Lily tried not to panic as she opened her eyes. The space she was currently hurtling down was incredibly tight, and she found herself breathing very hard in response. She didn't even realize she'd felt this way about tight spaces until she was in one, and she wanted nothing more than be out of it.
She couldn't hear shouting from below (or, not yet, anyway), so she at least hoped the other two weren't stuck somewhere down below. It'd be just like one of her brilliant ideas to get them all stuck in a tunnel, where they'd either starve to death or be eaten by the giant monster that must, most certainly, be waiting for them down below.
Really, this was her worst plan yet. She really had to congratulate herself.
"LILY!" Ron shouted from not too far below. "CAST A SHIELD CHARM!"
Lily panicked as she felt inside her robes, trying desperately to find her wand. It was only when she nearly stabbed herself in the eye that she remembered she was still holding it.
"Protego!" She shouted as the slide suddenly opened into a wider tunnel.
"Expelliarmus!" She heard someone shout. She saw a light reflect off her shield charm, bouncing off into the darkness as her posterior collided into the rough cave floor below her. She scrambled to her feet, searching wildly for the attacker. Ron was laying at Lockhart's feet, and-
No. He was under Lockhart's foot. The professor was standing on him.
"What-" Lily said between deep breaths. "What's happening?"
"This is where we part ways, I'm afraid," Lockhart said calmly. "I must applaud your cleverness, Lily, I really must. I'm quite impressed that you managed to actually find the Chamber! This will make an interesting novel, once I'm done here. It's unfortunate that it'll have such a tragic ending, but then again, things don't always go according to plan, do they?"
"What are you talking about?" Lily asked. She aimed her wand at Lockhart in her shaky hand, her mind racing to comprehend what was going on before her.
He's betraying you.
"Stuff it, hat," Lily muttered. "Lockhart wouldn't-"
"He's a fraud, Lily," Ron choked out. "He never did any of those things he wrote about, he just claimed he did."
"Well, it was a bit more than that," Lockhart admitted with a bright smile. "It took quite a bit of effort to track down all those stories, I must say."
"What are you talking about?" Lily repeated more forcefully. "You- you're saying, you-"
"Oh, come now, Lily," Lockhart said as if it was obvious. "You really thought one person could do all those things? No, I merely embellished a bit, that's all. Collected a few stories, built them up a bit, that's all, really."
"You made it all up?' Lily asked in disbelief. "I- How could you? I- I trusted you, I-"
"You never did," Ron said. Lockhart shoved his face back down into the stone with his boot, and he let out a grunt.
"Don't do that again," Lily said angrily. Her hand was no longer shaking, and it was aimed directly at Lockhart. She was just trying to figure out what spell to try. She didn't know if she could beat a Professor in a duel, even if he was a fraud.
"She doesn't need to know that part," Lockhart said. He thought for a moment, then smiled brightly again. "Oh, well, what's the problem, really? It won't matter. You won't remember it soon enough."
"What are you talking about?" Lily said again.
"He used a memory charm," Ron chimed in. "That's why none of the people who actually did those things ever came forward. He made them forget."
"No," Lily muttered.
Ah. That makes sense. It was him.
"You mean, he-" Lily said in a disgusted revelation. "He- He didn't- he couldn't have-"
"I cast it on you, too, Potter, yes," Lockhart guessed. "I was days away from being sacked, until you came forward in my support. Lucky I happened to be patrolling the seventh floor that day, really. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off before then, with that Mad-Eye always watching me."
"He knew," Lily said in disgust. "That's why he told me not to go near you."
"I thought he might," Lockhart admitted. "He threatened me after you suddenly changed your mind, did you know? That's why Dumbledore got sacked; they were conspiring against me, I had to do something. I had to pull a few favours for Lucius Malfoy, sure, but-"
"Gran!" Lily said suddenly. "You- You modified her, too, at his request, didn't you? That's why she thought I did it!"
Lockhart tutted. "Clever girl. It's a shame, what I have to do. You could have been quite a brilliant witch."
"Don't move," Lily threatened as she stepped forward. "I'm going to-"
"Do nothing," Lockhart answered as he aimed his wand at the back of Ron's head. "I'm going to wipe both of your memories, and then we'll wait until rescue comes. I'll tell them that you two went mad at the sight of your dead friend. It's a shame, really, but it's the only option you've left me."
Lily hesitated as she thought.
"Do me, first," she said. "I- I don't want to watch you touch him."
"You are aware, of course, that a Memory Charm cannot be blocked by a Shield Charm?" Lockhart asked in a bemused tone.
"Yes," Lily answered, wand still up. She had something else in mind.
"Very well, then," Lockhart said. "Don't try to disarm me, Lily; I already have a shield up. Are you ready?"
He's lying.
Lily already knew that, though. Shield charms couldn't last that long, not without an active focus. Lockhart would have known that if he was half as competent as he thought he was.
"Yes."
"Obliviate," Lockhart said with his trademark smile. There was a brief flash of green, speeding quickly towards Lily's head.
"Reddimitto," she said, a quick flip upward just as the light encountered the tip of her wand. The light flew backwards, towards Lockhart, whose eyes grew wide in fright. Lily heard him shout something as he waved his wand, but the light collided into him. There was an explosion, although Lily didn't know what caused it.
Lily got shoved backwards by the force of it all, then scrambled away as the cave began crumbling down above them. She barely got out of the way as a large rock collided into the space she had just been. She tucked herself into a ball meters away, praying that she'd be fine, and stayed there even as the rumbling died down.
"Oh, Merlin," she whispered to herself as she stood up. "Oh, Merlin, I killed them both. RON! ARE YOU OKAY?"
She heard groaning from the other side, and she almost cried in relief right then and there.
"I'm fine," Ron called out from the other side of the pile. "I- I think my arm's broken, though, a rock smashed it. Lockhart's out, but I don't think he got hit."
"Do you think you can get through?" Lily called back. She didn't see an opening on her side, but maybe Ron could-
"No," Ron answered as Lily's heart sank. "I- I don't think you can get back, either, Lily. What do we do?"
"What can we do?" Lily asked. "I- I'm just going to have to kill the Basilisk, aren't I?"
"Lily, are you mad?"
"I can't clear the rocks by myself," Lily said. "It'll take too long, we- I- I don't know how to vanish things. Maybe- maybe you can get started? Do you have your wand?"
Ron swore. "No, I think it was under the rocks. I'll never get it back."
Lily swore in return. "Do- Do you think you can clear a few away? I can- Maybe I can just grab Hermione and run."
Ron was silent for a long time.
"No," he answered. "I- I can barely move, Lily. I think you're right. You're just going to have to fight it."
"Merlin," Lily whispered.
"Good luck, Lily," Ron yelled nervously. "I- You should get going, you don't have much time!"
"I-" Lily said with a suddenly dry mouth. "If I don't make it back, would you-"
"Don't talk like that. You're making it back."
"I- Please, Ron, just in case, would you- would you tell everybody I'm sorry?"
Ron was silent again.
"Yes," he said thickly. "I'll- I'll tell them Lily. Be careful, will you?"
"Yeah," Lily said as her voice cracked. "I'll- I'll see you soon, Ron."
She didn't wait to hear any further encouragement. She didn't think she could bear to hear it at the moment. She was stuck down here, now, with no choice but to move forward. It felt hard to walk, but she did it anyway, and soon enough, she couldn't even see the rockfall anymore through the green lens covering her eyes.
"Merlin," She whispered to herself with a nervous laugh, "Lockhart really did get me killed."
The Hat was silent. Lily wished it would say something to her. Maybe the rocks killed it, too. That would be just her luck.
She kept walking. She was pretty sure she hurt her ankle, but it became sturdier the further she walked. She was just glad the pain in her head was still mute. That was a good sign. Perhaps the Hat was just thinking.
She turned a corner, screamed, and then shut her eyes in fright. She couldn't hear any movement, so she squinted through the lids at the large mass in front of her.
It was just a husk of dead skin, although it was absolutely massive. It nearly filled the entire tunnel, and it was a bright green (although that could just be Lily's spell). There were cuts and gashes in the side of the skin.
The remains of my master's battle. The Basilisk sheds as it heals.
"Thank Merlin," Lily said, "I thought you'd left me."
I had to focus. You will need me in the battle to come.
"If you say so," Lily said so nervously. She tried to walk past the snakeskin, keeping a wary eye on it just in case it moved.
Hold on a moment, there, Potter.
Lily stopped as she waited for the hat to speak again. She couldn't stand being so close to the remains.
I have something that could help you. I was entrusted to safekeep it, for when the occasion arose. Since you no longer have a choice, I can give it to you, but you must ask first.
"Please," Lily said. "Help me, if you can."
Something very hard suddenly hit Lily's head, as if it fell from above. She swore as she whisked the hat off.
"Ow!" She said as she rubbed on the forming knot. She glanced down the hat to see what was-
There was a shining, silver hilt peering from the wrinkled cap. She reached out a steady hand, and drew it fully from the leather. In her hand she held a bright longsword, lighter than she could have expected, lighter than even her wand was. It was adorned with rubies along the handle, and they felt cool to her touch. On the hilt were engraved two words:
Godric Gryffindor.
The blade of my master. It'll prove useful, should the Basilisk approach. A single strike can pierce the magical hide of the great snake.
"Great," Lily said, "But how do I fight something that can kill me just by looking at it?"
The same way my master tried. He blinded himself, and allowed me to see for him.
"Blinded himself?' Lily said in shock. "You can see for me? How does that work?"
I do not see the same way you do. I can give you an impression, an outline, of your surroundings, nothing more. I cannot actually see the eyes, so you need not worry about either of us being petrified.
"So I should just blind myself?"
It is that or die, Potter. Your choice.
"Blinding myself it is, then," Lily said with a sigh. She held her wand in front of her, then cast the brightest flare she could. She followed it with her eyes, and then recoiled in pain as it burst, her eyes and head pounding.
That should be enough. My master removed his own eyes, just to make sure, but I believe you will be fine with this.
"Lovely," Lily managed through the pain. She put a hand against the cave wall as she began moving forward. Slowly, ever so slowly, the Hat filled her mind with the outline of her surroundings.
It was more than she expected, to be honest. She could see every individual loose stone, and even make out puddles of still water here and there. She couldn't make out fine detail, but it was enough to walk confidently, without fear of stumbling. Whenever a noise came from behind, she also got a brief outline of what was back there, although it faded quickly. Otherwise, she could see only what was ahead of her.
"You never told me, by the way," Lily whispered. She needed to hear somebody's voice, even if it was her own.
Told you what?
"Why Slytherin changed his mind," Lily said. "Why did he ask for help?"
The Hat laughed in her head, a deep, somber rumbling.
He fell in love with a former student of his. A Muggleborn girl. He could no longer stand what he had become. No more talking, Potter. I need to focus.
"Just don't answer," Lily said nervously. "I like to ramble when I'm scared."
Eventually, as she followed along the blank tunnels, she came to a solid wall. She could see no way to pass it.
"What do we do now?" she asked the hat.
I cannot see it, but there is a door. Salazar spoke, centuries ago, and it opened for him, allowing him entrance.
"Lovely," Lily said. "I, err- I suppose it was Parseltongue, wasn't it?"
Yes.
"Small problem. I don't know how to speak it without seeing a snake."
It matters not. Imagine it, and you will see it. Be careful though, Potter; the Basilisk could be waiting for us on the other side of the door.
"Is that how Gryffindor died?"
No. We entered, and the serpent was slumbering in its lair. Salazar called it out, and ordered it to be slain, to end the terrors he had wrought. It didn't take kindly to that. It always obeyed all his commands, but it wouldn't follow orders to die. It bit my master, after a long battle, and he died shortly after.
"Right," Lily said nervously. "The venom. I forgot about that part. I don't suppose you know how to cure it?"
The only cure for the bite of a Basilisk is pure Phoenix tears. Dumbledore intended to send his down with you, should you ever find yourself down here. Pray it arrives in time.
"Right," Lily said with a nervous gulp. "Just- Just pray that someone that isn't in the castle will know that I'm down here and send his pet bird to come save me. Sounds like a plan."
It was better than what hers had been, for sure.
Speak when you are ready, Potter. And good luck to the both of us.
Lily tried to imagine a great snake rearing up, awaiting a command, trying to decide whether or not it would attack before she could speak. It sent a shiver of fear and worry down her spine. Then, she thought of Hermione, waiting for her on the other side, worrying that no help would be coming, feeling for sure that she was going to die.
"I am the Heir of Slytherin," she said, "And I command you to open."
Stone screeched on stone again, and she could make out a gap in the stone as the surface of the wall opened, revealing a great chamber. She could see a figure in the distance, one collapsed on the ground. She strode forward confidently, sword in one hand, wand in the other. Her shoes met water, albeit a thin layer, and she tried to figure out some way to use that to her advantage.
There were pillars all around the room, as well as a large skull-shaped sculpture at the far wall. She could make out pipes of all sizes in the surrounding walls, although she had no idea where any of them went. She didn't sense the Basilisk anywhere, and she took that as a good sign.
She could make out the bushy hair on the fallen figure, and she had to stop herself from dropping all her weapons to run to Hermione. She held out longer than she thought. It only took three seconds for her to turn to her side.
"Hermione!" she said. She pocketed her wand into her robe, transferred the sword from left to right, and then used her right to pull Hermione into her chest. She tried shaking her, but there was no response, and she felt cold to her touch. Still, though, she could feel Hermione's chest moving. The diary tumbled out of Hermione's arm, clattering onto the ground, but Lily ignored it.
"She's still alive," Lily said in relief.
"For now," a voice said from behind her. Lily reacted immediately, turning her head to spot who was speaking. She saw a vague outline as the noise happened, but it quickly faded away.
I cannot see them. Be careful.
Lily stood, trying to drag Hermione along with her using her free arm, while she waved the sword in every other direction.
"You must be Tom," she said. She hoped the crack in her voice didn't betray how terrified she was to be here. She really wanted to seem confident. It was already taking all her effort to stand here without her legs shaking, and the progress she was making across the floor was incredibly slow.
"I am," the cool voice said. It sounded as if it was devoid of emotion, as if they were even bored of the events going on around them. He was in front of her, now, and she got the impression of an older boy standing there, watching her in amusement as she tried to escape.
"You weren't actually a diary," Lily said.
"I wasn't, no." Tom was closer now. Lily held the sword more threateningly. Her palms were slick with sweat, despite the cold temperature of the chamber.
"You used Hermione to open the Chamber."
"I did. I couldn't have done it without her. She gave me strength, although not in the way she thought."
"Why did you bring her down here?' Lily asked. "The Professors are on their way, did you know? They'll stop you."
Tom laughed, and it sent a chill through Lily's body. It sounded like somebody pretending to feel mirth.
"I'd like to see them try. They won't get here in time, I'm afraid, she's already almost dead. And, once she's gone, I'll be back to full strength. Let them stand up to the full might of Lord Voldemort."
Lily tried her best not to flinch at the name. "Did Hermione know?"
"She found out a few weeks ago, after writing to me in a panic when you tried to go to Dumbledore. I don't know what stopped you, Lily, but I must thank you. You bought me the time I needed."
"You were the one keeping her from talking to me," Lily said. Lily couldn't hold her weight anymore. She set Hermione carefully on the ground, then drew her wand back out. She was already breathing hard. She wished she was smarter.
"I was. By that point, she was too weak to resist me, although she still fought as hard as she could. She was a bit too attached, I'm afraid. Poured her heart out into the diary. What a stupid girl."
"She's not," Lily said with confidence. "She's the most brilliant person I know."
"Then you must all be idiots," Tom said with a tone of venom. "I'll admit, I was afraid you'd find me out, when she wanted me to speak with you. She told me about the headaches you'd been getting. I held off as long as I could, until I was sure I could speak to you without giving myself away."
"Why take the risk?"
"I was curious. You, somehow, stopped my past self, when you were but a child? I had to see what the Girl-Who-Lived was like, had to know if you were capable of stopping me. You were just as much of an idiot as Hermione. What a disappointment."
"Don't talk about her that way," Lily said.
"Why did you come down here, Potter? Come to stop me? For what? To save a girl who hated you?"
"She doesn't hate me," Lily said.
Tom laughed again. "Of course she does, Potter. You should have seen all the vile things she wrote about you. 'Oh, Tom, Lily's just horrible, I really wish she'd just get expelled already, it'd save me a lot of trouble. She's such a-'"
"Stop it," Lily shouted.
"'Oh, Tom," Tom continued with a venom to his voice, "'Lily said the worst thing to me today, can you believe it? Really, I wish she'd just drop dead. It would save us all a lot of trouble.'"
"Stop," Lily said again.
"'Dear Tom, Lily was actually suspended today, can you believe it? I don't know why they didn't just go ahead an expel her, she's been asking for it all year. Lavender told me the other day how much she wished we didn't have to share a room with her.'"
"I SAID STOP!" Lily shouted. Her hand was shaking. "She would never-"
"Touched a nerve, did I? If you want proof, that's easy. Just look at the cloak. She stole it from you, I didn't even have to suggest it, and then she kept it from you without my urging. She didn't want you to have it."
"I know," Lily said sadly.
"Did you now? How could you?"
"My scar," Lily said. "It didn't hurt that night. Hermione didn't write to you."
Tom laughed again. "And you came to save her, anyway?'
"I did," Lily said. She stood up a bit straighter, aiming her wand at Tom. "Why did you blame Hagrid?"
Tom laughed again. "He was too easy of a target. Big, blundering Hagrid, in trouble every other week, against poor, brilliant, brave Tom Riddle? Headmaster Dippet didn't doubt me for a second. No, I think Dumbledore was the only one who ever believed it was me. But I took care of him, too, didn't I?"
"You didn't," Lily lied. "He's back, now, in the castle."
"Idiot girl," Tom barked. "You think I did not check that before I took my chance? He is gone, driven out by the mere memory of me."
"What are you?" Lily asked. She was trying to buy herself time, now. She was dragging Hermione again, both weapons still clenched in her hands. She wished Hermione wasn't so heavy.
"I just told you," Tom said. He was closer again. "I am a memory, a fragment of the past, the future, me's soul, stored in my old diary. I will be fully restored soon enough, once Hermione is dead."
"I won't let her die," Lily said.
"You have no choice," Tom said. She saw him raising his hand, ever so briefly, before it faded away.
Hermione was yanked from her arms, thrown across the room, and landed far away, next to where the diary was sitting. Lily tried taking a step forward.
"Give her back, Tom."
"No, I don't think I will," Tom said in a series of hisses that Lily could understand. She hated the sound of it. It grated on her ears.
"Then I'll make you," Lily said in the same tongue.
"You? A child? Face me? The Dark Lord, past, present, and future? You can't even bear to say my name, you stupid girl."
"I am stupid," Lily said. "But I'm not scared of you anymore. I've- I've beaten Voldemort once. I've beaten you. I'll do it again."
Tom turned to face the sculpture in the back, raising his arms into the air as he spoke in a clear voice:
It's coming, Potter. Be ready.
"Salazar! Speak to me, o great one, that your millennium serpent may strike down our enemies!"
The mouth of the sculpture moved, began opening, as a loud shriek filled the room. Lily almost lost her footing in her fear, but she stood proudly, standing at the ready.
She was a Gryffindor, after all, even if only in spirit.
She heard a slithering, a hissing, and great beast entered into her vision, sliding from the mouth of what must have been Salazar Slytherin. It collided with the floor as it expanded, filling the room before Tom, who was basking in its majesty. He was still hazy, but he was becoming more solid, even without speaking.
Lily needed to hurry.
"Attack," he commanded as he turned to face Lily. "She is a pretender, wearing false robes, come to slay you. Do not listen to a word she says."
She has the sword of the enemy, the Basilisk said in a great hiss. We will kill as master commands.
Lily really wished she'd thought to bring her broom right now. It'd be really useful at this very moment.
The Basilisk reared back, and Lily barely managed to jump out of the way as it struck at where she'd been standing moments before. She whirled, aimed at the mass as she ran, and shouted out the first spell that came to mind:
"Confringo!"
There was a blast that sent her sprawling, and she quickly leapt to her feet to keep running as the Basilisk hissed and writhed in pain.
"What are you doing?" Tom shouted. "Get her!"
Lily whirled, aiming her wand at Tom, and cast a quick Stinging Hex. She saw the outline of the spell pass through him and let out a curse, although not the magical kind.
He isn't whole yet. You won't be able to harm him.
"Thanks, Hat," Lily said as she leapt out of the Basilisk's striking path again. "I don't suppose you know any spells to hurt this thing?"
My master tried to freeze it. That's where all this water came from.
"Glacius!" Lily shouted, wand aimed at the surface of water near the Basilisk. Ice shot up around it, sealing it in the cold as it hissed at her again.
Its mouth snapped closed right in front of her, unable to reach, and Lily swung at it with the blade, feeling it pass through the scales and flesh of the serpent. It lashed out, and Lily could hear the ice cracking from the strain. She turned to watch it, and the outline twisted, grew smaller, and slipped out of the icy hold.
"You didn't tell me it could change size," Lily practically shrieked as she continued running, trying to keep distance between it.
How else would it have fit through all the pipes?
Lily didn't like that the hat sounded amused while she was risking life and limb. She shot another freezing spell at the serpent, this time just to buy her some time to get away. She was really starting to run out of ideas.
Run, Potter. Fast.
"Don't need to tell me twice," Lily muttered. She ran for it, spinning on the slick stone. She could hear the Basilisk chasing after her, and she darted for the narrowest tunnel she could fit through, hoping it wouldn't be able to follow her in. She didn't know how small it could get. She turned, seeing it squeeze in naturally, and used another freezing charm to seal it out. She could hear it pounding on the other side, but it didn't seem like it could get through the thick ice.
Keep running, Potter.
"What do I do?" Lily asked between breaths as the tunnel narrowed. "I don't know how to fight this thing."
Lure it in close, and then strike it down with the sword. Blind it, if you can. That will make it easier on the both of us. You've already done one eye.
Lily froze every new tunnel entrance she came across, trying to keep the Basilisk from reaching her. She even froze the ones that were as small as a coin, just in case.
You have to keep moving, Potter.
"I'm trying," she mumbled. "I need a way back. If I can trap it in here, while it's trying to look for me, then I can just get Hermione away, make it back to the exit."
And leave, how?
"The Professors have to be coming by now," Lily said without confidence. "Percy- Percy must have gotten them to listen."
And if he failed?
"Then we're all dead," Lily said, "And Lord V-Voldemort will return, armed with a mass murder monster."
We will have to slay it, Potter, even if it costs both of us. At the very least, the monster cannot be allowed to remain.
"If you say so," Lily said as she froze another tunnel. Personally, she liked the idea of living.
She finally found one big enough for her to get through, although she wasn't sure if it went the right direction. She really wasn't sure where she was right now. She had to try, though, so she made her way down, sealing off any cracks or holes she found along the way.
Stop.
Lily stopped, just as a set of jaws struck out from a hole above, snapping onto where she would have been had she kept moving. She screamed, scrambling backwards, and waved her wand wildly.
"Confringo," she shouted again. There was more heat on her back as she turned and fled, and she could hear the serpent screeching in pain again. She could also hear it moving after her, much faster than she was currently going.
Duck to the left when I tell you.
Lily was fast approaching the entrance she had just come from, and she didn't know which way to go from here; she'd already sealed off the other directions.
Now.
Lily jumped towards the left as she exited, crouching just as the jaws snapped above her. She stabbed upwards with the sword, piercing more flesh. She shoved upwards again, pushing with all her weight and strength as the monster writhed in agony.
The Basilisk increased in size, just in the head, as it pushed back down, trying to crush her. She shoved back, knowing this was a battle she couldn't win. She twisted the blade as she changed positions and then pulled it out as she broke into a run, the beast's cold blood running over her. She heard the Basilisk smash into the wall as it failed to chase after her, and she fired off another Blasting Charm without turning to aim. The blast singed her robes, and she heard the tunnel collapsing behind her as the Basilisk screamed once more.
We're nearly there, Potter. We almost had it. If you hadn't moved out of the way, you could have cut the head off.
"It would have crushed me," she argued.
And it won't try that again. It's clever. Be careful. We lost that chance. We'll have to find another one.
Lily glanced around at her surroundings nervously, trying to think of their next move, their next attack.
"Where do I even go from here? I froze everything, that was the only way to go."
You'll have to melt our first tunnel, bring us back to the main chamber. It's the only way out, now that you've cut off our other routes.
"That'll take too long," Lily said. "We can't wait, Hermione's-"
Calm down, Potter. She isn't being drained as quickly as Riddle claims. We still have time. Just think, and we can do this. Don't let him get the upper hand.
"He already has it, he's-"
Incorporeal. He can do nothing but command the Serpent. What is his source?
Lily slapped her forehead. "The Diary! It was laying next to Hermione! If we just destroy that, we can-"
Call the Basilisk off. You'll have to claim you won't hurt it again. I'm not sure if it'll believe it. I'm not sure if I even want you to try.
"It's our best option," Lily said. "If we can wake Hermione up, she can run for it while I delay the Basilisk."
And how do you propose she do that? She isn't blinded like you are, Potter, and the serpent's eyes glow through the darkness. You listened to Myrtle.
"You'll have to help her," Lily said. "I can- I can do the rest without you."
You cannot.
"I'll have to. I'm not leaving Hermione down here. I'll put you over her eyes, and you'll lead her out of here. Confringo."
The blast from Lily's wand blew apart the ice that she'd put in the way, and she crawled through as quickly as she could, praying the Basilisk wouldn't be waiting for her. She thought she could hear it moving, but she didn't know if that was just the pipes around her carrying the noise towards her.
Careful, Potter, it's coming from the right.
Lily noticed the hole, noticed the sounds getting louder. She only had seconds to react, to get out of the way. She acted on instinct.
She shoved her hand into the hole, wand first.
"Confringo!" She shouted. The blast burned her hand, and she could hear the small tunnel collapsing as rock poured out of it. One hit her index finger hard, and she could feel the bone snap as she pulled back.
You did it, Potter, you-
There was a great hiss from the collapsed tunnel, and Lily didn't react in time. The serpent burst through the cracks between the rocks, magically expanding as it lashed out towards her, and it sunk its jaw onto her forearm. She screamed as she felt hot pain spread through it, and she swung on towards it with the sword in her other hand.
With a hiss as the blade swung through the air, it cleaved through the flesh of the serpent, severing the head from the body. Lily kept moving until the blade collided with the stone, sending a vibration through her arm. She collapsed to her knees, felt bile rising from her throat, and then let it all come out.
I'm sorry, Potter.
"It's fine," Lily said as she fought back the next wave of vomit. She rose to her feet, leaning heavily on the cave wall to support her as the burning spread up her arm. "My fault. Stupid. People keep telling me that. Should have listened."
She could hear the tip of the blade dragging against the stone as she moved forward, step by step. Every single one took every ounce of willpower she had to keep moving. She didn't know where she kept getting it from. The hat stayed silent. She almost thought she could hear it weeping in her head, but she was pretty sure that was just her own tears. She was finding it hard to breath.
She almost fell out of the tunnel at the end, but she managed to pick herself back up. She could hear Tom laughing at her as she struggled forward, her every breath coming as a great struggle as she clung to life, the hot pain reaching into her chest.
"You're dead, Potter," Tom said smugly. "You've failed. I need only call the serpent back, and it's all-"
"It's dead," Lily said in an oddly calm voice. "I killed it. I won."
Lily could hear Tom scoff at that. "Even if you have killed it, it matters not. I've already won, Potter. You didn't save Hermione. She's dead."
"She's not," Lily said, "Not yet. I can still save her."
"How do you plan on doing that? You can barely stand."
Lily collapsed to her knees as she made it to Hermione. She reached gently for the diary, sprawled open nearby, and placed it in front of her. She leaned down, gave Hermione a quick kiss on her cold cheek, and then leaned on the sword to stare at the book.
"What do you plan on doing?" Tom asked suspiciously.
"This," Lily said. She hauled the sword upwards with the rest of her strength, bringing it high into the air, and then slammed it down onto the diary with all her strength.
An unnatural screech filled the air, coming from both the book and the man. Lily slid forward as her hands slipped from the blade, and they met hot ink, flowing from the pages of the diary as if it were blood. She breathed in a hot gasp, one hand grasping for the hilt of the sword again.
"Stop!" Tom shouted. His figure approached closer, grasping at his own chest. "What do you think you're doing, girl, you can not hope to destroy a fragment of my soul with a simple-"
"Don't care," Lily choked out as she slammed the blade back down again. There was another shriek, followed by what felt like a blast as her skin was scorched heat. There was a pop that nearly deafened her, a force that pushed her back two meters, the sound of the sword clattering onto the ground nearby, and then silence. Lily could only hear the sound of her own ragged breathing as her body quickly grew numb.
"We did it," she whispered to the hat. "It's over."
It is. You did well, Potter. I am sorry I could not do more to help you. I truly am.
"I don't suppose-" Lily coughed as her body was wracked with pain. "I don't suppose you could sort me back into- into G-Gryffindor. Just as a- a last w-wish."
I am sorry, Potter. The enchantments that bind me forbid it.
"Figures," Lily said. She rolled over onto her stomach, and began crawling her way back over towards Hermione, who had been slid a bit further away. She could hear the other girl breathing, now, and even see her moving a bit. That vision ended as Lily took the hat from her head, returning her only to the black void around her. She fastened it as best she could to Hermione's head, then rested her own on Hermione's rising chest as she listened to the girl's heartbeat grow stronger. That brought a smile to Lily's face.
Lily could feel Hermione's body jolt as she snapped back to consciousness. Then, her head slipped into Hermione's lap as the girl suddenly sat up. Lily couldn't see what she was doing, but she felt the girl's movements.
"Don't," Lily choked out. "It hurts when you move."
She was talking about her own pain, of course; every vibration felt like it was breaking her bones. Other than that, her body was completely numb, and felt cold as ice.
"Lily?" Hermione said nervously. "What are you- Where are we?"
"Chamber of Secrets," Lily answered hoarsely. "Saved you. You're welcome. I'm the greatest."
"Where are- Where's Tom, and the- the-"
"Dead," Lily said with a soft smile that she wished Hermione could see. "Killed them. You're welcome."
"How did you- Lily, you're bleeding!"
Lily could feel Hermione pull at her sleeve, where all the pain was centered. She winced as Hermione touched gingerly around the area.
"Basilisk bit me," Lily said. "I was stupid. Stuck my hand in the hole. Didn't have to do that."
Lily could feel tears hitting her cheek. They felt scalding hot compared to the rest of her. She was also pretty sure they weren't her own.
"You're dying," Hermione said between her shaking sobs.
"Yes," Lily confirmed. "Stupid of me. Got bit. Should have been more careful. Sorry."
"You sh-sh-shouldn't have come," Hermione choked out. "You- you- you-"
Lily reached up with her last remaining strength, placing her hand on Hermione's warm cheek. She wiped a tear away from her eye as Hermione clutched at the hand, keeping it in place.
"Don't cry," Lily said quietly. "You're my friend. Had to come save you."
"L-Lily. Please. D-d-d-d-don't go, I- I-"
"It's fine." Lily smiled again. "Everything will be fine. I'm sorry I got bit. Take care of Ron and Neville for me, will you?"
"L-Lily, p-please."
"And tell Lavender she can have Weasley. She'll like that. It'll make it easier for her."
Lily thought she could hear something nearby, maybe even see a bright light. She didn't take that as a good sign.
"Help! Somebody, please, help!"
"And t-tell Katie, I- She can h-have my broom. I'm sorry for leaving her alone with Moody. That was stupid of me."
"Lily, please, s-stop talking, you're wasting-"
Lily coughed again. It didn't even hurt, this time. She couldn't feel Hermione's tears anymore, she couldn't even feel her own hand. She was dying, or maybe even already dead.
"Bye, 'Mione."
"Professor! Please, help! P-Please!"
She could hear other voices, now. She was pretty sure one of them was McGonagall.
"Figures," she said with her last breath.
Lily smiled. She wanted to speak up, to say one last thing.
Sorry for being a bad friend. I'll see you on the other side.