Hello! I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. It was written quite a while ago now, and hasn't been uploaded because of my forgetfulness. I know that probably quite a few people have addressed what exactly what happened when Ron and Hermione went to the Chamber of Secrets alone - even the film had a go - but I thought I'd try my own version. The version in the film seemed really tame; I mean, that was a part of Voldemort's soul, and his only defence was to splash them a bit. Anyway, here's chapter 14, the penultimate chapter.

Ron and Hermione hurried through the greenish gloom of the Chamber of Secrets, heading towards the skeleton of the basilisk that Harry had defeated five years ago. They came to a stop, panting heavily.

When they had got their breath back, Ron extended the cup of Helga Hufflepuff. "You should do it."

"Why?" Hermione asked, clutching at a stitch.

Ron shrugged. "It's your turn." He did not want to admit his fear of tackling another Horcrux. He could still hear the words of the ghostly Harry and Hermione mocking him even now. He placed the cup in his hand before she could protest. "Besides, I'd probably mess it up."

Hermione did not seem pleased but nodded anyway. She knelt on the floor, placing the Horcrux in front of her.

"Pass me a fang, would you?"

Ron noted the trepidation in her tone. He tried to ignore it, striding over to the basilisk and tearing a fang from its jaw. Turning back to Hermione he saw the fear in her eyes.

"You can do it." Ron said firmly, holding out the fang.

Hermione stared at it for a few moments before taking it. She held it limply in her hands, now looking downwards to the Horcrux.

"Don't worry." Ron said, unable to keep the tremor out of his voice. "You can handle it."

Hermione did not seem convinced.

Ron knelt down, the cup lying between Hermione and him. He took her hands, forcing them to clasp the fang. He gently guided her hands, lifting them above the Horcrux so that the dagger-sharp point of the basilisk fang pointed downwards.

He only let go when Hermione seemed ready. The fear still shone in her eyes, but it was now joined by a steely determination. He drew his wand, hoping he would not have to use it.

Suddenly her eyes shut and she winced.

"What is it?" Ron asked powerlessly, staring in horror.

"He's in my head."

Ron's eyes widened. There was only one person she could be referring to. "Kick him out. Come on, Hermione."

Her hands, still clasping the basilisk fang, were visibly trembling. A tear trickled down her cheek from her closed eyes.

"You won't touch him!" Hermione shouted. "Get away from him!"

Whatever Hermione was now talking about evidently existed only in her head. How could Ron help fight when he didn't know what he was battling?

"Hermione! Listen to me, Hermione, focus on me!"

"Don't touch him! Please, I'll do anything!"

The basilisk fang was unmistakably being turned and drawn towards Hermione's chest.

"Hermione, stop it!"

"Leave him!" She was screaming now, shaking all over from the effort of resisting the voice of Lord Voldemort. But who was in danger? Was it him?

"You have to listen, Hermione." Ron said desperately, seizing her arms in order to try and prevent the path of the fang. It was now getting precariously close to her heart.

"I can save you!" she said, opening her eyes. Ron withdrew. Her eyes, normally a dark, beautiful brown, were blazing red with cat-like slits for pupils.

"Let go of the fang!"

"No! I have to save you!"

"It's not real!" Ron bellowed, recommencing his battle against Hermione's new, unnatural strength. "You can't believe him!"

Her eyes slammed shut once more. She moaned in pain, bearing gritted teeth.

Ron suddenly let of her arms as he realised that Hermione was making her battle. She was forcing the fang away from her, struggling against an invisible force.

"Yes! Come on! Listen to me! I'm here, and I'm safe!"

Hermione seemed to be winning.

"You can do it! Keep going!"

With one last cry, opening her now normal eyes, Hermione finally plunged the fang into the metal of the Horcrux. Its golden body split, crumpling up like paper burning in fire.

Sweat glistened on Hermione's forehead as she collapsed sideways, breathing heavily and rapidly. Ron stared, unable to do anything else.

After what seemed an age, he managed to find his voice.

"Well done." he said, incapable of keeping his voice steady. His heart was still pounding in his chest.

"He said that he would spare you if I…"

Hermione drew off into silence. Shakily, she managed to sit up and meet Ron's eyes. She threw herself at him, and he welcomed her in his arms, holding her more tightly than he could ever remember.

"You don't have to say anything." he whispered gently. "I don't want to know."

Hermione sat in his arms for as long as Ron dared let her. He was forced to softly move away from her. He took her hands.

"I heard your voice." she said as Ron stood and helped her up after him. "You saved me."

Ron shrugged diffidently. "Let's just get outta of this place."

He began tearing more fangs from the basilisk, piling them in his arms.

Hermione seemed shaky on her feet. He hurried to her side.

"Are you okay?"

"This is the end, Ron." she said distantly, gazing at him with wide eyes. "It's all or nothing."

"Don't talk like that." Ron said with difficulty.

"No, I have to. Anything could happen today. If I die, I don't want to have lies on my shoulders. We have to tell Harry about us."

"Are you sure?" he asked in a weak voice. "How do we explain three years of lies?"

"I've got a plan." Hermione said, smiling gently. "We'll stage a first kiss. Harry need never know that we went behind his back."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Do you think he'd fall for it?"

Hermione nodded. Mercifully she seemed to recovering from whatever she had seen in her mind. Gradually she was returning to normal.

"The only problem is how we would arrange it. How would we kiss?" Hermione said.

Ron thought for a few moments until the idea struck him. "I'll say something, and it'll be a cue." he said, beaming at Hermione.

"What?"

Ron smiled again. "You'll know when I say it."

He began to head towards the exit, knowing Hermione was staring after him in confusion.

"How will I know?" she called after him.

"You're a smart girl. You'll know."

Let me know what you thought of the Horcrux destroying and the alternate explanation for R+H's real kiss. It's not ideal, but it was the only way I could think of. :