Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.

Thanks for the reviews :)

Questions concerning:

Locket and Kreature: Because Kreature's heart and soul was set on following through with his late master's wish of destroying the locket, it could not persuade/seduce him.

Snape, Harry, and memory: Because of everything that has taken place over the past year between them, Harry knows Snape is on his side, and though Snape still has things to confront and settle within himself (which I will cover...), Harry (being wise beyond his years) knows when to let the past be the past and that what is done is done. However, there is more to it than that. The other reason why Harry reacted the way he did is because he was relieved to get the answer to the question he had been searching for for so long. He was simply too busy/wise to bother grabbing onto a potential grudge or accusation against Snape.

Remembrall: Will be explained in a future part.

Dumbledore and the memories: Dumbledore only knows about Harry having the memories of Voldemort of that day, though he might have some suspicions, he only -knows- about Harry having the memories of that short time frame.

AN: Well, since this week is light (homework and life-wise), I've decided to post again since I don't know if I will have the chance again anytime soon. Also cuz I've reached 700 reviews, yay! Thanks :). This part will be leading to A LOT of change, so brace yourself, this part moves fast. Soon it will be clear why I spent so much time building the Custosae, because they will need every advantage they can get, and even then it might not be enough... The light and fluffiness of 'HOORAH! the good guys are powerful!' is about to go bye-bye... wave-wave. My bad guys are not going to be powderpuffs...

Enjoy, and please review if you have time; tell me what you think, it's really nice to read your thoughts, both positive comments and gentle-productive-criticisms :)


- - - Book 2 — Part 16: You've Lost Old Man

Everything after the infirmary happened quickly, the word of what had happened spreading even faster.

And then other news came.

Hagrid had been called to the Headmaster's office and the Minister had come, this fact having been relayed to them by Flitwick to Harry, since he felt the Custosae should be notified, and though he didn't know how Harry contacted them, he knew that message should be sent.

Harry and the others, in the confusion of the chaos, had managed to break off and meet in the Come and Go Room for a time, knowing that this had to be dealt with now; they could no longer search for the diary or wait for Riddle to slip up now.

"I think we should go down to Salandra and set a trap for Riddle or something, even wait for him, as long as it takes!" Ron declared, furious one of his brothers had been attacked.

"I agree with Ron," Greg said. "We should have tried this earlier, but either due to feeling it wouldn't work or whatever, we didn't; but we can't think about that now. Two more prefects have been attacked, both of whom are in the Army, -and- Hagrid is now in danger of being taken to Azkaban, a horrible place I've heard my dad talk about. We need to take this head on now, we have no other choice."

"I think we should split into two groups, so one can cover for the other," Neville said.

"Who should go and set the trap for Riddle?" Draco asked.

"I will," Harry said.

"I will too," Ron said.

"The two of us will go as well," Crabbe said, Greg nodding. "We can try out some of our new spells too."

"Alright, you'll have the mirrors on you, and if you're in trouble, we'll know. We'll then get Dumbledore, even though he'll probably still be busy with the Minister. The last I heard, the Minister was still talking with Dumbledore, and one of the governors was with them," Hermione said.

"Barty Crouch Jr.," Draco stated. "Snape told me before I came here."

"Great, we really need to resolve this fast then," Neville said. "Who knows what he's doing."

"He's a part of this, this is probably part of the plan. Distract Dumbledore," Harry said.

"I think you're right," Hermione said. "Alright, go you guys. We'll cover for you."

They all nodded and quickly headed off, Harry pulling out his cloak and covering himself and Ron while hoping Crabbe and Goyle wouldn't look too out of place if someone were to see them. Luckily no one was around.

They entered the chamber quickly, going down quietly.

"Shh…" Harry said, motioning them to slow down with his hand just outside of the cloak, for he had heard voices.

:Soon… soon…: a young male voice said.

Harry and Ron (under the invisibility cloak) with Vince and Greg (having cast disillusionment charms on themselves) snuck forward, careful where their eyes were focused in case Salandra was looking their way.

They went down the chamber's hall with the statues of snake heads, their eyes falling on a still form on the floor beyond, the black book in her grasp.

Susan Bones. Unconscious on the floor.

A quiet Hufflepuff second year they barely even knew. It was actually surprising they even knew her name, and that was only because of who her aunt was.

Harry looked around, knowing Riddle had to be around there somewhere as they continued forward.

He didn't see Salandra anywhere, and wondered where she could be.

Had Riddle hurt her?

"I know you are there," a voice said to their left suddenly. "Come, show yourselves."

Harry and the others moved closer, already thinking about what to do.

Man, if we would have known he would have already been down here… why didn't we think about that possibility? Harry internally kicked himself.

And then his blood ran cold.

What day was it?

Nonononono………

"I will not wait around forever, you know," Riddle said, moving forward and revealing himself.

He was handsome, not at all how he looked later in his life. He was slightly see-through, which was better than him being solid.

Harry grudgingly took off his cloak, revealing himself and Ron. Crabbe and Goyle banished the charms on them—there was no point in keeping it on now.

"Ahh, I should have known," Riddle scoffed. "Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived."

Harry and the others just stood there, waiting for the moment when they could make their move. Harry and Ron were glad they had decided on keeping the daggers with them at all times.

"And who are your friends, Potter? Fellow pathetic heroes like yourself?" Riddle asked.

"Something like that," Harry answered, before glancing at Susan.

"Poor Susan Bones. She fought hard too, but she was simply too weak, just like all people who have such weak beliefs," he said. "But soon it will all be over, and it won't matter either way."

"Why are you doing this? Who are you?" Harry asked, deciding a dialog might help them more than listening to a rant by the young madman-to-be.

"I am the Heir of Slytherin, you foolish boy," Riddle spat.

"Funny, you look like that Riddle kid Dumbledore told me about," Harry lied, kind of, as Ron and the others slowly spread out.

"Dumbledore is an old fool," Riddle said.

"If he's a fool, what does that make you? A brainless lunatic?" Harry asked, knowing angry foes are more likely to make mistakes, thanks to Snape's lessons.

Riddle's eyes narrowed.

"I am the Greatest Sorcerer in the world, the greatest there has ever been and ever will be…. Those against me will fear and tremble at the mention of my name, and purebloods will take their rightful place by my side…for I am Lord Voldemort, the Heir of Slytherin," Riddle declared. "And you shall be the first to experience this in my return."

Riddle turned, facing the great face of Salazar Slytherin.

:Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four: he called.

The mouth began to open, and after that, none of them would separately be able to discern what exactly happened next.

"Now!" Harry shouted, pulling out his dagger as he continued with, "Accio, Diary!"

The diary shot towards him as Harry thrust out his dagger, causing the diary to impale itself with the dagger.

"Nooooo!" Riddle screamed, but he was still there, still almost solid….

:Kill him!!!: Riddle ordered Salandra, her head and part of her body just now coming out of the statue's mouth.

Harry, using his wand and the dagger, dragged the blade along the diary, slicing through it, dragging the blade all the way to and beyond the diary's binding.

Harry heard Riddle scream, and would have celebrated, but his gut was telling him something was not right. Something bad was about to happen….

It was not over.

He barely registered Ron screaming his name as a large shadow fell over him, the diary landing with a thud just feet to his right, ink having been sprayed into the air and landing on his face and arm.

He barely had time to look up as he heard Salandra hiss two words….

:For Hogwarts…:

After that, he could not make out any sound, save for the sound of tearing cloth and the sound of his own scream.

He felt one of the fangs go into his shoulder, the other grazing his arm.

He dropped the dagger, and soon after, Salandra released him and disappeared back into Slytherin's mouth without a word or a glance.

Harry collapsed, falling into somebody's arms as muffled voices went in and out of his understanding.

His fuzzed vision revealed that Ron had caught him, and that there was some sort of dome-like thing above them and perhaps around, completely over them.

Boom…Boom…

"Hold on, Harry!" Ron shouted, his voice sounding all warped.

-POP-

- -

Ron saw Salandra's head go down, and he could do nothing as he shouted Harry's name. He saw her bite and release him, before immediately turning away and leaving.

He charged forward, catching his friend as Crabbe and Goyle began shouting odd words behind him as he heard Riddle shout, "I'll kill you all!"

Boom!

Ron caught Harry, turning his head towards the loud sound to find Crabbe and Goyle with their wands raised, some sort of shimmering dome having materialized over them all.

They had just used one of their experimental spells. The shield that was between a ward and a shield, a creation that they had crafted with Hermione months ago….

Boom…Boom…

He saw a fuzzed form of Riddle just beyond it, but soon after, he saw him flee, screaming in anger.

He looked back to Harry whose wounds he quickly realized were bleeding profusely.

"Hold on, Harry!" he shouted, Harry's eyes sort of open.

He didn't know if Harry could hear him or not, only hoped he could.

-POP-

"Draco! Help, Salandra bit him!"

"What?!" Draco shouted, helping Ron lay Harry down as Ron immediately placed his hands on Harry's shoulder, trying to slow the bleeding.

"She just bit him and left! And I don't understand, Harry destroyed the diary, but Riddle didn't die or disappear or anything!" Ron exclaimed, glancing up at Draco for a second.

"I felt that Harry was in trouble after we heard Riddle from the mirror and started towards the Headmaster's Office; the others are getting help right now," Draco said, pulling out his Custosae kit. "I don't know what we should give him…"

Harry was getting hot, and his breathing was shallow.

"Stay with us, Potter," Draco muttered, glancing over at Susan Bones who had suddenly moved.

Crabbe and Goyle were now suddenly there, having lowered the ward-shield moments before.

Riddle had left.

"What should we do?" Greg asked as Vince knelt down beside Susan who was clearly weak and shaking.

Harry suddenly started coughing, and it didn't look good, especially when his nose started bleeding.

"Sh-said…For H'gwarts…" he gasped.

"Salandra?" Draco asked, leaning forward.

Harry barely nodded, his breathing continuing to slow.

"Hold on Harry, help is coming," Draco said, grabbing hold of Harry's left hand, Harry's right side being what had been struck.

"I see… li't…" Harry breathed, as if in wonder.

Harry's eyes glazed over as his breathing became nearly nonexistent.

Draco squeezed his hand, willing him not to die as he felt something within him fade—it was the only way he could describe it.

He focused more, trying to figure out what this feeling was, until he realized exactly what it was.

The bond.

It had once been like a pipe of running water, only instead of water, it was magic, but now, now it was barely trickling.

The bond was fading… dying.

"No, Harry, stay with us," Ron ordered, his hands still trying to slow the bleeding before suddenly thinking of something.

--FAWKES!!!!! HELP!!!!!!--

Not even a second later, Fawkes flamed right beside him.

--Help Harry! The Basilisk bit him!--

--I'll try--

Draco and the others turned and watched as Fawkes leapt down beside Harry's shoulder and bowed his head.

The tears fell, dripping onto the wound on Harry's shoulder. Several more fell, pooling up into the wound, the bleeding having stopped.

But the wound didn't start healing.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, not even bothering to think to Fawkes now.

Fawkes gave a sound of a slight gasp.

"Why'd you stop?! Keep on, maybe he just needs more or something!" Ron nearly shouted, quickly growing hysterical.

Fawkes raised his head, his eyes actually looking sad.

He barely shook his head.

"No, you keep on trying!" Ron shouted, his voice cracking. "Don't stop!"

--It is too late, he is already beyond and in the Realm…--

"No he isn't! Don't be stupid! It's not too late! HE'S NOT DEAD!!!" Ron roared, waving his arms about before settling on Harry. "Harry!!! Answer me! Don't you dare leave us! Don't let that old bat dictate what happens! Fawkes, do something!"

Draco and Greg were frozen; Susan had started crying a while back, and Vince had awkwardly taken his place beside her, since she was also having trouble sitting up, even after Vince had given her an energy seed and a Rejuvenating Potion.

Continuing to support Susan, Vince looked up to Harry and the others, at a loss of what to do as Ron continued yelling as he was just able to see Harry's ink spattered face.

Vince could also see that Harry's eyes were closed, and that he had stopped breathing.

- - - Meanwhile…

Hermione and Neville (Revlis on his shoulders) ran to the Headmaster's office, the gargoyle immediately moving aside, and they were too anxious to question why or how as they ran up the stairs and began pounding on the door.

"Professor! Help! Harry's in trouble!" they shouted.

The door quickly opened, revealing Dumbledore, Hagrid, the Minister, and Barty Crouch Jr..

Dumbledore had stood up when he heard them coming up the stairs and had immediately begun making his way towards the door.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Longbottom, what's happened?" he asked, internally fearing the answer as he suddenly remembered the date.

"Harry — Chamber — Heir…" they gasped, catching their breath.

Dumbledore's eyes widened, and if they had known him longer, they would have been able to recognize his expression as fear.

"Barty, go back to the Ministry and report to them what has recently happened, I shall remain to hear what has happened now," Fudge stated.

Barty didn't need to be told twice. He quickly left. A little too quickly, Neville, Hermione, and Dumbledore thought.

"Where?" Dumbledore asked, already following them out.

"What is going on, Albus?" Fudge asked, wondering what was going on and why Dumbledore was not questioning these students, but following them instead.

"Follow us, we know where," Hermione said as they jogged down the stairs.

Hagrid quickly joined them, Fudge now too worried to question what was happening and why Dumbledore was allowing Hagrid to join them to wherever they were going as he suddenly felt old magic flare.

Dumbledore's magic.

They charged down the halls, the students having been ordered to their common rooms by McGonagall just a half an hour ago (though Hermione and the others had obviously overlooked this).

Skidding onto the second floor, Dumbledore and the others suddenly stopped, seeing a Professor in the hall, just a few feet from the door to the girl's restroom.

Lockhart.

However, it had not been Lockhart that had made them stop; it was what was behind him….

A shimmering image of a boy, a Slytherin Prefect, if their eyes served them, and a boy Dumbledore immediately recognized.

Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Riddle looked right at them, his eyes actually flashing red as he glided forward and closer to the unsuspecting Lockhart.

"Ah, come to join the hunt?" Lockhart asked them joyfully, flashing his disturbing smile.

Dumbledore, Hermione, and Neville slowly pulled out their wands. Hagrid moved into an aggressive stance, while Fudge stood frozen in shock.

"What seems to be the trouble?" Lockhart asked, a little worriedly, seeing how three wands were now being pointed in his direction.

Riddle smirked evilly, before shooting forward… and into Lockhart…

Lockhart stumbled forward, before suddenly standing up straight, his expression no longer his own.

Lockhart's eyes were different, the pupils mildly slit-like.

He laughed, his voice not like the boy Riddle's or quite like Voldemort's, but something in between, something more hostile and cruel….

"You've lost old man… the boy…who-lived… is dead. And I, Lord Voldemort, have returned…. You, and those against me, shall meet the end soon…."

His eyes again flashed red for an instant, Lockhart's form giving a slight shimmer as well.

Fudge promptly fainted as Hermione and Neville sucked in horrified breaths.

"Soon old man, soon…." Riddle stated with a hateful determined smirk.

He then exited Lockhart, shooting forward, Neville and Hermione diving out of the way as Dumbledore waved his wand before him.

"Everybody down!" Dumbledore shouted, throwing his freehand towards Riddle and his wand hand up towards the ceiling.

"Landsförvisa denna ondska, Hogwarts. Bevaka alla som är inre. Inget hänrycka. Inget gå ut," he chanted.

The walls went blue, then red, then green, then yellow, before surging into white all within a span of a split second, the light having shot out from Dumbledore's feet, wand, and hand.

The light hit the darkness which was Riddle as Dumbledore sidestepped and swung his arms towards one of the castle's exterior walls, where on the other side of them was the outside grounds.

Riddle, whammed by the light, was forced into and through the wall in his current un-solid state, Dumbledore driving him out from the interior of the castle, while putting the castle in lockdown at the same time.

Lockhart collapsed soon after, completely out cold.

"Albus! What's just happened?! What was that-that thing?!" McGonagall asked, slightly out of breath and having come from the opposite direction, several other professors with her, all of them having just seen Dumbledore banish the dark form.

"Voldemort," he answered, barely pausing before giving out directions. "Filius, stay with the Minister and Lockhart. Pomona, gather the other professors and ensure the castle is secure. Severus, Minerva, come with us," Dumbledore said, giving a short nod to Hermione and Neville to continue leading the way.

Hermione and Neville quickly did so, now at an all out run as Filius and the other professors did whatever Dumbledore had ordered.

They quickly entered the bathroom, and Neville dashed to the sink.

:Open…stairs: he hissed, ignoring the gasp from McGonagall.

"I've learned some," Neville stated shortly, Revlis raising his head slightly.

Dumbledore didn't seem to be that concerned about how Neville knew words in parseltongue or how he knew where the entrance was as he went forward, hurrying into the chamber, afraid he might already be too late.

They heard someone yelling, clearly upset, their voice echoing throughout the vast underground space.

"Harry!!! Answer me! Don't you dare leave us! Don't let that old bat dictate what happens! Fawkes, do something!"

Charging forward, Dumbledore, Hermione, Neville, Hagrid, McGonagall, and Snape entered the main chamber, their eyes quickly taking everything in.

They stopped at the sight, save Dumbledore who only moved faster upon seeing what was before him.

Ron looked up, his hands covered in blood, and though most would expect the arrival of the Headmaster and the other professors to have a calming effect, the opposite happened.

"Professor! Tell your bloody bird to do something!" he shouted frantically.

Dumbledore went forward, looking as if he didn't even hear what Ron had said, as Draco moved aside.

Dumbledore quickly went down, landing abruptly on his knees beside Harry as he immediately began searching for signs of life, Fawkes bowing his head in defeat.

"A-Albus?" McGonagall breathed, horrified.

Dumbledore didn't answer, his old hands probing Harry's throat for a pulse, after having waved his wand over him, before moving a hand to Harry's now blood covered chest.

Dumbledore caught sight of the phoenix tears, no healing at all taking place.

He muttered some unintelligible words, searching for anything that would tell him there was still hope, but everything he found confirmed his worst fears.

Removing his hand from Harry's still chest, he bowed his head into his palm. Soon after, his other hand came to rest on Harry's cool forehead as his eyes silently filled with tears, his shoulders sagging in defeat and loss.

Snape was just there, unable to fully comprehend what he was seeing, simply because he didn't want to.

McGonagall had a hand over her heart and the other over her mouth, tears quickly trailing down her cheeks.

Neville and Hermione ran forward, stopping just behind Dumbledore and Draco.

Hermione fell to her knees, quickly falling into sobs as Neville suddenly continued on, going around Dumbledore and Draco, Ron being directly across Dumbledore and beside Fawkes.

"No! You're not dead! There's too much for us to do! Don't leave us! We need you!" Neville went off, brushing past Ron slightly as he went to his knees and grabbed Harry's robes.

Revlis slithered down from Neville, coiling against Harry's frame and resting his head sadly on his leg.

Ron was in shock, all previous thought and reaction having left him as he saw that not even the great Albus Dumbledore could save Harry.

Draco was pale. His skin lighter than his hair. He felt utterly sick and lost.

"Nononono, don't be dead!" Neville continued, oblivious to Greg, who had hurried towards him.

"Neville-Neville, stop, stop. He's gone, he's gone," Greg said, his own voice cracking as he pulled Neville away.

Greg got Neville to let go, Neville letting his face fall into his hands soon after as he wept. Just wept…

Hagrid's wails echoed around them as Draco continued to search for the bond again, even trying to somehow put his own magic into it, but it was no use.

Harry Potter was dead.

- - -

A/N: I know many of you want to hurt me now, but I had to do this. Trelawney had predicted it after all…

'Landsförvisa denna ondska, Hogwarts. Bevaka alla som är inre. Inget hänrycka. Inget gå ut,' is Swedish, meaning: 'Banish this evil, Hogwarts. Guard everyone inside. No Entrance. No exit.'

-Note: I did use an online translator… so take the translation with a grain of salt. Sounded cool though :P

Next Part: The Realm of the Dead