Severus and Lucius hunched over their breakfasts, glowering at Lockhart's entrance. It was little satisfaction to see that he looked angry as well.

"Must be out of hair gel, again." Severus sneered. He was aggravated by the sight of Lockhart every morning – on top of having to pretend to the Aurors that he was inept at Legillimancy. Albus insisted that they not know he was as good at it as he was at Occlumency. Severus smirked … even Albus didn't know how good he was – or that he occasionally peeked into the Headmaster's head.

The fact that the Headmaster had not allowed the two of them to go grill Lockhart after the Aurors left had been a bitter blow. They had felt that the obvious obliviation was enough to go after him with – they'd understood waiting a day or two – to see if he made a move, but it had been a month, now. Albus insisited that they needed to be sure they caught the 'Heir'.

"If it is Voldemort – we need to find his hiding place. Perhaps Lockhart is only helping him. If he is possessed, we need to be able to capture him – he got away last year. If a Horcrux has been activated, we can't let it slip through our fingers – even one Horcrux hidden away where we can't find it means defeat." Albus had been firm.

"His aura has a muddy feel – a little like Quirrell had." Severus had insisted, still hoping to convince him.

"You never really paid attention to his aura, you said." Albus retorted. "You can't be sure that it has changed." Severus grimaced and finally caved.

Severus and Lucius had reluctantly backed off, and Albus had set new wards on the bathroom and on Lockhart's rooms and office. He'd used the castle wards themselves this time. It was difficult to manipulate the wards unless Albus could show great need, but after so many centuries of magic the castle had a bit of a mind of it's own and could almost be 'reasoned with'. Albus 'showed' the castle the problem and it had responded, creating wards to let the Headmaster know if certain magics were being used by Lockhart or if the entrance was opened.

However after a month even the Headmaster was impatient. They'd agreed to act if Valentine's Day arrived with no 'action'. Lucius had muttered about giving himself a homicidal valentine in the form of Lockhart's heart. Severus had maliciously agreed – if they had to listen to one more critique about their clothing they would string him up with his own silk ties.

To their shock the doors to the Great Hall opened and a sheepish Minister Fudge entered, flanked by a smug Rufus Scrimgeour and a less happy Madame Bones. Hugo was there, along with eleven frightened looking school governors and a pair of Aurors. Fudge hesitated and then cleared his throat nervously.

"Perhaps we can go to your office, Headmaster?" Fudge asked.

Severus and Lucius flanked the Headmaster, with Minerva right behind them. The office was a bit crowded, but the Headmaster was soon at his desk, the three Professors lined up behind him.

Fudge stepped forward – "It's been a month and the culprit is not caught – two attacks on muggleborns …things have gone far enough, Albus – the ministry has to act." He looked over at Rufus in resignation.

Rufus stepped forward, holding out a scroll. "I have an order of suspension here, Headmaster. It seems most of the governors feel you have … lost your touch. There are eleven signatures – only Professor Malfoy's is missing." Rufus gave Lucius a superior look. "It wasn't needed with all the other having been obtained."

Lucius gave the squirming knot of governors a baleful glare out of the corner of his eye. Albus seemed unmoved, and he took the scroll and opened it casually. "This says the suspension is for the duration of the 'crisis'?"

"Yes … Rufus seems convinced that removing the strongest wizard alive from the school will somehow make it safer." Madame Bones said sarcastically. Fudge winced and Rufus glared back at her. This argument of hers had stalled his action for weeks.

Severus leaned over to Lucius urgently … "Get the governors to name you as the interim Headmaster before that rat names a Ministry flunkey." Lucius stiffened in alarm and went to the group of nervous wizards.

Fudge sighed. "The Wizengamot also wants Hagrid questioned." He said in funeral tones.

"That's ridiculous." Minerva exclaimed. "Hagrid would never harm a student."

"His record is against him, we have to take him." Fudge sounded unhappy, but firm.

Lucius strode up beside the Headmaster. "My lawyers will expect to find him in the holding cells – actually being questioned – not in Azkaban." Lucius said firmly.

"It's none of your concern ..." Rufus started.

"As acting interim Headmaster, the fate of an employee is entirely my business … at least until this 'crisis' is done and Dumbledore is summoned back." Lucius answered in lofty tones.

Rufus turned to the governors in incredulity at the swiftness with which Lucius had turned them around. They suddenly had spines and were looking at him with determination. Dammit – he'd had a couple of ministry allies just waiting to 'take the position temporarily' that would have managed to make the appointments permanent.

With this swift move by the governors that was impossible. Worst of all Albus was twinkling at him in amusement. Rufus gritted his teeth – unless Lucius totally screwed up he was now hamstrung.

Fudge looked at Lucius in relief, confident that he would have things well in hand – preferably keeping Fudge in everyone's good graces, and nodded to them as he left. The Aurors went to collect Hagrid and the governors exited as quickly as they could before Lucius could remember to yell at them for not giving him a proper warning of what was happening.

"Well, any instuctions before I leave for my … sabbatical, Headmaster?" Albus asked in amusement.

Minerva huffed in aggravation. "I'm going to see the Hagrid understands we'll get him out of the holding cells quickly." And she exited the room to catch up with the Aurors.

Severus snickered, "Well, this has been a very quick transition of power, Albus."

"Thank you for your quick thinking, Severus. I did not realize Rufus intended to plant ministry workers here until after Lucius made his move … their tenure as 'interim' workers would likely have become very permanent." Albus nodded to the Potions Master.

"I promise not to drink all your elf-wine while you're gone, Albus." Lucius smiled, "But I might redecorate a bit – far too much red in here."

Albus gave him a threatening look, and then sighed – it did no good to show aggravation – it only encouraged Lucius. "I don't want to pass all the wards to you – just the ones you need for warning of dangers … and the ones keeping an eye on Lockhart and a certain bathroom."

Lucius nodded and Albus closed his eyes, reaching for the wards and picked out the ones needed – pushing them to Lucis who reached out and took the glowing threads weaving out from Albus' hands. It was an amazing feeling, to become so connected with the castle. He wondered what it felt like to have all the wards.

Albus looked at him in sympathetic humor, he well remembered the day he received the wards, he'd spent the next week wandering the castle looking at all the places he could suddenly sense.

Albus turned to Hugo – the only one of the ministry group still there. "A drink and dinner at my place, Albus? I think we have some catching up to do."

Albus turned to Lucius and Severus who nodded – he was going to tell everything to Hugo, then. They needed him, now.

"It's nearly Valentine's Day." Albus said meaningfully. "We're waited long enough – perhaps too long." He gave the two a long look. "Sent a patronus or other message if you need the two of us."

Lucius and Severus grinned – at last, they would be confronting Lockhart.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

The day wore on, the usual Friday activities. Lucius and Severus planned to wait until the students were safely in their dorms and then strike.

Harry happily attended his double potions class that morning. Draco was sulking a bit. He'd heard that Hagrid had been 'taken away for questioning' and he was outraged … Hagrid was a favourite of Draco's – they shared a love of dragons and spoke about them often. Draco had brought Hagrid several pictures of Norbert and kept him updated on the dragons progress.

Lucius had assured Draco that his kennel of lawyers would take care of Hagrid, but Draco remained upset. Lucius had also announced to the school in general that the Headmaster was 'taking a sabbatical' and looking into the problem of the 'Heir' and would return when the problem was solved – not exactly a lie, and he'd liked the term 'sabbatical' that Albus had used. The students looked confused, but mollified.

Harry stayed to have lunch with his dad and quizzed him about the Headmaster leaving and Hagrid's 'questioning'. Severus told him everything, feeling the Harry knew how to keep secrets and he needed the warning.

"...so you need to stay well clear of Lockhart until we have the 'Heir' captured." Severus explained.

"Lockhart?" Harry asked in incredulity.

Severus chuckled, "Yes – just as Quirrell would have been the last we suspected, apparantly the 'inept' Lockhart is 'up to something'."

"Now, the upcoming potions exam ..." Severus smiled at Harry's groan. He was interupted by a house elf bringing in the dessert Harry had ordered … Severus' latest favorite of banana's foster. "What's the occasion?" Severus asked – Harry still tended to order berry desserts.

"Slavedriver's appreciation day?" Harry quipped, smiling, and shrugged. Severus laughed and dug into the dessert, temporarily putting off lectures on Blood replenishers. They discussed what classes Harry wanted in the upcoming third year – it was an important year, in that the direction of studies would be laid down. There were many smaller – obscure - areas of study that could be looked into. If there was enough interest, some classes would be offered that usually weren't. Severus hauled out a book that listed the many classes possible, if enough students asked for it.

Harry wrote down a few that he was sure that he and his friends might be interested in. "How many students have to ask?" Harry breathed excitedly when he spotted the course on placing spells on brooms.

"Eight – but the broom making course is for fifth years and up – and there are prerequisites for it, not to mention extra fees." Severus smirked at Harry's crestfallen look. Harry grimaced and looked more closely at the page, gritting his teeth. They cheerfully discussed several different alternate classes as well as the usual ones.

They danced around the Divination class a little. Severus grimaced, he'd sneered at the whole idea of divination, and had paid dearly for it, but he still didn't like to encourage Harry to take it up. "Obviously it's not a total bunk, however if you have the ability you will know it – if not you are wasting your time."

"So if the ability shows itself, I can still take the course …?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Of course, they wouldn't want you to be untrained if you show the signs – and you can still study the books a bit if you like – you could probably take the OWL's and NEWT's with just that – if you put a little effort in. The only thing you would be missing would be over-exposure to Trelawney's incense and a lot of dramatic posturing." Severus smirked.

Harry snickered. Trelawney came to meals now and then, and occasionally she made dramatic 'predictions' that never failed to awe some of the girls that were interested in divination. If the predictions didn't come true, the girls just said that the people had been properly warned and had managed to avoid their 'doom'.

It was soon dinner time and they opted to just stay where they were – Severus was explaining why even a year or two of arithmancy could be important, especially when Harry intented to pursue ancient runes as part of his studies.

They were just finishing up talking about why potions were important to the Auror program when they were interupted by a knock at the door. Severus waved it open with his wand and to his surprise, there stood Hermione Granger.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Hermione had worried endlessly about her lost memories. Her Head of House spoke with her several times when she had asked questions and even lent her a few books on the subject, hoping to reassure her. No matter what, apparantly, some memories would never return – obliviation meant they were gone for good. Usually though, there were memories that included parts of the removed information that were still there.

"Like if a memory of your birthday party was obliviated – you would not remember the party – but you would remember a book you received at the party because you've read it, or a dress you received because you have worn it and those memories have nothing to do with the party." Flitwick explained.

Still, Hermione fought to regain some of what she'd lost. And there were other mysteries – why had she studied so hard, and for a time her work had been far past what she could usually do or even understand. She still remembered the work she'd done, but some of it … she wasn't sure she still understood it. And her 'obsession' with Harry Potter and Tom Riddle – quite embarrassing. She liked Harry, a little – but not that way. And Mr Riddle – an admirable student, but far older than her – already graduated and all.

It had been sort of nice to be included in the giggling group of girls who obsessed over boys and followed them around. She had even pretended continued interest to just go on being a part of the group. They still included her, mostly because she found new cosmetic charms and helped spell their clothes for them if they needed letting out or taking in – a major problem for a few of them.

Now though, she thought she'd found something. She'd obsessively relived the moments just before and just after 'the obliviation'. Flitwick had reassured her that the Headmaster did intend to confront Lockhart – but they were needing some 'evidence' regarding some other missdeed and hoped she understood that it would take a bit of time.

She'd managed to 'play it cool' in class, though she avoided even looking at the Professor. The books all said that eye contact was necessary for much of the mind magics, so she simply didn't look anywhere near him, even when answering a question. Luckily he seemed to be avoiding her as well.

Now, though – the memory of just before she left Lockhart's office seemed a little clearer, and she remembered a circulet … a small open – ended diadem encrusted with diamonds. She knew she knew that piece of jewelry, but the memory of why she should know it was definitely gone. She knew it was important, though she couldn't have said why.

She'd finally noticed the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw and realized that it had a similar circulet on her head. Could it be the same one? It seemed impossible, but she wanted to help the Professors. She especially wanted to make up a bit for showing such distrust towards Professor Snape in her first year. So, she found herself outside of the Potion Master's office – and then being waved inside by the scowling man with Harry Potter sitting next to him at a table.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Peter Pettigrew paced back and forth in his cage. He'd become more and more alarmed as the year wore on. The Heir, of course could only be his old master, Voldemort. But where could he be? If only he'd realized in time last year that Quirrell was housing Voldemort – he could have tried to offer his sevices – escaped the increasingly boring existance as Ron's pet.

He'd escaped his cage a few times this year, wandering the corridors, sometimes in his human form, hoping to find a clue as to where Voldemort was. He'd been in Ron's pocket when Lucius had made his announcements. Peter hoped that with Dumbledore absent that the 'Heir' would make himself known.

Pettigrew opened the cage door and scurried out of the dorm, heading for the dungeons – Slytherin would be a good place to start looking.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Severus hastily summoned Lucius after hearing Hermione's tale. Even the possibility of the diadem – an artifact of the founders and Voldemort's prefered type of Horcrux. Lucius listened to the girl.

"I've been trying to remember – I'm sure I remember seeing a circulet of diamonds, like Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. I can just remember a glimpse of it before leaving Professor Lockhart's office. If I had that diadem for awhile ..." Hermione's face flushed, but she continued. "... that would explain how I had gotten so good at my studies for a time."

Lucius and Severus glanced at each other and then nodded at Hermione. "We appreciate your candor, Miss Granger. We intend to confront Professor Lockhart about several things this evening. You might wish to retire to your dorms ..." Severus answered. Harry was sent to escort her to his dismay. They wanted to plan without him hearing he was sure. Severus would eventually tell him – he always kept him 'in the loop', but sometimes Harry had to be patient.

Hermione nodded and escaped with Harry quickly. She'd been afraid they would be very angry – perhaps feel she'd done something 'stupid and ill-thought out' again. It was depressing to wonder if she had done something wrong – and just didn't remember it.

Tom was summoned with a patronus and they updated him. Tom shook his head – Lockhart was likely taken over by a horcrux, then.

Lucius and Severus prepared to confront Lockhart. They sent Tom to warn Minerva, Filius and Sprout, to tell them to get all their students to their dorms – but quietly. Severus called Marcus Flint to his office, telling him to gather the Slytherin prefects and quietly get the Slytherin students into the dorm. Flint eyed his Head of House, knowing something was up, but was cunning enough to know now was not the time to question Severus.

The pair gave Tom and the other teachers and the prefects an hour to round up as many students as possible and headed to Lockhart's office.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Harry and Hermione were on the way to the Ravenclaw dorm to find chaos in the great hall. Ron was red-faced and shouting at an angrily gesturing Pavarti.

"Your cat has been after poor Scabbers for weeks!" Ron howled. "And now he's gone."

Pavarti clutched her small, but notoriously nosey Burmese to her chest. "Your rat runs off all the time … you're always looking for him … my cat had nothing to do with it."

Hermione sighed. "Did the cat have blood on him?" Pavarti shook her head adamantly. "Then it's unlikely he killed a big rat like Scabbers – and not get blood on him."

Pavarti triumphantly turned on her heel and went with her sister Padma to the Ravenclaw Tower – dragging Hermione with her with one arm, telling her she was so smart – telling off the red-haired oaf for her.

Dudley grimaced, "We can help you look for him, if you like." He offered a bit reluctantly. Some of the bored Gryffindor boys agreed, suggesting they make a contest of who could cover the most territory. Ron shrugged – as long as they found Scabbers.

Harry rolled his eyes, but said he would search with them for a time and found that somehow Ginny had volunteered as well and was going to look with him. They roamed the halls, peering up and down hallways. Ginny kept up a bright dialog about the school Quidditch games, which Harry didn't mind, as it meant that he didn't have to talk.

They got to the second floor and Harry frowned. His dad – and Mr Malfoy had warned Harry, Draco and Dudley to steer clear of the area where Justin had been attacked. Still, they were just looking for the rat, and then they'd be gone. Harry went up one end of the hall to check some classrooms, Ginny went down the other to check the bathroom and a couple storerooms.

Ginny was looking in the last lavatory stalls and talking to the whiny girl ghost that resided there when she heard running footsteps. She came out and was startle at who ran in.

"Professor Lockhart?" She said in surprise.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Lucius and Severus arrived to the DADA classroom and entered with a flourish. Lockhart looked up in surprise, but the pair noted he managed to get his wand out and was holding it nochalantly at his side.

Lockhart attempted to smile in Lockhart's trademark manner – a self-satisfied grin with every perfect tooth showing. The Horcrux had been practicing under Lockhart's relentless badgering and he felt he almost had it down.

"Lockhart, I'm afraid it has come to our attention that you obliviated a student – Miss Granger in fact." Lucius said this in a pleasant, almost friendly tone. He and Severus split, working on getting Lockhart between them. Severus had his wand out and by his right side, away from Lockhart, but was working on casting spells to find the horcrux.

He found the center of the oozing dark magic located on Lockhart's upper arm. Severus frowned. Lockhart must have shrunk the circulet to arm band size, then.

Lockhart was protesting his innocence, his voice getting an edge to it. The Horcrux mentally reviewed several useful curses to use on the pair. He would have to be quick, he suspected they'd fought side by side before and knew how to take down a superior opponent. Lockhart's voice whined in the background, objecting to the likely scorch marks, rips and general untidiness the spells would cause.

"And of course, we want Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem that you have on your right upper arm." Severus sneered, no longer seeing the need for politeness and letting Lucius know where the horcrux was.

Lucius drew his wand at the same time as the Horcrux dropped his Lockhart persona and started firing off spells. Severus and Lucius tried to flank him, but the desks and bookcases made it difficult. The horcrux then ducked behind the stone stair leading to Lockhart's private rooms.

The Horcrux screamed angrily. These two were not going to be easy to take down. If he wounded one badly enough, though – the other wouldn't desert him. He knew they were close friends. He sneered – it would be their downfall. He cast a strong block at Severus, enough to knock him back into a wall.

The horcrux burst out from behind the stair with a barrage of easily deflected diffindo's and then sent a highly powered sabre-slicing curse that the block Lucius had up couldn't defend against.

Lucius went down with a spray of blood bursting from a long gash in his chest that went very deep. The horcrux sprinted by him, making for the door. Severus ran to Lucius' side, but sent a bolo hex that wound several ropes around Lockhart's legs. The horcrux waved the ropes away as quickly as he could, wincing at Lockhart's screams that his hair was smoldering.

Severus feverishly tried to close the spurting wound, pulling vials of dittany tincture out to pour into it. But he couldn't save Lucius' life and keep Lockhart secure. He cursed as the Horcrux bolted out the door. As soon as the bleeding stopped he threw floo powder into the nearby fireplace, yelling out the codes that would allow outside firecalls.

"Hugo Savage!" Severus yelled. Hugo's face appeared and Severus desperately told what had happened. Hugo and Albus hurried through the floo, assisting Severus in casting healing spells as quickly as they could. They hauled Lucius to his feet and headed toward the front doors of the castle.

Lucius and Severus followed the other two. Severus supported Lucius under one arm and handed over blood replenishers and healing potions, as well as a pain potion or two for Lucius to down as he attempted to run – or at least walk fast.

Hugo and Albus stood at the doors and cast spells, checking for Lockhart on the grounds … nothing. Severus and the still pained looking Lucius caught up with them.

"No one has crossed the gates." Lucius panted, reporting what he could sense through the ward he still held.

Albus and Hugo looked at each other in dread.

"He's made a run for the Chamber, then." Severus said flatly, refusing to show how frightening the thought was. A castle full of children and a basilisk that could be turned loose.

They headed to the second floor more slowly, wondering what action would be best. They dropped an exhausted Lucius at the base of the stairs to the Headmaster's office.

"If I don't have a Patronus from one of you within an hour, I will summon Madame Bones." Lucius said in dread. Albus nodded in reluctant agreement.

They were almost to the second floor corridor when they met a disgruntled Marcus Flint and Oliver Wood.

"Ron's rat ran off – a bunch of kids were looking for it. Found all of them but Potter and Ginny Weasley." Wood said briefly, hoping they didn't blame him. "Tom Riddle went to find them, but he hasn't come back."

"Had to bind Malfoy to a chair to keep him from running after Potter and Riddle." Flint grumbled. "Acting like a damn Gryffindor." He sneered, earning an elbowing from Wood that made him laugh.

The three hurried up the corridor to the bathroom followed by the two prefects, and came to a stop in front of the entrance. A message was written in lurid red. "Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever ..."

"Bugger ..." Flint said faintly. Wood nodded in agreement. Snape hadn't the heart to take points for language.

Albus drew himself up. "Mr Wood – go tell Professor McGonagall what we have found and that she is to go to the Headmaster's office to assist Headmaster Malfoy." Wood goggled a bit, then took off at a run.

"Mr. Flint, go to the Headmaster's office and update Lucius on this event – tell him we are entering the chamber … we expect Mr Riddle and Potter are already there." Albus ordered.

Flint swallowed another, "Bugger." Thinking of one of his prize chasers in the Chamber, and also took off at a run.

The three went to the already opened entrance, peering into the darkness.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

The Horcrux stupefied Ginny with a grin – perfect, he needed a sacrifice of magic – and life to complete the transfer from the diadem to Lockhart's body. She was even a pureblood – making her even more acceptable. The young looking girl ghost yelled at him, but then screamed in terror when he hissed at the entrance to open and she fled in horror.

He leaped down the opening, ignoring Lockhart's howl of anguish at the state of their robes at the bottom. He then pulled Ginny's hovering, weightless body behind him and dropped her in front of the statue of Salazar. He took off the diadem – turned into an armband - from Lockhart's arm, resized it and placed it on her chest, arranging her hands so they were touching it.

He backed away from her, although with the diadem off Lockhart, it was harder to maintain control of the body. He started the incantation, feeling better once the process was started. The girl's life and magic slowly seeped into to diadem and through it – into Lockhart's body along with the soul of Voldemort. Instead of mere possesion, the body was truly becoming his. He would soon be able to squelch that idiot Lockhart for good.

Lockhart's whiney voice stopped, but he could feel the man's sudden alarm. Lockhart finally realized this wasn't going to be temporary.

The Horcrux was sure he'd be followed and summoned the basilisk, ensuring it would listen to no one else and had it lie in wait at the bottom of the pool of water.

He was half-way through draining the girl when had heard pounding footsteps. He looked up in alarm, half-expecting Snape or perhaps McGonagall. He relaxed – it was Potter and … hmm, his own Heir, Tom Riddle.

"Stop!" Tom yelled, staring at the Diadem in dread. How could he reclaim the piece of soul if it was already leaving, and hadn't been cleansed? He glanced at Harry - he had found Harry standing outside the girls lavatory, staring at the open entrance to the Chamber. Harry had insisted on coming with him, saying that he could always 'go for help' – trying to convince Tom that he would actually do that if danger occurred.

Tom hoped the basilisk would still obey him if it appeared. The Horcrux grinned at the pair. "Well, well, well. Come to play hero, have you? Won't do any good – the process is nearly complete. She'll be dead and I'll be reborn and soon I'll be invincible."

"Not invincible – as I recall you've always feared Albus Dumbledore … and well you should." Tom sneered.

The Horcrux scowled in anger and yelled for the basilisk. It erupted out of the pool and Tom yelled for Harry to run. Harry turned to make for the tunnels, and the basilisk lunged at them. Fawked burst into being in a cloud of flames right between them. The basilisk halted and tried to pin the bird with it's gaze, but it was too late. Fawkes tore at the basilisk's eyes, ripping them out with his razor-sharp claws and then left in another blaze of flame.

Harry got to the entrance to the tunnels and stopped, turning to watch. He wouldn't desert Tom unless forced to do so. Tom backed away from the pool of water and the basilisk – but it's worst weapon was now gone. It might be killed now – he glanced at Ginny and the infuriated Horcrux.

"The damn bird might have blinded it – but unlike non-magical snakes – it can truly hear you." The Horcrux sneered.

Fawkes reappeared and dropped the sorting hat into Tom's hands and Tom looked at it in aggravation. Why couldn't the bird have brought Dumbledore with it? Tom unrolled the hat and glared at it while the Horcrux laughed uproarishly. The basilisk was testing the air with it's tongue, trying to scent him.

Harry backed a little further into the tunnel, accidently kicking a stone. The basilisk turned abruptly and started toward Harry. Tom yelled "Stop!" and heaved a rock at the beast's head to divert it, refusing to allow it to go after his younger brother.

The Hat in his hand chuckled and said "Well done, young wizard." and a sword dropped out of the hat, onto his foot. Tom grabbed the sword and dodged a strike by the snake. He shoved the hat in his pocket and glanced at the sword – it wasn't a big sword, but it was heavy with magic and spells. He glared at the snake, feeling a bit desperate. The snake struck again, and Tom swiped down the the nose, hard.

"The inside of the mouth is the vulnerable area – you can reach the brain or spine from there." Yvane said quickly.

The cut on the nose was painful, though not much damage was done. The snake roared angrily, anyway and struck again. Tom kept dancing away and cutting at the snake. Finally the snake had him cornered by the pool and came at him, mouth wide and Tom took his chance - thrusting the sword up inside the basilisk's mouth, through the upper palate and into the brain.

He dragged his arm back out with a yell of anger, glaring at the offending fang sticking out of his right arm and yanking it out. He knew how dreadful basilisk venom was. He backed around the snake, watching it's death with bitter satisfaction. Tom staggered over to drop to his knees at Ginny's side, hearing Harry running up yelling his name.

Tom dropped the fang on the stone floor, along with the sword, knowing the victory for the empty one it was.

"You've lost me my weapon – I could have turned the beast loose in the school – kept Dumbledore and the Aurors busy for quite some time." The Horcrux said angrily. "But … no matter, no matter – in a few seconds it will be a moot point – I'll have this new body and be on my way … and you'll be dead." The Horcux glared at Tom. He'd hoped to have a chance to turn him, he'd watched him battle the snake with a bit of pride. But now the young wizard would die … too bad, really, he supposed.

Fawkes appeared again, and Tom nearly swatted it in aggravation. But the bird just cocked it's head with an amused look, and cried several tears into the wound. Tom watched, in awe as the wound closed and he felt the venom leave. Phoenixes have healing powers – he'd almost forgotten that.

He collapsed down onto the stone, healed but still very weak from the short time with the venom coursing through his veins.

The much relieved Harry turned toward the Horcrux. "You nearly killed my brother!" Harry shouted. "You should not have done any of this." Harry narrowed his eyes menacingly, grabbing up the fang and snatching the diadem from Ginny's hands. He'd listened carefully when Lucius, Tom and Severus had discussed the Horcruxes. Severus had wanted him to know how the could be destroyed. Basilisk venom, as he recalled, was one way.

"What are you doing?" The Horcrux asked in alarm.

Harry looked at Tom apologetically, but Tom nodded in agreement – immediately seeing Harry's intent. "Do it." Tom whispered.

Harry brought the fang down hard into an area of softer white gold. It gave way – basilisk fangs being very sharp and hard. The Horcrux screamed – and so did Tom.

Lockhart took his chance then as well. Once he realized the Horcrux intended to be rid of him – not use and discard him, he'd waited for this. Lockhart knew mind magics if he knew nothing else. Memory charms might be his specialty, but he'd studied the others. His teacher had said in exasperation that he could have been a gifted Occlumens or Legillimans if only he could concentate on something other that color schemes and hair gel.

Well, the possibility of getting killed now had his undivided attention. The moment Harry struck he did as well. He shoved with every bit of his mediocre magic while the Horcrux was screaming in pain, pushing the Horcrux out of his body. Lockhart then collapsed on the stone.

The shade hovered in a black mass, wounded and uncertain. Harry struck again and then again, determined that the soul piece would be defeated. A hollow, unearthly scream came from the black vapor and it seemed to collapse in on itself and slowly dissipate, leaving an echoing silence with only Tom's nearly silent weeping.

Severus, Albus and Hugo ran in to find the victors holding each other in grief and Ginny looking around in confusion.

Lockhart, though was smiling where he lay, saying: "I did it!" in triumph before going unconscious.

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