[a/n]This idea came indirectly from a pm by digbygreen

Harry Does Different CDLXV

Fluffy Strikes Back

"Lockhart might be useless, but he is the DADA teacher." Said Ron in a state of high agitation "He's gotta help my sister!"

Harry tugged on his friend's arm shaking his head and countered "You just said Useless. You got anything that can handle a basilisk?"

"Well, no." grumbled Ron.

Pulling the redhead along, the raven-haired boy answered "Well I know someone who probably does. At least he certainly loves creatures like that."

And as luck would have it, they hardly had to cover two corridors before being scolded "Arry! Ron! Where ye goin?"

"Hagrid! Perfect! We need help!" exclaimed the two boys. Then Harry alone clarified "The professors won't believe us, but we know who, how and most important WHERE. We need Fluffy. Is he still about?"

The giant nodded "Coarse, loves the forest. Avin a grand time. Bloody a couple times, but gots this happy look all tha time."

"Great!" Harry's half formed plan solidified in his mind "That means he's out there hunting for himself. Think he'd like to eat a very big snake?"

Naturally a monster lover worked it out in a moment "A basilisk! I bet Fluffy would love it. And ave fun! Where should aye meetcha?"

"Moaning Myrtle's bathroom." answered Ron "Last victim of the Chamber 50 years ago. Then he followed Harry at a dead run.

Abcij

By the time the giant and his Cerberus pet caught up to the boys, they were opening the inner chamber. He slapped one of the heads across the nose and scolded "FLUFFY! NO! Friends, not snacks! In there wi'ya!"

*ROWL* The great grey dog snarled threateningly and knocked Ron into Harry as they entered the no less vast holy of holies. Almost immediately he became aggressive; but not toward any of the humans, or even the small form laying motionless in a puddle of water. The target was the massive face carved into a stone wall.

"Hagrid? You great oaf. You have no place here!" the shade was livid.

At almost the same time, boy and giant questioned "Tom? Tom Riddle?"

"Ginny!" exclaimed Ron as he threw himself onto his sister to protect her from flying debris

It was only hissing to him and Hagrid, but Harry understood Tom to say ~~Speak to me, Salazar, greatest of the Hogwarts Four~~

The living people all fled, the half-giant scooping Ginny up like a doll, seeking cover as the magical monsters squared off. All three canine head barked, the basilisk hissed and coiled most of its length. Both were in the air and crashed together in mid leap. The sound of the impact echoed in the chamber, hurting all their ears. They cheered whenever the Cerberus got in a blow, trivial or serious. Not that they could in any way affect the outcome. The best course was to stay out of the way.

The spectral Tom could not be impacted, and could care less about the battle royale. A giant paw that would have crushed him passed right through as he walked over gloating "This matters little. All that matters is Lord Voldemort returning. Very. Much. A-live!"

The battle of monsters went on; scales fur and blood was everywhere. Even Hagrid, holding Ginny, had to dodge like an ant not getting underfoot. Lucky for Fluffy, he was immune to Basilisk venom. So when the snake fangs embedded themselves in a forepaw, the only effect was pain and blood loss. This serving to enrage the canine. Two heads chomped down on the snake body and pulled in different directions.

The spectators, corporeal and otherwise, were stunned when with a final death rattle, the Basilisk dropped out of the dog's mouths. The third head ripped off a jagged strip of meat and chewed.

And that was when the diary fell from Ginny's hand to the bloodstained floor. On a sudden inspiration Harry grabbed one of the broken fangs and stabbed the leatherbound book. The living were treated to the spectacle of the phantom leaking streams of light then exploding in an unreal shower. Moments later the girl snapped awake, nightmare over.

"Mr. Hagrid?" she queried, only semi-alert, then as she was set on her feet added "Harry! Ron! It was me, but I swear Riddle made me."

Harry squeezed her shoulder supportively "We know, Ginny. No one'll blame you. Voldemort was too smart for most people. Never mind a First-Year."

"Riddle? He was You-Know-Who?!" she squeaked, not having made that connection in all the months of her ordeal.

Hagrid, coat covered in blood, suggested wisely "Think we oughta leave Fluffy to his meal. I'll come back later to get him."

"Not so fast …Potter, Weasleys…" came the gloating voice of the famous author turned professor Lockhart, wand already drawn as he blocked a turn in their return to the girls' loo "This will be a tale on par with my rescue of the village from the banshees. Sadly, it will cost you your memories."

Harry leapt to the correct conclusion "That's how you did it. You're a fraud. Taking credit for what other wizards did."

"My dear boy" Lockhart laughed cynically "my books wouldn't have sold half as well if people didn't think I did those things. You first then, Mr. Potter, say goodbye to your memories. Oblivi- - - OOF!" The DADA Professor's wand had been glowing with a bluish-white light, but before the spell launched he was crashing into a far wall.

The kids soon saw the cause and giggled. Ron nodding at the giant "Good job there, Hagrid. Didn't hurt your hand did ya? Think we can leave him for Fluffy?"

"Coarse nah Ron. Shame on ya." He replied gruffly, while rubbing his knuckles "Sides it'll be days afore that basilisk is all gone." He quite unceremoniously yanked the fallen professor up and over his shoulder and led the way "C'mon kids."