Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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Hermione and Harry stared at Riddle in confusion as he went on. 

"How is it that you-- a skinny boy 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? And how is it, you Hermione Granger, that it took your family years to figure out their gifts over the animals was able to figure it out in a blink of an eye and the fact you were the Heir of Betty White and were immune to the Basilisk's deadly glare?" 

"Why do you care how I escaped? Voldemort was after your time..." Harry stated. 

"Voldemort is my past, present, and future," Riddle said as he turned around, waving Harry's wand in the air and trace into the air three shimmering words: 

Tom Marvolo Riddle 

then waved the wand once as the letters arranged themselves to: 

I am Lord Voldemort 

"You didn't really think I was going to keep my filthy Muggle father's name forever? I, whose veins run with the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself through my Mother's side? I, keep the name of a foul, common Muggle, who abandoned me even before I was born just because he found out his wife was a witch? No, I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world!" 

"Are you kidding me? That's why you set the Basilisk on those Muggle-borns because you're angry your father abandoned you? I've heard better motives on crime shows!" Hermione shot at Riddle, furious with what she was hearing. Riddle's face twisted into a very ugly look. Before could could speak, a loud squeaking noise cause everyone to turn to see a crimson bird flying towards them. 

"Fawkes," Hermione and Harry mumbled in union as it dropped something into Harry's grasp before flying off. Harry opened it to find it was the Sorting Hat. 

"This is what Dumbledore sends his defenders? A songbird and an old hat?" Riddle laughed before turning towards the face and spoke in Parseltongue, "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four." 

The mouth of the stone began to move as Riddle turned towards them. 

"Let's match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against famous Harry Potter, and the best weapons Dumbledore can give him." Riddle told them. Hermione watched as Harry quickly shut his eyes to protect himself, the basilisk making its way out of the mouth and moved to the side till its full body shifted in front of them. 

"Kill them," Riddle ordered the basilisk in Parseltongue. It hissed as it turned its head towards them. Hermione motioned for Harry to run as she stood her ground. She took a deep breath as she spoke.

"No!" she heard herself hissing. The basilisk froze to where it was standing, looking down at her. Hermione knew she now had its attention. 

"I'm Hermione Granger. Heir of Betty White and if the rumors are true, you were with Betty White before being with Slytherin correct?" Hermione asked it. The basilisk hissed as it nodded its head that it was true. 

"Betty gifted me to Slytherin... on her death bed.... when those foul Muggles brutally killed her after discovering she was a witch." it hissed back to her. Hermione gulped as she felt her heart break.

"And I know that must have hurt you the most. But if you really care about Betty, you will not hurt me or my friend, Harry here." Hermione told it. The basilisk hissed as it glanced between Riddle and Hermione. From the corner of her eye, she saw from the Sorting Hat there was something shimmering in it. 

"What are you waiting for? Kill her!" Riddle shouted at the Basilisk. It hissed loudly before it coiled around Hermione. 

"NO! I may have been gifted to serve the Heir of Slytherin after Betty's death, but my loyalties will always lie to the Heir of White, my first Mistress." The basilisk growled at Riddle, who was now fuming in rage. 

"Worthless serpent!"  Tom growled before lifting up his wand. Hermione didn't have time to grasp when she watched the sword being taken out of the hat by Tom's wand and striking through the Basilisk's head. Hermione shrieked as she listened to the Basilisk's cries then landing with its head upside down against the pavement. Hermione rushed over to the basilisk where she pulled the sword from its mouth. She gently brushed her hand against its face, feeling as tears draped her face. The Basilisk gasped with its final breath. 

"I-- died-- still-- loyal-- to my-- Mistress--" 

Hermione felt her heart break a little as she pressed her forehead against the bottom lip of the basilisk. 

"I hope you met with her again." she whispered to it. 

"Silly serpent... allowing its feelings to get in the way," Riddle shot at Hermione. She turned her face towards Riddle, glaring at him as a rage burned within her. She turned towards the Basilisk's mouth where she carefully pulled out one of its tooth. She brought herself to her feet as she turned to look at Riddle. From her view, she could see Harry huddled over towards Ginny... and right near the diary. For a spilt second she didn't think as she tossed it towards Harry. 

"Stab it!" She ordered Harry before she tossed a few spells in Riddle's way. While Riddle and her tossed spells at each other, Harry grabbed hold of the diary before he began stabbing it, spewing black ink all over the pavement. Riddle soon wasn't able to fight Hermione as he began screaming at the top of his lungs before he burst into a bright light. With a gasp, Ginny shot up into a sitting position and turned towards them. 

"Harry! Hermione! I tried to tell you guys but I couldn't say it in front of Percy-- it was me! But I swear, I didn't mean to-- Riddle made me, he took me over and how--" Ginny mumbled on as Harry lightly patted her shoulder. 

"It's all over Ginny. Riddle isn't going to hurt you anymore. Now come on, lets get out of here." Harry told Ginny as he helped her up and grabbed hold of his wand and the diary. Hermione gave the basilisk one more look and a gentle back on its chin before following behind Harry and Ginny to get out of this place.