Harry Potter Fanfiction~The Finnigans.

Chapter Twelve~Tom Riddle.

They were standing at the end of a very large, poorly lit chamber. Stone pillars were entwined with more engraved snakes which rose to support a ceiling lost in the darkness. A greenish gloom filled the room. They listened to their hearts pounding in their chest during the complete hushed silence as they searched around. Taking out their wands again they began to move forward, their footsteps echoing loudly off the shadowed walls. They looked everywhere for a sign of movement cautiously. Seamus stretched his neck to look up into the gigantic face above them, it was old and ape-like with a long thin beard. Then in front of the grand statue lay a short, black-robed figure with mousy brown hair.

"SHANNON!" They both muttered, darting over to her and dropping down to their knees beside her. "Please be alive! Shannon!" Harry cried. Shannon's face was crystal white as chalk, and as cold as ice, yet her eyes were firmly shut, so this meant she wasn't petrified, what was she then? "C'mon. Wake up sis." Seamus mumbled desperately her feeling panic rising inside of him. Shannon's head flopped helplessley side to side. "She will not wake." A low soft voice spoke. They jumped and shot around.

A tall, jet black haired boy was watching them. He didn't seem completely there as such, his edges were blurred as if he was standing behind a frosted glass window. "Wh-who are ye? What 'ave ye done t' me sister?" Seamus demanded feeling a bit imitated by the boys presence. The boy rolled his eyes. "My name is Tom, Tom Riddle. Your sister is still alive, but just about." He replied. Tom Riddle- This name sounded familiar. "Are you a ghost?" Harry wondered scanning Tom from head to toe curiously. "I'm a memory. Preserved in that very diary for fifty years." He answered while pointing to the small, black book that was next to Shannon's body. "Look, we need ye t' help us. Can ye do t'at?" Seamus spoke, sweating as he examined his lifeless sister. Tom chuckled inappropriately. "No chance. You see young man, I've been waiting to meet Harry Potter for a very long time." Tom said. Harry glared at him. Why would this memory want to see him? What did he mean to him? "Why? How do you know me?" Harry questioned. Tom snatched Harry's wand from his hand and wrote on the wall in glittery words 'Tom Marvolo Riddle.' then swiped the wand once, the letters of his name rearranged themselves 'I am Lord Voldermort.' Harry gulped. "H-How?" Tom's smile broadened. "I chose my name during Hogwarts. Like I was going to keep my Muggle Father's name? Never. I needed a new name, a name which everyone would be come afraid to ever say." He laughed. Harry looked at him with pure hatred.

"Why Shannon? Why choose t' take her? What has she done do ye?" Seamus insisted. Tom sighed impatiently. "Haven't you realised it yet Mr Finnigan? It was Shannon Finnigan who opened the Chamber of Secrets, who wrote the messages on the wall, who helped me hurt all those stupid people and the Squib's cat." Seamus and Harry shook their heads, refusing to believe what had just escaped from his mouth. "Yes. Obviously she didn't know at first. You see, she found a diary, my diary. She put all her worries in there. It was boring, listening pathetic worries of a twelve year old girl. However, I was patient, caring, Shannon adored me. Oh Tom. You're so understanding. I'd be lost with out you." Tom laughed a cold high pitched laugh that went straight through them. His eyes glinted and he went on "I've always been able to charm the ones I need. I grew stronger off her deepest fears and secrets. Stronger than her, I managed to influence her you see. Made a few personal visits. I must say, her last entries were rather amusing to say the least. Dear Tom, I feel I'm losing my memory, I have blood all over my robes, I think I attacked Mrs Norris. Dear Tom, Seamus says I'm pale and acting different, I feel he knows I'm the attacker. Please help me Tom! I need you now more than ever! Tom! Then she nearly told you, Seamus, about the events, so I punished her. Silly little girl." Tom explained slyly. Seamus and Harry were horrified. Seamus launched himself at Tom angrily only to be thrown back. "I think it's time to prove how strong you really are Potter. So let's say this is a lesson." Tom smirked before whispering in Parseltongue and releasing their worst nightmare.