Out of The Shadows (Golden Trio Era) {1}

The Horror Within

Harry felt Ginny's hand as informed Tom that Ginny was as cold as ice. Tom Riddle slowly bent down and picked up Harry's wand unnoticed, while Harry was begging Ginny not to be dead. Harry asked for Tom's help because of the Basilisk. "It won't come until it's called." Harry looks up at Tom and see his wand in the boys hand, Harry got off his knees looking at Tom weirdly, "give me my wand, Tom." Harry held out his hand waiting for Tom to place his wand onto his palm. "You won't be needing it." Tom twiddled with Harry's wand as Harry tries to explain that they have to leave and that they've got to save Ginny. "I'm afraid I can't do that Harry, you see, as poor Ginny grows weaker, I grow stronger. Yes, Harry, it was Ginny Weasley who opened the Chamber of Secrets." Harry tried to argue that Ginny wouldn't do such a thing but Tom Riddle continued to tell him everything Ginny has done under Tom's control. How she tried to destroy it but Harry found it, and how he was waiting to meet Harry. "And why did you want to meet me?" Harry asked stepping towards Tom angrily.

Tom told Harry how his whole plan was orchestrated, and that he wanted to finish Slytherin's work. Then he explained how his plan changed to get Harry. "How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent, was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar? While Lord Voldemort powers were destroyed!" Tom asked, Harry asked him why does he care and how Voldemort was after his time. Tom told him that Voldemort is his past, present and future. This caused Harry to give him a confused look. Tom spelt out his name in flames in the air, and with a swish of his wand, '𝖳𝖮𝖬 𝖬𝖠𝖱𝖵𝖮𝖫𝖮 𝖱𝖨𝖣𝖣𝖫𝖤' transformed into '𝖨 𝖠𝖬 𝖫𝖮𝖱𝖣 𝖵𝖮𝖫𝖣𝖤𝖬𝖮𝖱𝖳.' Harry was in disbelief that the teen version of the man that killed his parents stood in front of him. Tom told him how he made himself a new name, one he knew  that one day it would feared you speak when he became the greatest wizard of all time. They boys began fight over Dumbledore's strength as a wizard. There was a cry, and a beautiful fire coloured bird soared into the room. Harry recognised it as a Phoenix that was usual perched in Dumbledore's office. Fawkes dropped Harry a hat, he recognised as the sorting hat.

Tom summoned the Basilisk, the mouth of Slytherins head opened wide enough for the snake to slither out. Harry threw the hat to the ground and ran away making sure not to look into the monsters eyes. As he ran, he caught his foot in his robe causing him to fall over and breaking his glasses. A screech came from Fawkes who reappeared, attack the snake causing Riddle to scream. "Your bird might've blinded the Basilisk but it can still hear you!" Harry stood up looking at the snake because thanks to Fawkes Harry can look at it. Harry rushed to one of the Chamber's along the side of the room, barely missing the deadly snakes bite. The snake continued attacking him as he heard Harry feet slapping against the water. The snake followed Harry into the sewer like corridor, and Harry came to a dead end as he tried to run to the right. He threw a rock to distract the snake before making his way back to Ginny's side. "Yes, Potter. The process is nearly complete, in a few minutes Ginny Weasley will be dead. And I will ceased be a memory, Lord Voldemort will return, very! much! alive!" Tom told Harry just before the Basilisk burst out of the water. Harry saw a glimmer in the sorting hat and quickly grabbed the sword. He raised it towards the snake, before running and climbing the statue of Salazar, the snake strikes a couple of time barely missing Harry. Harry began swinging the sword trying to fight of the snake, but he dropped it and it began sliding off the statue. He grabbed it just in time, and stabbed the snake through the roof of it's mouth. Unfortunately, as the snake wails, a fang sinks into Harry's arm, before the snake falls to the ground. Harry made his way slowly to Ginny, cradling his arm where the snake pierced, the venom began spreading through his body. "Remarkable isn't it? How quickly the venom of the Basilisk penetrates the body. I'd guess you a little more than a mirror to live." Tom informs and gloats at the weak Harry. Telling him he'll be with his dear mudblood mother soon. "Funny, the damage a silly little book can do, especially in the hands of a silly little girl." Harry took the book out of Ginny's arms, flipping it open before picking up the Basilisk's fang. Tom tried to stop him but Harry stabbed the book and a shot of light burst out of Tom's chest as a whole appears through him. A black liquid began seeping out of the book as the bigger the whole in Tom got. Harry removed the fang before sinking into the other side of the book causing Tom to scream in pain as he almost explodes. Harry takes the fang out again, shuts the book and stabs the cover, as Tom's body bursted like a firework.

Ginny's eyes shot open and she began to breathe loudly, she looked around at her surroundings before slowly sitting up, she hadn't noticed Harry's presents until he spoke her name softly. Ginny was about to go into a whole explanation about how she had no control of what she was doing, she spotted the wound in Harry's arm and her eyes widen in shock. She suddenly stopped and pointed out that he was hurt. Harry covered the injury before telling Ginny not to worry. "Ginny, you need to get yourself out. Follow the Chamber and you'll find Ron." Harry was interrupted by Fawkes screech once again, the Phoenix landed on the ground beside Harry, she stared into his eyes sadly. Harry told the bird how brilliant he was and that Harry was just too slow. Fawkes began to cry, dropping his tears onto Harry's injury and soon it was though it never happened. "Of course! Phoenix tears have healing powers. Thanks. It's alright, it's over." Harry thanked Fawkes and stood up offering his hand to Ginny. "I need to ask you one more favour Fawkes. We need to collect Ron and Lockhart and I need you to fly us all out." The Phoenix nodded before flying through the Chamber in the direction of Ron and Lockhart.

Fawkes carried the four of them back out of the Chamber and straight they all rushed straight to Dumbledore's office.