[a/n0]Rita is good at her job, no matter our opinion of her shock tabloid talents. Made sense she would pick up the little things. Don't forget the animagus. Whether humans can smell dittany, or not, animals can do better. Cheers Vashon.
[a/n]Looking for a happy ending? This ain't it.
Harry Does Different CDXLII
Tom Wins
~~Parseltongue won't help you now Potter! The basilisk only obeys me!~~ the young Voldemort hissed at his even younger enemy. Then commanded the giant snake ~~Kill him!~~
Harry bolted. The arrival of Dumbledore's phoenix, carrying the Sorting Hat, which contained the Sword of Gryffindor was a tremendous boon. Particularly when Fawkes attacked the monster's eyes, leaving it blind. The boy was largely successful in taking advantage of side corridors to distract it, while figuring out what to do. A tossed rock sent it down the wrong way while Harry returned to the main chamber, hoping to revive Ginny.
~~Finally!~~ complained an annoyed Tom ~~Finish him!~~
Harry weaved and dodged, avoiding death a number of times. Then scaled the tremendous Slytherin head. Perched on its brow, he struck a blow on the armored head. Causing little damage. As it reared back for another attack, the boy shoved the sword forward, right through the roof of its mouth. It was, for the young wizard, a pyrric victory. A fang but little shorter than his sword went through his bicep.
~~The basilisk poison is lethal, Potter.~~ Voldemort gloated in a parseltongish hiss ~~In perhaps a minute you'll be with your filthy Mudblood mother.~~
Perched on the statue's brow, the boy whimpered in pain. A vaccine needle in the arm is a minor pain, having a massive fang protruding from both sides was agonizing. In almost a reflex, Harry yanked on what could be called the top. By main strength, he tore it free from his arm. This act gave him a new definition of pain. Harry's vision blurred, his left foot moved. His right looked for balance, stepping on empty space. On impact, there was unbearable pain, for a few seconds. Then he merely lay there, staring at the ceiling, unable to move.
"That fall looked painful, boy." Tom gloated with a pleasant smile "Perhaps, as silly little Ginny breathes her last, I will grant you a gentle end. If you beg."
Harry choked on blood as he muttered "Fuck you Tom." It was the last thing the young wizard ever said. Seeing the evil specter vanish in a flash of light froze a smile on his still features.
"This was not part of the plan." Said the body of Ginny Weasley as she sat up and looked around. The preteen's eyes glowed a malevolent red. The Dark Lord would have to adapt. Before leaving the chamber, she retrieved the boy's wand, pointed, and fired "Avada Kedvra!"
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After many minutes of desperate clawing at the pile of rocks with his bare hands, Ron Weasley succeeded in digging a hole large enough to crawl through, he was running the path his best friend took. By a hairsbreadth he avoided colliding with "GINNY! Are you alright? Where's Harry?!"
"Oh Ron!" the young girl threw herself at her brother "It was awful! A giant snake came after me! Harry showed up and thank Godric he killed it! But it bit him! Ron! He …Harry… DEAD! We have to tell the Headmaster!"
The redhaired boy broke into a run following his sister back to the castle.