Amulet of Time 2: Two Worlds, Two Wars

Chapter 29: The Final Showdown

" Tom Riddle."

The other boy raised one eyebrow delicately and looked at the Boy-Who-Lived in interest.

" I see you have heard of me."

" I like to think I know a little about you."

" My, my, my reputation precedes me."

" Not yet," Harry muttered, before speaking more loudly, " That's as may be, but I'm not here to chat. I've been captive here for two months; I think it's time for a little revenge."

Tom just smirked back. Harry took the opportunity to mentally scan the room. He quickly realised that Grindelwald was listening to the conversation intently, as was Dumbledore. However, the injured headmaster was also inching his was towards his wand without the Dark wizards noticing. Harry decided it was best to keep them distracted as long as possible. He sent a quick mental message to someone he knew could help the professor while he was dealing with his opponents.

~Fawkes? I need you here right now. Dumbledore's injured, but I need him to be able to fight Grindelwald. I can keep them both busy for a while, but I can't defeat both~

~I will be there soon, Master,~ the phoenix replied in a lilting tone.

Tuning back into the situation around him, he saw Riddle starting to slowly advance on him.

" I think that's far enough, Tom. Tell me, I'm curious, why did you choose to be apprentice to a Dark Lord? You could have done anything with your life. You have brains, talent and power, so why waste it?"

" You think I'm wasting it?" the young man scoffed, " Just wait until my training is complete. I will be as powerful as my master and together we will rule the world. We will show everyone just who has the power. Mudbloods and Muggles will perish, and the purebloods will govern!"

" Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but you're only a half blood. Doesn't that make you a hypocrite?"

" How do you know these things! I have power, and I will destroy those with inferior bloodlines. I am descended from Salazar Slytherin himself; no-one can beat me."

" Really? Well, I don't see how you can be high and mighty for being descended from a founder. If I know my history, and trust me, I do, then Salazar Slytherin had no children while he was still at Hogwarts."

" That is true. My ancestor was born after he broke from the Muggle loving fools."

" If that is the case, then where was his power? At his final battle with Gryffindor, he was rendered powerless. He had as much magic as a squib. I see nothing to be proud of, Tom."

" You lie! He was the greatest of the Hogwarts four!"

" Nooooo, I believe the most powerful magically was my own ancestor, Lady Ravenclaw."

" NO! I have the power, and I will destroy you!"

By this time Riddle was fuming with rage. Harry was starting to see the insane rage Voldemort exhibited when his Death Eaters displeased him. Glancing to one side, he saw Grindelwald watching the show, surprise etched on his face. It seemed he had not expected the argument to go this far. Harry also noticed Dumbledore had retrieved his wand and was preparing to strike. Noticing the headmaster was severely injured, and would only end up getting himself killed, he sent a quick mental message.

~Professor, stay where you are. Fawkes is on his way. He will heal you, and then you can join the fight~

~Harry, are you sure you know what you are doing? I mean, provoking Grindelwald's apprentice. And how do you know so much about him?~