Harry soon found himself at the end of a long, dimly lit chamber. Along the length of the room were several stone pillars, with carved serpents entwining them. There was a bare hint of light, but all it did was cast an odd greenish glow.

He allowed his wand to slip into his right hand, and with his left, he activated his shield. Pulling it in front of his body, he advanced with his wand resting on top of the shield, pointing forward. Suddenly, he had an idea, and he tucked his wand behind his ear. Still holding his shield, Harry reached for his back, where a backpack lay slung over his shoulder. Katie had managed to squeeze it through the hole before they split up.

Reaching inside the pack, he pulled out an amphora. He walked over to one pillar and placed it on an empty torch-holder. Harry continued placing various amphorae at strategic places at different pillars. After he was done, he zipped up his bag and turned back to face the end of the corridor, where there was a large statue of Salazar Slytherin's face. Soon he spotted two familiar figures at the end of the room. Both Ginny and Mackenzie were lying on the floor, apparently unconscious.

He collapsed his shield and rushed towards them. Skidding to a halt, he went to shake them awake. When they didn't respond, he checked their pulses and was relieved to hear that they were going strong. Just then, a soft voice called out from behind him, "They won't wake."

He jumped and aimed his wand at the source of the noise. Leaning against the nearest pillar was a familiar tall black-haired boy. For some reason, Tom Riddle appeared strangely blurred, as if Harry was looking at him from a misty winder.

Tom continued, "They're still alive, if that's what you're worried about. However, they're fading fast."

Harry asked him, "Are you a ghost? You don't seem like one."

Riddle calmly explained, "I'm just a memory. Preserved in a diary for nearly 50 years."

He gestured a little away from himself, where the little black diary lay. The pieces were slowly putting themselves together in Harry's brain, "You lied to me. The Monster was not an Acromantula. It was a basilisk. Hagrid was merely a scape goat in all of this."

A smile curled the corners of Riddle's mouth, "You've caught on fairly quickly. You're smarter than I thought... For a Gryffindor. Besides, the basilisk won't come until it is called. I've waited a long time for this, Harry Potter."

Harry asked, "What happened to Ginny and Mackenzie? What are they doing down here?"

He replied, "Well… That is an interesting question. I guess the real reason Ginny Weasley's like this, is because she opened her heart and spilled all of her secrets to an invisible stranger."

Harry crossed his arms, "Explain."

Riddle's smirk grew wider, "The diary, My diary. Young miss Ginny's been writing in it for months and months. Telling me all her pitiful worries and woes. Her brothers' teasing, coming to school in second-hand robes. Wanting to be worthy of being friends with Harry, just Harry. It is very boring to be forced to listen to the silly prattle of an eleven-year-old brat."

Harry glowered at him, "Oi! She's a great girl! Don't talk about her like that!"

Riddle ignored Harry, "Despite all that, I was patient. I wrote back and poured out all of my sympathy. The silly child absolutely loved me."

He mockingly imitated her, "Oh Tom! No one's ever understood me like you! I'm so glad I got this diary to confide in. It's like having a friend I can carry around in my pocket."

In his normal voice, Riddle continued, "If I do say so myself, I do have a knack for charming people. So little miss Ginny poured out her soul to me, and that was exactly what I needed. All along, I fed on her deepest fears, darkest secrets, and they sustained me. I grew powerful, far more powerful than her. Then, I grew strong enough to give as well as I could take. So I started feeding her my own secrets, pouring some of my own soul back into her."

Harry's arms were still crossed, "And? How did that affect her?"

Riddle asked condescendingly, "Haven't you guessed it yet? Ginny Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets. She strangled the roosters and painted those threatening messages on the walls. Then she set the basilisk on the four Muggleborns and the squib's cat."

Harry bit back, "Not willingly, I'll bet. I haven't known her for long, but the Ginny I know, would have never attacked them at all."

Riddle was amused, "Indeed… She was an unwilling participant, and she had no idea that SHE was the one attacking. Of course, I didn't account for her to start fighting back later on. However in the early few months, she was at my mercy."

He mockingly imitated her once more, "Dear Tom, I think I'm losing my memory. I found rooster feathers on my robes and have no idea how they got there. I can't remember what happened on Halloween, but a cat was attacked and I've got flecks of red paint on me. I think Percy seems to have caught on to me, and so has Mackenzie. I think I'm going mad. I think I'm the one attacking everyone."

Harry began snarling in anger, but Tom continued, "Soon, she somehow managed to fight back and dispose of the diary. However, that was when YOU came into the picture. Needless to say, I was absolutely delighted because I wanted to speak to you for a very long time. Ginny told me all about you, the famous Boy-Who-Lived."

Harry growled, "I hate that stupid name. I still don't understand why you framed Hagrid."

Riddle laughed, "It was my word against Hagrid's and mine carried a lot of weight. Who did you think Armando Dippet would believe? And orphan boy with exemplary academical prowess, school prefect, model student and so very brave. On the other hand we have big blundering Hagrid. In trouble every other week, for having illegal creatures on his person. Did you know, he was once caught red-handed trying to raise werewolf cubs under his bed. He was also found sneaking into the Forbidden Forest to wrestle trolls. However, nobody had the brains to figure out that he couldn't possibly be the Heir of Slytherin. Only the Transfiguration professor, Dumbledore, was convinced that Hagrid was innocent. He persuaded Headmaster Dippet to keep Hagrid as the gamekeeper. He then kept an annoyingly close watch on me after Hagrid's expulsion. Then I had the idea to preserve my sixteen-year-old self in the diary. With luck, someone would find it and finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work."

Harry snorted, "Too bad for you that nobody died. Very soon, the Mandrake Draught will be ready and the petrified students will recover."

Riddle sneered, "The Muggleborns are no longer my concern. My new target is YOU, Potter. I was fuming when the next time the diary was opened, she was back instead of you. The brat must have guessed that I would spill all about her, so she stole the book back"

Harry raised his wand threateningly, "Your new target is me, eh? I think you will find that I do not go down easily."

Riddle ignored him, "From our brief time together, it was clear to me that you were on the trail of Slytherin's Heir. From what the Weasley girl told me about you, I knew that you would go to any length to solve the mystery. Especially if one of your best friends was attacked."

Harry growled, "And you made a big mistake in attacking my friend. I will make sure that you pay for that. How did you get Mackenzie involved?"

Riddle finally obliged him, "Oh yes, the Dursley girl was another suspicious one. After the second attack, she kept an annoyingly close eye on Ginny and I. Believe me, I wanted to attack many more of the Muggleborn students. However, Dursley stuck way too close to us, and we could not afford to arouse any more suspicion. Coupled with the fact that little Miss Weasley had been fighting me, only made my job harder. When she came to confess to you, I knew I had to get rid of my pawn. As for the Dursley girl, all I had to do was stun her and take her with us, so that she would not be a problem. Finally, I made Ginny write her own farewell as well as Dursley's, and now, the two of them are sustaining me."

Harry snapped, "Let them go! They didn't do anything to you! If it's me you want, why involve them?"

Tom Riddle smiled sinisterly, "I need Weasley, because she put too much of herself into the diary, into me. Enough for me to leave its pages. Come Harry Potter, I have questions for you."

Harry grew increasingly worried at those words, but decided to play along for now. He crossed his arms, "Fire away, then. What do you want to know."

Riddle asked, "How is it that you managed to escape and defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape Lord Voldemort's wrath with nothing but a scar?"

Harry said slowly, "Why do you care? Wasn't You-Know-Who after your time?"

Riddle smiled again, "Fancy that… You defeated him, but you're still too afraid to say his name. Voldemort is my past, present, and future, Harry Potter…"

He then took out a wand, which Harry recognised as Mackenzie's, and wrote, TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE. With a wave of the wand, the letters rearranged themselves to read, I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.

Harry couldn't help thinking to himself, "Seriously? What is with the Wizarding World's obsession with anagrams?"

Riddle spoke softly, "You see? It was a name I was already using at Hogwarts, to my most intimate friends only, of course. Did you really think that I would use my filthy Muggle father's name forever? The blood of Salazar Slytherin runs in my veins, through my mother's side. Why should I keep the name of a foul common Muggle who abandoned me before I was born? All because he found out that his wife was a witch? No – I fashioned myself a new name, one that wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak. Especially when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!"

Harry wanted to laugh, this megalomaniac became a psychopath because of daddy issues? Also, a half-blood was the champion of Pure-blood propaganda? The irony was slapping Harry in the face.

Finally, Harry spoke, "You're not the greatest sorcerer in the world. Terribly sorry to disappoint you, but that title belongs to Albus Dumbledore. You admitted yourself that while you had Headmaster Dippet fooled, Dumbledore was not convinced. He saw through you in school and he still frightens you to this day. Also, you mock me for being afraid to say your name? If there is one thing I've learned, is that names have power, and it would not be wise to invoke them so flippantly."

Riddle's smirk vanished and was replaced by a sneer, "The old fool has been driven out of this castle at the mere memory of ME!"

Harry snarked back, "Keep telling yourself that. You're not fooling anyone."

Suddenly, there was a sound of music emanating from somewhere. To Harry, it sounded eerie, spine-tingling and unearthly. He even felt the hair on his scalp and forearms straightening. It steadily grew louder and soon a crimson bird, the size of a swan, appeared. The bird had a glittering golden tail and gleaming golden talons. Said talons were clutching a ragged bundle, and the bird made a beeline for Harry.

It circled the room once and landed on Harry's shoulder, dropping the bundle on his lap. Harry recognised the bird as Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. Tom Riddle stared at the golden bird and the cloth bundle, briefly and mused, "That's a phoenix. And that is the old Sorting Hat. Hahaha! This is what Dumbledore sends his great defender! A stupid songbird and an old hat! Tell me, Potter, do you feel safe now?"

Harry smirked at him, "Actually I do. I am armed, after all, and Fawkes and the Sorting Hat must be the backup plan!"

He then thought to himself, 'If I can figure out what that plan is. Darn it Dumbledore! I hate it when you get cryptic.'

Riddle continued speaking, "Well, Potter! Twice you have defeated me – in your past and my future – How did you survive? Tell me everything, the longer you talk, the longer you stay alive."

Harry finished in his head, 'And Ginny and Mackenzie will be closer to dying. But not on my watch.'

Harry already knew the answer to how he survived, but he wasn't going to tell Voldemort that. He lied, "No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked me. The details are a little fuzzy to me, but you couldn't kill me because my mother died to save me. My Muggleborn mother stopped you from killing me. I've seen the real you last year. You were a wreck and barely alive! THAT is the price for your lust for power!"

Riddle's face contorted before he shot Harry another sinister smile, "So, your mother died to save you? Yes, that's a powerful counter-charm. There's nothing special about you after all. You and I, we are the same. Both half-bloods, both orphans, and I am certain that you are a Parselmouth, though I have to applaud you for taking great lengths to hide it. Now comes the real battle. The powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against the famous Harry Potter, armed with the 'best weapons' Dumbledore can provide him."

He spun on his heels, opened his mouth and hissed, "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four!"

Immediately, Harry dropped into a fighting stance, with his wand raised. Fawkes took flight and hovered in the air, just as there was movement from the statue. Salazar's mouth opened wider and wider, until it created a huge gaping hole. He also heard something stirring from inside the statue, something big slithering up from its depths.

Harry suddenly remembered the cloth strip that Katie had cut from his robes. He grabbed it from his pocket and tied it around his eyes, backing away slowly. Harry heard a dull thud as something his the stone floor of the Chamber.

Riddle hissed, "Kill him!"

Sure enough, Harry heard the Basilisk slithering towards him. He raised his wand and fired off several spells in what he guessed, was its direction. Voldemort guffawed, "It is useless, Potter! Basilisk hides are incredibly resilient against spells."

Harry listened extremely carefully, and was able to roll away from the Basilisk when it struck out at him. There was once particular close call when he felt the air around the snake, just whistling past him. Suddenly, Harry hear the sound of more flapping, along with a few screeches. Then he heard the Basilisk hiss in agony.

He heard Riddle scream in anger, "NO! LEAVE THE STUPID BIRDS! THE BOY IS BEHIND YOU! YOU CAN STILL SMELL HIM! KILL HIM!"

The demigod also heard a familiar voice call out, "It's okay Harry! Buzz and I have blinded it. It is safe to look!"

Harry cautiously peeped out from under his blindfold, observing that Fawkes was clawing at its eyes, along with Hedwig. Amazingly, even Buzz was flitting around and poking the Basilisk in the eye with its needle-like beak. Satisfied that he was in no danger of dying with a look, he took off the blindfold and stuffed it back in his pocket.

He watched the snake thrash around, and Harry dodged an occasional body part. Unfortunately, the beast's tail eventually caught him by surprise, and sent him flying. In the process, he lost his grip on his wand. It rolled next to Riddle, who picked it up and observed it. Then an evil grin plastered itself onto his face and he took the wand in both hands before snapping it in two.

When gravity decided to make itself known, he crashed down and slid until his head came upon something soft. Harry spotted Riddle with the two broken halves of his wand, and furious, "Hey! That wand was expensive, you jerk!"

Just then, Harry noticed how soft the ground was near his head. He looked and found it resting on the Sorting Hat. Before his very eyes, the hat contracted and soon something metallic was sticking out. He grabbed it and pulled it out. It was a glittering silver and bronze sword, and he groaned. He thought to himself, 'It just had to be a sword! It couldn't give me a set of bow and arrows.'

However, when he wielded it, there was something different. Weight-wise, it felt just right. He gave a few experimental swings, and found that it was just the right sword for him. Meanwhile, the Basilisk was still thrashing around, and Riddle was still screaming for the snake to kill him.

It managed to recover and chased after him. He noticed Ron and Katie in the corner of his eye, emerging from one section of the Chamber. Fortunately, Riddle hadn't noticed them yet. Harry also noticed that the Basilisk was coming right next to one of the amphorae that he had placed. He managed to get Katie's attention and discreetly signalled to fire an arrow at the amphora.

With a single nod, she nocked an arrow and fired it. As soon as it hit the amphora, it exploded in sheet of green fire. The Basilisk screeched and recoiled away, hitting the Chamber wall. It continued chasing after Harry, who kept leading it to all of his Greek Fire traps, which Katie dutifully set off. Eventually, the disoriented snake managed to corner him. Shaking its head, the serpent recovered and lunged for Harry with its jaws agape, ignoring arrows pinging off its back. It opened its maw, and Harry took that chance to strike.

He charged forward and drove the sword straight into the roof of the serpent's mouth. As warm blood dripped down Harry's arm, he felt a searing pain just above his elbow. Turned out, one of the fangs broke off and pierced his arm. The Basilisk keeled over dead and Harry sank down onto the floor. His vision began to slowly fade, but managed to notice Fawkes land in front of him and look at him curiously.

Then, he heard echoing footsteps and saw Tom Riddle standing over him. He spoke softly, "I have to say, Potter… I did not see that coming. I don't know what you did to create that green flame, but it matters not. You're going to die, and even Dumbledore's bird knows it. Look at him, he's crying."

Sure enough, thick pearly tears were rolling down Fawkes' glossy feathers and some of them were dripping onto the wound. Riddle noticed Ron and Katie hurrying towards them and stopping a little further away. He walked a little further back and sat down, "I'm going to sit here and watch you die, Harry Potter. In the Chamber of Secrets, as your friends watch on helplessly. Defeated at last by the Dark Lord he so unwisely challenged. Don't worry though, you will soon be reunited with your dear Mudblood mother soon. She just bought you 12 years of borrowed time. But Lord Voldemort got you in the end, didn't I?"

In the background, Ron and Katie blanched, only just realising who they were looking at. Back in Harry's point of view, his fading vision inexplicably stopped and he was able to see more clearly. Suddenly, Riddle spoke, "Oh right… I forgot that Phoenix tears have healing powers."

He looked back at Harry, "But it matters not. In fact, I prefer to end you in this way. Just you and me."

He raised Mackenzie's stolen wand and fired a green spell, which Harry dodged. He rolled away, getting closer to the still bodies of Ginny and Mackenzie. Just then, his hand closed over the diary, and Harry froze. He and Riddle both stared at the diary for a long time. Then Harry yanked the sword from the Basilisk's mouth and drove it straight through the book.

Riddle convulsed and emitted an unearthly scream. Ink spilled from the diary and flooded the floor. At the same time, a massive hole appeared on Riddle's body, with Riddle himself having a shocked look on his face. Then, he was gone without a trace and the room was dead silent.

Katie rushed over and hugged him fiercely, "I'm so glad you're okay, Harry. Man! You scared me!"

Ron also hurried over and gave him a side-hug, "Cor blimey! I can't believe that was You-Know-Who! Katie and I heard and saw everything from when he used those fire letters to spell out his name."

They were interrupted by a small moan, and they turned to see Ginny and Mackenzie stirring. The trio rushed to the two First-Years immediately. Ginny's bemused eyes noted the dead basilisk, a blood-soaked Harry, as well as Ron and Katie. Finally, she saw Mackenzie, who was just as groggy, and then her eyes rested on the diary.

Ginny teared up, "I-I tried to tell you at breakfast, but I couldn't s-say it in front of Percy. It was me! But I swear I didn't mean to! R-Riddle made me do it. He possessed my-"

Ron awkwardly hugged her, "It's okay Gin. He's gone, Him and the basilisk. Come on, let's get out of here."

Harry hugged Mackenzie, "You alright, Kenzie? Sorry, I didn't mean to drag you into this mess."

She hugged him back, "I'm fine, Harry. I knew you'd come to save us. You have to tell me how you did it."

Ginny wailed, "I'm going to be expelled! I've been looking forward to coming to Hogwarts ever since B-Bill came. W-What will Mum and Dad say!"

Ron wrapped his arm tighter, "They're not going to blame you Ginny. You weren't in control. I'm sure Headmaster Chiron will hear you out and forgive you."

Then, Katie noticed Harry's broken wand on the floor, "Uh… Harry? I think that's going to be a problem"

He spotted the forlorn pieces as well, and sighed, "Oh well, I suppose I'd better pay Ollivander a visit."

Suddenly, the Sorting Hat, which was on Mackenzie's head, spoke up. It said, "If I may, Mr Potter. You see that red ruby on the hilt? Press that and watch the magic."

Harry pressed it and it suddenly morphed into a Celestial Bronze wand with silver highlights. Harry grinned, "Sweet!"

Then he had an idea and turned the wand back into a sword. Harry walked up to the corpse and with one clean stroke, beheaded the Basilisk. He looked around and noticed that one amphora was still intact. He retrieved it and was about to pour the contents on the giant snake's body. However, Katie stopped him, "Wait… Let's skin it first. Basilisk hide is pretty tough. Maybe we can find an expert and fashion it into a jacket."

He paused, "Good idea."

Taking out his daggers, the two of them expertly skinned the Basilisk's corpse. Katie even extracted the venom carefully. Eventually, there was nothing else to harvest. With that, Harry emptied the amphora's contents and stepped back, "Katie? Do you know any lightning spell?"

She nodded, "I do."

Ron was puzzled, "What are you doing, Harry?"

Harry called back, "Sacrificing my kill. It's a tradition in my family."

Ron quickly got the message and kept quiet. However, Ginny piped up, "But what about the head?"

He replied, "Spoils of war."

Finally, they left the burning corpse and trekked back to the room with the slide leading up to the surface. Harry looked up at the daunting slide and mused, "Well, I suppose climbing up is going to be a touch tricky."

Just then, Fawkes chirped up, "You all can hold onto my tail feathers. Us phoenixes are strong enough to carry the weight of many people."

Harry relayed the information to the other four before firmly clasping Fawkes' tail. Mackenzie grabbed his hand, and soon the five of them linked hands firmly. A second later, Fawkes took to the air, and everyone felt really light. Alongside them, Hedwig and Buzz kept pace and Harry thanked both of them for their help with the Basilisk.

After what felt like ages, they were finally on their feet in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The ghost goggled at them, "You're alive! Will you please do as you promised?"

Harry smiled at her, "Don't worry, I'll talk to the Big Guy."

He was about to step out, when Katie coughed deliberately, "Uh.. Harry? Sword… Wand…"

The boy blushed and turned the sword back into a wand. A few moments later, the grimy (and in Harry's case, bloody) group trudged down the corridor. Just then, they heard multiple footsteps, and soon they saw Sirius with a group of Aurors rounding the corner. His eyes brightened, "Harry! There you are kiddo!"

Harry simply shot him a weak grin, "Now you show up? The party's over."

Sirius asked, "So you solved the mystery?"

"Yep, the culprit was a Basilisk. I managed to slay it with a sword. I've got the head in my backpack as a spoil of war."

Sirius' face paled and he breathed, "Show us!"

Harry carefully undid the backpack and brought out the basilisk head, wrapped up in a bunch of robes. Sirius carefully unwrapped it and the Aurors quickly verified that it was a Basilisk. The man patted Harry's shoulder, "Why don't you lot get cleaned up. I'll wait for you outside the Fat Lady's portrait."

Fifteen minutes later, Harry and company were escorted to Headmaster Chiron's office. They entered, and a split second later, there was a scream, "Ginny!"

The girl was soon wrapped up in a double hug, in between her parents. Then, Ron, Harry and Katie were the next ones to be crushed into a hug. Molly Weasley was crying, "You all saved them! You saved them! How did you do it!"

Harry looked around and saw that, aside from the Weasley's, Chiron was there in his wheelchair form, and so was Professor Dumbledore. The older wizard gently said, "I think we would all like to know that story."

Harry replied, "Well, it all started with a voice that I kept hearing within the walls. It sounded very snake-like, and I thought that someone lost their pet snake. So I thought nothing of it. Then came the attack on Mrs. Norris. At the time, I suspected a gorgon-"

He cut himself off and looked at Chiron expectantly. The man said, "Go ahead, child. I have already spoken to Mr and Mrs Weasley about your heritage.

Harry continued gratefully, "Yes, a Gorgon, because we had faced off against Medusa during the quest for the Lightning Bolt."

Like that, he explained that eventually, they deduced that it was a basilisk. Then he spoke of Fawkes, Hedwig and Buzz' timely arrival. The Sorting Hat giving him a sword, using it to slay the Basilisk.

However, he faltered, not wanting to reveal how Ginny was coerced. Then, Dumbledore spoke, "What I would like to know, is how the diary comes into play."

Then, Ginny surprisingly spoke, "I-I've been writing in it. The diary belonged to a Tom Marvolo Riddle. It wrote back and I-I've been writing in it ever since. Somehow, I-it p-possessed me and forced me to release the Basilisk."

Arthur Weasley was stunned, "Ginny! Haven't I taught you anything? What have I always said? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain. Why didn't you show the diary to me or your mother? It was clearly a Dark Object-"

She burst out, "I didn't know! I found it inside one of the books Mum got me. I th-thought that someone left it in there and forgot about it."

Harry interrupted, "Mr. Weasley, please try and understand that Ginny wasn't in her right mind. If you have to blame anyone, blame You-Know-Who."

Dumbledore solemnly said, "Indeed… Before he became the Dark Lord, he was once known as Tom Riddle. I taught him myself, fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He disappeared without a trace, after graduating. Mr. Potter is right. Miss Weasley is blameless in this ordeal, because Mr. Riddle could charm just about anybody to do his bidding. There will be no punishment, as older and wiser wizards have been hoodwinked by him. That being said, I'd suggest that Miss Weasley and Miss Dursley pop over to the Hospital Wing. Some bed rest might do them some good. Miss Bell, if you would please escort them?"

Katie nodded, "Right away Professor Dumbledore."

After she left, Chiron smiled at them, "Harry, you have done an exemplary deed. Few heroes would dare to take on a creature as dangerous as a Basilisk and live to tell the tale. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will agree with me in saying that you will receive a Special Award for Services to the School. Mr Ron Weasley, I think you also deserve one as well, especially for someone who is untrained in the art of war."

Ron's cheeks pinked and his mouth opened and closed like a fish. Then Chiron said, "It has also come to our attention that our Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is not who we think he is. According to your classmate Lavender Brown, he confessed to taking credit for other people's deeds and erasing their memories."

Ron nodded, "Yes sir. When Harry and I tried to tell him about the Basilisk, he confessed to us, and Lavender was with us. Then he tried to Obliviate us, but Harry managed to use a shield and it bounced back to hit him."

Dumbledore then looked at Harry, "I see that your wand is different from when I last saw it. Something you would like to share?"

Harry placed the Celestial Bronze wand on the desk and pressed a ruby knot on the wand. On cue, it expanded into a sword, and Dumbledore's eyes widened. He spoke softly, "Fascinating… Take a look at this."

Harry squinted and saw a name engraved on the sword. He breathed, "Godric Gryffindor!"

Dumbledore smiled, "Only a true Gryffindor would have pulled it out of the Sorting Hat."

Chiron also smiled, "It just goes to prove that you truly are a hero, Harry Potter. I also received word, five minutes before your arrival, from your mother. She has received your sacrifice of the Basilisk's body, and she is proud of you."

Harry bowed his head, "Thank you, sir."