Disclaimer same as always.

Writers notes; thanks to everyone that have been following this story, WizardSmurf and hwyla for your reviews.


After opening his eyes, Severus found himself in the hospital wing along with Hermione and the rest of the petrified students, who were fully awake and well. Severus was almost gagging at seeing Filch playfully snuggling and kissing Mrs. Norris. Severus never seen the man so happy before, not even when he gave students detention.

"It's kind of cute?" Hermione said, making her way over to Severus with a smile on her face.

"What's cute?" Severus asked.

"Mr. Filch, I mean it's creepy to see him this happy, but it shows that even people like him aren't completely nasty deep down," Hermione said, smiling at Mr. Filch. "You know I thought about buying a cat."

"I prefer cats over mutts. Yes, I definitely can't stand them, especially this one mutt," Severus said coldly, referring to one of his school nemesis, Sirius Black. 'Thank God I will never see that guy again, until we meet up again in the fiery pitts of Hell.' Severus thought to himself.

"Well my mum has allergies to dogs," Hermione said, as she looked over and saw that Lockhart was also in the Hospital wing but he looked totally confused, like he had no idea where he is.

"Hermione! Severus!" Harry shouted as he came running into the hospital wing, Ron was with him for some reason.

"Harry!" Hermione quickly got up and hugged Harry, "I knew you'd figure it out."

"I couldn't have done it without your help, Hermione," Harry said happily.

"I helped too!" Ron said angrily with a nasty glare.

"I was getting to that Ron!" Harry said annoyed.

"Just stop fighting and explain what the hell happen?" Severus asked angrily, deeply annoyed at their childish behavior.

"Well after you two were petrified, The Minister believed it was Hagrid and had him sent to Azkaban prison," Harry explained as Hermione gasped sadly.

"It couldn't be Hagrid, it can't be Hagrid," Hermione said not believing it for a second.

"Stop interrupting, you know it all!" Ron said angrily.

"Ron, I thought we were friends now?" Harry asked.

"So? It doesn't mean I'm going to be nice to her. All she does is nag and complain!" Ron said.

"Get on with the bloody story!" Severus said, not giving a damn that Harry and the Weasley were friends now.

"Yes, well because of Hermione's note I found out the monster was a Basilisk, a giant snake, that only I can hear, because I'm parseltongue. Hermione wrote pipes on the note, it was using the plumbing to get around, and Draco told us that a muggleborn died. We thought that it was Myrtle and the entrance was in her bathroom." Harry explained.

"Lockhart along with Ginny were kidnapped by the monster," Ron said.

"We found Ginny and Lockhart inside the Chamber, turns out the heir of Slytherin was Voldemort and he was controlling Ginny through a diary. Voldemort told me that Ginny had the diary and was able to control her mind. Lockhart got a hold of it as well and his mind was easy to control, too. Voldemort sent the Basilisk after me, by some miracle Fawkes flew down to the Chamber with the sorting hat that had the sword of Gryffindor inside it. I was able to slay the Basilisk and destroy the diary with one of his fangs, which in turn destroyed Voldemort, setting Ginny and Lockhart free," Harry explained.

"After Harry rescued Ginny and Lockhart, Lockhart was going to wipe all our minds and take credit for slaying the monster," Ron explained.

"No way!?" Hermione gasped.

"Yes he was!" Ron snapped, "Anyway, Harry knocked the spell right back at him."

"I have you to thank for that," Harry turned to look at Severus. "The dueling club."

Once Severus and all the other victims were released from the Hospital Wing, he made his way over to Dumbledore's office. Inside, the Headmaster was sitting behind his desk, and there laying on his desk was the diary completely damaged beyond repair and the blood covered sword of Gryffindor.

"Nice to see you up and about," Dumbledore smiled.

"So, I take what Harry said was true?" Severus asked.

"Very,"

"I take it you believe that the diary was a Horcrux?"

"I very much do, Severus," Dumbledore eyed Severus' arm. "Would you?"

"No," Severus said flatly. "The mark will remain even after his death." He stormed out of the office, disgusted by the headmaster.

The next couple of weeks passed by, Dumbledore had a 'brilliant' idea to cancel all exams, which Severus completely disagreed with. Despite the events the exams should continue, showing the students life won't go easy or give you a break because of horrible events. Harry spend almost the entire day with Hagrid, once he was released from Azkaban. Soon the trio were at another end of the year feast.

"Before we award the house cup, let's give a big round of applause to Madam Poppy Pomfrey, Professor Pomona Sprout and Professor Horace Slughorn, who's revealing draught cured all those who were petrified," Dumbledore said, the entire room, excluding some Slytherins, cheered.

"Didn't you help too?" Harry asked.

"I don't want to be acknowledged, and I rather it stays that way," Severus said. He didn't want any acknowledgement for making the potion, and one shouldn't get acknowledged for simply doing their job.

"Now, its time for the house cup. In fourth place we have Hufflepuff with 347 points, in third place we have Ravenclaw with 421 points, in second place we have Gryffindor with 461 points, and in first place Slytherin house with 484 points. But recent events must be counted, and l have last minute points to award." Severus glared at the old man. He couldn't possibly be pulling this stunt like last year? "First, to Hermione Granger, for outstanding brilliance for helping to solve the mystery of the Chamber - fifty points. Second, to Harry Potter for outstanding bravery - seventy five points, and last, it takes great bravery to put aside your differences and work together, I award fifty points to Ron Weasley. So, if my math is correct Gryffindor wins the house cup," Dumbledore smiled.

Once again all the other houses, excluding Hermione, cheered.

"Why aren't you clapping? We won two years in row!" Ron said.

"Well, it is not fair to embarrass Slytherin like that, and two years in a row," Hermione said.

"Who cares, they're snakes!" Ron said.

"They're not all bad! Some are real nice," Hermione said, smiling over at Severus and Harry.

Once again the trio found themselves getting onto the train to head back home. Harry was giving out his number to Hermione and Severus. "Be sure to call me if you get a chance," Harry asked, as the train began its way back to London.