Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 2.14

Harry charged at the Basilisk with the sword of Gryffindor, while Lyanna faced off against Riddle, casting spell after spell to keep him distracted. Riddle sneered, "You cannot defeat me, child. Your powers are nothing compared to mine."

Lyanna, her voice filled with fierce determination, retorted, "We'll see about that."

As Harry battled the Basilisk, Fawkes continued to distract the serpent, giving Harry the opportunity to strike. With a mighty swing, Harry drove the sword into the Basilisk's mouth, piercing its brain. The creature let out a final, ear-splitting hiss before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

"It's done," Harry panted, pulling the sword out.

Lyanna smiled at Harry before turning back to Riddle. "Your monster is dead, Riddle. It's over," she declared.

Riddle, fuming, responded, "You may have killed the Basilisk, but you have not defeated me!" In a final desperate attempt, Riddle lunged at Harry and Lyanna. But Lyanna, summoning all her strength, cast a powerful spell that sent Riddle flying backward. He crashed into the statue, and the diary fell from Ginny's grasp, landing near Harry.

"The diary!" Harry exclaimed.

He picked it up and drove the Basilisk fang into it, piercing through the pages. Riddle screamed in agony as he began to dissolve. "No! This cannot be!" he cried. As the diary was destroyed, Riddle's form disintegrated, leaving nothing behind.

Ginny stirred and began to wake up. "Harry? Lyanna?" she called weakly.

Harry knelt beside her. "Ginny, you're okay. It's over," he said gently.

Lyanna helped Ginny sit up. "You're safe now," she assured her.

Ginny, looking around confused, asked, "What happened?" Harry smiled gently. "We'll explain everything. Let's get you out of here," he said. With the Basilisk defeated and Riddle's memory destroyed, Harry, Lyanna, and Ginny made their way back through the chamber, ready to return to the safety of Hogwarts.

Ginny turned to face the two of them, her eyes filled with tears. "Harry, Lyanna, it was me. But, I swear, I didn't mean to... Riddle made me." Her voice trembled as she noticed Harry's injury. "Harry... you're hurt."

Harry quickly covered his wound with his hand. "Don't worry about me. Ginny, you need to get yourself out of here. Follow the Chamber, and you'll find Ron." As he spoke, Fawkes emitted his song again. Both Harry and Ginny looked down the corridor to see the phoenix flying towards them. Fawkes swooped around the Basilisk's body and landed between them, then stepped over to Harry. "You were brilliant, Fawkes. I just wasn't quick enough," Harry said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Fawkes emitted a soft grunt, then lowered his head to Harry's wound and cried on it. The wound miraculously disappeared, leaving Ginny staring in amazement. "Of course! Phoenix tears have healing powers," Harry exclaimed, lifting his now-healed arm. Fawkes grunted affirmatively as Harry glanced at him. "Thanks," he said, looking at Ginny.

Lyanna stepped forward, her voice gentle and reassuring. "It's all right, Ginny. It's over. It's just a memory."

With that, Fawkes flew back and forth, picking up Lockhart, Ron, Harry, and Ginny, lifting them out of the Chamber of Secrets. Lockhart, still dazed, muttered, "Amazing! This is just like magic!"

The phoenix carried the five of them up towards the opening of a cave, the moonlight shining down on them as they ascended. They emerged from the darkness of the Chamber into the cool, fresh air, the nightmare finally over.

~~~

Lyanna, Harry, and Ron stand before Professor Dumbledore in his office, with Fawkes on his perch, and the sword and Sorting Hat resting on the desk.

"You three realize, of course, that in the past few hours, you have broken, perhaps, a dozen school rules." Dumbledore says.

Harry, Lyanna, and Ron responded, "Yes, sir."

"And there is sufficient evidence to have you three expelled."

"Yes, sir."

"Therefore, it is only fitting..." Harry, Lyanna, and Ron look up, hearts pounding. "that you three receive special awards for services to the school."

The three look at each other with smiles, then back at Dumbledore again. "Thanks, sir."

Professor Dumbledore smiles at the them, then stands up while handing some papers to Ron. "And now, Mr. Weasley, if you would, have an owl deliver these release papers to Azkaban. I believe we... we want our gamekeeper back."

He turns to Harry and Lyanna as Ron leaves the room. "I want to thank you both. You both must've shown me real loyalty down in the Chamber. Nothing but that could've called Fawkes to you. And, second... I sense something is troubling you. Am I right, Lyanna?"

Lyanna hesitated for a moment before Harry gave her a small nod, indicating that she needed privacy to speak with Dumbledore alone. With a silent thanks, Lyanna turned to Professor Dumbledore and spoke softly, her voice carrying a weight of uncertainty.

"Professor Dumbledore, it may not be obvious, but... it's not uncommon for people to question if I really am a Malfoy," she began, her eyes fixed on the wise old wizard before her. "I'm concerned, sir. Worried about... how I might turn out in the future. There's something... something inside me. I can feel it, pulling at me. I don't know what it is, but it's like a strong magnetic force, driving me to do... things."

Dumbledore listened intently, his expression gentle yet probing. "Ah, Miss Malfoy," he said, his voice carrying a comforting tone. "We are all shaped by the choices we make and the paths we choose to follow. It is natural to feel uncertainty, especially when faced with the unknown. But remember, it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes meeting hers with a reassuring gaze. "You possess great potential, Lyanna, just as Riddle said. But with that comes responsibility, something Tom never understood. Trust in yourself, and trust in the guidance of those who care for you. And if ever you find yourself lost or unsure, know that there are always those who will stand by your side, ready to offer guidance and support."

With those words of wisdom, Dumbledore allowed Lyanna to leave his office, the weight of her worries slightly lifted by their conversation. As she stepped out into the corridor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance, knowing that she wasn't alone in her journey of self-discovery.

As they stepped out of Dumbledore's office, Lyanna's heart sank at the sight of her father, Lucius, and Dobby, their family's house elf, engaged in a heated confrontation with Harry. Lucius's anger was palpable as he accused Harry of losing him his servant, his wand already drawn and pointed menacingly towards the young wizard. Panic surged through Lyanna as she rushed forward, pleading with her father to stop, to no avail. But before Lucius could cast his curse, Dobby intervened, his small frame trembling with determination as he blocked Lucius's path.

"You shall not harm Harry Potter!" Dobby declared, his voice firm and resolute. In a swift motion, he struck Lucius with a spell, sending him flying across the hallway. Lyanna rushed to her father's side, helping him up, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Despite their differences, Lucius was still her father, the one who had provided for her and raised her under his roof. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw only bitterness and disdain.

"Let us go, father, please," Lyanna urged, her voice tinged with desperation. "Leave them be."

But Lucius's resentment was palpable as he brushed himself off, his gaze fixed on Harry with undisguised malice. "Your parents were meddlesome fools too," he sneered, pointing a accusing finger at Harry. "Mark my words, Potter... one day soon, you are going to meet the same sticky end."