Disclaimer: I do not own anything

Harry Potter pierced the wretched diary of Tom Riddle with the basilisk fang that he held in his hands. Ink splattered out of the diary. Riddle let out a scream as his body tore apart and completely disappeared. Harry's vision started to get blurry as he held his arm that was soaked in blood. The last thing he heard before falling unconscious was Ginny yelling out his name.

He felt that he was lying on something. He opened his eyes and saw white. He wondered where he was. Memories came flooding in. Going down the Chamber of Secrets...Lockhart attempting to obliviate Ron and him...continuing alone...fighting the basilisk with a sword that magically appeared...basilisk fang piercing in his arm...destroying the diary...losing consciousness...

Wait a minute! Does that mean he is dead? Is he in heaven? Would he meet his parents here? Sure, he would love to meet them. But what about his friends? He wanted to be with them as well. Speaking of them, was Ginny safe? Did Ron manage to take her out?

A noise broke him out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw a creature that looked like a baby Voldemort flailing around. It looked severely weak. He gaped at the creature.

"Harry," a voice called from behind him. He felt like he had heard it somewhere.

He turned around and saw two people he had seen in pictures many times.

"Mum, Dad," he whispered.

Ron Weasley shifted the last rock away and dashed towards the chamber. If only his wand was in working condition, then it would have taken a lot less hard work. They should not have trusted the fraud Lockhart at all. Now, Harry had to go alone.

The thought of a basilisk made him shudder. How would Harry face it? He was a second year for Merlin's sake

He reached the chamber and came in without a second thought. The first thing he saw was a blood soaked Harry. His eyes trailed further and he saw a huge snake corpse on the water. Was it the basilisk? But now was not the time to ponder on thoughts about it.

He yelled out running up to them, "GINNY, HARRY!"

Ginny turned her head and flung herself on him. She stuttered out, "R-Ron, I-I did not mean to b-but R-riddle made me do it."

Ron could not understand what she meant by those words but did not pursue the topic. He immediately went to Harry and found a large fang next to him. How on earth did he get one here?

An elegant sound broke his thoughts. He looked up and saw a phoenix flying toward them. He did not notice it there before. The phoenix reached up to Harry's arms. A few tears dropped out of its eyes on the wound on his arm. The wound on his arm healed immediately but Harry was still unconscious.

"Ron," Ginny's voice broke him out of the stupor. He had forgotten that she was there. "Is he alive," she whispered.

Ron wasted no time and checked his best friend's pulse. At first, he did not feel it and dread had started to take over when he sensed a slight throbbing. It was faint, but it was there.

"He is," he said relieved, "but barely."

Ginny's eyes glistened with tears again. Whatever transpired must have been a really emotionally traumatic experience for her. However, at the moment, they had to get out of this wretched chamber.

"But how," he wondered aloud.

He felt something tapping his shoulder. He saw the phoenix was poking him with its talon. Realisation dawned in him. Of course, phoenixes can carry heavy loads. He had learnt about it from Hermione. Sometimes, listening to her ranting about studies is useful. Scratch that, it is almost always useful.

"Ginny, hold onto me tightly. I am carrying Harry."-He said as calmly as he could muster.

Ginny, still in tears, merely nodded. They flew through the tunnel and came out of the door. They heard Myrtle mutter, "Oh, you are still alive. I was about to recommend you my bathroom if you died."

They paid no attention to her and came out of the bathroom.

"GINNY," an all too familiar voice of Molly Weasley rang out and before they could say something, they were enveloped in a bone crushing hug.

After they were finally released, the siblings noticed that Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Arthur Weasley were all present. The newcomers noticed the unconscious Harry and gasped. Dumbledore did some spells on him and deduced that he was not in risk of death but would need to rest and be checked by Madam Pomfrey. After leaving him in the infirmary, they were sitting inside the Headmaster's Office.

McGonagall broke the silence, "Well, can we get any explanation?"

Ginny revealed everything that had taken place with her throughout the year. She was a sobbing mess by the end of it. From finding the diary in her bag to Riddle coming out of the diary - it was quite clear that the first year was manipulated but one question was still unsolved -

"Who on earth is this Tom Riddle?" - Ron voiced the question.

"Lord Voldemort," spoke up Dumbledore who was silent till now and looked seemingly in deep thought.

The others gasped in horror. The most evil dark lord for about a hundred years was inside the school for another year! Mr Weasley was about to reprimand Ginny but Dumbledore interrupted him,

"You shouldn't scold her for this, Mr Weasley. Voldemort is a genius in manipulations. Even great and powerful wizards have been manipulated by him. However, we need to hear young Ronald's side of the story. "

After some time

"HOW COULD THE TWO OF YOU DO SOMETHING SO RECKLESS? YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD THE PROFESSOR AT THE VERY LEAST. YOU COULD HAVE DIED AT ANYTIME," Mrs Weasley yelled at Ron.

McGonagall spoke up, "I quite agree. It was a just a matter of chance that you were alive."

Dumbledore put Ron out of his misery, "Now, now, it did give us a happy ending of sorts. I think a two hundred points to Gryffindor and an Award for Special Services is in order to the two of you. But make sure to not break rules any more. You know, you all should rest for now. And Minerva, inform Poppy to notify me if Harry wakes up."

Ron suddenly realised something, "Bloody hell, we completely forgot Lockhart."

"You need not worry about him, Mr Weasley; we would make sure he is safe."

Ron exclaimed, "But, I have more questions to ask!"

Dumbledore calmly, "I shall answer all your queries later on. Rest."

As he exited the Headmaster's Office, Ron heard Dumbledore mutter, "I have failed you enough Harry. Not anymore will I repeat my mistakes."

So, how was it? I hope I did not deviate from the character's canon personality much. I just had this weird idea about what might transpire if Fawkes healed Harry a little late and he 'died' destroying the horcrux. Should I continue? Anyways, enjoy.