January 17, 1997 cont.

The tunnel was dark and steep. Harry felt is body sliding down, small cracks and bumps catching his clothes and skin. It was more than a minute later when he felt the incline flatten and he was lying vertically as he was shot out of the end onto a hard wet surface.

Harry grunted as he hit the floor; the sound echoing in the large cavern he now found himself in. He pushed himself to stand and regain his bearings, but didn't have much of a chance as the sound of another body came towards him.

Harry took a step back as Harvey flew from the pipe and crashed onto the ground just in front of him. Harvey let out a long breath before looking up at him.

"What a ride," he said.

Harry couldn't disagree.

Helping, Harvey to his feet, he turned back to the cavern. It was dark, damp and cold. Harry couldn't see too much of what he believe was a large opening, but could see what appeared to be other tunnel openings. He couldn't help but believe that it would be very easily to get lost in whatever cave system they found themselves.

A cry caught his ears, and Harry turned again to see Lockhart slide from the tunnel. Instead of crashing into the wet mush, Lockhart waved his wand and halted himself just before the end. He sat up, a please grin across his face and stood up.

"Well, isn't this just a dreadful place," he said.

Harry ignored him.

"A little light might be helpful," said Harvey.

Lockhart nodded. "Oh, right. You can't do much yourself can you." He chuckled.

Harry was annoyed that Lockhart had been smart enough to have Harry hand over his wand before sending him down the looming tunnel. Leaving, both brother's without anything to defend themselves with.

Lockhart flicked his wand and a bright light illuminated from the tip. It gave enough light that they could see the path ahead of them.

"On you go," said Lockhart, waving his other hand at Harry. "You first."

Harry shook his head but complied.

Harvey stuck close to his side as they walked towards the other end of the cavern, passing the other tunnel openings. The ground was uneven, and there seemed to be a number of pools of water. Nothing that appeared too deep, but they stayed clear just in case. It was quiet possible that beneath the murky waters was another tunnel that could suck them even lower.

"To think that such a place has never been seen by all of those so called 'great' wizards," muttered Lockhart. "And here I am." He chuckled. "I will be remembered as the wizard who discovered Slytherin's final secret."

"You didn't find anything," grumbled Harvey.

Lockhart shrugged. "They're won't be anyone to say otherwise."

Harvey stopped and turned to glare at him. "If you think you can make me keep quiet then you're wrong. Everyone will know that you are a fraud."

Lockhart's smirk didn't falter, it only grew. "During my years at Hogwarts, I was never a stand out student, to be fair, however, I did excel at one particular set of spells. That being those that could manipulate ones memory."

Harvey's eyes widened.

"I can make it so you don't remember this whole day; so that you never even met me; so that you don't even know your own name!"

Harry reached out and pulled Harvey away from him, pushing him to walk forward.

"So that's your plan?" said Harry, "To force us down here to find the chamber and then obliviate us so that we can't tell the truth."

"Well…that's only part of it. In truth, this monster that has been plaguing the school all year terrifies me. I know myself well enough to know that I probably wouldn't be able to defeat it…"

Harvey chuckled. "Probably?" he mocked.

Harry smiled and nudged his brother.

"You, however, Mr Black. Ever since I arrived, all I have heard is how wonderful you are. How talented you are at potions; how gifted you are at defense; how all of your teachers simply adore you. And after your little demonstration during my dueling club, I just knew that you would be perfect."

"To save your ass?" asked Harry.

"No." Lockhart sighed. "You have just the right amount of defiance in you to result in you ending up down here. Even though it is very clear that you dislike the Weasley boy, you do love your brother and it seems you have a soft spot for some of the other Weasley siblings, meaning you would do whatever you could to save him. Leading to now; you send off your friends to alert your teachers while recklessly and bravely heading down to face Slytherin's monster all on your own. And maybe, this monster was just a little beyond your abilities leaving you unable to do what you set out to do."

Harry hated that he felt surprised by Lockhart's admission. He was Lockhart's sacrifice. Lockhart would use him to kill the Basilisk and if it killed him, so be it. Harvey was just collateral, that he would no doubt mentally destroy once it was all over, and who knows if Ron would be saved. Harry didn't think that would be the case. Lockhart would claim he was too late to save any of them.

The silence that fell over them made the walk feel longer. Their footsteps echoed with each step, their breaths vibrating heavily between them. Until they stopped.

Harvey halted first, grabbing at Harry's jacket.

Ahead of them, in the dark was a long figure. It was stretched across the room, curling in on itself. The point of a wand pressed into Harry's back, Lockhart urging him forward. Harry took a careful step. He had thought the Basilisk would be further down. As he moved, the light from Lockhart's wand caught the end of the figure.

It was a snake skin; empty and stretching through the opening.

"It's empty," breathed Lockhart, with relief.

"It's huge," mumbled Harvey.

Harry reached out to run his fingers across the skin. It was a mixture of vivid green tones. It had to have been at least twenty feet long.

"It seems we are going the right way," said Harry.

"Then let's keep going." Lockhart prodded him with his wand again. "Get going."

Stepping over the very end of the skin, Harry helped Harvey over as they moved along. The cavern was starting to shrink. The walls growing in closer and becoming more of a tunnel. They followed the skin until it's very end where the rough ground smoothed out. And as they rounded a corner they found a wall, and at the centre what appeared to be another door. On the door were two entwined serpents, their eyes set with glinting emeralds.

Harry swallowed as he knew what was next. Behind the door they would find the Chamber, along with Ron, and a twenty foot Basilisk that he believed would most likely try to kill them all.

"What are you waiting for?" demanded Lockhart.

Harry ignored him and took a deep breath. Focusing on opening the door, he said, "Open." The faint hiss brought the serpents to life, their eyes blinking as they twisted and unraveled themselves from one another.

The door creaked and then swung forward, causing them all to step back. With a moment to think, Harry took the chance to reach for Lockhart. He grasped Lockhart's wand, just at the end of the grip and pulled with his whole body. Lockhart gasped in shock as he was pulled off balance and onto the ground.

"Harry!" cried Harvey.

"GO!" yelled Harry. "RUN!"

Lockhart's wand slid from his fingers and then flew across the floor, it bounced on the stone before settling a few meters away. Lockhart reached for Harry, grasping at his jacket. Harry smacked at his arm and reached down to grab the collar of Lockhart's robes. He pulled it open as he lifted his other hand to block another smack from Lockhart and saw his wand. He reached for it, his fingers grasping the handle as Lockhart brought up his foot to kick Harry in the stomach.

Harry stumbled backwards, pulling his wand with him. He gasped at the shot of pain before taking a few steps back. Lockhart took his chance to go for his own wand. Harry looked through the door and saw Harvey running, his legs carrying him into the chamber, torches lighting themselves on either side as he went.

Harry went after him. Even though he was getting away from Lockhart, the Basilisk could be anywhere. Harry climbed through the entrance and chased after his brother.

"Harvey!" he called.

Harvey stopped and turned, panting as he did. But he only stayed still for a moment before something caught his eye. "RON!" he yelled, before dashing to the left.

Harry groaned as his brother disappeared, and dashed towards Harvey had just been. He skidded to a stop, water splashing underneath his shoes as he took in the room before him. On the other side of the room was a statue. Craning his neck up to look, Harry took in the ancient and monkey-like face. A long thin beard stretched down to almost the bottom of the wizard's sweeping stone robes.

"Salazar Slytherin, I presume," Harry muttered to himself.

All around the room were large columns. Around each, detailed serpents with glinting eyes were wrapped and posed ready to strike. Chills ran down Harry's spine; they looked so real.

"Ron, wake up!"

Harry turned at Harvey's voice. To the left, on the wet stone floor, was Harvey, kneeling beside a very pale Ron. Harry rushed over to them and Harvey shook his friends shoulder.

"He won't wake up," said Harvey, looking up at him.

Beside Ron lay Tom Riddle's diary. Harry frowned and reached for it; what had it done to him. But as his finger touched the front page another voice spoke.

"I'm afraid he won't wake up."

Both Harry and Harvey looked up to see another boy, a teenager, step into the light of the main room. Harry frowned as he took in the familiar face.

"Tom Riddle?" he asked.

Tom nodded.

"What do you mean he won't wake up?" asked Harvey. He glanced back down at his friend. "He's not—he's not—?"

"He's still alive," said Tom. "But only just."

Harry took in Tom's form. He wasn't quiet solid. He looked like a sort of ghost, but rather than the white and grey tones, colour of his old Slytherin robes were shining through.

"You're not a ghost," said Harry.

"A memory," said Tom. "Preserved in a diary for fifty years."

"Can you help him?" asked Harvey, his eyes pleading.

Tom looked at him but didn't respond.

"Harry?" Harvey asked.

"We need to get him out of here," said Harry, "before the Basilisk shows itself."

"No one is going anywhere!" Lockhart's voice echoed through the chamber.

Tom barely blinked at the newest arrival, as Harry and Harvey turned to him. Lockhart's robes were wet and muddy; his face flushed and his wand pointed firmly, his hand slightly shaking.

"Who are you?" demanded Lockhart, to Tom.

Tom turned his head to the side. "Tom Riddle."

Lockhart frowned. "I don't remember having seen you in my class this year?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "He isn't a student."

"Then why is he wearing Slytherin robes?"

"He's not a student anymore; he's not even really alive—I think," said Harry.

"That all depends," said Tom.

"On what?" asked Lockhart.

Tom ignored him.

Lockhart frowned and tried again. "Were you the one who opened the chamber? Are you the one who controls the monster?"

"The Basilisk does its masters bidding," said Tom.

Lockhart smiled. "Does it? Well, what do you say to fame and fortune? These three aren't needed, you can feed them to you pet, and you and I can sell the world a story of heartbreak and adventure and be remembered as the those wizards who found Slytherin's secret chamber."

Harry shook his head in disbelief.

"I have no desire for any of that," said Tom.

"You don't know what you are missi—" the word's became caught in Lockhart's throat.

Harry frowned as he noticed now being held firmly in Tom's hand was Harvey's wand, and it was pointed directly at Lockhart. Lockhart's own wand had dropped from his fingers and his hands were grasping at his throat trying to pry off whatever was cutting off his air supply, but it wouldn't work.

"Enough!" yelled Harry.

Tom smiled and used Harvey's wand to throw Lockhart across the floor. Lockhart gasped for breath and stared at Tom with wide eyes full of horror.

"What are you doing, Tom?" asked Harry. "Why do all of this?"

Tom tilted his head. "Do all of what?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Do I?"

"You opened the chamber fifty years ago. You killed Myrtle Warren and then framed Hagrid. And then you created a diary of yourself. Why?"

"Well, you are very clever, aren't you." Tom grinned and started to twirl Harvey's wand between his fingers.

"What is going on?" asked Harvey.

"Haven't filled you're little brother in?" Tom sighed. "I guess I better." With a small smile on his lips, Tom said, "You see, Harvey, it is quite a long story. I suppose the real reason this is happening is because not only did Ginny Weasley spill her deepest secrets too me, but so did Ron. The youngest of the Weasley household both so sad and lonely."

"Little Ginny's been writing for months and months, telling me all her pitiful worries and woes; how her brothers tease her, how she had to come to school with second-hand robes and books, how—" Tom's eyes glinted at Harvey "—how she didn't think famous, good, great Harvey Potter would even like here." He chuckled. "It's very boring having to listen to the silly little troubles of an eleven-year-old girl. But I was patient. I was sympathetic and kind. And oh how she simply loved me."

Tom turned his head. "And then Ron. He too, was so quick to tell me all about how he was the son his mother never wanted. How he was the disappointment of his family. And then, how his best friend turned against him."

Harvey flinched at the words.

"It amused me how Ron would steal Ginny's diary only to do what he continuously mocked her for. And if I say it myself, I've always been able to charm the people I needed. So Ron and Ginny poured their souls into me, and that was exactly what I needed. I grew stronger and stronger on a diet of their deepest fears and darkest secrets. I grew powerful enough that I was able to return the favour and pour myself back into them."

"You were able to control them?"

Tom seemed pleased that Harry understood exactly what had happened. He nodded, enthusiastically. "First, Ginny. I was able to get her to open the chamber, to write that message on the wall. I even had her set the serpent of Slytherin on those Mudbloods and the Squib's cat."

"No," Harvey whispered.

"Yes," said Tom, calmly. "Of course, she had no idea. Not at first. But then suddenly I found myself with you." Tom looked at Harry. "Accidental, it may have been, but I was ever so curious to meet you. I had been hoping that maybe I would meet Harvey, but you are just as interesting as your little brother."

"Why do you care about us?" asked Harry.

"Well, you see, Ginny—and Ron—told me all about you both. Your whole fascinating history." His eyes locked onto Harvey's forehead. The angry lighting scar gleaming. "I knew I must find out more about you, talk to you, meet you if I could. So I decided to show you my famous capture of that great oaf."

"You framed Hagrid."

Tom laughed. "It was my word against Hagrid's. And well, you can imagine how it looked to old Armando Dippet. On the one hand, Tom Riddle, poor but brilliant, parentless but so brave, school Prefect, model student; on the other hand, big, blundering Hagrid, in trouble every other week, trying to raise werewolf cubs under his bed, sneaking off to the Forbidden Forest to wrestle trolls. But I admit, even I was surprised how well the plan worked. I mean, someone must have realised that Hagrid couldn't possibly be the heir of Slytherin. It took me five whole years to find out everything I could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secret entrance… as though Hagrid had the brains." He scoffed.

"Only Dumbledore seemed to think Hagrid was innocent. He even persuaded Dippet to keep the oaf on and train him as gamekeeper. Yes, I think Dumbledore might have guessed. He never did like me as much as my other teachers. He certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after it all, so I knew it wouldn't be safe to open the Chamber again while I was at school. But I wasn't going to waste those long years I'd spent searching. I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, with luck, I would be able to lead another in my footsteps and finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work."

"Well, you haven't finished it!" yelled Harvey. He pushed himself to stand up. "No one's died this time, not even the cat. It won't be long until the Mandrake Draught will be ready and everyone who was Petrified will be all right."

Tom's smile grew and he looked at Harry. "Killing Mudbloods isn't so important anymore. Not since I learnt all about you both." His voice become quiet. "But what I needed couldn't be done with me confined inside the diary, so I set to make this happen. It could have been either of them; Ron or Ginny. Ron had stole me from your pocket and started to go on and go about hating Harvey Potter, and it was enough for me to gain as much control as I had Ginny. I made him write the farewell on the wall and then come down here. He struggled, a lot more." Tom laughed. "He even cried for his mummy. It all become very boring, but there isn't much left. Just enough for me to finally leave this pages. I've just been waiting for you to appear. Because I have many questions for you, Harvey Potter."

Harvey took a step back towards Harry, uncomfortable with how close Tom had become. He spat, "Like what?" his fists clenching.

Tom smiled pleasantly and asked, "How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?"

Harry frowned. Tom would have been the right age. He would have been an adult during Voldemort's terror. He could have even been a follower. Was this what it all was? A loyal follower trying to help his master.

Harry reached forward and grabbed Harvey. He pulled him back behind him, placing himself firmly between Tom and Harvey.

"And you were there too."

Tom's eyes locked onto Harry's. There was a red gleam in them now, his form becoming more solid by the moment.

"Did you have something to do with it?" asked Tom.

Harry shrugged. "I was a child. I hardly remember it."

"Surely you remember something?"

Harry remembered being scared. He remembered the horrible suffocating dark magic that had surrounded Voldemort when he had entered Harvey's nursery. He remembered pain. And then he was in his father's arms, and he was safe.

"Why do you care? He was after your time? Wasn't he?" asked Harvey, his head peaking around Harry.

"Voldemort," said Tom, "is my past, present and future."

Tom used Harvey's wand to trace through the air, leaving three shimmering words: TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE.

He then waved the wand and the letters moved, rearranging themselves: I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.

"You see?" he whispered. "It was a name I was already using at Hogwarts, to my most intimate friends only, of course. Do you think I would use my filthy Muggle father's name? I, in whose veins run the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself, through my mother's side? No. I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew witches and wizards would one day fear to speak, when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world."

Voldemort himself, his teenage self. Once again, Harry found himself as the only thing between his brother and one of the darkest wizards in history. It seemed to be a repeating event in all of their lives. But this was different; teenage Voldemort wasn't solid, not just yet. The diary was what connected him to Ron, and to Ginny, and all he needed to do was destroy it. Destroy the diary and he would disappear. He just needed a chance to strike.

"V-v-v-oldemort?" Lockhart's stuttering words, reminded Harry of his presence. Lockhart had managed to stand and was rubbing his throat as he stared at Tom Riddle with wide eyes. "No, it's not possible!"

Tom laughed again. "Oh, but it is."

Lockhart took a step back, and then another.

"Where are you going?" asked Tom.

Lockhart turned and headed for the entrance.

"I don't think so," spat Tom.

He raised Harvey's wand and Lockhart was knocked to the ground. He was then pulled along the floor back towards Voldemort. Lockhart cried out, his hand stretched out trying to grab onto something to stop himself being dragged.

Harry was slightly torn. Lockhart deserved anything that was coming to him, but he couldn't just let Tom kill him.

"Except your not the greatest sorcerer," said Harry.

Tom frowned.

Lockhart skidded to a stop in between them. He was crying, his whole body shaking as he laid there.

"You were destroyed, by a baby and a child," mocked Harry.

Harry didn't know if it was the best idea to upset Tom, but at least he had stopped. The look on his face, however, told Harry he would regret mocking him. And he did.

Tom raised Harvey's wand and with a deep voice yelled, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

A brilliant green light shot from the end of the wand and flew straight at Lockhart. It a split second, the whimpering fool of a man's body turned stiff, his eyes widening before he slumped to the ground silent.

Harvey let out a soft cry. His hand gripped the back of Harry's jacket. Harry reached around to grasp his arm, felling regret wash over him. He had hated Lockhart, the man had don't horrible things. And now he was dead.

Tom let out a deep laugh and moved towards the statue of Slytherin. He said, "Let us see who really is the more powerful. Let us match the powers of Lord Voldemort, heir of Salazar Slytherin, against famous Harvey Potter and his big brother." He locked eyes with Harry and a let out a series of whispered hisses, "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four."

Looking up, Harry and Harvey watched as Slytherin's gigantic stone face moved. The mouth opened, growing wider and wider to make a huge black hole. And something was stirring inside. Something slithered from its depths.

Harry pushed Harvey back towards the entrance as out came the Basilisk. All twenty feet of gleaming scales a poisonous green colour slid from the open mouth and hit the floor, causing the stone to shudder beneath them.

"Don't look in its eyes," Harry said quickly.

Harvey dropped his gaze, looking at its large glistening scales.

"Kill them!" Tom commanded.

The Basilisk lifted its head, it's body curling upon itself as Harry grabbed Harvey's arm, digging his fingers in and ran. He turned from the snake and took off towards the side of the chamber, looking frantically for an opening they could duck into.

Harvey cried and stumbled slightly behind him, but didn't protest.

The sound of Tom's laughter followed them as they ran.

Harry yanked Harvey towards a pillar, pulling him around it as the Basilisk's head dived to one side of them. He glanced around the pillar, watching the body slide past.

"What do we do?" asked Harvey.

"We?" Harry asked. He pushed Harvey forward. "You, can run! NOW!"

Harvey took off, his feet clapping on the stone. Harry kept his eyes low and rushed around the pillar and threw a blasting spell at the snake.

"Reducto!" he yelled.

The spell collided with the body around the middle. Harry could see a a flash of red but rather than really hurt the Basilisk it seemed to scream in anger, not pain.

Harry ducked back between a pillar, the Basilisk following him as he moved in and out. He found a a tunnel and headed inside. He could hear the Basilisk's body moving across the ground, it's breathing heavy and movements quick.

Not stopping, Harry tried to think. He needed a way he could assess the Basilisk for a weak point. His father had always told him that was where you started. Keep up your defense while seeing where an opponents weak spot was and then strike it. The issue, Harry couldn't look at the Basilisk, not unless he wanted to die. So how could he get around it?

The tunnel came to a end and Harry took a left, colliding with Harvey. They both crashed to the ground, Harry's wand bouncing from his hand and across the floor.

Harry scurried to stand, his feet sliding on the tiles. He got his feet steady and grabbed Harvey. "You need to run."

"Where?" Harvey asked, gasping for air.

"Away from the Basilisk."

Harry rushed over and grabbed his wand just as the Basilisk's head came through the tunnel. Harvey screamed, startled from it's cry, and rushed through another tunnel on the other side. The Basilisk looked between them, but Harry stayed still. His eyes, staring at the beasts neck, avoiding the eyes.

The Basilisk let out a harsh screech, it's head lowering. Harry clenched his eyes shut and his threw another spell.

"Reducto!"

He heard the spell hit and the snake scream, this time it was a wail of pain. Harry opened his eyes to see blood dripping from his face.

"No!" Tom yelled.

Harry took a few steps back.

The Basilisk looked from side to side. One of it's eyes was gone. A bloody mess was all the remained. Harry quickly acted, aiming for the face again.

"Reducto."

The Basilisk seemed to anticipate the strike and moved. The spell hitting the roof, breaking the stone ceiling cause pieces to fall down onto the snake's head.

Harry glanced around, trying to see his brother but didn't. He moved further away from the snake and closer to the diary. If he could destroy the diary, he could defeat Tom. Then maybe, the Basilisk would listen to him. He had no idea, but it was better than no plan.

Harry dashed towards the diary, but as he slowed to reach for it, his feet were thrown from under him. Harry's body was propelled through the air and over into one of the pillars. His side hit the stone pillar directly, knocking all wind from Harry's lung, making him cry out horsely in pain.

"No, Harry!" Harvey's voice carried through the chamber, but Harry could not move.

Pain radiated through his side. His lungs screamed desperately for air but he couldn't seem to find it.

The Basilisk cried but it didn't get closer, no, it seemed to move away. Harry tried to push himself up, it was going after Harvey. Harry rolled to his front, using his hands to push himself up when a foot smacked his ribs.

"No, don't get up," said Tom.

He knelt beside him and reached down to grabbed him by his hair.

"It won't be long until the Basilisk has devoured Harvey. Then I will allow it to feast on you. And well before it has finished Ron will be dead and I will be free."

"And then what?" gasped Harry.

"Then? I take back what is mine. I will purify our world."

Harry groaned and shook his head. "You are deluded. Blood has nothing to do with being pure."

"It has everything to do with it. Muggles are disgusting, worms that should bow to their masters."

"No," he cried, "they're aren't. Just because you got stuck with shitty parents, doesn't make them all bad. And besides, if you really want to purify us all then half-blood are no better, which means you also don't qualify for your special world order."

Tom sneered and tightened his grip on Harry's hair.

Harry managed to grasp his wand and swing it around. "Stupefy!"

Tom's body was thrown back, giving Harry a chance to stand as Harvey came rushing through the main room. The Basilisk broke through part of the wall, smashing a pillar as it charged after him. Harry ran towards them, and threw another blasting curse at the head. The blast hit, blinding the other eye, leaving the Basilisk slightly weakened.

Harry looked at the creature as it lifted itself taller. Blood spilled down from its eye sockets along its throat to the ground.

"What do we do?" asked Harvey.

"The diary," groaned Harry. His ribs were screaming at him as he stood.

"What about it?"

"Riddle is still connected. Destroy the diary, destroy him. Then maybe—ah!—maybe we can stop the Basilisk."

Harvey looked unsure.

The Basilisk moved towards them, and Harry frowned. It was blind not death. He pushed Harvey back, keeping himself in the middle.

"Yes!" cried Tom, "devour them!"

Harry tried to keep himself up, but the pain vibrated through his whole side. He trembled and then slumped to the ground.

"No, Harry, please get up." Harvey grasped at his arm, pulling at him.

"Harvey, please…go," begged Harry.

Harvey shook his head.

Harry turned to see the Basilisk above them. It raised up its body, it opened its mouth letting out a loud hiss as blood continued to drip from where its eyes had once been. The Basilisk struck. It's head vaulted forward towards them. Harry used what strength he had left and pushed Harvey. Harvey stumbled backwards towards the Slytherin statue and into a pool of water. He made a loud splash and disappeared into the water as the Basilisk mouth struck the ground.

It wasn't slow to move again. As Harry pushed himself up, the Basilisk struck down again. Harry only managed to roll to the left to avoid the second strike, but his wand was knocked from his grip by the force of the strike shaking the ground beneath him.

"I will admit," called Tom, "you have lasted longer than I would have ever thought that you would."

Harry tried to push himself to stand but he was weak. His limbs all ached. His ribs were most definitely broken and we so painful it hurt to breathe. His wand was too far away, lying on the floor and there was no chance he would reach it in time. This was it.

The Basilisk loomed over him and Fleur was the first person who came to his mind. The last time he had seen her face they had argued. It had been stupid and petty on his side, and now he would never get to see her again. He'd never get to tell her that he loved her again. Or hold her as they fell asleep. And Harvey. He had pushed him into that water and he had sunk below the surface. Harry could only hope that Professor McGonagall would arrive in time. He had no idea if Tom had drained Ron dry yet, but McGonagall would be smart enough to stop him if he hadn't.

Harry let his body sag against the ground. This was it.

The Basilisk let out a cry before striking at him. Harry didn't close his eyes, he didn't flinch, he just let it happen. But another cry, made him turn his head. Harvey pulled himself from the water and in his hand was a sword. It's hand shining with ruby's the size of eggs. Harvey slide the sword across the floor, straight at Harry's hand.

Harry grasped at the handle with one hand and swung it up just as the Basilisk's fangs reached his face. The sword went up and through, into the bottom of the Basilisk's brain, piercing completely through the soft tissue and out through the top. But one of its fangs pierced straight through his shoulder, sinking in deep.

The creature crumbled, it's body falling down, forcing Harry to roll away and let go of the sword.

"No!" cried Riddle.

Harry felt the burning sensation in his shoulder. Basilisk venom; deadly and fast acting. He was dead. There was nothing he or Harvey could do, but that didn't matter. The diary mattered.

Harvey appeared at Harry's side. In one hand he held Harry's wand. He grasped at Harry's good shoulder and helped him sit up.

"The fang," rasped Harry.

"What?" was Harvey response, his voice wavering.

"Pull the fang out of my arm."

Harvey scrunched up in his face but did as he was told. He grasped the base of the fang and pulled as hard as he could.

"AHHH!"

"I'm sorry," whispered Harvey.

"It's—fine."

Footsteps approached them as did Tom's laugh. He had crossed the room to stand beside Ron. He said, "Well, it seems you don't have long with us, Mr Black."

Harvey frowned. "What does he mean?" He looked to Harry.

"Basilisk venom is deadly; no known cure, and it's fast acting. I say your brother has maybe five to ten minutes…if he's lucky." Tom knelt down beside Ron. "Same with your friend here. And I think I'll just wait and watch. Then it will be your turn, Harvey."

Harvey didn't show fear. He glared at Tom but offered no response.

Harry knew that Harvey would be no match against Tom, not if he was freed from that diary for good. He reached for his wand, pulling it from Harvey's hand.

"What are you doing?" Harvey whispered.

"The diary," Harry croaked.

It lay on the floor near Tom.

With a quick flick, the diary slid across the floor towards them. Tom realised a moment too late and his eyes widened. He stood up, Harvey's wand firmly in his grip.

"What are you doing?"

Harvey grabbed the diary from the floor. "What do I do?"

Harry felt the room spin around him. His body slumped; he had no strength to hold himself up anymore. Harvey grasped at his arm, saying something to him, but his words were muffled in Harry's ears.

"St—a—b the…dia—ry."

Harvey released his hand. The throbbing in his body seemed to grow. Harry could hear his heart beat erratically thumping in his ears, and then a scream. A sound of pure horror. And then…nothing. It was silent, as the room around him turned back.