"No!" Harry screamed, dodging away from Tom. He fell to his knees, unable to take more than a few steps. "You're not…you can't be…"

Tom casually stalked towards him, tapping Harry's wand. How did he get that? How was he solid enough to hold a wand, but not touch Harry's forehead?

"Why? Because I was kind to you? Because I listened?" He leaned down and his eyes almost seemed red. "I've listened for many years, Harry. I've listened to the cries of my people, good wizarding folk who are oppressed to secrecy. For what cause? To spare the muggles? They are not worthy of such consideration!"

Harry crawled away. He needed to get out of here. There had to be a way out… "You're wrong…muggles aren't worthless."

Tom cocked his head. "Truly? And you think that of your aunt and uncle?"

Harry froze, his chest clenching painfully. He had never written to Tom about the Dursleys. Right? "What…what are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't be so obtuse. I took you into my memories, did you really think I couldn't see yours? So unshielded, close to the surface, what as if you wanted me to see their cruelty." He stepped in front of Harry, kneeling down. "I want to purge the world of creatures like them. Is that not a noble cause?"

"N-not everyone is like them!"

"Oh really? Do you know of any muggles then, personally, who aren't selfish, greedy, ignorant, and cruel?"

Harry didn't. He had never had any friends in primary school, nor did the teachers ever treat him well either. But maybe he would have some muggle friends, if Dudley hadn't chased them all away. Maybe he would have had nice teachers, if his magic didn't make him cause trouble.

Tom was staring at him, eyes drooped in pity. "Oh, Harry. I always knew we had this connection. Remember, the first time we talked, and you confided that you wished you could always stay at Hogwarts? If there were no muggles, no mudbloods, no blood traitors insisting that you play some game that has no relevance to you, then you could always stay here. You could completely avoid the muggle world, because there would be no muggle world." He suddenly smirked. "Of course, no you have no choice but to remain at Hogwarts forever. Once you stop struggling, your strength will fail and I'll have enough power to leave on my own. And you, well your body, will remain here forever."

"No!" He shouted again, but he couldn't even lift himself back to his feet.

"Harry, you've no choice. Ever since you gave me enough power that I could possess you to attack that mudblood and that ghost, you've had no choice."

"Justin-?" Harry gaped.

Tom blinked. "What? You thought I just possessed Ginny? She fed me very well, but she had not your power. From that moment when you called the monster to attack that filth, I knew my destiny as the heir of Slytherin was fulfilled."

The floor was cold on Harry's skin and he was damp and tired and his head was pounding. He slumped against the floor, pressing his burning forehead to the cold stones. How could he attack Justin? How could he attack anyone? He closed his eyes.

Tom was still nearby. "You've no choice, Harry. I've already won. There is nothing you can do now. Give in, leave this all behind. I know your struggles, Harry. I know your hate and your fear. You can give it all up now."

Harry remembered lying under that bed, breathing in the dust and and feeling the edges of the worn wooden floor. He remembered looking up at Hedwig, molting, covered in her own droppings, and starving, like he was. He had the sudden, strange hope, that she was safe. That when the danger in the castle was close, she had flown away.

If you can see me, please help me.

He had heard his mother screaming, dying for him. Why would she do that? Why would she leave him like that? He remembered her picture. She had looked so happy and carefree. Would he get to see her like that now?

Does it hurt?

Quicker and easier than falling asleep.

Harry was so tired. He couldn't feel the cold or the dampness. He couldn't feel his arms or legs or his headache. He was floating. Unattached and unburdened. There wasn't even darkness here. It was nothingness.

…

…

…Harry…

…I've died…a hundred lifetimes for you…

…and I would die a hundred times again…just to…

…see you live…

Harry suddenly remembered Lupin's lessons. A spell to conjure of guardian of happiness and goodness. A guardian to chase away all fears.

Someone had come for him, when Harry met the troll in the girl's bathroom last Halloween. Someone had come for him when his skin felt like it was fire and Voldemort screamed for the stone. Someone had come for him when he had been lying under that broken down bed. Someone had found him.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Harry's voice echoed around the Chamber, a mix between a scream and a cry. His arm was stretched out, wand suddenly in his hand. Tom looked startled, confused. Hand still reaching out, surprised that Harry had suddenly moved and seized his wand back.

But, the most incredible part, was the jet of silver erupting from the wand tip. Stronger than Harry had ever seen at his lessons. Instead of a weak miss, it was a stream, swirling and morphing into…

…an owl, white as snow. She was bigger than she was in reality and her wing beats fluttered the air around Harry and Tom. She circled above them once, then dove straight for Tom, long talons before her. Tom skittered away, keeping his arms up.

"What is this…a Patronus? How do you expect-?" But his words were cut off as the owl swooped down again and he ducked.

Finally she circled back to Harry, landing on his shoulder, featherlight. The sensation sent a flood of warmth into Harry's chest. He stared at her, mesmerized by the shining silver, still swirling to make up her body. "Hedwig-?" he gasped. She hooted, ethereal and familiar at the same time.

"I'm no Dementor! That cannot harm me!" Tom shouted, though he remained at the other side of the room.

Harry felt strong enough to stand and found himself managing it without trouble. "Then why are you so afraid?" He pointed his wand and the Hedwig Patronus flew at him again. Her talons went straight through Tom's flesh, but he screamed, trying to bat her away. Every time she managed to touch him, Harry felt a little power strength in his body.

Tom sprinted to the giant head of Salazar Slytherin. "Well, you just won't give up, will you! Fine…our work isn't done!" His voice changed and Harry realized he was talking in Parseltongue. "There is another traitor to destroy! Come, beast of Slytherin! Rise and kill again!"