Kitty: I HATE MY LIFE. Why can't I update on schedule and be able to type this whole commentary once instead of having to type it over and over again because of my dad's stupid mouse controls that makes me go back to the previous page and lose all my typing?

Yugi: (comes into the room) Do I hear an angsty voice in here belonging to my precious Kitten?

Kitty: You do, and you already know why. Damn my computer with all my info crashing.

Lina: Damn it to hell. But at least you finished HBP before you flew over here to San Diego.

Kitty: Yep. I am in love with Morfin Gaunt. Parseltongue is hot. (glomps Morfin)

Morfin: Hiess es shehis!

Kitty: (hearts pop over her head) Ooh, that sounded so hot.

Harry: (sweatdrop) He said, "Get off me, Mudblood!"

Kitty: I don't care, it still sounded hot.

Yugi: (glares at Morfin) R&R!

Chapter Twenty-One:

The Final Face-off

Diana and Harry took a few steps back as the Monster of Slytherin neared the exit of the statue's mouth. As the basilisk's scaly nose came into view, they turned in the opposite direction and began to run, only being able to watch the basilisk's shadow on the wall to figure out where it was.

Harry snapped something at the basilisk in Parseltongue (Diana decided it must've meant something like, "Leave us alone!") but Riddle only laughed and said, "Parseltongue won't save you now, Potter; it only obeys me!"

And it seemed that Riddle was right as, right after he said it, the basilisk bit right near Diana's ankles.

"Harry!" shouted Diana, "Get Marik and Ginny out of here, I'll distract it!"

"But Dare-"

"GO!" Diana shoved him out of the basilisk's path.

Harry stumbled to the side as Diana started shooting spells over her shoulder to keep the basilisk's attention on her.

/What am I going to do? What am I going to do/ he thought in fear, /Dare can't fight it alone/

-Don't worry, Harry-kun,- Atem assured him, -Dare-kun's got the Tomb Robber to help her, remember? He'll keep her safe.-

Harry had almost forgotten about the Yamis being with them; at the remembrance of it, an idea suddenly crossed his mind.

/Three heads are better than two/ Harry thought with a smirk.

"Dare!" he shouted, "Give me the Millennium Rod!"

"What?" Diana yelled, as she aimed a Stunner near where she thought the Basilisk's mouth was.

"Just do it!" Harry yelled back.

Diana pulled the Millennium Rod out of her pocket.

"Catch!" she said, before throwing it like a football over to him.

But her aim was off, and it slid across the floor pass him, over to where Marik and Ginny were still lying. There was a flash of golden light…

And a white, freckled hand lifted it into the air.

Ginny Weasley, her eyes shining a bright blue and her height slightly increased, stood up and looked at Harry.

"Seth?" Harry asked.

"Hey, Harry-kun," Seth's voice came out of Ginny's responding mouth, "I should've known the Rod would choose Ginny instead of Marik…get down!"

He pulled Harry down as one of Diana's spells shot over them and burnt a circle into the wall.

"Why would the Millennium Rod choose Ginny?" asked Harry.

"For the same reason it chose Ron-kun, I guess," replied Seth, "There's obviously something in the Weasley family the Rod likes…anyway, Marik is my cousin's Tomb Keeper, and he and I were enemies, you know-"

"DARE, WATCH OUT!" Harry shouted, as the basilisk got ready to strike.

But before Bakura could react to help Diana, Fawkes the Phoenix swooped in and sunk his claws into the basilisk's eyes.

The giant serpent screeched and writhed, trying to get the bird off of its face, but when Fawkes finally let go, Diana turned around to see that the basilisk's eyes were punctured.

"No!" Riddle growled, "Your bird might have blinded the basilisk, but it can still hear you!"

Diana's eyes flashed. /It can? Well then…it'll be easier to keep it away from Harry and Seth/

She picked up a rock and, thinking of Ron, threw it at the serpent's nose.

"Hey, Lizard-Lips!" Diana mocked, "Remember me? Your fellow actor, Diana Randall, always up for a chase scene!"

Obviously that did it, as the basilisk struck right where Artemis's Heir had been standing two seconds ago, before she had started running.

Seth, with Harry's help, was trying to hoist Marik onto his back, which proved more difficult than he had thought as the former Tomb Keeper was much larger than Ginny was.

"He really…needs to lay off…on the Pumpkin Pasties," Seth wheezed.

Suddenly Diana was thrown against the wall and pinned with the basilisk's tail up. She struggled against it, but she couldn't get free. Her sky-blue eyes went wide in horror as the basilisk sniffed her, and then got prepared to strike.

Seth dropped Marik on the ground and held up the Millennium Rod. In a flash, a dagger appeared out of the bottom of it, and Seth plunged it into the basilisk's side.

It let out a sound that was a mixture of to a high-pitched scream and a cat's hiss, and when the High Priest jerked the dagger out, there shone a bloodstained, gold-rimmed wound. The basilisk's tail fell away from Diana as it whammed Seth into the opposite wall, throwing the Millennium Rod out of his hand and into the corner.

"Seth!" Harry yelled, scrambling to his feet and about to run over to him…

It wad then that Fawkes dropped a familiar piece of cloth at Harry's feet.

"The Sorting Hat…" Harry mumbled.

Staring at it for a moment and then oddly making up his mind, the Boy Who Lived picked the hat up and put it on his head.

-Harry-kun, what in the name of Ra are you doing?- asked Atem.

/I don't know/ replied Harry, /I guess it's just me being stupid…but I think the Sorting Hat can help us beat the basilisk./

-What do you think it'll do, cough up a furball?-

/OW/

Stars winked in front of Harry's eyes as something hard and metal fell on his head. Shaking his head a little to clear it, he lifted the hat up off his head and reached inside to pull out a shining, silver-and-ruby-encrusted sword.

/This is one heck of a furball, then/ Harry thought, before putting the Sorting Hat on the ground and running over to Seth.

"Hey!" Harry shouted at the basilisk, "If you want to fight someone, why not fight someone who can fight back?"

The blind basilisk turned to him, just as Harry swung the sword at it and made a huge slash down its tail. It hissed furiously, before biting three inches to where Harry was.

Harry swung the sword again to slash its face, and the basilisk reared, shaking its head back-and-forth until it hit Harry and sent him reeling onto the floor.

The basilisk began to strike, its fangs bared…

"HARRY-KUN, LOOK OUT!" Seth shouted from the corner.

Harry looked up and, his eyes narrowing in determination, seized the sword and plunged it through the upper-roof of the serpent's mouth to stab its brain.

The basilisk shrieked, but Harry held fast and pushed the sword a little harder; at last, the serpent began to crumple, and Harry pulled the sword out. But he wasn't quick enough, for one of the basilisk's fangs sank deep into his forearm. Nevertheless, the basilisk slowly collapsed on the Chamber floor in a dead heap.

Harry pulled the single fang out of his arm to examine the wound as he walked weakly over to a nearby Diana. But he didn't quite make it to her; he dropped both the fang and the sword and fell to the floor.

"Harry!" Diana picked him up, letting him lean his head on her shoulder.

"Harry-kun, are you okay?" Seth asked anxiously as he ran over, his Millennium Rod back in his hand, and Atem and Bakura appeared beside them.

"Remarkable, isn't it?" Riddle suddenly spoke, his mouth going up again into an evil smirk, "How quickly basilisk venom penetrates the body? I suppose he'll have a little over a minute to live…then he can be with his darling Mudblood mother…and to think, she tried to prevent this…"

"You did it, Harry-kun," Bakura told him, "You killed the basilisk…you saved Seth and Dare-chan…"

-Hang on, Harry-kun,- Atem pleaded, -You're going to be okay…just hold on…-

But in Harry's ears, their voices were slowly fading away.

Diana stared at Harry's white, blank face, and then glared at Riddle in unadulterated hatred. "You…you…"

Riddle laughed his high, cold laugh. "Randall…did you really think you had a chance? Soon Marik and Ginny will be dead, and I will cease to be a memory…Potter may have killed the basilisk, but neither he nor you ever had a chance of beating me. Lord Voldemort will return…very much alive."

Diana looked from Seth in Ginny's body, to Harry, and then to Marik, where her eyes lay upon the little black book still sitting next to Marik's outstretched hand.

Then, very, very slowly, she looked up and Riddle, and her mouth went up into an almost identical smirk.

"Voldemort probably will return, Riddle," she whispered, "But, frankly, I'd like him to come back when I can fit him into my schedule!"

Diana seized the basilisk's fang Harry had dropped and plunged it into Tom Riddle's diary.

Riddle's eyes went wide and he screamed as though Diana had stabbed him in the heart with a knife, as his figure began shining a bright gold, before shattering into a thousand pieces.

Diana glared where Riddle had been standing, and then looked at Harry.

"Harry? Harry, can you hear me?"

Harry's vacant green eyes passed over her face. "I…I don't think I have much time…you have to get Marik and Ginny…out…"

"We're not leaving without you, Harry-kun," Bakura argued.

Fawkes flew down to the three of them and landed right next to Harry.

"Hi, Fawkes," Harry whispered, "You…you were brilliant…I just wasn't fast enough…"

"Oh, stop acting like a martyr, Harry!" Diana snapped, her eyes filling up with tears.

Fawkes brought his head down to Harry's forearm and glistening tears fell from his eyes and onto the wound. A few seconds later, the wound and the blood were gone.

Atem's eyes widened. "Of course…phoenix tears have healing powers…"

It was then that they heard a moan behind them.

Diana whirled around. "MARIK!"

The Tomb Keeper sat up, holding his head. "What…happened…where…?"

He then saw his friends. "Dare-kun! Harry-kun!"

Diana ran over to him and gave him a big hug. "You're okay! Thank Merlin you're okay!"

Then Seth held his head, moaning also; when he looked up, Ginny was in his place, her eyes once again a Weasley brown and the High Priest appearing in his transparent form beside her.

"How…why…Riddle!" her head jerked around, "What happened to Riddle?"

Marik pulled out of Diana's hug, and looked around the Chamber. His eyes widened at the sight of the basilisk. "It's dead! But does that mean that Riddle…?"

"He's gone too," said Harry, holding up the ruined diary, "We beat him."

Marik stared at the diary in Harry's hand; then he turned to look at Atem. "Pharaoh…"

Tears fell down his cheeks. "Pharaoh…I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for it to happen…I…I didn't mean to dishonor you again! I was only worried about Kara-chan and Ariel and Kane; I only wanted to protect them! Riddle said-"

"I know, Marik-kun," Atem put a transparent hand on his shoulder, "I know…it's not your fault…"

"W-what'll Mum and Dad say?" stammered Ginny, looking ready to cry also, "I'll be expelled for sure! I haven't even made it through my first year!"

"We'll explain everything, Ginny-chan," Seth assured her, "I'm sure Dumbledore-san will understand."

Diana and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Speaking of Dumbledore," said Diana, "We aught to get back up toward the school…after we find Ron and Lockhart the Nimrod, of course…"

"Ron's here?" asked Ginny in surprise.

"Why'd you bring Lockhart with you?" Marik wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Yes and only because he was supposed to be looking for you two," Bakura answered both questions with a scowl, "But that's not important, let's just get out of this oversized toilet already…"

Naturally Ron was very pleased to see both Marik and Ginny alive, although the sword Harry had gotten out of the Sorting Hat surprised him.

"It looks like it would come out of a treasury, don't you think?" Ron asked, looking at the sword with wide eyes, "I wonder how the Sorting Hat got a hold of it…"

"Maybe it's stolen," suggested Bakura, eying the sword with more of a sneaky look, "It looks like something someone would want to steal…"

"Don't even think about it, Tomb Robber," reproached Atem.

Lockhart, after being hit with his own Memory Charm, didn't remember a thing about who he was or that he was a Hogwarts teacher. In fact, he was currently under the impression (thanks to a mischievous Diana and aided by her equally impish Yami) that he was actually a dog trapped in a human's body. Needless to say, the group had a laugh when Diana threw a rock and Lockhart brought it back to her with an overly enthusiastic bark.

"I should bring him home to Aunt Gwen," Diana grinned, patting the top of Lockhart's curly blond hair, "I've always wanted a dog, and I think Gilderoy works rather well."

"Woof!" barked Lockhart.

Finally the five students, accompanied by the whining professor-turned-dog, grabbed onto Fawkes's tail, and to everyone's surprise but Harry's ("Fawkes is no ordinary bird," he stated, a smile appearing on his face), they were lifted off the ground and up the pipe back into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

The usually sobbing ghost stared at them all as they felt their feet touch the wet bathroom floor.

"You're alive," she said blankly.

"Most of us are, anyway," laughed Atem, "But there's no need to be so disappointed about it."

"Well…you know, if Harry had died…you'd always be welcome to share my toilet," replied Myrtle, blushing silver.

If Yamis could faint, Atem would've done so then. However, as he couldn't, the past Pharaoh retreated into his soulroom in complete embarrassment, the Tomb Robber and High Priest laughing their heads off.

The group followed the flying Fawkes out of the abandoned bathroom, down some hallways and up some stairs to the door of Professor McGonagall's office, where Fawkes rested on Harry's shoulder and looked at him expectantly. Beaming up at the phoenix, Harry knocked on the door before pushing it open and leading the others inside.

Kitty: Chapter completed.

Morfin: Hiss seh ises sess elishes. Uses lissss hiss.

Kitty: (sigh) That was hot too. (looks at Harry) What did he say?

Harry: He said, "It's time for those stupid review things of yours. Now let me go."

Kitty: My darling little Gaunt is correct. It IS time for reviews. And no, I won't let you go.

Morfin: (eyes narrow) Issssssssshe.

Yugi: (glares at Harry) What did he say?

Harry: (eyes go wide) I don't want to die, so I refuse to translate that.

Yugi: (scowls) Remind me to kill him later. Anyway...first review is from aNiMe-AzN-aNgEl. Well, this update is probably the latest update in the history of Cold Day in July as well as Ready to Run, so Kitty apologizes for not finishing this chapter sooner. (smiles at the "insane"comment) It's amazing how often insanity and genius coincide.

Kitty: I can't wait for the sequel. PRISONER OF AZKABAN, WEE! (glomps both Remus and Sirius) And thanks: I thought I might want to give Marik a bit more attention than normal, and hey, I wanted to explain why I put him in Slytherin, so it worked out great.

Lina: Next is ANAYAS-CREATER.

Ron: (his hair and clothes messed up) She turned me back eventually...and then snogged me later in the broomstick cupboard. (blushes) I think that lightened up the whole experience. (grins stupidly)

Hermione: (pats Ron lovingly on the head) At least all those shippers who think Harry and I should get together are put to rest after HBP. And Kitty shall try never, ever to wait as long ever again to update.

Bakura: (smirks) I am very wise.

Atem: (rolls his eyes) Riiiiiiiiiight...and so humble, too... (ahem) The next person on our list is Zelda-Ally.

Jake: (taunts) Ron is an idiot, Ron is an idiot...

Hermione: Shut up! (picks up a machine gun and fires away at Jake)

Everyone: (stares)

Hermione: (fuming) Only I can call Ron an idiot! And he's MY idiot!

Ron: (stares) Mione...you just...he's...THAT WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT! (kisses Hermione full on the mouth)

Kitty: (smiles) Those two are so cute. Anyway...I suggest Ally hide, as Lockhart the dog has been hanging out over here... (sweatdrop)

Lockhart: WOOF! WOOF, WOOF!

Harry: (sweatdrop) Dare, this is officially the worst idea you've ever had in your life.

Diana: (grins proudly) Hope you guys liked the basilisk scene in this chappie.

Lina: Onward to Kyte, who helped us get 150 reviews.

Kitty: You so rock, girl! (hugs Kyte) Anyway...I hate snakes. (hides) My dad tried to make me go with him into the reptile house at San Diego Zoo; I told him that unless he could edit the snake in Sorcerer's Stone and the glass disappearing, I refused to go in.

Ryou: And no, it's not me. Sad to say, you were pretty way off, because the person whose past we have yet to discuss has to do with my Yami's love life more than Dare's. But Dare's love life will not be single only to Bakura and Malfoy, so there's someone else who Kitty refuses to tell us of.

Kitty: Yep, shame on Ron. And yes, I do still love you all, very, very much. (smiles) Next is Kaiba-kun. I've already answered your question by email, and thanks much for the praise.

Yugi: Ahhh...and now is one of my very favorite reviewers: Rainbow Guardian Angel! Good to see you again. (hugs Mizumi back)

Kitty: Well, I'm on vacation too, so I know how you feel. (frowns) Sorry about the sunburn, Mizumi: I'm sunburned on my upper arm too. It's fading away now, but it looks like a cow spot. Mooooooooooo. (sweatdrop)

Atem: (scowls) It would've been funnier if it'd left me out of that...but hey, what do I know?

Bakura: Not much.

Atem: (whacks Bakura over the head) Shut up. Well, Lockhart's still a pain even if he's now a dog, but at least he's paper-trained. (hugs Mizumi back too)

Kitty: I actually like Tom, even though he Petrified my poor Yugi-chan. His char is very intriguing, especially in HBP. (sweatdrop) I do hope you bring Isis back...I don't think Kyte would be very pleased to know that Isis was stolen all over again...

Kara: And now...Claire.

Kitty: Well, now my computer can keep your computer company! Glad to know you liked the chappie; I agree, Marik's lust for power isn't petty like most Slytherins, but amibition is ambition, so that is part of the reason I put Marik in Slytherin. That, and I thought it'd be interesting if each of the four Japanese boys sorta represents a different house.

Lina: (burns the Dress Code at Claire's school with her flamethrower) Glad Kitty's school doesn't have a Dress Code.

Yugi: (nods) Then it'd be even harder to get her into any sexy clothes.

Kitty: YUGI! (blushes) Really... (ahem) Broadway is God.

Yugi: (picks up the noose and grins evilly) PUNJAB LASSO! (strangles the Drake voodoo doll)

Kitty: Now, now, Yugi, Atem's the Phantom of the Opera in my fic, not you.

Yugi: (pouts) But can't you let me be him just this once? You could be my Christine...

Kitty: Yugi...ah! (Yugi starts nibbling on her ear) Oh, alright, alright! Just behave until the reviews are over, will you?

Yugi: (smirks) Yes, my Angel of Music...

Kitty: (ahem) Anyway... (brushes herself off) Ron and Mione can be awfully weird sometimes, but it's times like when Mione pulls Ron into a closet and snogs him that we know they care about each other. (winks) And summer reading sucks: I have it too.

Lina: Now presenting our old friend lilyqueen777. (blinks) Third year, hun. THIS is second year. But whatever. Glad for your enthusiasm.

Kara: And finally, last but certainly not least, is Blackcat14200!

Kitty: You are very, very kind. (smiles) I'm looking forward to writing those two, let me assure you.

Yugi: (smiles) That I will do. (kisses Kitty's cheek) Hi, Neko-chan.

Kitty: (kisses him back) Hi yourself, Yugi-chan.

Atem: (gives Blackcat a roguish wink) Ja ne, honey.

Kitty: Alrighty now...these fanfic hits are unbelievable...346 currently! (eyes well up with tears of joy) I love you guys soooooo much! What did I do to deserve all this praise from you? I truly cannot thank you enough.

Yugi: Kitty?

Kitty: Yes, Yugi?

Yugi: It's almost time for the Bash-a-thon! We'll have to start planning it next chapter.

Kitty: (nods) You're right! The Second Annual Bash-a-thon will be something to look forward to, so do get your bashing ideas for Malfoy the Amazing Bouncing Ferret and Lockhart the Dog ready for your reviews on Chapter 22 of Cold Day in July!

Lina: R&R!