Author's Notes: So, there it is, the next chapter of ADW 3. I hope it wasn't too long this time. Fact is though, with all the other ideas in my head and so much work to do (I've got my final exams in school in December) I hardly have time to properly write ADW.
I've got it planned out in plot until the middle of book seven though. I only need to write it sometime. ^_^ I'm sad to hear that we aren't allowed to post any review responses in chapters anymore, so I will just answer general questions from now on.
This chapter is by far the most important of this 'book' and therefore my most precious. Took me ages to make it exactly the way I wanted it but in the end I'm satisfied with my result.
Upon seeing the note posted in the news on the main page I finally got an answer to the review problem. If I notice a question that needs serious answering I will endeavour to do so. Please bear with me and my updating at the moment. I'm under a lot of stress.
My final written exam is on December 5th and 6th, so I didn't have much time at all. I won't have until the practical at the end of January as well. The final one or two chapters of this as well as book 4 might take a while.
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Chapter 14 - The Chamber of Secrets or The Rescue of a Soul
When the friends walked towards the Great Hall for dinner they noticed a sort of argument. There were Dumbledore, McGonagall and Lucius Malfoy. The kids quickly hid in an alcove. They couldn't reach the Hall without passing them and Draco couldn't do that. He was scared out of his wits.
So they just sat and listened. Malfoy was effectively telling them that Dumbledore had been removed as the schools headmaster by the board of governors. They could feel that neither McGonagall nor Dumbledore had expected that but the headmaster had no choice.
McGonagall had just started to argue when Dumbledore interrupted.
"No Minerva. If the governors have decided then I shall leave but, Mister Malfoy be assured that I will only leave this walls for sure when no one here remains loyal to me. Within these wall everyone who asks for help will be granted just that," he calmly stated and they left.
The three friends went to the kitchen instead of the Great Hall and the house-elves provided them with food and something to drink. They quickly returned to their common rooms to think about the whole situation.
It had been bad when the attacks had started and it had become worse when everyone thought they had done all that but now it was personal. One of them had been attacked. This was too much. They were now dead set on finding out the truth.
But Dumbledore was gone. Who could they turn to with anything they found out? No this time they were on their own. Carya stared at the two items in her lap. Why had Hermione a mirror and this book in her hands? She just couldn't make anything of it.
Over the next day's it became apparent that no one suspected them anymore. No whispers, no insults. They were either ignored or treated like delicate flowers. It was annoying and relieving at the same time.
They visited their friends in the infirmary as often as the teachers allowed it since the escorts from and to classes had been reinstated. The three friends didn't really pay attention these days and even botched a simple potion which resulted in detention for all of them including Ginny.
After that they tried to at least pay attention in Potions and Transfiguration. On May 25th Professor Sprout explained that the Mandrakes would be ready for cutting before the beginning of June. This lightened the mood a bit.
A few days later the friends once again sat in the Common Room reading when Carya had an idea. They had never really looked at the book and mirror. She recalled what the headmaster had said to her. These items had been next to Hermione and the had been found near the library.
Of course the two girl had still been in the library but why did Hermione leave her book-bag there and take only her mirror and this particular book? A book on a class she didn't even attend? That was what she told her brothers and together they tried to find a solution.
The Slytherin's had noticed that apart from the three third years one other of their own was just as shocked by the last attack - Terence Higgs. No one knew why but he had the same difficulties with everyday life like the twins and Draco.
The only who knew was in the infirmary. It was close to dinner when Carya started flipping through the book. Suddenly she noticed another handwriting than her own on one of the pages. She opened the book fully and stared at the page in shock.
A large paragraph had been marked and beneath it in a small, beautiful cursive stood written the words 'pipes' and 'water'.
"Harry, Draco, listen I think I've found it, or rather Hermione got it right! Here ...," she began and continued by reciting the marked paragraph, "... Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents.
This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death.
Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it. ... And there are two words beneath this paragraph! They are 'pipes' and 'water'. Do you realise what this means?" Carya explained
"I don't kn ... wait, of course! The 'Beast of Slytherin' is a Basilisk. It's stare is always fatal unless ...," Harry said and his twin continued.
"... unless you don't look at it directly. Like Hermione and Cat did with the mirror!" she said.
"But what about Norri, Finch-Fletchley and that Creevey kid?" Draco inquired.
"Hm, Justin was found next to the still form of the Gryffindor ghost. And the floor was all wet where we found Norri, that might be what Hermione meant with water. I don't know about Creevey though" Carya mused aloud.
"But I do. Remember, I was in the infirmary that night. The boy was clutching his camera. And the film inside was burned and melted. Not one of them looked at the Basilisk directly. That's why they were only petrified!" Harry said smiling slightly.
"What do we do now? We don't know where the Chamber of Secrets is, let alone how to get inside. Do you have a clue about the location?" Draco wanted to know.
"Let's think about this. The Basilisk can't exactly move around in the corridors, can it? What have all place where they found someone have in common?" Carya asked thoughtfully.
"I got it! The pipes, Harry, Carya, the pipes! Every location had a student's bathroom near it. It moves around in pipes. And since it's just a really big type of snake you two could hear it because you understand Parsel!" Draco whispered furiously.
"Hm, but where is the entrance? ... Do you remember? They said the last time someone died. A girl if I'm correct. Wait a second ... what if she never left the place where she died? What if she was stuck there for some reason? ..." Carya ranted and both boys could follow where she was leading their thoughts.
"Of course, 'Moaning Myrtle' from the abandoned girls bathroom on the first floor! And I bet the entrance is there. And all the attacks happened near it too. Now we have to find out how to open it and find McGonagall. We have to tell her and perhaps Dumbledore can come back," Harry replied.
The three children headed towards the teacher's lounge but stopped when they heard an amplified voice echo through the hallways.
"All students immediately return to you dormitories. Everything will be explained by your head of house shortly!" the voice of McGonagall told them. The three Slytherin's didn't even think about returning. They had to tell her about their discovery.
When they reached the room they were looking for there was an argument inside. The three of them hid in a cupboard next to the door. It was quite narrow in there but it would do.
"No, please Minerva tell us this isn't true!" said a female voice.
"Unfortunately it is. A student has been taken into the Chamber. They left a message on the wall, too. Beneath the first one; 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever'," McGonagall replied.
"We have to do something but first ..." another voice, a male one said.
The kids heard footsteps and someone going into the room.
"Ah, Gilderoy, so good of you to join us. Just the man we need right now. You see, a girl was taken by the beast and we need someone with your expertise to rescue the poor lad," a squeaking voice that could only belong to Flitwick said.
They argued back and forth and in the end Lockhart agreed and left the lounge to 'prepare himself for the battle'.
"Now that this idiot is out of the way, what do we do, any suggestions, Minerva? Who was taken? You said a girl ..." Snape asked thinking about all his female students.
Everyone thought he didn't care but he did. He cared for the well-being of his students. Especially those of his house - even the Potters.
"Ginny Weasley," Minerva said softly and everyone gasped.
Ginny was a pureblood and although her family was poor they belonged to the oldest wizarding families in existence.
"I think it's best the Heads of House go and inform the students that they'll be sent home tomorrow morning. We cannot uphold the schedule with these attacks. We'll meet afterwards, good luck," Minerva said and the teachers left.
All three Slytherin's were as white as chalk. Harry and Carya because they considered Ginny their sister and Draco because he was about to lose one of the few people he truly loved.
"Come on Draco, we'll find and rescue her. Don't worry! Harry and I will not let you or Ginny down ever!" Carya said and tried to soothe her brother.
"Let's go we have to find Lockhart. Maybe he can be helpful ..." Harry started and when Carya and Draco looked at him with wide and disbelieving eyes, he managed to smirk and added, "... as canon fodder!"
This brought a bit of colour back to his siblings faces. They sought out Lockhart and barged into his office. Naturally the coward was already packing his things, ready to leave any second.
"Professor? What are you doing? We thought you'd help Ginny?" Harry said with fake hurt at the man's actions.
"Ah, well, yes, urgent call from the ministry, I'm very sorry Mister Potter, very sorry but I have to leave now," Lockhart rambled.
Harry's face fell became stony and he told Lockhart what he thought of this.
"I don't think so 'Professor'. You'll come with us, because we know where the entrance of the Chamber is and how to get in! And more interesting we know what is hiding in the 'Chamber of Secrets'!" Harry told him, spitting out the title as if it were dirt.
As the teacher whirled around he was facing three wands. He had his hand on his own but here were three of the best duellers the school currently had.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Carya and caught Lockhart's wand in an elegant move.
"Now we're going to help Ginny. And you'll come with us!" Draco growled.
The Slytherin's led their terrified professor towards 'Moaning Myrtle's' bathroom and stepped inside looking for a certain ghost. Draco watched Lockhart together with Carya while Harry talked to the female ghost.
"Hello dear Myrtle, may I ask you a question?" Harry started.
"Depends ... are you going to tease me like Olive Hornby always did?" she asked whiny.
"No, of course not. But it's a rather personal question," Harry continued talking as if she was alive, "I just wanted to ask you if you remember how you died and where," he said.
Myrtle's cheeks became even more silvery than before, "Oh, that was horrible, yes a dreadful thing. I was hiding in my cabin because Olive was once again teasing me about my looks. I just sat here and waited when someone came in here.
I found out it was a boy when he started to say something but I couldn't understand it. A strange language if you ask me. I wanted to tell him that he should use his own bathroom so I opened the cabin door. And then ... I died," she said with a ghosts blush in her face.
"Could you see anything?" Harry asked further.
"Yes, I remember a pair of big yellow eyes. When I looked into them it felt like floating. I just ... died. It didn't even hurt, you know?" she explained in a strange dreamy voice.
"May I ask where you saw them?" Carya inquired softly as not to startle the ghost.
"Over there by that sink. Don't bother trying the tap. It's never been working," the ghost said.
Carya looked at her brother and motioned her head towards Lockhart. Harry got it and took over her position. She carefully inspected the tap and the sink. There on the side of the tap was a carved snake.
"This is it. This is the entrance! Harry, Draco, we've finally found it," she told them and Lockhart gave a small squeak, "But how get in? Open it, perhaps ..." Carya continued and then hissed something in Parsel.
~Open!~ she hissed.
The sinks rearranged themselves and a large pipe became visible. You couldn't see what was at the bottom of it.
"I'll go first. Draco, you and Harry then send that idiot down. Then you two get down there yourself, okay?" she ordered and everyone but Lockhart nodded.
The girl jumped into the pipe and kept her limbs close together. After a seemingly endless slide she came out at the other end. It was like a cave. Deep beneath the school and if you judged by the amount of water on the floor perhaps even beneath the lake.
She had her wand ready when she heard a whine. Lockhart came out of the pipe and again found himself at the tip of an outstretched wand. Harry and Draco followed soon after. They decided to be very careful and close their eyes at the slightest movement.
The strange groups reached a large snake's hide. Probably shed by the basilisk.
"I bet Snape would like some of this for potions," Carya suggested with a grin.
The same moment Draco stumbled over a rock and Lockhart got hold of his wand. The boys were now behind Carya and she faced Lockhart.
"I'm sorry kids but no one can know about me. I'll take some of this hide and tell them that you lost your minds after seeing the girls mangled body. Say goodbye to your memories! 'Obliviate'!" he said and shouted the spell but Carya was just as quick.
She put up a defensive shield the group had learned during some research for Survival class.
"Reflecto!" she said clearly as not to mispronounce it.
Lockhart's spell bounced off the shield straight back at him. It hit him right in the chest and he flew back crashing into a wall. Suddenly the ceiling crumbled and huge rocks fell towards the floor effectively blocking the way.
Draco and Lockhart were on the one side, the side where the pipe was and the twins? Well they were on the side they'd intended to go to.
"Draco? Don't worry, we're alright. What about you?" Carya yelled.
"I'm okay, but the git's knocked out. I bind him and then try and clear this mess, so that you can get back, okay? Good luck, and please help Ginny!" Draco shot back.
The twins slowly and carefully walked down the dark hallway until they met a kind of dead end. Well not really dead end. There was a kind of portal there. The twins looked at each other and once again Carya said 'Open' in Parsel.
True enough the door-like entrance opened and let them in. Behind it was a huge Chamber. On the sides were snake-statues and a large statue was standing in the middle of the far end of the room. At the statues feet lay something black, something with red hair ...
"Ginny!" Harry yelled and ran forward not caring about the possibility of the Basilisk appearing.
Carya carefully followed him scanning the room for any movements. Before she even reached her twin someone stepped out of the shadows holding a wand, but neither Ginny's nor Harry's wand.
"She won't wake Potter!" the man, no boy said. Carya tried to remember where she'd heard the voice before and she did, but Harry beat her to that.
"Tom Riddle!" he gasped.
"Yes Potter, I'm surprised you remember me. We only met once afterall. Oh, don't worry, she's still alive, but only just!" Riddle said casually.
"What? Why are you even alive? I thought you were a memory contained in ... what's that diary doing here and why ... Ginny!" Harry ranted slightly, realising that it must've been Ginny who had helped releasing the Basilisk.
"You found out? I'm impressed Potter. And here I thought I could fool you, too," Riddle replied to Harry's unspoken question. He still hadn't noticed Carya in his concentration.
"So it was you. All the time it was you? Why? Why Ginny, why Hagrid?" Harry demanded to know.
"I needed someone back then. Someone to take the blame. Who do you think they would believe when proclaiming innocence? Him, a boy who always gets in trouble because he's out in the forest to wrestle trolls or hiding werewolf cubs in his dorm? Or me, a brilliant but orphaned model student?" Tom continued.
For a second Carya thought she had seen sadness in those crimson eyes but it was gone so fast that she didn't think twice about it.
"As to why this girl? She found my diary and started writing in it. It was extremely boring to listen to most of her problems. Her awful brothers, the friends she thought wouldn't like her at all, the boy she loved and who didn't love her in return, how she hated being poor ... an endless list.
She didn't notice at first what was happening. But after a while she found out that I was the one manipulating her. It was already too late by then. Over those long month where she poured parts of her soul into the diary I was able to give her some of mine in return.
In November she tried to get rid of the diary, you know? Flushing it down a toilet. And then I met you. How disappointed I was when you weren't the one to write to me the next time it was opened. Apparently Ginny had stolen it back.
I know your story Potter, all of it. Young Virginia here told me your rather interesting childhood. You were right to think she had something to do with it. Another one of her worries. She was afraid what you'd think of her when you found out.
I fooled everyone, the old coot of a headmaster Armando Dippet and almost all of my teachers as well - all except the Transfigurations teacher, Albus Dumbledore. He never seemed to like me as much as the others did.
I knew I couldn't risk opening the chamber again after Hagrid was expelled because he was watching me too closely. So I decided to leave this diary. I know, no one died this time but that isn't important because I had a new goal - you!"
"Me? Why?" Harry asked surprised.
Carya again had a tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach. As if something beyond their control was going on here. She knew there would be some very important choices to be made tonight. Very important choices like the one in first year when Voldemort tried to get them to join him.
"I wanted to meet you, to talk to you. I want to know how you survived the killing curse with nothing but a little scar while the great Lord Voldemort was banished," Riddle said growing angry for some reason,
"I knew you'd come if someone close to you was hurt ..." Riddle said and trailed off.
"Why are you interested in that. Voldemort was after your time! It's none of your concern," Harry snapped.
Carya couldn't help but silently watch. Something wasn't right here. She'd noticed the change of tone when he talked about Voldemort. Tom Riddle almost seemed ... proud.
"Lord Voldemort is my past, my present and my future, Harry Potter. Of course it concerns me. But I will be kind and show you ..." he said and started waving the wand in his hand.
Like fire there appeared writing in the air,
Tom Marvolo Riddle
And with another flick of his wrist the letters rearranged themselves
I Am Lord Voldemort
Carya's eyes widened. Of course. That tone, the same one as with Quirrell in first year! But this Tom didn't feel as dark, not as lost to the darkness than his older self. She didn't know why but she thought that there might be hope.
Harry's eyes widened slightly and he looked at Tom with a calculating stare. Tom didn't like this reaction. He had expected fear or anger but not being stared at coolly.
"Why should I keep the name of some Muggle-bastard who left my mother for being a witch? I chose a name for myself, a name I knew everyone would once fear to say out loud. I would be the greatest Wizard ever!" Tom added.
"You're not! You're not the greatest wizard. Dumbledore is and that name is a fluke! It's just your old one rearranged, a simple anagram!" Harry snarled.
"Dumbledore was driven out of Hogwarts by a mere memory of mine! How dare you talking to me like that, me who is of Slytherin's blood himself," Riddle growled.
"Dumbledore's not as far away as you think he is!" Harry shouted trying to increase his own bravery a bit but he was no Gryffindor and felt that he hardly had a chance if they were to fight.
Suddenly a beautiful sound echoed through the Chamber and a large red and gold bird materialised above them carrying a small lump in it's claws. The bird dumped it's load at Harry's feet.
"That's a phoenix ...," Riddle stated matter of factly, " ... and this is the schools old Sorting Hat. This is all Dumbledore sends his fighter for the light? A singing bird and a ruddy piece of cloth?"
He laughed a cold laugh. One that didn't suit his appearance. One that the twins knew only too well. The one that woke them from every nightmare these days.
The phoenix landed next to Harry and he greeted the bird, "Hello Fawkes, I hope your Master is well."
"So Potter, back to business. You won twice in your past, my future. One time when you were just a toddler and the other time in your first year. Explain yourself. Remember the longer you talk, the longer you live!" Riddle threatened still not realising that Harry wasn't alone.
Not that Carya was much of help now anyway. She was lost in her thoughts. There was something about this boy that she couldn't figure out. It felt strange, very strange. It had something to do with how he was acting.
Although his words and tone clearly spoke proudly about his current future self, his eyes and body language betrayed that opinion. They simply didn't fit together. Those eyes, they mirrored the ones Carya had after they made the eye-colour changing potion in class.
They were full of thoughts and emotions but very hard to read. They almost seemed ... alike, Tom and herself.
"I don't know how I survived. They all say mother died to protect me but I doubt that. Even though love is a powerful light magic, I really doubt that would be enough!" Harry yelled. He was getting anxious. All the time Riddle's form became more focused while Ginny's outline became blurry.
"I see, powerful counter-charm indeed. Now I know that it was mere luck you escaped me. Were a alike you know that, don't you Potter? We're both half-bloods, orphans, raised by muggles. We even look alike to some point, we are both an only child.
And we're possibly the only two Parselmouth who have entered the school since the great Salazar Slytherin himself! I will complete his noble work and rid this school and the world of Muggles and Mudbloods!" Tom told him and that was where Carya gave up hiding.
She couldn't let her twin do all the work. He needed her now.
"You're wrong! Harry's not alone. Have you forgotten our meeting? Hasn't Ginny mentioned me? He has me, his twin! And that you know it, I'm a Parselmouth as well!" she sneered and stepped out of the shadows,
"Salazar Slytherin wasn't like that. He never wanted them dead. He disliked them out of sheer necessity. Muggles were much more aware of magic back then. They actually believed when someone told them about magic.
Those Muggles feared what they did not understand. Today's Muggles would just call you crazy and declare you insane because they don't believe in magic anymore!" she told him and ended up yelling slightly.
Standing next to her brother. This was the first time Tom noticed her robes. Harry didn't wear his own ones but Carya's clearly showed the Slytherin crest.
"What do you know, little girl? You know nothing of the world. You're just a spoiled little brat ..." he snorted and Harry's eyes widened since he knew Tom had just crossed a line no one else dared to cross knowingly.
This would end up bad for one of them and looked at by experience it would be his sister who got hurt but it was too late. Carya narrowed her eyes slightly before slapping Riddle hard across the cheek. She started yelling at the top of her lungs.
"Who do you call a little girl who knows nothing of the world? Your future self murdered my parents when I was only one. I lost everything then. I remember all of that night as if it were yesterday.
My relatives were too afraid to tell me I was a witch until my eleventh birthday and when my life was completely turned upside down, I had to start all over again. My godfather was on the run because everyone thought he'd betrayed my parents.
I've been hurt more during these last three years than most children have throughout their whole childhood. So what do you think you're playing at, you fucking son of a bitch!" she shouted fiercely and her eyes showed her fury.
At first Tom was only too stunned to reply but he grew angrier as further she went with her ranting. He himself had lived in an abusive orphanage and had never had the chance at a family because no one had wanted him.
"How dare you! I've been abused all my life by those so-called caretakers. How dare you compare your life with mine! This will teach you not to mess with me!" he growled and raised his wand,
"Crucio!"
"No!" screamed Harry and tackled the other boy.
They both fell to the ground but Carya hadn't made a sound yet. She was lying in the floor, her body twitching slightly from the curse even though it had only lasted a couple of seconds. Tom threw Harry off and stood up as the Potter boy did the same.
"Be careful Potter, you'll be next! But for now we'll have a bit of fun. Let's match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against the famous Harry Potter!" Tom threatened.
~Ssspeak to me, Ssslytherin, greatessst of the Hogwartsss Four!~ Tom hissed in Parsel and Harry knew what was to come.
He knew the Basilisk wouldn't be able to smell him, being drenched in whatever had been in that puddle just now but it had excellent hearing. The other problem was the eyes. How should he be able to fight the snake without being able to see?
(A/N: I used the explanation for a Basilisk's senses from the movie. I seriously doubt that a snake couldn't smell its prey regardless what covered it, but ... who cares? *shrug* Perhaps basilisks are a little different ...)
Just then the big statue of Salazar opened it's mouth. Harry closed his eyes and soon heard a dull thump echoing through the chamber. He also could hear Tom's orders in Parsel.
~Chassse him and then kill him!~ he hissed.
Fawkes flew off Harry's shoulder and the boy felt lost all of a sudden. He kept his eyes shut but when he heard a pain filled hiss and a shrill screech he dared to squint through one of his eyes. The Basilisk looked right into his direction but ... he was still alive.
It was only then that he noticed the blood on the snake's head. And Fawkes circling right above the Basilisk. The bird had punctured the beasts eyes and effectively blinded the giant snake. Now Harry had a chance. A slim one but still a chance.
He just wished Carya was awake. She knew so much more curses than he did. Riddle was still giving orders to the snake.
~No, don't bother with that bird. The boy, go after him you can hear him!~ Tom hissed.
/Don't move Harry! The snake cannot hear you if you don't move. Just stay there at the wall/ his sister sent him and he saw her lifting her head slightly and looking at him.
/Holy Slytherin, you're alive and awake. You alright? I was worried/ Harry replied and Carya nodded soundlessly.
Tom saw that too. But he didn't know about their ability to converse without talking. If someone had bothered to look at him right then you would have seen pure jealousy on his features. He was jealous that Potter had someone to lean on, a sibling even when he hadn't had anyone.
Not even a single friend. Fawkes was still flying around while the snake searched for Harry. It was distracted by the birds screeches and couldn't make out any other sounds. The phoenix dropped the Sorting Hat in front of Harry and he carefully picked it up.
Surprisingly he managed that without betraying his position to the animal. Not knowing what to do Harry put the Hat on and fervently asked for some help. Something solid and very hard hit him in the head a few seconds later.
He was almost knocked out by whatever had hit him. The boy pulled the hat off and pulled out a beautiful sword with rubies in it's hilt. But the snake had heard the thump too. It slowly made it's way over to him and Harry prepared to fight.
Now that he was armed he wasn't that afraid anymore. Although he wondered where that bravery had come from. He was a Slytherin, not some stupid Gryffindor. Tom seemed to think the same because when Harry stood near him again he told him so.
"I knew you'd not back out. Typical Gryffindor!" Tom drawled.
"Who are you calling a Gryffindork? I'm a Slytherin!" Harry sneered and turned his attention towards the snake once more.
Tom walked over to where Carya was still lying on the floor. He stared at her, seeing that she was awake but hadn't moved from the spot she was lying on.
"You ought to watch other people more closely, ... Tom. You aren't observant enough, you know? Didn't you noticed his tie? It's green and silver. You let yourself be blinded by the fact who our parents were ...," she said too weak to get up right now.
She didn't know why but she felt the urge to keep talking, "And you were wrong about something else. The likeness you mentioned. It's not you and Harry who are alike in some ways. Harry dislikes the darkness far too much. Unlike me that is.
I know my own darkness and have come to accept it. But you? Have you accepted it or are your trying to overpower it? Believe me, the latter won't work. If you can't accept yourself you'll be lost," she continued softly and Tom's face contorted in rage.
How dare this girl give him advice? Him, the Heir of Slytherin? Had he bothered to think about it rationally he would've found that she was right. But he didn't listen, he cursed her again and this time Harry couldn't help. He was busy fighting the giant serpent.
"Shut up, silly girl! 'Crucio'!" Tom growled and Carya clenched her teeth.
Not long after that she started screaming. The pain was just too much. But thankfully the curse was stopped when Tom lost contact. He was hit by the Basilisk's tail and his wand flew out of his hand. It landed about forty five feet (around fifteen metres) away from them.
The girl was gasping for air and moaning from the pain. Her whole body twitching slightly because of the curses after-effects. Tom saw Harry hitting the snake with a sword and wondered where the hell the boy had gotten a weapon.
When he saw his hurting sister he let out a startled gasp, "Carya!"
The snake heard him and prepared to strike but Harry noticed just in time. He brought the sword up in front of him and as the animals head came down he pushed the sword up into the beasts mouth. The tip of the weapon broke through the head of the Basilisk and come out on it's top.
Harry's aim though had been slightly off due to being tired. One of the fangs pierced Harry's right arm and broke when the giant serpent fell. Harry pulled it out quickly but could already feel the venom in his body.
"Although you killed the Basilisk, you're still dying Potter, you and your sister. In a few minutes I'll be free again!" Riddle said smugly not noticing Fawkes return.
"Hi Fawkes! You were great, you know? Sorry, I wasn't doing better." Harry said, the blur on the edge of his vision becoming bigger.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall behind him.
/Carya? I think that was it. I won't make it. Please try and help Ginny. You two have to survive, you hear me? Tell Hermione I love her/ Harry sent his sister.
That was when Tom noticed that there was another special thing to the twins. They both had closed their eyes but seemed to be talking because their features showed something akin to that.
/You won't leave me, silly twit! I absolutely forbid it! We'll find a way. You'll tell her yourself, understood/ she replied annoyed but scared and Harry gave small smile.
Suddenly he felt better. He slowly opened his eyes and noticed that the blur was becoming smaller and smaller. Next to him sat Fawkes, crying pearly tears onto his wound. An enraged Tom Riddle tried to stop the bird but it was too late.
Harry was healed. Fawkes then flew over to Carya and made a soft chirping sound. Almost like a song. She too felt better and was able to sit up. Harry had noticed the diary lying in his lap. Fawkes must've dropped it there.
Carya could see the fear and desperation in Tom's eyes as he realised what would happen now. He looked so lonely and incredibly lost that she felt sorry for him even though he had tried to kill them only seconds ago. The girl was startled out of her thoughts by an awful shriek.
Harry had pierced the diary with the fang from the Basilisk. Tom was now the one screaming in pain, just like Carya had minutes ago. All of a sudden she somehow caught the others gaze. By looking into the crimson eyes of Tom Riddle she saw something that made her heart break.
He was looking broken and sad but also angry and ... disappointed with himself. The boy then fell to the ground - unconscious. Later on she didn't exactly know why she'd done it but she never regretted doing so.
"Harry stop!" she yelled.
(A/N: Hehe, Cliffhanger for once ^_^. I've so wanted to do this at one time. You'd like to know how it's going to continue? Well, It won't take too long I guess *smirk*)
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Please Read and Review,
Carya
2005-10-23