Naruto sat muttering under his breath next to Harry and Ron in Transfiguration class, when the two boys were talking about how it didn't occur to them to ask him before, Naruto instead looked ahead, preferring to hear that they were seriously going to have exams and that they started on June 1st.

-With everything that was going on, are we still going to have exams? - Seamus says from the back seat of Naruto.

There was a loud thud to the left of the three children. Neville had dropped his wand, causing one of the desk legs to disappear. Professor McGonagall reappeared it with a wave of her wand and turned to Seamus with a frown.

"The only purpose of keeping the school running under these circumstances is to give you an education," he said sternly. "Exams will therefore take place as usual, and I trust you are all studying hard. Studying hard!" It never occurred to Harry that there might be exams with the castle in this state. There were murmurs of dissent throughout the classroom, causing Professor McGonagall to frown even deeper. "Professor Dumbledore's instructions were for the school to continue as normal as possible," she said. "And that, I need hardly explain, includes checking how much you have learned this term."

Naruto gently petted the bunny in front of her, not really wanting to turn it into slippers, the bunny shivered a little but that didn't stop Naruto from continuing to pet it -young Naruto less petting more slippers- Naruto pouts a little as he shakes his arms, turns his head a little and sees Harry's slightly pale face.

- What did I learn? - that makes Naruto turn his head a little, this year he had learned enough, he had recovered a lot of what he hadn't understood from last year, on the other hand Ron looked as if he had been told that he would have to go live in the forbidden forest.

- Do you think I can take the exams with this? - he asked Harry and Naruto, raising his wand, which released a spark, Naruto laughed nervously.

- I'll lend you mine, if necessary ttebayo! - Ron saw Naruto take out his wand with pride, in fact the freckled boy was somewhat surprised that Naruto hadn't been the first to break his, he's restless and clumsy, at any moment it could have hit him or even broken it if Naruto fell to the ground...

Time continued to pass and three days before the exam, Professor Minerva entered the great hall and made another announcement.

"I have good news," he said, and the Great Hall, instead of falling silent, erupted in joy.

- Dumbledore is back! - several said excitedly.

- They've caught the Heir of Slytherin! - shouted a girl from the Ravenclaw table.

- Quidditch matches are back! - Wood roared excitedly, Naruto let out a laugh at the excitement of his team captain, he had noticed poor Wood was too energetic and Naruto herself was, she could no longer do morning training, in fact none because of that.

When the commotion had died down, Professor McGonagall said, "Professor Sprout has informed me that the mandrakes are now ready to be cut down. We will be able to revive the petrified people tonight. I think I need not remind you that some of them may be able to tell us who, or what, attacked them. I am hopeful that this awful term will end with the capture of the culprit."

Naruto jumps out of his seat, Hermione would come back and - we won't have to talk to Myrtle! - he exclaims with pure joy.

Harry nods and Naruto takes the fork from his plate and finishes the scrambled eggs and drinks the mango juice before standing up excitedly and runs towards another of his friends…

The second year group was led to the History of Magic class, Naruto backed away to the back of the class - I thought you might want to tear out more of the pages in front of Lockhart Uzumaki - Naruto smiles at the voice and turns his head to see Draco carrying his books in his arms.

The smile fades from his face as he acknowledges what the boy said and pouts. "That's why I'm back here, you idiot teacher!" Draco will never admit how much he liked Naruto's nickname for the teacher. "I don't want Gryffindor to lose points because of me."

When she saw the "idiot-teacher" walk right by her back, Naruto frowned in confusion, even more so when the group of students turned a corner and Ron and Harry stepped out of the way, Naruto quickly said goodbye to Draco to stick himself close to a wall, his wand tapped it softly and he quickly joined his hands and said in a whisper - kage bunshin no Jutsu - a clone immediately appeared there was a bit of smoke but it was lucky that he was still at the back of the pack of second year students, of course it hadn't been easy to back away without anyone trying to talk now happier than ever after finding out that the petrified ones would return, but with enough effort and... also realizing that she had too much lack of attention, that it was easy for her to say "oh look" or "I'm going back" and the others were so used to it that they let it pass.

The wall opens slightly and Naruto enters. " Lumos ," she whispers, and is once again cut short. "I-I have to get better at this, ttebayo!" She rubs her blue eyes before opening them as she walks down the passage.

He was expecting to hear Harry or Ron's voices, either one was fine, he hums when he doesn't hear either voice and keeps moving forward, but then he hears something.

stop!, stop, stop

It was a high-pitched voice that went from the opposite side of where Ron and Harry were sure they were going since she was almost sure they were going to see Moaning Myrtle, she obviously wasn't very happy with her two friends' plan.

Confused, she thinks for a bit, rubbing her fingers against the fabric of her black robe, before changing path, the voice became clearer.

I don't want to open it... I'm not going to...!

The voice stopped abruptly and Naruto noticed the exact spot, he knocked on the wall three times and crossed, Ginny looked with wide eyes at Naruto, her mouth moving shakily opening and closing, Naruto looked to both sides "Why is Ginny chan alone?" he asks and sees how the girl tenses, her eyes darken as if she was in a deep fog, before she clenched her fists, the skin on the palms of her hands turned white from the little flow of blood that passed through them and it seemed that her eyes cleared up as they became shiny with tears.

-Naruto I…. -she didn't finish when she saw Naruto frown, Naruto maybe now thought that she…?!

- You shouldn't be alone, it's dangerous ttebayo! - Mmh... no, Naruto didn't think she was the heiress, he saw how she put her hands on her waist like a scolding older sister... although Ginny couldn't see Naruto like that when he barely had to raise his head to look her in the eyes.

That gave him enough confidence to continue -Naruto… can you please listen to me until the end… promise me please –

Naruto was somewhat paralyzed before nodding - of course I will listen to you until the end - Ginny did not suspect that.

-Well… you see, I found a diary among my things… it was… empty, but when I wrote in it, someone answered –

- The diary! - Ginny looks down at her feet, but only sees the old tunic she had inherited from her brothers, and being one of the few girls who wore pants, that fact didn't bother her at all, Naruto also wore some - You... were the one! - Ginny nodded unsure of herself once again.

-Afterwards… everything was a blur, I didn't know what had happened, I didn't remember… and things started to happen… they petrified the others -her eyes fill with tears again- I tried to tell you, I tried to tell Ron… Harry, but I couldn't… n-now, you can take me and tell the others that I –

- It wasn't you - Naruto's voice softened, sharpening around the edges, it didn't sound shrill, nor childish, it was kind and powerful, it gave Ginny goosebumps but... it also made her lift her head to look into Naruto's bright blue eyes, he had a soft smile and an overly understanding expression and he repeated - It wasn't you - then the tears finally subsided, they painfully fell from her cheeks and she let out an uneven breath, as she shook her head and approached Naruto.

-I didn't want... h-him, it was... - sobbing louder, Ginny reminded Naruto of the little boy she had left in Konoha just to come here and now... she didn't regret it, no matter how many pending issues she had left behind, because she knew that when she returned, she would do everything possible to find Brave, to help rebuild her home ... help Lee.

Then a piece of the puzzle had fit into the pieces.

Tom Ryddle was the one who attacked the girl…

But knowing that Albus Ojii san suspected him…

He framed Hagrid, knowing his secret, causing him to be expelled.

And the attacks stopped.

- Tom Ryddle was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago and...! - Naruto looks Ginny in the eyes - I'm forcing you to do it now!... the diary! Do you have the diary?! - Ginny looked at her robe pocket taking out the diary, but...

- Finally - I hear a voice, echoing everywhere, I step back when I hear a hiss.

- I know it's you, Tom! - Naruto exclaims, frowning - you framed Hagrid fifty years ago! -

Ginny screamed as something slid past - Close your eyes Ginny! - Naruto screams closing his own eyes, Naruto used his Chakra trying to sense the beast but barely felt the vibrations from the ground as she was pushed against a wall, he screamed again when Ginny mentioned his name - No, don't open them! I'm here! - Naruto made signs with his hands to create kage bunshin, but when he did them he hoped that being Chakra beings they wouldn't be affected, but they exploded in a puff surely when they saw the creature's eyes.

- N-Naruto, I'm scared! - Ginny sobs and Naruto turns his head and opens one eye slightly and sees the girl in a blurry way.

-Uzumaki - Naruto closes his eyes at Tom Ryddle's voice - smart or stupid, what would you do if I made little Ginny look the basilisk in the eyes? - Naruto jumps and screams.

- DO NOT YOU DARE! -

- Tell me, would you go rescue her even though your life was in danger or... would you let her die ? - Naruto opens his eyes completely only to see scaly, whitish skin, he turns his head completely avoiding looking her in the eyes and sees Ginny, the girl had her eyes wide open, glassy and cloudy, as if she were in a trance, a fleeting tear fell down her cheek.

Then the basilisk moves following the hisses.

Ginny, even though she couldn't control her body, was there. She opened her eyes against her will and saw the scales of the snake. She heard the creature hiss – "no, close your eyes Ginny" - she thought and said to herself, but when she was about to see the creature's eyes, black cloth gently covered her eyes. It was an arm.

Naruto had put an arm to cover Ginny's eyes and... she closed her own eyes...

And then he felt it, something sharp had pierced his skin and torn the flesh of the arm he had been using to protect Ginny and something liquid sank into his blood, Naruto bit his lip to keep from screaming, with his other arm he took Ginny by the waist, he tried to flood her body with Chakra but... it was as if he had none , luckily, his strength should have been enough when regardless of the pain he pulled on his hooked arm, he heard the creature let out a sound full of pain, the thing was still piercing his arm - noo - he heard Tom Ryddle's voice, then he heard Ginny let out a shriek as she was taken to the ground next to Naruto.

Her head hurt, her arm was killing her, her throat was burning with acid, she closed her eyes for a second... at least that's what she thought, but when she opened them she no longer felt that extra weight of Ginny on her , she turned her head a little and with her blurred vision she could make out her left arm next to a pool of blood.

- Damn it girl! I can't get rid of the poison on my own, you need help - Naruto was just trying hard to breathe, but his chest was heavy.

He couldn't, not anymore - you defeated the ichibi, don't let some stupid poison defeat you! - the kyubi seemed to be going with the "Don't give up!" strategy but it didn't work, Naruto's breathing stopped - ... - then he continued - that kid, grandson of that bald old man, is waiting for you, the stubborn, furry cat-like creature needs to be rescued, the little eyebrow boy, you said you wanted to help him! And... that girl... the freckled boy's sister, she needs you, nobody knows she's gone, so get your stupid little ass up and go get help NOW! -

Naruto then took a deep breath and turned onto his right side, using that arm to push himself up, his boiling legs trembled as he supported himself, the sleeve of Naruto's right arm's robe dripping with blood as Naruto, with his eyes half closed trying to focus his vision, walked towards a wall, tripping as he clung to it...

The fourth year group walked to transfiguration class being escorted by Professor McGonagall - very soon we will finally be back to normal! - Angelina Johnson happily says to Fred and George who were being escorted by Lee Jordan.

-I just hope I get to narrate Quidditch matches again soon -Lee Jordan says, clenching his fist and bringing it close to his mouth- I hope Gryffindor wins this season and the heir of Slytherin gets screwed! -Fred and George laughed at that, but Angelina just giggled.

Lee Jordan is too busy laughing with his friends to notice when the group stops and collides with the person in front of them.

Gasps were heard

The twins stood on their tiptoes, tall enough to see a blonde lock of hair - it's a whisker! - Fred says and they both move forward through the crowd that looked so paralyzed, almost as if the monster had frozen them.

- Miss Naruto! - McGonagall exclaims too loudly and when the twins are in front, they both understand why the people were paralyzed.

The twins stepped forward. "Naruto!" they both exclaimed, their eyes filled with worry.

The girl was breathing heavily, clinging to the wall on the right side, her left arm had something stuck in it and she was leaving drops on the floor every time Naruto took a shaky step - "both of you back off!" McGonagall said, stretching out an arm, placing herself between Naruto and them.

Naruto only sees blobs - they're people! Tell them to help you or just let yourself fall - Naruto did neither.

His mouth spoke, but nothing came out but a squeal like sound, he tried to moisten his lips and tried again.

-Iny… iny - it was an unintelligible stammer that came out of her mouth, she took a step and stumbled, but McGonagall was already there and caught her when she fell.

-You're going to be okay -McGonagall consoles, but Naruto shakes his head...

- Miss Naruto! - Madam Pomfrey arrived - Move aside! - She passed by with a stretcher levitating next to her.

But Naruto pushes McGonagall a little and says again -iny… iny… iny! - he finally exclaims.

- Iny? - Madam Pomfrey tried to understand what Naruto was saying.

-iny… - Fred says softly, "iny, iny… !" - he's trying to say "Ginny"! - he exclaims and McGonagall watches as Professor Snape comes into view.

- Find Ginny Weasley! And… all the students here will be taken back to their respective common rooms, there is nothing to see here! -…

Katie sobbed, being a second year like Harry, she was being comforted by her friends who had equally teary eyes. "I-I d-didn't kno-know wh-what mo-time Naruto l-left class." She sobbed again, her friend was gently rubbing her arm.

-Whiskers was with Ginny before… she was taken away - Fred says softly, George hadn't said a word since they arrived at the common room, Percy had sent an owl to his parents and had gone to the dormitory - now she's also… hurt -…

Ron and Harry were the only ones left. Finally Ron spoke up. "She knew something, Harry, she must have told Naruto… sometime between when we went to see Hermione. That's why they kidnapped her and left Naruto without the chance to say anything." Ron rubbed his eyes repeatedly. "They had taken his little sister and one of his best friends was hurt."

Naruto writhed in his bed in the infirmary, he didn't know what to do, his throat felt like it was burning and he had heard Madam Poppy say that he was in serious trouble this time, they couldn't get the poison out of his body.

I will only truly leave school when I have no one loyal to me left. And Hogwarts will always help anyone who asks for it.

-A-abus… -he said "Ojii san" it was too painful, he repeated -abus…. Ojii…. San -he coughed at the end feeling like he was choking on blood.

It was droplets of water that fell on her left arm and then her vision cleared, she inflated her chest with air breathing as much as she could, she turned her head expecting to see Nurse Poppy who had found something to cure her, but instead she saw a beautiful bird.

Of course when he had gone to visit the headmaster's office he had seen a bird's cage, but it had been empty but now maybe by instinct he knew that this beautiful phoenix was Albus Dumbledore's, he cried tears that fell on Naruto's bandage soaking it, he turned onto his side, the red feathers had calmed Naruto's heart, normalizing his breathing, he still didn't feel his Chakra beating around him like before but now... at least he didn't feel so bad, he gently stretched out his right hand and the bird lowered its head letting Naruto gently caress its plumage -t- thank you - his throat still felt a little on fire and he found it difficult to pronounce.

Then he shakily sat up and clapped his hands together before saying… well, mumbling something that sounded like "kage bunshin no Jutsu." There was a puff of smoke, but when it cleared, there was nothing. "I knew it." Naruto lowers his hands, rubbing at the fabric of the sheet. "I can't use Chakra yet." His eyes fall on the bandage wrapped around his arm, his fingers brushing where it ends and… he pulls.

The bandage falls onto the bed and Naruto can see that although thanks to the phoenix most of the wound had been healed, there was a dark circle as if Naruto had gotten a tattoo of a circle or a hot press had been pressed on it.

Naruto stood up only to finally realize that he was in his white shirt and pants, both his jacket, tie and robe were off, probably being washed - itaiii! - his head plays tricks on him as he falls back onto the bed.

His body was heavy and he still felt somewhat weak, maybe it was best… not

She clenches her hands, Naruto just couldn't stay here doing nothing, last year he had stayed because he had to take Ron to get healed and take care of Hermione

but this time Hermione is petrified

Ginny was kidnapped…

Ron and Harry will surely be doing something to help… for Naruto they are very brave people

So there she was…

Fuck the pain…

Fuck Tom Riddle…

If Tom Riddle wasn't going to face her, then Naruto was going to find his sorry ass and kick it.

She firmly places her bare feet on the floor when she sees her wand next to the small table next to the bed where she was laid, there were some small bottles of potions and other things, before her eyes fixed on something white, barely peeking out in a small black bag with long strings to be carried.

He takes both his wand and the pouch, tying it around his waist, he had the feeling that it would be useful later on and walks to the wall that was next to a torch, only taking one last look towards one of the curtains where the shadow of a still petrified Hermione could be reflected by the moonlight emanating from the window before returning to the front and tapping on it before going through it...

The painting hidden in this passageway did not please him very much, the abruptness with which he was pushed, saying "hey!"

Naruto barely turns around and says a big "sorry" coughs as his throat burns, but he doesn't stop his run to the bathroom, he had to get there and help Ginny and -itaiii!- he crashes into a wall when something extremely heavy falls on his head.

The hat slides to the floor and lands with a metallic sound?

He tenderly caresses the bump that was beginning to form on his head, pouting when he sees the handle of something.

He bends down and pulls the thing.

It was a kind of Katana, but it felt heavier and looked very shiny.

She hears a sound and turns her head slightly, the phoenix was flying over her, she smiles and thanks again - thank you! - it comes out in a hoarse sound and a light growl escapes her when she takes the hat again, although with a little suspicion, as great as it would be if a scroll with an incredible technique came out, she doesn't want another bump, thank you very much.

Carrying the hat under the arm

It was the sound of stone being dragged that made him quicken his pace and… the idea of talking to Myrtle fades away when he sees a large gap where the toilets should be. What had happened? Naruto approaches when he shudders and turns his head.

The girl looked at Naruto out of the corner of her eye and asked - Are you going to jump? - Her voice had made a part of Naruto hurt and let out a pitiful sound - I don't know if you should, you know, you hate the poor ghosts that have never done anything bad to you, maybe there are hundreds and hundreds of horrible ghosts down there like me - She was sarcastic and made the blonde with whiskers squirm.

Then Naruto realizes that she was most likely unfair to the ghosts.

Peeves might be annoying to many students but he hasn't really hurt anyone and the rest of the ghosts or at least most of them have been nice and tried to respect that Naruto feared them, the trembling of his shoulders fades a little and he raises his head looking directly into Myrtle's ghostly eyes -I don't hate you, I don't hate them- he firmly shakes his head before bowing, the dizziness returning with force from the sudden movement -I'm so sorry for ignoring you, I know how it feels and that's why I know it's not nice ttebayo -He raises his head and gives the ghost a big smile holding out his hand -let's be friends Myrtle Chan!-

The ghost's eyes were wide and had a white glow, the other students ignored her and many of the ghosts didn't talk to her, so it was very similar to when she was alive, she spent her time crying in the bathroom.

-Puff- a ghostly laugh escapes from Myrtle that slowly turned into a bunch of laughter, Naruto was confused when the ghost spoke -I think I understand why that annoying Peeves doesn't bother you, you're a nice living thing- she moves in the air and points -Harry Potter, Ron Wesley and a professor jumped there, I think they're still alive- she shrugs, making Naruto break out in a cold sweat and smile nervously still tensing up when Myrtle got too close but she's still nice when she answers

- Thank you very much, Myrtle Chan! - she exclaims and simply takes a run and jumps without a care. Myrtle could compare this brave and careless jump with sword in hand with that of the other three, afraid of falling into the void and dying.

Naruto hadn't thought it through, jumping now that he had no Chakra to soften his fall, but now he had a new mission, he had to help Harry and Ron, and rescue Ginny, quickly as he falls he makes sure to spin on his own axis and when he fell on something shifting and not as hard as he expected, he went on all fours, he had dropped the strange katana and the hat as he landed so it resonated when he ended up on the ground before she herself hit the ground.

He stood up, letting out a disgusted sound -Ew- in a high-pitched squeal before coughing.

They were bones scattered on the ground, on a mountain, one that had softened its fall.

He took the sword and put the hat on his head.

He slipped and tripped on a protruding bone, but quickly recovered and rushed to find his friends.

- What's going on?! - Naruto exclaimed as the ground beneath his bare feet shook and he heard screams - Ron, Harry! - Naruto hurries even faster and barely turns the corner when he finds Lockhart on the ground and Ron trying to push the rocks somehow.

- N-Naruto? -Ron lets out a shriek, not expecting to see Naruto here and walks forward seeing the small scar on his arm - Are you okay? I heard that he hurt you, you should come back - despite saying that his heart couldn't have been more relieved to see Naruto.

- Are you Naruto? - Naruto blinks at Lockhart, who points at her with a finger - I am Lockhart and apparently I live here -

Then Naruto quickly raises his arm and is the one who raises a finger pointing at Lockhart - What happened to him?! - Lockhart turns his head completely confused and Ron sighs resting a hand on Naruto's shoulder and gives him a tense smile.

-it's... a long story to tell now, we have to go with Harry, he's on the other side of these rocks -Ron turns around -you're strong Naruto so maybe... -Naruto quickly shakes his head and says.

-I don't have much "Chakra" strength at the moment –

-I see, then let's find another way to get there - Ron turned around, but Naruto just looked at the sword and felt the weight of the hat on his head and... he knew it was Albus who had sent this to help... help Harry, so he had to get there soon or Harry would be basilisk food.

His gaze returns to the mountain of rocks and sees an uncovered corner at the top, too small for someone like Ron, but Naruto… he could fit in just fine! "Ron, look, look! There's an opening there, I can get in!" Naruto walks over and Ron, who had already examined that opening before and had thought that he himself wouldn't fit through there, knew that there was a good chance that Naruto would.

- That's a great idea! Go help Harry, I'll find another way to get there - nodding, the blonde with a moustache grabs onto one of the stones and climbs up to the opening, she puts her arms through first and pushes with her hands from the other side.

He pushes a little further and decides on one thing. "Ron?" The boy doesn't answer at first, but then lets out a dry, totally unfunny laugh, like Mrs. Weasley sometimes puts a hand to her forehead and says "oh my Merlin."

-You're stuck, aren't you? - Naruto sighs and can only admit.

-maybe -but not too much -he feels like there is support on his feet now.

-push off now and come over quickly- Naruto feels something tickling on the heels of his feet when he does that and pushes now with both his feet and his hands and finally his body slides to the other side.

He was going to fall face first to the ground if it weren't for his reflexes, doing a handstand and then doing a somersault, he goes back to look for the sword and the hat that he had thrown to this side...

The ground rumbled beneath his feet and he found himself in a large archway, at the bottom were a bunch of snakes drawn on it and words that Naruto couldn't read.

And then he heard Harry scream, terrified, and saw a large snake passing at the end of the corridor.

Also, there was a boy, one wearing a cape that was green on the inside, less like what first to third year kids wear and more like what fourth to seventh year kids wear.

She took a deep breath and strained her vision and found Tom Riddle's sight, she found him, she lunged forward - help! - she heard Harry exclaim loudly, stumbling, she barely turned her head to see that Harry had fallen and had his eyes closed, they were going to hurt him and she...

Then the route changes and Naruto stops aiming at Tom Ryddle and runs towards Harry raising the sword, still remembering that smug smile from Tom, when he raised the sword he closed his eyes when the basilisk turned around, but that didn't stop him from stabbing the weapon into his body.

The snake made a gruesome sound and it only got worse when Naruto pulled back his weapon and turned his head towards Harry who was staring at him with wide, small pupils, scared.

Naruto straightens up - so here you are Tom Ryddle, you were a coward when you first faced me - Naruto raises his sword and points with a frown towards - but not this time -

-Oh Uzumaki, golden blood really is amazing, I should have made you bleed all over the diary, maybe I wouldn't have had so many problems - that makes Naruto frown.

-n-Naruto -Harry calls and Naruto looks at him from the corner of his eye -he's Voldemort -Naruto's jaw drops -well not yet, it's… a memory saved in that diary -Harry points to the diary lying on the floor.

The basilisk seemed to have retreated for the moment, apparently wounded in one eye.

-Uzumaki, Uzumaki -Tom Ryddle smiles at Naruto -you know I was so interested in your existence even before leaving school, do you know why? -he asks, but doesn't let the blonde answer -well Albus Dumbledore is a liar, a big liar, he told you that you were the first to cross the veil… but … what if I told you that… there were already people who did it ? - Naruto feels his hand shake, but Harry gets up and approaches Naruto, see? More people like Naruto? I would have to ask Naruto later - twenty-five years before I was born, a lost girl came to Hogwarts looking for help, the most notable thing I could find from everything I searched for in the Hogwarts student records was that she became a great witch dedicated to medicine, since it was said that she used her blood as part of the potions she made - when Naruto finished, his hand holding the sword trembled, someone like her... another Uzumaki who had come to the magical world - now that you know about this, isn't Dumbledore a liar? -

- Don't talk about Professor Dumbledore like that! - Harry exclaims, but that only makes Tom laugh and continue.

-Come with me Uzumaki, help me seek eternal life… with your life, your own eternity and your golden blood –

- Why would I go with you? I know that all you want from me is to use me! - Naruto exclaims, feeling a weight digging into his back at the lack of surprise or even reaction that his declaration had.

- Who are you? -Tom says- where do I come from? Who is mommy and daddy? Oh! How about a better question , did anyone really love me? I can help you Uzumaki, when I Voldemort return, I will help you bring your past to life, namely, who you really are-

Naruto looked at the ground as he lowered his sword. "Naruto!" Harry exclaimed, seeing his blonde friend actually thinking about Tom Ryddle's words.

Every question Tom Ryddle asked, Naruto once asked herself, she doesn't know who she really is and continues to search for her place between these two worlds.

Is she a ninja? Is she strong or weak? Is she brave or a coward?

Did her parents ever really love her?

Is it a living prison that only lives for that?

Perhaps at that moment the youngest Naruto would have thrown the sword to the ground and trembled with helplessness within herself, but…

Naruto lowered his head looking at his cup, running a finger along the rim, his other hand twisting the wick again. "What if it turns out I'm not actually Uzumaki?"

- Will you stop being Naruto? - the girl raises her head at the comment in confusion - listen to yourself dear, you are worrying about something you have never done before, you have always been Naruto and you prefer to be him… more than Uzumaki -

Then Naruto raises his head and sees Ginny still on the ground, looking so pale as if at any moment she was going to leave, he raises his sword pointing it again towards Tom Ryddle, the boy for the first time erases that boastful smile and Naruto says in a clear voice -those who break the rules are scum... but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum, I may not know my past but I can choose my present and I already heard your version, about Albus Ojii-chan and... -Naruto narrows his eyes -I completely reject her, I reject you and what you want to offer me, I may not know who I am yet, but I know what I want to do and I never go back on my word, that is my Nindo, my ninja way -then Naruto smiles softly.

Harry should have expected it, Naruto never backs down no matter how much burden is placed on his shoulders, because his friend was strong and the most stubborn person he knows.

Tom Ryddle frowned, his fists clenched as he quietly uttered, "Watch out!" Harry quickly pushed Naruto away as the basilisk passed by them, both of them closing their eyes.

- Let's split up! - Naruto says and watches as Harry nods before they both go their separate ways, the basilisk was thirsty for blood, the blood of the one who took the sight from one of his eyes.

So he pursued the blonde with intensity, ignoring the orders to go for Harry Potter first.

She knew it would be a matter of luck if she hit it, she knew she didn't have much of a chance when the rocky wall was in front of her, but if she didn't even try it would be worse, basilisk food "ew!"

It was a croak that caught his attention, right on the right side at a fixed point, it was surely that phoenix! Naruto was sure and also that it was helping her, she closed her eyes being a few meters from the wall, the croak continued each time moving a little closer and Naruto turned on his heels and buried the sword hearing another terrifying scream.

- Expelliarmus! - Tom Riddle exclaims using Harry's wand. Naruto opens his eyes only for the sword to fall from his hand shooting out and sliding across the cold floor, now the basilisk was blind and should be able to do something else when it steps back and its body hits the wall, Tom was saying things in Parseltongue that Naruto couldn't understand when the big snake opened its mouth showing that it was missing a fang - Stop! - He hears Riddle exclaim but he didn't seem to have managed to stop what was about to happen, when he saw Harry now holding the big weapon and stabbing it into the basilisk's head.

- Wah! - Harry screams as the large snake shakes itself off him, rising meters off the ground.

Naruto saw Riddle take Harry's wand firmly, surely about to conjure something to remove from the basilisk that little thorn that Harry was at this moment, when he sees the phoenix flying over Tom and dropping something behind him and Naruto then understands what he has to do.

-stay there Harry – Naruto had to think what to do when he feels that unusual weight pulling at her, he lowers his head and remembers what he was carrying in that black bag besides his wand.

Naruto puts his hand in the bag and runs forward, towards Tom who lets out a scoff - you think you can hurt me? Nonsense, do you know that I am a memory preserved in a diary? I am incorporeal and - Naruto when Tom runs through him expected a gasp of surprise a screech or something but when he didn't hear anything he turned around, his eyes widened when they saw what Naruto was holding in his hand so close to the diary on the ground, he opens it to any page and Tom doesn't even have time to lift Harry's wand when Naruto with both hands, holds the basilisk fang and buries it - Noo! Stop now - Naruto doesn't do it when, Tom seemed about to yell at Naruto again as large jets of ink came out of the diary, it was a cry of pain that Tom was letting out when he saw Harry, the basilisk seemed to imitate well because Harry had managed to stick even deeper and the creature fell to the ground inert, while the boy with glasses ... now broken breathed agitatedly ...

Then there was silence, Tom Ryddle was gone, the basilisk was on the ground lifeless and… it was all over, Naruto stands up letting out a big sigh that he didn't know he was holding and his shoulders instantly relax.

Harry also jumps off the basilisk and walks towards Naruto, they had done it and -agh- they heard Ginny, she was waking up.

They looked at each other for a moment before running towards the girl who looked tired because of the dark circles under her eyes and it was quite obvious that she had to be, they had been taking from her life, ripping her out to the point of almost killing her, when she looked at Harry who was kneeling in front of her, her eyes opened wide, but the pupils of her eyes were without a real shine -h-Harry… I… tried t-to -then she turns her head and sees Naruto, then she sobs -Naruto… a-are you okay? -

Ginny was asking about her, even though she was the one who was closer to dying than her?

- Believe me, you were going to die too - he hears a booming voice, but Naruto just smiles, moving his arms, his eyes narrowing because of how big his smile is.

-I am- then Naruto was sure of what Ginny was going to say, she was going to be expelled, she surely thought that and sobbed louder, Naruto was not good at comforting and he did not know what Ginny's reaction would be if he hugged her to comfort her, but... then his mouth opened to mention the most stupid and cliché words, but someone beat him to it.

-Everything's going to be okay, Ginny - Harry had his face covered in dirt, but he had a tense smile trying to be reassuring.

Naruto seriously laughed only for Harry to look at her with his eyes half closed, in a clear act of saying "I try" but Naruto explains - you knew what I was going to say ttebayo! -... then Harry lets out a snort and lowers his head to look at Ginny again - let's go! - Naruto exclaims taking another step to lift Ginny...

Naruto still lacked some strength so carrying Ginny shoulder to shoulder was the best option they had at the moment.

By the time they reached the pile of rocks, Ron had dug a larger hole for them to squeeze through. "Ginny!" Ron exclaims, watching as Harry and Ron help her up. When the younger girl pulled away and stepped forward, Ron held out his hand to help her through. "She's alive! What happened?" Ron tries to hug her, but Ginny pulls away with a sob, making Ron frown a little. "Everything's okay," he repeats, just like Harry had already done, just like Naruto had already promised.

Naruto looks around, but doesn't find the arrogant man - Where's Lockhart? - Turning his head slightly towards Ron, they see both of them sighing.

-It's a long story, we'll tell you on the way back- Naruto nods and goes back to helping Ginny, but the girl gently moves away.

- Wah! - Naruto jumps when the phoenix climbed on his shoulder, it was the same size as a swan so its feathers rubbed against Naruto's face because the shoulder it was leaning on wasn't big enough - Hey, phoenix! At least warn him - Naruto waves his arms and the bird lets out a screech as if it were mocking him as it takes flight.

- Where does that bird come from? - Ron asks.

-Albus Ojii chan was the one who sent it -Naruto still sees the red in the distance of the tunnel.

-His name is Fawkes -Harry informs Naruto- he was in Professor Dumbledore's office, he… turned to ashes and then –

-He came back to life, I know -Naruto says -I've read about them ttebayo.

When they reached the mountain of bones, Ron looked up and mentioned - well... I guess none of us thought about how to get up -

-Naruto, leave him, he's a crazy man already - Harry says when he sees Naruto puff out his cheeks and stick his tongue out at Professor Lockhart, who was sitting on the floor moving his legs like a little child.

-Hi -he says and Naruto sighs, while they were coming they had told him what they had discovered, he had stolen the achievements of the real wizards and had taken away their memories and apparently he had tried to do that with Harry and Ron, with the freckled boy's wand only for the spell to bounce off him, even so, Naruto couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the man...

-Well I could try- Naruto says without his friends really understanding as he puts his hands in a sign and tries to get his Chakra to flow without really succeeding, but his chest heated up which meant that he was slowly returning to normal -I can't do it, I still have no Chakra, the basilisk bit me -he saw Ginny shudder -and it's like I've totally drained everything I have ttebayo- Naruto separated his hands and gave a shrug to both boys.

Harry saw Fawkes on the pile of bones stretching his wings and his eyes darkened - I think he wants us to grab onto him -

-But... it's a very small bird -Ron answers and Naruto shakes his head.

- I remember! Phoenixes can carry a lot more weight than you think –

Harry looks at everyone - Let's shake hands. Ginny, take Ron's. Professor Lockhart... - the boy with glasses wasn't sure that... the man understood

"He means you," Ron explained to Lockhart.

-Take Ginny's other hand- Harry tucked his sword and the Sorting Hat under his arm and Naruto walked over to Harry and took his hand. Ron grabbed onto Naruto's hand, and Harry grabbed Fawkes' tail feathers. An extraordinary light seemed to spread throughout the bird's body, and in a second they were speeding up the pipe. Harry could hear Lockhart saying:

- Amazing, amazing! It looks like magic! - Naruto laughs as he exclaims in a low voice "it's magic ttebayo" and when they began to enjoy the ride, the trip through the pipe ended. The four of them jumped onto the wet ground next to Myrtle, and while Lockhart fixed his hat, the sink that hid the pipe went back into place closing the opening.

-You really did it!- Myrtle exclaims, making Harry and Ron look surprised as she turns to Naruto, who just lets out a giggle and breaks free from Harry and Ron's hands to lift them up and shake them.

- Yeah! -

- When did you lose your…? -Ron tries to find the right word -repels ghosts?-

Naruto shakes his head - it's not creepy… I was really scared of them - he admits with complete confidence - because when I was little Kitty made a joke that scared me, saying that ghosts eat children's feet so they can't run away and - Naruto could see how they stared at her with their mouths open making her turn her head like a confused kitten but determined to finish - but… I discovered when I got here, that just like people, not all are bad nor good for that reason… I don't want to be afraid anymore, no matter how much they make me tremble - Harry smiled and corrected.

-shudder –

- It's the same! - Naruto complains, puffing out his cheeks, but they end up laughing about it.

Ginny was quiet the whole way, everyone was following Fawkes, who still had a golden light surrounding his body and in a few minutes they were centered in front of Professor McGonagall's office.