his hand in, he realized what it was. From the Sorting hat, Harry took out the Gryffindor sword in and climbed up Salazar's head statue. He was surprised at the sword, but knew that Dumbledore would never let him down.
Harry knew the sword was heavy, but he swished the sword back and forth hoping to use it appropriately. The basilisk launched many attacks on him but he managed to hold on. He winced at how his muscles screamed for the pain to end. As he succeeded to stab the Basilisk, he felt a sharp fang enter his arm. He cried out along with the monster.
He tugged out the Gryffindor sword out of the snake, wincing as one of her fangs remained in his arm. He saw her die and felt great pleasure, but the pain was beginning to hurt him more than before.
Harry weakly managed to get off of the status and wobbled over towards the girl as best he could. Something in him told him that he had to reach her. So as he fell to the ground he felt some sick relief that at least she was close to him.
"Remarkable isn't it" Tom drawled "How quickly the venom spreads, I'd say you would have about a minute to live. Funny isn't it, how you die for a little girl"
Harry glared at Tom and he touched Angel's cold hand sadly. She was about to die with him next to her. He then noticed that she still held the diary in her cold hands. He pulled out the diary and opened it to a random page.
"What are you doing?" Tom asked worried.
Harry picked up the Basilisk fang and pointed it at the diary.
"Stop! No!" Tom yelled as Harry stabbed the diary.
The ink began to spill and Tom's form began to disappear. He groaned in pain and hissed as if he was being stabbed. But as Harry continued to destroy the diary Tom himself seemed to follow. He disappeared the way he was, nothing but a memory.
As soon as Tom was removed from existance a soft gasp was heard. The brown eyes of Angel Malfoy opened as her skin began to color as well. She got up confused about her surroundings.
"Angel" Harry said hoarsely.
"Po-Harry" She whispered softly. "I didn't mean to"
Harry noticed her demeanor was different. Her big brown eyes looked at him in panic and guilt. Guilt at what she had done and the panic of realizing what her actions had caused.
"Weasley….Riddle they made me, they controlled me" she said looking down at her frame. "She was the one who threw me in here"
Harry groaned softly without meaning to; the poison was burning deeply in him. It was then that Angel realized the severity of his condition,.
"Harry" she whispered and crawled over to Harry with sad eyes. "You're hurt"
Harry covered the stab mark trying to make her worry less.
"Don't worry, Angel. You need to get yourself out. Follow the chamber and you'll find Ron."
"No" she whispered and lifted her pale hands to his dirty cheeks. "I-I can't"
They looked at one another until they saw that Fawkes was singing its song and flew towards them. It landed and it looked at Harry sadly. Angel looked at them with tears appearing in her eyes.
"Fawkes, you were brilliant" Harry whispered hoarsely. "I just wasn't quick enough"
Angel lifted her dirty cloak and wiped her tears, she couldn't believe that Harry sacrificed everything for her. She wanted to fix him, but the best she could do was simply hold his hand./
Fawkes in turn knew what to do; he bent down to let tears on Harry's wounds. Angel looked at the pair and felt like they had their own connection.
"Of course" Harry began "Phoenix tears have healing powers, thanks"
Angel looked at the pair and carefully caressed Fawkes. It turned to face her and squawked picking a feather from him and dropped it in her hands. Harry looked away from Fawkes to see the girl who was currently staring at the feather.
"It's over" He whispered to her. "It's just a memory"
Angel caressed his cheek and helped Harry stand up. She wrapped her arms around his waist to help him stand and Fawkes was ready to aid them. As they walked out of the Chamber of Secrets and towards Ron, they looked at one another.
"Why did you come and save me Potter?" she asked softly. Fawkes feather was not in her hair.
Harry looked down at her and smiled shyly.
"I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you. And it's Harry."
She shook her head.
"Thank you P-Harry" she said.
She got up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek before they reached Ron's location. He blushed and she unwrapped her arms around him.
"I'm forever grateful Potter" she whispered.
He nodded bashfully and they climbed through the rocks to reach Ron. Fawkes squeaked and they forced Lockhart to hold onto Fawkes then Ron, who refused to make contact to Angel, then Harry then Angel who didn't want to touch Ron as well. Angel wrapped her arms around Harry and they flew out of the chamber relieved.
They landed at Myrtle's bathroom to where she was glaring and cursing Angel over taking Harry's attention. As they looked around the looked at the Professors who waited for them and Angel untangled herself from Harry's grasp. They stepped a few feet from one another and flushed lightly, though not obvious over the dirt on their faces. Angel ran over to Severus who wrapped his arms around her and lifted her.
"I'll take her to Madame Pomfrey" Severus said.
As they left Harry swore he head "Thank you Harry"
Hours Later…
Angel looked up at the infirmary and groaned slightly. Commotion was going around about the previously petrified people were recuperating. Her privacy was interrupted as the curtains were opened and Hermione and Ginny entered. Angel frowned and looked away not wanting to face them.
"Malfoy" Hermione muttered. "Madame Pomfrey wanted us to tell you that we can all leave now"
Angel nodded.
"Fine Granger" she replied flatly.
Hermione squeezed Ginny's shoulder and began to walk away, not before uttering.
"Hope you're alright Malfoy"
Angel ignored the comment and turned to face Ginny who still was in her personal space. Angel sighed and sat up to face her. She crossed her arms and faced her rival with straight eyes.
"What do you want Weaslette?" she asked.
Ginny looked uncomfortable and then turned to face her.
"Malfoy, I want to tell you that I'm sorry"' she mumbled. "I didn't mean to-"
"Stop" Angel said interrupted her.
Ginny looked surprised.
"Yes you didn't mean to do it, I get that. I also get that you're guilty, but don't apologize who what little control you had over yourself." Angel said
Ginny glared at her and nodded.
"This never happened"
Angel nodded.
"Of course"
As Angel got herself ready to head back to the Great Hall, she turned to face the mirror. She looked at her hair and took a deep breath. She didn't utter a single spell to her hair and walked out of the infirmary with her hair bouncing as she walked. She had decided that she needed to show who she truly was, she didn't need to mask it.
Meanwhile Harry had a very uncomfortable meeting with Lucius Malfoy. He had just realized that Lucius was the master of Dobby. Harry also swore that the diary belonged to him originally.
He had learned to hate the man for the mistreatment of Dobby. The only thing that he wanted to hear from the cold hearted man was a thank you for saving his daughter, but it seemed that it wouldn't happen.
Harry rushed back towards the Great Hall as dinner began. He learned that everyone was cured from being petrified and he smiled as he saw his best friend running their direction. She ran over and wrapped her arms tightly around Harry making him smile brightly. Ginny was behind her and hugged Ron first. They traded, but Ron didn't hug her but in actuality he shook her hand. Harry smiled tentatively and was surprised when Ginny hugged him tight.
Angel had finally reached the Great Hall and her eyes hardened as she took in the sights. It seemed that Harry had been welcomed as a hero. As Granger and Weaselette returned, they were overjoyed. Her eyes met the bright emerald eyes of Harry, but she looked away, rather than face them once more and face the scene.
"Angel" she heard.
She turned to see her brother getting up as quick as he could. She let out a bright smile and ran over to him hugging him in front of everyone. It didn't matter what others thought, it was clear that they only had one another in this castle.
"I thought I lost you" he whispered.
She smiled against his shoulder.
"You won't get rid of me that easily" she replied.
They all hugged and as they sat down on their known spot. As everyone then took their seats, Angel couldn't help but look towards the Gryffindor table. She couldn't help but bite back a smile as Harry stared at her intently.
"Thank you" he read from her lips and he nodded, ignoring the warmth beginning to appear to his face.
The danger of the Basilisk was over. They had all survived and Riddle was destroyed.
"Before we begin let's give a hand to Madame Sprout and Madame Pomfrey, for without them we could never be able to cure for Petrification" Dumbledore began. "And as a gift, all exams are cancelled."
Everyone began to cheer except Hermione who looked distraught. As Hagrid returned, they were relieved that he was free. Everyone clapped including Angel ignoring Draco's hard glare.
"Cheer up Drake" she whispered.
"As we all return for our last meal. Let's raise our glass for this school year" Dumbledore called out.
They all did and cheered as the meal appeared before them. Angel smiled at all the delicious food, but something was bothering her. She lifted her gaze only to see that someone was indeed staring at her. She connected eyes to Harry and she couldn't help it, she smiled slightly and lifted her cup in the air and then took a sip. He smiled at her thank you and sipped his own. They looked away and turned to face the people that cared. Once or twice their eye would connect when a discrete look would be shared, but other than that, everything would have to return back to normal.
