Into the Chamber
"Hermione," Ron whispered, "She left to go looking for you, said she had something important to tell us, but you had run off."
"What's in her hand?" Harry asked, finally unfreezing.
"I don't know," Ron muttered, grabbing the piece of parchment. He unrolled it, and stared at the lettering.
"Harry," he gasped, "The monster, it's a basilisk."
"A what?" Harry asked, rushing forward, "A snake?" He re read the parchment about five times.
"Is that why all the roosters were killed?" Ron questioned, "And the water on the floor, the pipes." He glanced back down at the paper.
"There were spiders fleeing from the scene as well," Harry said slowly.
"ALL STUDENTS MUST IMMEDIANTLY RETURN TO THEIR DORMITORIES, ALL STAFF TO THE SECOND FLOOR CORRIDOR," Professor McGonagalls voice rang throughout the castle. Harry and Ron exchanged a look, and raced out of the hospital wing and down the stairs to the corridor.
"Ron," Harry whispered, "You won't like what this is about." They stopped short, and peered around the corner. Written in blood, on the wall, were the words, "Herskeleton will lie in the chamber forever"
"Who?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Ginny Weasely," McGonagll replied gravely. Ron stared horrifed at Harry, who was trembling.
"Ron," Harry hissed, "The entrance to the chamber, a girl died in a bathroom, what if she never left the bathroom."
"Mrytle?" Ron asked, "Well, we better go find out." Harry nodded, and they raced around the floor, soon reaching the second flor girls bathroom.
"Myrtle," Harry shouted, "Where are you?
"Harry, what do you want?" Myrtle floated out from a cubicle.
"A basilisk," Harry panted, "That was the monster that killed you."
"I don't know what it was called, but I saw a pair of eyes at that sink right over there," Myrtle replied. Harry nodded, and went over to the sink. He saw a snake engraved on the faucet.
"Open," he hissed. To Ron, he was speaking Parsletounge, because as Harry stepped back, the sink retracted, and a set of stairs appeared.
"The Chamber of Secrets," Ron whispered, "Ginny's down there, Harry, we have to go save her!"
"Lets do this, Ron," Harry nodded, "Myrtle, get help as fast as you can."
"Fine," Myrtle huffed, "But I better not have to leave this bathroom ever again." Harry shrugged, and started down the stairs. As they were walking, Harry quickly explained the whole diary business to Ron, who was shocked that Ginny had been possessed. They reached the end of the winding stairs, and Harry glanced as far ahead as possible. It was damp, gloomy, and hard to see.
"Lumos," Ron muttered, the wand light didn't help much, but Harry saw there was something hard on the floor.
"What is this?" Harry wondered, looking at the substance.
"It looks like snake skin," Ron said, touching it, "It's rough, but has scales, Harry, you don't think that the basilisk is this big, do you?"
"Hate to disappoint you Ron, but I do think it's the basilisk," Harry gulped, "Come on, we have to find Ginny." They followed the snakeskin, and soon reached a sealed doorway. There were six snakes on it, and Harry guessed he should use Parsletounge.
"Open," he hissed, and a seventh snake came out, slithering around the six others. The door opened, and a massive chamber was stretched out in front of Harry and Ron. Statues of snakes lined a pathway, and at the end of the path was a body.
"Ginny," Harry whispered, "Ron, backtrack, get help, I'll save Ginny."
"Harry, she's my sister too," protested Ron, "I have to help her."
"Ron, you don't know what could happen and at least on of us survives, get the professors, bring them down here, while the chamber is still open, hurry," Harry countered, and ran down the ladder. Ron sighed, and left Harry, knowing that his logic made more sense than being heroic.
Harry ran down the path, eventually reaching Ginny's body. Without letting go of his wand, Harry fell onto his knees, staring at his best friends motionless body.
"Ginny, please, wake up," Harry pleaded, "Ginny, you have to come back to us, to me, I can't live without you!"
"She won't wake," Harry whipped around and saw a young man standing in the shadows.
"Who are you?" Harry demanded.
"Tom, Tom Riddle," the man replied.
"Look, you have to help me, there's a basilisk, we have to get Ginny out of here," Harry explained, he glanced down at Ginny's body, and stared at what she was holding. It was the diary, and for the first time, Harry started at the lettering at the bottom. T.M.R.
"You're possessing her," Harry growled, "You did this to Ginny."
"You catch on fast, Harry Potter," Tom smirked, "To bad the both of you are not going to live to see sunlight anymore."
"Why would you want to kill me?" Harry asked, "I've done nothing to you, but keep you away from Ginny for as long as possible."
"You've done nothing to me," Tom laughed, "You really have no clue who I am." He sighed, and looked around.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I need to borrow your wand," Tom said.
"No, you can't have it," Harry frowned. Tom shrugged, and reached inside Ginny's robes.
"Watch it," Harry growled, pointing his wand at him.
"Touchy subject, I take it," Tom smirked, and finally pulled out Ginny's wand. He started waving it, and Harry watched as letters appeared. Tom Marvolo Riddle. He then waved his wand once more, and the letters rearranged themselves. I Am Lord Voldemort.
"You," Harry whispered, "You're the heir of Slytherin, you're Voldemort."
"Did you think I would keep my filthy muggle father's name?" Tom hissed, "No, I mad myself a new one, one someday everyone would fear. I am the greatest wizard alive, and when poor Ginny here dies, I will return, fully alive."
"Dumbledore is the greatest wizard here," Harry shouted, "Not you."
"Dumbledore has been kicked out of the castle from a mere memory of me," Tom laughed, "How is that great?"
"He'll never be gone," Harry growled, "As long as those who still believe in him are there, he's never left." A sound made Harry and Tom look up. Fawkes the phoenix was flying, carrying Harry identified as the Sorting Hat.
"Look what Dumbledore has sent you, useless thing," Tom smirked, and turned towards the huge statue of Salazar Slytherin's head. He began hissing, and Harry gasped as he recognized parsletounge. The mouth opened, and Harry quickly turned around, and started running.
"Kill him," Tom hissed at the basilisk. Harry heard it slithering towards him, but before Harry could do anything, he slipped and fell on the ground. He quickly covered his ears, and looked away. Harry then heard some shouting, and thrashing above him.
"Your bird may have blinded the basilisk," Ton hissed, "But it can still hear you!" Harry cautiously stood up, and grabbed a rock. He threw it to the left, and watched as the basilisk ventured off in that direction. Quickly, Harry raced back to Ginny's body.
"Ginny, come on, please, wake up," Harry said, "We need you."
"Pathetic," Tom smirked, "As long as I am here, she will never wake up."
"Then I'll just have to get rid or you," Harry glared. Before he could act though, the basilisk splashed out and faced him. Looking around desperately, Harry glanced at the Sorting Hat. As he stared at it more, he realized there was something in it. He raced over, and grabbed the object, only to find that it was a sword. Hearing a hiss, Harry looked up, and saw the basilisk lunge at him. Quick as lightning, Harry thrust the sword forward. It pierced through the mouth of the basilisk, and the great snake swung back and forth before finally hitting the ground, dead. Harry then fell to the floor, and in shock, saw a fang had pierced his arm. He pulled it out, and crawled towards his best friend.
"I'm so sorry, Ginny," Harry whispered. Without knowing what he was doing, he grabbed the diary, and stabbed it with the fang. Breathing heavily, lay down on the floor next to Ginny, slowly closing his eyes, watching as Tom's body disappeared in a shower of sparks. He felt a rush of cold run through his body, and all was black.
Gasping, Ginny sat up and looked around. She was in the Chamber of Secrets…Tom had come out of the diary, and then she couldn't remember anything else. Ginny stood up shakily, and jumped back when she saw the dead snake. She spotted the Sorting Hat and a sword. How did that get here? She wondered, and finally her eyes rested on Harry's body.
"HARRY," she shrieked, and rushed forward, "Harry, please it was all my fault, I could never live with myself if you died." Sobbing, Ginny looked around. No one was there.
"Somebody, please, help me," Ginny whispered, holding Harry's body close. Hearing a cry, Ginny looked up to see a phoenix spiraling down towards her. It landed, and hopped over to where Ginny was cradling Harry.
"Can you help?" Ginny sniffed, holding out Harry's arm. The phoenix gazed at the wound, and started to cry. Ginny watched in amazement as the wound healed, and Harry's breathing became clearer. In a matter of seconds, Harry's eyes flickered open.
"Ginny, you're alive," Harry croaked, "Thank god."
"I'm not important, Harry," Ginny smiled, "It's you who I'm relieved is alive." Harry chuckled softly, and gazed at Fawkes.
"Thank you Fawkes," he whispered, "Without you, I don't know what would've happened." The bird seemed to nod, and then stuck out its leg.
"Ginny, grab the leg," Harry said, "Fawkes will fly us out of here." Ginny nodded, and as soon as she touched his leg, they were lifted into the air. Ginny held onto Harry tightly, and Fawkes' leg. They flew out of the chamber, and they both were mesmerized by the sight of Hogwarts during the night. They were dropped off by the corridor that led to Dumbledore's office.
"Ready, Gin?" Harry asked. She nodded, and they silently walked past the gargoyle, up the stairs, and straight into the office.
"HARRY, GINNY," Mrs. Weasley immediately jumped up and embraced the two children. Mr. Weasley, Lily and James soon followed suit. When everyone had calmed down, Harry proceeded to tell everyone of his suspicion of the diary, how Ginny had been acting weird, how they figured out everything they knew about the chamber and the heir, how Harry and Ron went into the chamber, and Harry finally explained how he killed the basilisk and destroyed the diary.
"What an incredible adventure," Dumbledore finally commented, "Remarkable, really. I suggest you and Miss. Weasley go to the hospital wing to rest, no punishment at all."
"Thank you sir," Harry replied, and gently took Ginny's hand. As they walked out of the office, they saw Lucius Malfoy strutting towards them, and to Harry's surprise, Dobby.
"Dobby," Harry asked, "You work for the Malfoys?" Dobby nodded, and then cringed back.
"We have decide you are not fit to run this school," Malfoy declared.
"What?" James asked, "You don't decide that."
"I'm afraid, Mr. Potter, the Board of Governors have all decided that with Dumbledore as headmaster, the worst has come to this school," Malfoy sneered, "So, you are to leave at once."
"I do not see how that is possible, the girl is safe," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"So?" Malfoy asked, "That doesn't mean more will be taken in."
"The basilisk is dead, and the heir of Slytherin is no more," Harry said, "I destroyed both. Mr. Malfoy, you should not put diaries that belonged to Voldemort in a little girls cauldron."
"Prove that I did," Malfoy hissed.
"That can not happen, however, you, with your position at the Ministry, should be making sure that no more of Voldemorts things end up at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.
"You will see your end, one day, Potter," Malfoy spat, and strode out, "DOBBY, COME!"
"Can I have that?" Harry asked, pointing at the diary. Dumbledore nodded, and Harry raced after Mr. Malfoy.
"You forgot something," Harry called, and when he turned around, Harry threw the diary.
"This isn't mine," Malfoy said, shoving it in Dobby's hands. Harry mouthed to Dobby, who opened the diary.
"Master ahs given Dobby clothes, Dobby is free," Dobby cried, holding up a sock.
"What?" Malfoy turned around, and then pulled out his wand, "You lost me my servant, now you will pay."
"Not so fast," James stepped in front of Harry, his wand raised, "I suggest you leave, now." Growling, Malfoy put away his wand and left the corridor.
"We'll talk when you get home," Lily said, "See you later."
"Bye," Harry replied, dreading the talk he was going to get.
"Harry Potter has freed Dobby, how can Dobby ever repay him?" Dobby said, looking at Harry.
"Never try to save my like again," Harry smiled. Dobby chuckled nervously, and with a pop, he vanished. Tired, Harry trudged to the hospital wing. As he entered, he saw Ginny laying on one of the beds, Ron on the other, and to his surprise, Lockheart on another.
"What happened to him?" Harry asked.
"Bloody git tried to erase my memory with my broken wand," Ron laughed, "It backfired and now he has no memory, and guess what, he's a fraud."
"What a nice way the end the day," Harry chuckled, "I always knew Lockheart was a bad person." He flashed a smile at Ginny, who barley nodded.
"What's wrong, Gin?" Harry asked. No response. He walked over to her bed, and grabbed her hand.
"Everything is ok, Tom's gone," Harry whispered, "Nothing is going to hurt you anymore."
"That doesn't mean I'm not scared, or I won't get nightmares," Ginny managed to choke out.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but it's one of those things you just have to live through," Harry sighed.
"It doesn't help that you nearly died to save me, never do that Harry," Ginny continued, "I am not worth that much."
"Ginny, shut up," Harry said fiercely, "You are worth my life, I don't know what I would do without you, I couldn't live, and I'd prefer you alive and happy, even if I was dead."
"You don't mean that," Ginny sobbed, "Because I want you to know that if you were dead, I wouldn't be far behind." Tears fell down both their cheeks, and Harry couldn't help himself, he pulled her into a strong hug. They sat there for hours, day, years maybe, when in reality, it was only minutes. Eventually, Harry went back to his bed, and soon everyone was asleep.
The rest of the year went smoothly, everyone who was petrified was un-petrified, and to Hermione's dismay, all exams were canceled. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Neville were sitting in the compartment. They were laughing, because Ginny had just told them about seeing Percy and Penelope snogging. Harry had been observing Ginny, and was pleased she was recovering, bit by bit. As the train stopped at the Platform, Harry pulled Ginny back while the others left the compartment.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Fine," Ginny replied immediately.
"Don't lie to me," Harry murmured, "You still get nightmares, you still are haunted."
"I know," Ginny whispered, "It's just, no one understands, I'm all alone here, and most of the time I have no clue what to do."
"Do you blame yourself for everything that's happened?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded.
"Don't," Harry said, "It won't help anything, and no one died, besides, no one else blames you, it's the only way to stop your suffering."
"You don't know that," Ginny replied, "Prove it." Harry sighed, and dragged her off the train.
"Hermione," Harry called. She turned around and walked over.
"Do you blame Ginny for what happened?" Harry asked.
"Of course not, you explained to me it was you-know-who," Hermione said, "Ginny didn't hurt me at all."
"I was the one stupid enough to trust Tom," Ginny pointed out.
"You didn't know better," Harry countered.
"You warned me, protected me, and I still didn't listen," Ginny said., "I'll see you later guys." She walked away towards her family.
"Help," Harry glanced at Hermione.
"I'll write to her over the summer," Hermione said, "Meanwhile, she just need friends, and people to keep her from going into depression, or survivors guild, if you would call it that."
"I know, but I'm not the best at this stuff," Harry muttered, "She needs someone like you with her, a girl, who she can open up to, 'cause you know, I'm a guy, there are some things she wouldn't tell me, plus, you're bloody brilliant, Hermione."
"I'll figure out something Harry," Hermione promised, "I really think she needs time most of all."
"Have a good summer then," Harry hugged her.
"You too," Hermione replied, and went back to her parents. Harry walked over to where his sister, mother, and father were standing.
"Ready?" Lily asked, "We'll be seeing the Weasley's over the summer, after your two week punishment." Harry groaned, he saves his best friend's life, and gets punished, just because he didn't think to get some adult's help.
"Only because you could've died down there," James reminded him. Harry stayed quiet, he hadn't told anyone, not even Ginny, that there was a moment, a split second, where his heart had stopped beating.
A/N: I'm sorry if Hermione was so obvious, character development or something like that. Anyways, I hope you like it, it wasn't too confusing, if at any part of the story you don't understand or something, or you just have suggestions, PM me, or review, and I'll write back. Oh, I like constructive criticism, I don't get angry if you say you don't like this story, I'll just wonder what's wrong with it, but enough of my rambling. I hope to write the next few chapters soon, so keep reading and stay happy :) REVIEW PLEASE!