Chapter Twenty- One

Dear Tom,

I miss Hogwarts. I miss the feasts, and quidditch, even the professors and the homework. But mostly I miss you – but you know that. I guess you've known that for awhile. Anyway, it's been strange here. Father won't look me in the eye and Mother cries almost every time I'm in a room with her. At least, Leila and her family aren't here yet. They arrive in a couple weeks to start preparations. It all seems a little too much - like we're readying ourselves for war instead of a wedding. Doesn't make much different to me. The wedding is in mid-July, just a month and a half away. It's customary for the bridal party and close friends to spend two weeks at the groom's home before the wedding and I know I never asked, and I know it's a lot to, but would you be my best man? It would mean everything to me. If you and Hermione manage to make up by then, bring her as well. I'd love to see her. (I'll write to her too). I know I already said it but I miss you – so much it's hard to breathe sometimes. Hope to see you soon.

Yours always,

Brax

It was the fifth time I'd read the letter. I still couldn't believe Brax was getting married so soon. Ever since we'd kissed, I couldn't get the feel of lips, the imprint of his hands against my skin, out of my head.

My fingers were wrapped around a quill, dipped in ink. Holding my breath, I started to compose a letter to him.

Dear Brax,

It's odd here without you. I don't have anyone to talk to besides Elliot – though he's not the worst company. In some ways he reminds me of you, in other ways of me. Hermione still refuses to talk to me. I think it's about time to give up. You know how I feel about your marriage to Leila. I don't think you have to do it. I think we can find another way, but if it's your choice, I will accept that and I will support you. So, yes, Brax, I will be your best man and I will come to Malfoy Manor before the wedding. Also, I need you to know something. It's hard for me to admit but I miss you too. I know what you mean about not being able to breathe. Can't wait to see you.

With great affection,

Tom

Quickly scanning over the words, I folded up the letter and sealed it shut. I slipped it in my pocket to take to the owlery. As I turned and saw Brax's empty bed and closet, my stomach twisted. It was strange how much I'd come to count on his presence. So calming, reassuring. My anchor that kept me gravity bound.

Ignoring the ache spreading through my body, I left the Slytherin dormitories and wandered through the bustling castle to the owlery where I attached the note to Brax's owl who was still there. I wondered if Brax had somehow asked him to wait for my reply. I smiled at the thought as I headed back down the steps, letting the late spring sun warm my face.

Exams were over – we finished them early because of the Chamber of Secrets issue. Still, no one beside that one girl had been hurt by the basilisk. It was the first time I wasn't entirely disappointed to be going back to Wool's. Even though Hermione would be there, I'd learned Elliot would be too since his parents were dead and it would only be a few weeks before going to Malfoy Manor and spending time with the one person I wanted more than anything to be with at that moment. Brax.

I rounded the corner into the castle and was about to head down the stairs back to the dormitories to start packing my things for summer when I saw Elliot stream around the corner, his face pinched up in fear. He was running so fast he slammed right into me.

"What is going on?" I said, nearly shouting as I held him back by the shoulders.

"Riddle. I was looking for you," Elliot panted. "Remember how you told me to keep an eye on Hermione."

My heart skipped. "Yes."

"Well, there was another one... this one... it was a Gryffindor fifth year. She was," Elliot swallowed, "dead. They found her in the girl's bathroom."

"What does this have to do with Hermione?" I asked impatiently.

"I just saw her go up there with a sword. I followed her and was just... gone."

"That's impossible. You have to speak parseltongue to get into the Chamber. Hermione is a muggleborn. She doesn't speak parseltongue," I shouted, absentmindedly digging my fingers into Elliot's arms. He winced. I pulled away.

"It's just what I saw," he breathed.

I paused, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. If Hermione was really in the Chamber of Secrets, she would get herself killed. Something clicked inside me, wild, feverish. There was no way I could let her die.

"Take your wand out Elliot and come with me." As fast as I could I took off up the stairs, adrenaline pumping through me. I don't remember ever running that fast. I had no idea how Elliot was keeping up. But he did and he led me right to the bathroom where the girl had died and where Hermione had disappeared.

I stopped then looked Elliot directly in the eyes. "If you come with me, you do exactly as I say. No matter what I say. If you can't do that leave now."

Elliot straightened his back and let out a long breath. "I want to go. I want to help Hermione."

"You'll do as I say?" I leaned in, making sure he understood me.

"Yes." He nodded.

With that, I rushed into the bathroom, letting memories of what I'd learned the summer earlier flood back to me. The entrance was in the sinks. I had to speak to it, feel it inside me. The part of me that was Salazar Slytherin – that could command the basilisk. Open the chamber. Parseltongue words floated from my mouth, warm and hissing like melted butter. Elliot looked at me, surprised and slightly frightened.

"Wow," he breathed.

"It would be even better if it didn't cause me so much trouble."

The sinks creaked, lifting away, revealing a dark chasm with no bottom. I didn't even hesitate. I just jumped in. I knew it was what I had to do so I did it.

"Come on, Elliot!" I shouted back to him as my back smacked against the metal tunnel. Swirling and slipping like the slides at the park until I tumbled out on the damp floor. Elliot was moments behind me.

"That was crazy!"

I threw my hand over Elliot's mouth. "Shh... don't say a word. Keep your wand out, your head down. We don't want them to know we're here."

Elliot nodded against my hand so I drew my touch away and crept forward through the darkened tunnel. I could hear the basilisk – its curving, breathy voice speaking. Saying words like eat – mudblood – girl.

My heart pounded violently. I knew Hermione had to be in here. And the basilisk was mine to control, the chamber my inheritance. I should never have let anyone take it from me. I should have stopped this a long time ago. Maybe Hermione wouldn't be in this situation. Maybe I wouldn't.

In the distance, I saw a cloaked man. The giant, slithering body of the basilisk, Hermione a writhing heap on the floor, a shimmering sword just out of reach.

"Stay here," I whispered to Elliot. "I'm going to try and get Hermione to you-" I stopped speaking when I realized I'd never thought of a way to get out of here. I slid into the shadows and said, "Accio broom."

It took a few moments but one of the school brooms came zooming down the tunnel and I caught it in my hand, hoping no one had heard the noise. "Take Hermione out of here. Get her to the hospital wing." I handed Elliot the broom.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I'll be fine." I pressed Elliot against the wall. "Don't move until I tell you or until Hermione is with you."

He nodded and with that I turned my attention back to the trembling Hermione. The figure had his wand slightly lowered. Hermione was breathing heavily, a gleam of torch light flickered against the tears on her face. I hated seeing her hurt like this. I couldn't stand it. Who ever this person was I was going to tear them apart. Make them wish they were never born.

That's when I heard Hermione say, "Just kill me or leave me alone, Riddle."

My heart smashed to my feet. My gaze shot to the man who was grabbing Hermione by her hair and lifting her to her feet.

"There's so much more I want to do to you first," he hissed. No... I hissed? Hermione's attacker looked exactly like me. She must have thought it was me. She had to have.

With the man's wand slightly lowered, the basilisk making swift circles around them, it was the perfect time for me to strike.

"Kiss me," snarled the fake Riddle. He squeezed her face tightly. "I know you like it."

I had to aim perfectly. If I missed... well, missing wasn't an option. Running out of the shadows, wand in front of me, I shouted, "Avada kedavra." A green light exploded from my wand and hurtled at the man who looked exactly like me. I almost felt the pain as the spell struck his side. But instead of falling back or crumpling the ground, he spun through the air and smacked on the ground.

I didn't avert my eyes fast enough. I thought for sure I was dead as the basilisk looked at me but then I noticed something. Blood and two empty sockets. The sword next to Hermione gleamed red. But even if the basilisk was blind it could still hear and smell. It could still eat me or Hermione. While the fake Riddle was passed out, I took my chance to take control of the basilisk. In parseltongue I said, "I am the true heir of Salazar Slytherin, his blood runs through my veins. You must obey my command." At first, I could feel the snake resist, like a current of power pressing against my skin but not crashing into me. Then it broke. I felt the power like a hot surge in my veins.

Eyes wide with shock, Hermione was staring at me. I couldn't read the emotions on her face. "I don't - I thought – Tom?" The way she said my voice. It was like she had said it when she didn't hate me. "That wasn't you?"

"I would never hurt you."

I was about to run to Hermione and command the basilisk to leave us alone when the impossible happened.

The fake Riddle stood back up. He couldn't. Nobody survived the killing curse.

"You know Tom the killing curse only works if the target is alive."

"Dracula," I snarled. Hermione scrambled on the ground for her wand then held it at him.

"You made me think – you made me believe that he." Hermione was shaking. I wasn't sure if it was cause by fear or by anger.

"You were so quick to believe that he had hurt those people. So quick not to listen to him. Not to trust him. You see, Tom, she could never truly care for you. She'll always see you as something dark. As a monster."

"You're the monster," she spat.

"Yes. I am," said Dracula. "But at least I accept who I am. Use it to grow more powerful every day. To have something you desperately want." He was slowly morphing out of my body and into his own. All bones, pale skin and murderous red eyes. "You failed to find what I sent you to find. It was for your benefit because I care for you Tom. For what becomes of you. There is only one way to harness the kind of power you desire. The kind that makes you feel alive. I can show you. I can show you how to make a horcrux. How to live forever."

Hermione stood between me and Dracula, her eyes pleading as they held onto mine. "Don't listen to him. He's a liar."

Dracula laughed. It was a cold, mirthless sound. "The only liar here is you Miss Granger – so afraid of the truth for a Gryffindor."

Hermione held her wand higher, but she was unsteady on her feet, trembling. I recognized the look in her face. She'd been recently touched by the cruciatus curse. Another jolt of anger shot through me.

"Get out of here, Hermione. You're weak-"

"I am not-"

I squeezed her hand, trying to show her with a touch how I felt. "Physically weak Hermione. You can hardly stand."

"I can't leave you – this is my fault."

"So touching. Cruel, soulless Tom Riddle has given his heart to a mudblood."

I spoke through gritted teeth. "Don't call her that." My arm pushed Hermione behind me.

"I'm so sorry," she breathed. "So sorry I didn't believe you."

"We can't worry about that now."

Dracula started speaking parseltongue. The basilisk lifted his head at the sound. My words competed with Dracula's. My connection needed to be stronger. If I didn't have control of basilisk, we'd all be dead. I wasn't sure if I could keep my reign on it.

"You have to go now. Elliot's waiting!" I shouted. "Please, Hermione." I grabbed her face in my hands. She nodded and ran as fast as she could. The basilisk lunged in her direction and I hissed, fiercely, wildly. Drawing up my magic from everywhere I could, forcing all of my power into my words. The wave crashed back into me. I had control.

The basilisk turned on Dracula, slithering slowly, directing its fanged mouth on my enemy.

"Don't you want to know how I opened the Chamber?" asked Dracula.

"No."

"Of course you do. Because only the heir of Salazar Slytherin can open the chamber – can control the basilisk. So what do you think, dearest Tom, that means."

My stomach turned. No. It couldn't be impossible.

"You descended from my blood." He smirked. "We are family. So you can command the basilisk to kill me. It is in your power to do so. Or you can honor your blood, my son."

I swallowed. So confused. So angry. I just wanted to fold in on myself. How could this thing be my family. This creature who'd hurt me and the only two people I'd ever cared about.

"Everything I've done has been for your own good. The boy and the girl make you weak. They are destroying you. I want only to stop them and protect you."

I shook my head. "Don't – you don't care about me. You're a liar."

"Then kill me, Tom. There is one way to do it. You know what it is."

The basilisk.

"Go." I forced the words out. "Before I change my mind."

Dracula was directly in front of me. I cringed when he reached to touch my face. "They have made you weak."

Before I could respond, Dracula twisted away into a bat, flapping into the dark distance. I slid down to the floor, trying to get oxygen into my lungs. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

I was related to Count Dracula. It was me he'd been after all along.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. So we'll see how Tom takes this news and how Hermione and Tom begin to rebuild their friendship as the summer starts - and Tom will have a new focus on his family thanks to Dracula. (And of course Brax's wedding preparations). Hope you liked this chapter and thanks everyone!