"Talking"

"Thoughts"

"Spells"

"Parseltongue"

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Harry scanned the map before turning the corner and walking towards the girls bathroom, he was taking a risk going to the chamber during the day but it was a necessary one. He didn't want to risk running into whoever was releasing the basilisk in case they were more powerful and skilled than him. He was skipping his history class, and now that Binns was replaced it would be noticed, but Professor Blake wouldn't turn the castle upside down looking for him.

Walking into the bathroom Harry started walking towards the sink. "Who's there?" Harry stopped when he heard the female voice and spun around looking for the girl.

"How did I miss her?" Harry thought and moved towards the stalls, suddenly a ghostly figure of a young girl with glasses came through one of the stall doors. "Ah." Harry thought and assumed she came up through the floor.

"You're not supposed to be in here." She said and floated around Harry, Harry mentally frowned as now there was a witness to his actions.

"What's your name?" Harry suddenly asked as he realized who this might be.

"Myrtle." She replied. "Now why are you here?"

Harry grinned. "I'm here to get rid of what killed you." Myrtles eyes flew open at the statement.

"W-w-what?" Myrtle asked quietly.

"I know how you died." Harry used his best smile. "You've heard what's happened in the castle, you know its back and I know how to be rid of it so it doesn't harm another student."

"How?" Myrtle asked.

Harry paused and quickly tried to think of something to say that would seem plausible. "My mother, she heard about what happened and looked into it." He answered. "I found a notebook of hers in our vault and read up on this, I don't know what's down there but I can stop it." He frowned. "But no one can know im here or they may accidently make me mess up writing the runes my mother drew up."

Myrtle nodded like she understood. "I won't tell anyone and I'll keep everyone away just make the eyes go away." Without another word Myrtle moved through the wall towards the hall. Harry looked at the wall for a second, this was not an ideal situation but hopefully Myrtle would keep quiet and Harry could carry on as planned.

Walking over to the sinks Harry moved to the one he saw in the memories and felt around until he found the snake carving. Leaning down Harry focused on the carving. "Open." A low rumble filled the room as the sink gave way to a small corridor, Harry grinned slightly before moving into the corridor and turned to another carving of a snake. "Close." The opening closed and Harry pulled out his wand before moving forward. The corridor had a decent amount of light coming from a combination of runes and enchantments, Tom had discovered they drew power from Hogwarts themselves and so he didn't experiment with them.

Reaching the large main chamber Harry starred up at the statue of what was assumed to be Salazar Slytherin, he took a deep breath for this next part was extremely dangerous and may not turn out well for him. "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four." Harry heard a loud thud and then the mouth of the statue began to open. "Awaken great serpent."

For a few seconds nothing happened than suddenly Harry heard a hiss that sent a massive shiver through his body. "Who dares awaken me?" A feminine voice asked, seconds later a massive green scaled head slithered out of the mouth. Harry averted his eyes once he heard the voice as he knew direct eye contact would kill him unless the basilisk had its protective eyelids up, something he doubted. "Who enters the lair of my Master?" The serpent rose high above Harry.

"You would not recognize me in this body but when I first met you I explained how terrifyingly beautiful you were." Harry hissed back loudly.

"LIES!" The basilisk snapped and Harry heard a rush of movement as it circled him. "His spirit is already in the castle and has visited me! I will feast upon your flesh."

"Your skin was like emeralds I said!" Harry shouted quickly, trying to push the thought of the spirit of Voldemort still in the castle. "You claimed to eat my flesh then but I proved my lineage to you by telling you of my ancestors!"

Loud hissing and movement were all he heard for a few seconds and he desperately wanted to pull his wand. "What trickery is this?" The serpent hissed. "Explain or I will watch you die slowly and painfully before feasting upon your carcass."

Harry gulped and nodded. "I was carrying out my plans, paving the way for a world filled with those worthy of magic. Then, through a backlash of magics I was cast into the body of a child. Some may say it's a curse but I see this as a chance to not only finish my work but improve it and be rid of all the traitors who turned their backs on me." The silence that followed was the worst experience Harry had ever felt in his life.

"One claims to be the Heir reborn while the other claims to be his spirit." The basilisk finally answered. "Both have knowledge of the past to establish their claims." Harry heard it move as it spoke. "Look at me child, fear not death."

Harry took a deep breath and then looked up, the basilisk was coiled around him leaving no room for escape. It's head was pulled back far enough Harry could see both its large yellow eyes, which had a blueish hue to them. "As beautiful as ever."

The basilisk flicked its tongue at him. "My Master values the worthy, both of you have claim so the one who defeats the other will win my loyalty." With that it turned and began slithering back to the statue. "Neither may call upon me until the other is defeated."

"Very well." Harry replied and waited until the basilisk's body was past him before he turned and made for the doorway at a fast pace. It was both a success and a failure, he could gain the serpents allegiance but first he would need to remove the wraith from the castle again. He was sure it was possessing someone again and with the map he could find out who, then it was just a matter of doing the same as last year.

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Two weeks, that's how long Harry had stayed up late into the night watching for a name to move into the bathroom and then disappear. Upon leaving the chamber Harry had been doing his best to avoid acting suspicious, apparently Sirius already had the word out to notify him if anything odd involving Harry happened. He had passed the skipping of History off as him needing extra sleep from studying late into the night. Sirius had bought it but Harry had to tread carefully not only to avoid his attention but also whoever was possessed by Voldemort.

Harry did his best to make skin to skin contact with the people who could approach him the easiest and so far none had screamed at his touch. Sighing Harry rubbed his eyes and refocused on the map, he was starting to get tired of staying up late and watching the map but he had no other choice. A small dot moving down the hall caught Harry's eye though, in fact it surprised him as it was not just a first year but the Weasley's youngest Ginevra or Ginny as the twins called her. Harry had only seen her during the sorting, she had the same hand-me-down robes and red hair like the others. Harry watched with interest as she walked not just to but into the girls bathroom. "No…" Harry muttered not believing what might be happening and sure enough she moved to a wall then disappeared. "Mischief managed." Harry said absently and leaned back in his chair.

He couldn't believe a Weasley was involved with Voldemort. "Though that makes a great cover." Harry thought, they were a strict light family but were also Purebloods so it wouldn't compromise Tom's ideals but keep him hidden. He also doubted that a first year had the ability to fend off a wraith. "Alright then." Harry said and stood up, he had a target now and after tonight Tom would come looking for him. Throwing on a black robe Harry walked back to the map and grabbed it before casting a disillusionment charm on and leaving.

His best chance to end this was now so Harry moved quickly through the halls, glancing at the map every few seconds to ensure Ginny hadn't left yet. He did have to sneak past a pair of prefects but luckily they were busy talking about the upcoming Quidditch match and didn't notice the noise of extra footsteps. Arriving at the bathroom Harry looked down and saw Ginny still hadn't come out so he made his way in and stood by the far end of the room, pulling his wand out Harry waited.

Minutes passed before finally the doorway opened and out walked Ginny, Harry noticed she looked a bit pale and was clutching a book to her chest. Harry waited until after she had closed the corridor and turned to leave to cast. "Stupefy." The spell hit the unsuspecting girl and she fell to the floor, the book sliding towards the exit as she did. Harry took a deep breath as he lowered his wand and moved towards the girl. He was not looking forward to this part, the girl was innocent he was sure but to stop Voldemort it needed to be done. "I will make it up to her family somehow." Harry thought. "Perhaps a scholarship in her honor or something." Standing over her Harry closed his eyes and slowly knelt down, his hand shook as he reached out and touched her forehead.

When nothing happened Harry slowly opened his eyes, his fingertips were on her forehead but nothing was happening. Confused he placed his whole hand on her head but again nothing happened. "What?" Harry muttered before he started using both hands to touch her head, neck, arms and legs but nothing happened. Confused Harry stood and looked down at the girl, he had seen her come out of the chamber and speak parseltongue so if she wasn't possessed how had she?

Scratching his head he turned to the door and noticed the book on the ground, it was tattered and old looking. Curious Harry walked over and picked it up, suddenly he felt his necklace flair to life and let go of the book. It wasn't as powerful as the Sorting Hat but more than a Legilimency probe from Dumbledore. Curious, and also needing to leave Harry pulled his arm back into his sleeve and used it to pick the book up so his skin never touched it. He placed it in his pocket and then pulled the map back out, he could leave Ginny here since she never saw him. Seeing the cost was clear Harry quickly made his way back to his room, he needed to sort all of the nights events out and quickly.

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Harry woke suddenly from his meditation, his hands gripping the sheets. "Bastard." Harry said in a heated whisper before grabbing his pillow and throwing it against the wall. He leapt from the bed and grabbed another swinging it across his nightstand and scattering the contents, across the ground. He let out a heated growl as he tossed the pillow, standing in his room he took several heavy breaths. "Bloody bastard."

Viewing the memories and searching for diaries hadn't been as time consuming as he thought it might. A few minutes of searching had led him to the memory of that exact diary, one he used to house his soul creating what is known as a Horcrux. A Horcrux was something a Wizard or Witch created when housing a part of their soul in an item, doing so would allow their spirit to remain on the earth even if their body was destroyed. It was obvious now that Tom was more than just a simple wraith like Harry originally thought but something far worse.

The icing on the cake though was Tom did not create one Horcrux like suggested in his research but seven. It would explain why he had gotten so crazy in his later years, splitting ones soul so many times would unhinge a person. Harry was feeling calmer and with that came an odd sense of clarity, he had all the knowledge to find and destroy the Horcruxes. True even with that knowledge some were so secure he would need to be far stronger than he was but he now had a forewarning that Voldemort could in fact rise again.

Something stirred inside Harry when he thought that, his mind went back to last year when he found the mirror. He remembered in that magical device he stood with Tom's head at his feet, something he never thought would happen now had a chance. A part of him shivered at the idea of allowing Tom to return as he knew people would die but another, darker, part of him wanted to see the Wizard on his knees begging for Harry to spare him before Harry killed him. "Just like he did my parents." Harry thought and squeezed his fists tight, it would take careful planning and more work in the darker side of the Wizarding world then he had planned so early but a good plan is one that evolves not tries to force a course.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Chamber of Secrets, Hogwarts xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Harry walked with his head high into the chamber two nights later, since no word had spread he was sure Ginny had kept her mouth shut about the events around the diary. Said diary was tightly wrapped in scrap cloth so it would not touch him and stuffed in his pocket, Harry had discovered various ways to destroy the Horcrux and luckily one was in front of him. "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four."

The statues mouth opened and Harry shivered as he again heard the mighty serpents hiss. "You have returned." It said as it began to circle him again. "And you have proof you are the victory and most worthy of my Masters blood?"

Harry removed the covered book and unwrapped it before tossing it to the ground. "This is how the girl knew what to say and about my past, it is a diary I left behind to possess someone of pureblood and carry out my will if I should perish." Harry informed her. "A simple bite from your poisonous fang will destroy it."

The basilisk eyed the book and it's tongue slipped out of its mouth, flicking the air. "I said I would not help anyone until a victor was decided."

"Without the book the other is useless and will not return." Harry answered. "I have won, if I must leave for a few more days, weeks or months to prove she will not return so be it."

The basilisk stared at him for a second and bobbed its head. "Very well." With an incredible speed the serpent shot forward and stabbed a fang into the book. As the basilisk reared back Harry eyed the diary as it began to ooze black ink as if it were blood. "It tastes foul."

"I apologize; I was unaware of how it would taste." Harry said with a small bow of his head.

"Accepted." The basilisk replied. "Now what do you require of me?"

"Nothing as taxing as the last asked of you." Harry replied. "I do not know what the goal was but to wander the halls attacking students was a foolish plan. You have no way of knowing who was worth and who was not."

"The spirit said to avoid any who wear the green and silver clothing around their necks." The basilisk answered, Harry nodded.

"A smart move but even those of the other houses could be purebloods." Harry said and the serpent let out a powerful his.

"As I said but my duty is to obey the worthy Heir so I did as asked." She replied.

Harry smiled, the creature was not as dim as he had thought but still followed orders. "The students will remain unharmed, in fact I would like to move you away from this chamber."

The basilisk let out a violent hiss and closed its body tighter around Harry, almost constricting him completely. "YOU DARE ASK ME TO FORGET THE DUTY MY MASTER LEFT ME!"

"NO!" Harry yelled and threw his arms up in surrender. "No, I simply mean to have you move somewhere else momentarily to gain strength." The serpent pulled back slightly but glared at Harry. "You have been confined here for so long I wanted to give you a chance to bask in the sun, hunt more worthy prey and grow. Do not fear, if Hogwarts were in danger I would bring you back to defend it."

The basilisk's body relaxed some and its glare softened but the eyes studied him. "I can move through the pipes and hunt."

"But nothing worthy of your power." Harry answered back. "Tell me did you even know a troll entered the school last year?"

"What!" The serpent hissed and rose in height. "How is that possible?"

"A professor let it in but that is beside the point." Harry replied. "Do you think you are strong enough to fight something like that? Living off small game and barely exercising?"

"One bite and it would die a slow and painful death." The basilisk replied as it showed its teeth.

"True but it could kill you in the time it took the poison to take effect." Harry pointed out, the basilisk let out an angry hiss but stayed silent. "Follow my plan and you will be able to grow and polish your skills so nothing can stop you."

The serpent lowered itself so if faced Harry. "Very well, I will try your plan for a time and decided if it is something Master would have accepted." Harry grinned.

"Excellent, now please do not attack the elves who are about to arrive. They will take you to Potter Manor in Kielder Forest." Harry said so the basilisk would not be affected by the Fidelius. "Potter elves come to me."

Several pops filled the chamber followed by frightened squeals, Harry almost fell over as the elves slammed into the backs of his legs to hide. "Master what is it!" One yelled, he wasn't sure who.

"Silence." Harry said firmly. "You have nothing to fear, Ra you have prepared the large greenhouse like I asked correct?"

"Y-y-yes Master." Ra said though his eyes never left the basilisk.

"Excellent, I want all of you to take our new friend back to the manor and set her up there." Harry ordered and turned to them. "She will hunt on her own but Ra you are to ensure no trails are left."

"Yes Master." Ra replied though he still wouldn't look up at the basilisk. Harry nodded and then turned to the serpent.

"They will take you to your new home, be wary of muggles when hunting." He said.

"Of course." The basilisk replied.

"Take her." Harry said to the elves, gulping the group all took hold of the basilisk and with a loud pop they were gone. Harry grinned as soon as they were gone, with the basilisk on his side he would have a ready supply of venom to not only use but sell off as well. Plus if he could work it right she might lay eggs and give him a small group of basilisks, possible enough to start a farm.

Turning, Harry made his way back towards the bathroom, with this done he could focus back on his goal of defeating Tom once and for all.