The next day, Harry, Matthew,  and Ron visit Hermione in the Hospital Wing again; Harry takes the old dried-up flowers out of the vase next to Hermione's bed, puts in some new white flowers, then sits on the bed.

Harry: Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you. Now more than ever.

Hermione just lays there with her glossy facial expression as Ron sighs sadly. Matthew looks sad. Harry rubs Hermione's left hand; feeling something in it, he looks down and removes his hand to discover a crumpled-up piece of paper, a library book page, which he carefully removes and straightens out.

Ron: [glancing at the page] What's that?

Harry: [examining the page] Ron, Matt, this is why Hermione was in the library the day she was attacked.

Harry glances at the page and then back at Ron and Matthew as he gets up.

Harry: Come on!

Matthew looks at the petrified Pansy as he uses his magic to make flowers appear in her vase. Matthew followed Harry and Ron.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk through the corridor as Harry reads from the page.

Harry: "Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it..." [looking up at Ron and Matthew] Ron, Matt, this is it. The monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk. That's why I can hear it speak. It's a snake.

Ron: [processing the information they just read] But if it kills by looking people in the eye, why is it no one's dead?

Matthew: Maybe its power was a dud.

Harry: [thinking for a few seconds then looking at the window] Because no one did look it in the eye. Not directly, at least.

They walk along as they go over how each of the victims was petrified.

Harry: Colin saw it through his camera. Justin... Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick. Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost. He couldn't die again. And Hermione... had the mirror. I bet you anything she was using it to look around corners in case it came along.

Ron: And Mrs. Norris? I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror, Harry.

Harry: [thinking about how Mrs. Norris got petrified, then remembering] The water... There was water on the floor that night. She only saw the Basilisk's reflection.

Ron and Matthew nod; Harry takes another look at the page, then walks to a nearby torch to more easily read the page, running his finger along it as he reads.

Harry: "Spiders flee before it." It all fits.

Ron: But how's the Basilisk been getting around? A dirty great snake, someone would've seen it.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron glance at the bottom of the page where the word "Pipes" is written.

Harry: Hermione answered that, too.

Ron: Pipes? It's using the plumbing!

Matthew: Remember what Aragog said about that girl fifty years ago, she died in a bathroom. What if she never left?

Ron: Moaning Myrtle.

Professor McGonagall: [on the speakers] All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. [Ron glances at Harry and Matthew in surprise, wondering what could be going on now] All teachers to the second-floor corridor immediately.

Professor McGonagall: As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk into the corridor behind them.

Professor McGonagall: Our worst fear has been realized, a student has been taken by the monster, into the Chamber itself.

She sadly looks at the others.

Professor McGonagall: The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts.

Lockhart: [happily walking up to the group] So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed? [grins at Snape and McGonagall]

Snape: A girl has been snatched by the monster,

Lockhart. Your moment has come at last.

Lockhart: [slightly stunned] My... moment?

Snape: Weren't you saying just last night you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?

Lockhart looks bewildered.

Professor McGonagall: That's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legendary.

Lockhart: Very well. I'll just be in my office, getting, uh... getting ready.

Lockhart turns and walks away; Filch watches him, then glances at Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.

Madam Pomfrey: Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?

Professor McGonagall: [glances at her] Ginny Weasley.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron straighten up in shock; Ron quavers slightly.

Ron reads the message with dread in his voice.

Ron: "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

Harry and Matthew look at Ron as he's becoming all the more devastated by his sister's abduction.

Ron: Ginny...

The trio races into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and up the stairs to Lockhart’s office.

Harry: Lockhart may be useless, but he’s going to try to get into the Chamber. At least we can tell him what we know!

Harry opens the door to the office and steps inside.

Harry: Professor, we have some information for you.

Lockhart stuffs some clothes into his trunk, which he closes as he turns toward them; Ron and Matthew scowl at him.

Harry: Are you going somewhere?

Lockhart: Um... well, yes. Urgent call. Unavoidable. Uh, got to go.

Ron: [outraged] What about my sister?!

Lockhart: Uh, well, um... As to that, most unfortunate. No one regrets more than I do.

Matthew: [in disbelief] You’re the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You can’t go now!

Lockhart: [as he stuffs his things in his handbag then moves around his desk] Well, I must say, when I took the job, there was nothing in the job description about--.

Harry: [blocking his path] You're running away? After all that stuff you did in your books?!

Lockhart: Books can be misleading.

Harry: You wrote them!

Lockhart: [placing his bag on his desk] My dear boy, do use your common sense! My books wouldn't have sold half as well if people didn't think I'd done all those things!

Matthew: [staring at Lockhart] Of course. We should've known. You're a fraud. You've just been taking credit for what other wizards have done!

Ron: [as Lockhart directs his attention to him] Is there anything you can do?

Lockhart: Yes. Now you mention it. I'm rather gifted with memory charms. Otherwise, you see, all those wizards would've gone blabbing, and I'd never have sold another book.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron look at each other as Lockhart walks toward his suitcase.

Lockhart: In fact, uh...

Ron nods at Harry and Matthew, and they both reach into their robes to pull out their wands.

Lockhart: I'm uh... going to have to do the same to you.

Lockhart collects his wand from the suitcase, but Harry, Matthew, and Ron already have their wands pointed at him.

Harry: Don't even think about it.

Harry points downward, gesturing for Lockhart to drop his wand; Lockhart reluctantly does so.

In her bathroom, Moaning Myrtle is floating around crying as Harry, Matthew, Ron, and Lockhart enter.

Myrtle: Oh? Who's there? [seeing Harry, she smiles warmly at him] Oh, hello, Harry. What do you want?

Matthew: It might sound insensitive... But we came-

Harry: -To ask you how you died.

Myrtle: [smiles slightly] Oh... [her smile fades] ...it was dreadful. It happened right here in this very cubicle. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. I was crying, and then... I heard somebody come in.

Harry: Who was it, Myrtle?

Myrtle: [choked up] I don't know. I was distraught! [floats towards the four] But they said something funny, a kind of made-up language, and I realized it was a boy speaking, so I unlocked the door to tell him to go away, and... I died.

Harry: Just like that? How?

Myrtle: I just remember seeing a pair of great big yellow eyes, over there, by that sink.

Myrtle points at the circle of sinks in the center of the bathroom.

As Myrtle floats off to the stalls, Harry steps forward to examine the sinks. Reaching up to the circular stone above the sinks, he moves his hand downward to the sink in front of him; he turns the tap, but no water comes out. At that second, something else catches his eye; looking more closely at the top, he sees a snake carved on it.

Harry: This is it. [taking a step back] This is it, guys. I think this is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

Lockhart glances at the sink in surprise.

Ron: Say something. Harry, say something in Parseltongue.

Matthew: It might respond to it.

Harry: [after a few seconds] Hesha- Hassah. (Open up.)

The circular stone above the sinks rises, and then all the sinks begin to move outwards. Harry, Matthew, Ron, and Lockhart back away slowly as the sinks move; the sink with the snake carved on its tap descends onto the floor, then a grating slides over it. Lockhart steps towards the opening that the sinks concealed and looks down into a very wide black hole.

Lockhart: [inhales then turns to Harry with a grin] Excellent, Harry. Ah, good work. Well, then, I'll just be, uh... there's no need for me to stay.

Matthew: Nope, you're staying with us.

Lockhart tries to run, but Harry, Matthew, and Ron grab hold of him. With all their might, they push Lockhart backward toward the passage before drawing their wands.

Matthew: You first.

Lockhart: Now, boys, what good will it do?

Ron: Better you than us.

Lockhart: Um, but... obviously, yes.

He nervously turns around and grips the sinks as he looks down into the passage before glancing over his shoulder at the boys again.

Lockhart: Sure you don't want to test it first?

Annoyed, Ron pokes Lockhart with his wand, sending him into the passage, screaming as he disappears into the darkness; a second later, a crash is heard as Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk up to the opening.

Lockhart: It's really quite filthy down here.

Harry: All right. [turns to Ron and Matthew] Let's go.

Ron and Matthew nod in agreement.

Myrtle: Oh, Harry?

The three boys look up at her.

Myrtle: If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet.

She giggles; making Ron and Matthew uneasy.

Harry: Uh... thanks, Myrtle.

Harry smiles at her, then turns to the opening, and jumps into it; Ron and Matthew immediately jump in after him.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron scream as they go down a slide, which leads to a small pit filled with animal bones, most likely the Basilisk's feeding area, as Lockhart brushes the dirt off his robes when the boys land. They immediately get to their feet and point their wands at him.

Ron: [glancing at the muck around them] Ugh.

Matthew: Gross.

Harry: [stepping on the bones] Now, remember: any sign of movement, close your eyes straight away. [he turns and goes into the passageway behind him]

Ron: Go on.

Lockhart reluctantly follows Harry into the passage with Ron and Matthew right behind him.

Harry: [coming to another passageway to the right, he beckons Matthew, Ron, and Lockhart to follow him] This way.

The four walk into a cavern-like room with a massive and lengthy snakeskin on the floor. Harry walks along the snakeskin.

Matthew: Whoa.

Ron: What's this?

Lockhart: [feeling nervous] It looks like a... snake.

Harry: [as he examines it] It's a snakeskin.

Ron: Bloody hell. Whatever shed this must be sixty feet long. Or more.

Matthew: Probably not to think about its size in this matter.

Lockhart faints, most likely from fear.

Ron sarcastically as Harry turns his attention to Lockhart.

Ron Heart of a Lion, this one.

Lockhart suddenly grabbed Ron's wand and got to his feet while breathing with a wicked smile on his face and pointing the wand at Harry or Matthew.

Lockhart: The adventure ends here, boys. But don't fret. The world will know our story. How I was too late to save the girl, [points the wand at Ron]

Then, Lockhart points the wand at Matthew.

Lockhart: how you three tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body. So... [points the wand at Harry again] ...you first, Mr. Potter. Say goodbye to your memories. [waves the wand wildly as he shouts] Obliviate!

The wand emits a green light, causing Lockhart to fly backward, slamming into the wall, then fall to the floor.

A couple of seconds later, a rumbling begins, and then rocks begin to fall from the ceiling; Harry and Matthew take cover as huge rocks go flying over him while Ron backs up against the wall as the rocks form a massive pile.

Ron coughs from the dust produced by the rocks.

Ron: Harry!

Harry pulls his robe free from one of the rocks.

Ron: Matt!

Matthew: We're coming!

Harry and Matthew run to an opening in the big pile of rocks separating him from Ron.

Harry: Ron! Ron, are you okay?

Ron: I'm fine!

Lockhart: [groans and sits up] Hello. Who are you?

Ron: Um... Ron Weasley.

Lockhart: Really? And, uh... who... who am I?

Ron realizes Lockhart has erased his memory by accident, he turns toward Harry and Matthew again.

Ron: Lockhart's memory charm backfired! He hasn't got a clue who he is!

Lockhart: [picks up a small rock as Harry and Matthew watch through the opening] It's an odd sort of place this is, isn't it? [tosses the rock in his hand then glances at Ron] Do you live here?

Ron: [taking the rock from Lockhart] No.

Lockhart: Really?

Ron smacks Lockhart on the back of the head with the rock, knocking him out; Harry winks slightly.

Ron: [glancing at Harry and Matthew through the opening again] What do I do now?

Harry: You wait here, and try and shift some of this rock so we can get back through. We'll go on and find Ginny.

Ron: Okay.

As Harry and Matthew turn and climb down from the pile of rocks, they turn and climb down from the pile of rocks, they draw out their wands as he steps onto the floor again and walks forward. Up ahead, they see a circular door with seven snake-shaped locks on it and steps towards it.

Harry: Hesha- Hassah. (Open.)

An eighth snake slithers out from the door's mechanical hinge, and slithers along the door's edge, causing the other seven snakes to retract one by one. As the snake slithers back into the hinge, the door slowly opens. Harry and Matthew step forward; on the other side is the Chamber of Secrets. Harry and Matthew cautiously step through the door, into the Chamber, towards the ladder in the doorway.

As the door slowly closes behind them, Harry and Matthew climb down the ladder and walk down the corridor.

Matthew: [sees someone lying on the floor] Harry, there she is!

They quickly go forward, to see Ginny in the ground.

She is clutching Tom Riddle's diary.

Harry: Ginny. [drops his wand and gets on his knees] Ginny. No, Ginny. Please don’t be dead. Wake up. Wake up! Please wake up.

Matthew: [kneeling next to Harry] Is she breathing?

Harry: I don't... I don't know, Matthew.

Suddenly, Tom Riddle walks out of a nearby doorway.

Riddle: She won’t wake.

Harry and Matthew recognize his voice and turn toward him. Riddle walks to them.

Harry: Tom? Tom Riddle? What do you mean she won’t wake? She’s not...?

Riddle: She’s still alive, but only just.

Harry: Are you a ghost?

Riddle: A memory, preserved in a diary for fifty years.

Matthew: [reaches out and touches Ginny] She's as cold as ice. Ginny, please don't be dead. Wake up. Harry, we got to get her out of here, now.

While Harry and Matthew not looking, Riddle bends down and picks up Harry's wand from where he left it.

Harry: You've got to help us, Tom. There's a Basilisk.

Riddle: It won't come until it's called.

Harry: [looks up to see Riddle holding his wand and stands up] Give me my wand, Tom.

Riddle: You won't be needing it.

Harry: Listen, we've got to go. We've got to save her!

Riddle: I'm afraid I can't do that, Harry. You see, as poor Ginny grows weaker, I grow stronger.

Harry and Matthew look at him, confused.

Riddle: Yes, Harry. It was Ginny Weasley who opened the Chamber of Secrets.

Ginny is shown standing in front of the sink in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom as it opens.

Harry: No. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

Riddle: It was Ginny who set the Basilisk on the Mudbloods and Filch's cat, Ginny who wrote the threatening messages on the walls.

Ginny is shown using her blood-covered fingers to write on the wall.

Harry: But why?

Matthew: Because he told her to.

Riddle: Very good, Matthew. You'll find I can be very persuasive. Not that she knew what she was doing. She was, shall we say, in a kind of trance.

Ginny is shown running into a stall and throwing the diary into the toilet.

Riddle: Still, the power of the diary began to scare her. And she tried to dispose of it in the girls' bathroom. And then, who should find it but you? The very person I was most anxious to meet.

Harry: [stands in front of the Slytherin statue] And why did you want to meet me?

Riddle: I knew I had to talk to you, meet you if I could. So I decided to show you my capture of that brainless oaf Hagrid to gain your trust.

Harry: Hagrid's our friend! And you framed him, didn't you?

Riddle: It was my word against Hagrid's. Only Dumbledore seemed to think he was innocent.

Harry: [smirks at him] I'll bet Dumbledore saw right through you.

Riddle: He certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after that. [walks around Harry and Matthew as he speaks] I knew it wouldn't be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school, so I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, I would be able to lead another, to finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work.

Matthew: Well, you haven't finished it this time. In a few hours, the Mandrake draught will be ready. And everyone who was Petrified will be all right again.

Riddle: [smiles maliciously] Haven't I told you? Killing Mudbloods doesn't matter to me anymore. For many months now, my new target has been you.

Harry and Matthew look at him in surprise.

Riddle: 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 [pushes Harry's hair aside with his wand to see his scar] with nothing but a scar while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?

Matthew: Why do you care how Harry escaped? Voldemort was after your time. Unless...

Riddle: Yes...

Matthew: [slowly realizes] Oh no...

Riddle: [smiles wickedly] Voldemort is... my past, present, and future.

Riddle turns toward the statue and uses Harry's wand to write his full name in flaming letters; after writing the "E", he flicks the wand, and the letters rearrange themselves to say "I AM LORD VOLDEMORT

The letters fade and Riddle turns to face him.

Harry: You. You're the Heir of Slytherin.

Riddle stares evilly at Harry and Matthew.

Harry: You're Voldemort.

Riddle: Surely, you didn't think I was going to keep my filthy Muggle father's name? No. I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!

Harry: Albus Dumbledore and Balthazar Blake are the greatest sorcerers in the world!

Matthew: And you'll never be as powerful as them!

Riddle: Balthazar and Dumbledore have been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!

Matthew: They'll never be gone! Not as long as those who remain are loyal to them!

Harry, Matthew, and Riddle glare at each other; a musical sound is heard nearby; Harry, Matthew, and Riddle look down the corridor to see Fawkes flying towards them, carrying something.

Harry: Fawkes?

Matthew: Whoa. A phoenix.

Fawkes drops a bundled-up object into Harry's hands as he flies over and around them, then back down the corridor; Harry unrolls the object, which turns out to be the Sorting Hat.

Riddle: So this is what Dumbledore sends his great defender: A songbird and an old hat.

Riddle backs away from Harry and Matthew as he continues examining the Sorting Hat, then walks toward the Slytherin statue and extends his left hand.

Riddle: Shearhas- Samnathas- Sélithaeine.(Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four.)

Behind him, Harry and Matthew look up and turn towards the statue.

Harry and Matthew turn to face the statue of Salazar Slytherin as a rumbling begins; Riddle turns around to face them as the statue's mouth starts to open.

Riddle: Let's match the power of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against the famous Harry Potter and his Muggle-born friend.

Harry gulps and turns toward the statue again as he hears an ominous snarling that appears to be coming from inside the statue and hyperventilates; Riddle turns to face the statue's mouth as the Basilisk shrieks "Hungry!" from within the statue. The stone slab concealing the statue's mouth stops descending; a split second afterward, the Basilisk emerges from the darkness and starts to come into the light, growling menacingly.

Harry throws the Sorting Hat onto the floor in front of Ginny and he and Matthew race back towards the door to the Chamber as the Basilisk's head comes out of the statue's mouth and its snake-like body lowers into the surrounding water; Riddle, immune to the Basilisk's lethal gaze, watches the creature.

Riddle: Sethae- He- This! (Kill them!)

Riddle turns his attention to the fleeing Harry and Matthew as the Basilisk's body curves to its right behind it

Riddle: Parseltongue won't save you now, Potter. It only obeys me!

The Basilisk's tail drops into the water behind him.  The Basilisk slithers after Harry with a ferocious growl. Harry and Matthew race down the corridor as fast as they can while the Basilisk is in hot pursuit; unfortunately, Harry loses his footing on the slippery floor and trips and Matthew helps him up, allowing the Basilisk to catch up with them.

His glasses clatter to the floor in front of him; he immediately puts them back on before realizing the Basilisk is right above them and Matthew aimed his wand at the beast.

Matthew: Lumos Maxima!

It shines a bright light that the creature hisses in eye irritation, blinding at the moment. Just as the Basilisk is about to attack Harry and Matthew, Fawkes emits his cry, getting their attention. Fawkes swoops down, going directly for the Basilisk, and attacks the colossal snake, pecking at it, with Harry and Matthew observing their fight by watching their shadows on the wall.

Riddle: NO! Your bird may have blinded the Basilisk, but it can still hear you.

Harry and Matthew turn around to see that the Basilisk's yellow eyes are bloody. The Basilisk thrashes around furiously as Fawkes flies off; Harry gets to his feet, and he and Matthew step backward, stepping into something slimy, causing a splattering sound; they look down to see what Harry stepped in. At the same time, the Basilisk stops thrashing about and blindly glares at Harry and Matthew, who look up again and make a run for a passageway to the right. The Basilisk lunges at Harry and Matthew, nearly getting them.

Harry and Matthew, breathing heavily, run as fast as they can, into a tunnel just to their left as the Basilisk lunges at them again, smashing through a stalactite. Harry and Matthew run through the tunnel, looking back to see if the Basilisk is still behind them; they turn left into an alcove, only to find their path blocked by a grate.

They struggle to move it but turn around upon hearing the Basilisk coming into the tunnel. They step back against the grate, as the Basilisk comes to their positions.

The Basilisk hisses at them and approaches them with its mouth open. Matthew picks up a rock at his feet and throws it; the sound of the rock distracts the Basilisk, who slithers off into another passageway. Harry and Matthew race back into the Chamber where Riddle and Ginny are.

Riddle: Yes, Potter. The process is nearly complete. [Harry puts his hand on Ginny's hand again] In a few minutes, Ginny Weasley will be dead, and I will cease to be a memory. [Harry looks up at him] Lord Voldemort will return... very... much... alive.

Harry: [glancing at Ginny again] Ginny...

Matthew: Come, wake up, we'll get you out of this.

The Basilisk bursts out of the water surrounding the Slytherin statue and thrashes about;

Harry turns toward the Sorting Hat, where a sword magically appears.

Harry, without hesitation, grabs the sword and holds it up defensively as the Basilisk slithers toward him.

Harry races for the statue and begins to climb it; the Basilisk blindly follows Harry's movements, using its tongue to track his location, and lifts its body off the floor.

Matthew: Harry!

Matthew runs up to the Basilisk. Matthew used his fireball spell. It heads towards the creature and hits it, causing it to screech a bit in pain.

The Basilisk uses its tongue again to find Harry's current position directly in front of it; Harry swings the sword at the Basilisk; it lunges directly at him, he dodges, and it smashes right into the statue. Harry climbs higher as the Basilisk lunges at him again, missing again; Harry climbs onto the top of the statue's head, and the Basilisk lunges at Harry repeatedly as he swings the sword wildly at the creature. Eventually, the Basilisk sends Harry rolling down the side of the statue, causing him to lose the sword. Matthew caught the sword.

Matthew: Hey, over here!

The Basilisk lunges right at Matthew. Just in time, and rams it right through the Basilisk's upper jaw.

The Basilisk bellows in pain until Matthew pulls the sword out. Matthew screams in pain as one of the Basilisk's venomous fangs just fell into his arm; he pulls the fang out, unfortunately, the venom is already in his bloodstream.

The Basilisk thrashes around, roaring and bellowing in pain, collapsing under its weight, and falls backward to the floor, dead, splashing water everywhere; Riddle stares at the Basilisk's corpse in disbelief. Harry ran down to see his best friend lying there dying.

Riddle: Remarkable, isn't it? How quickly the venom of the Basilisk penetrates the body. I guess he'll have little more than a minute to live. You have time to say goodbye to your Mudblood friend, Harry.

Harry extends his left hand to Ginny's again and places his other on his best friend.

Riddle: Funny... the damage a silly little book can do... especially in the hands of a silly little girl.

Harry looks at the diary in Ginny's arm and carefully pulls it out, placing it on the floor between her and Matthew taking the Basilisk fang, and giving it to Harry.

Riddle: What are you two doing?

Harry picks up the Basilisk fang and holds it up while staring at Riddle, who immediately realizes what they are about to do.

Riddle: STOP. NO!

Harry stabs one of the diary's pages with the fang as Riddle steps forward to try and stop him; Riddle's body crumbles and gives a discharge of yellow light; ink starts to ooze from the diary, Riddle recoils and growls with rage; Harry pries the fang out.

Riddle attempts to attack, but Harry stabs the other page, crippling Riddle, and causing him to crumble further; Harry closes the diary and stabs the cover with the Basilisk fang; Riddle screams in agony and explodes into yellow particles; shortly after Riddle's demise, Ginny awakens, hyperventilating, and sits up.

Harry: Ginny.

Ginny: [turning to face him] Harry, it was me. But, I swear, I didn't mean to... Riddle made me. And...

Matthew: It wasn't your fault, Ginny, you were forced to do so, but now we are helping you fix that mistake.

Ginny: [notices Matthew's injury] Matthew... you're hurt.

Matthew: [covering his wound] Don't worry. Ginny, you need to get yourself out. Follow Harry through the Chamber, and you'll find Ron.

Harry and Ginny didn't want to leave him.

Harry: Matthew, come on, we're not leaving you.

Fawkes emits his song again; Harry, Matthew, and Ginny both look down the corridor to see him flying towards them; he swoops around the Basilisk's body, and lands in between them, then steps over to Matthew.

Matthew: You were brilliant, Fawkes. I just wasn't quick enough.

Fawkes emits a soft grunt, then lowers his head to Matthew's wound, and cries on it; the wound miraculously disappears; Ginny stares in amazement.

Matthew: No way.[lifting his healed arm]

Harry: Of course. Phoenix tears have healing powers.

Fawkes grunts affirmatively as Matthew glances at him.

Matthew: Thanks. [looks at Ginny] It's all right, Ginny. It's over. It's just a memory.

Fawkes then flies Lockhart, Ron, Harry, Matthew, and Ginny out of the Chamber of Secrets.

Lockhart: Amazing! This is just like magic!

Fawkes carries the four of them up towards the opening of a cave as the moon can be seen above them.

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

Professor Dumbledore: You both realize, of course, that in the past few hours, you have broken, perhaps, a dozen school rules.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron: Yes, sir.

Professor Dumbledore: And there is sufficient evidence to have you both expelled.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron: Yes, sir.

Professor Dumbledore: Therefore, it is only fitting... [Harry, Matthew, and Ron look up] that you both receive special awards for services to the school.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron look at each other with smiles, then back at Dumbledore again.

Ron: Thanks, sir.

Professor Dumbledore: [smiles at the boys, 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 Matthew as Ron leaves the room.

Professor Dumbledore:  Harry... Matthew... first, I want to thank you, both. You 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, Harry?

Harry: You see, sir. I couldn't help but notice certain things... certain... certain similarities between... Tom Riddle and me.

Professor Dumbledore: I see. Well, you can speak Parseltongue, Harry. Why? Because Lord Voldemort can speak Parseltongue. If I'm not mistaken, Harry, he transferred some of his powers to you the night he gave you that scar.

Harry: [amazed] Voldemort transferred some of his powers... to me?

Professor Dumbledore: Uh-huh. Not intentionally. But yes.

Harry: [as Dumbledore returns to his seat behind the desk] So, the Sorting Hat was right; I should be in Slytherin.

Professor Dumbledore: It's true, Harry. You possess many of the qualities that Voldemort himself prizes: Determination, resourcefulness, and if I may so, a certain disregard for the rules. Why then, did the Sorting Hat place you in Gryffindor?

Harry: [glancing at the Sorting Hat] Because I asked it to.

Professor Dumbledore: Exactly, Harry, exactly. Which makes you different from Voldemort. It is not our abilities that show what we truly are, it is our choices. If you want proof of why you belong in Gryffindor, then I suggest you look more closely [picks up the sword] at this. [Harry takes the sword by the blade with his left hand, and its hilt with his right] Be careful.

Harry examines the sword and sees the name "Godric Gryffindor" on the Basilisk venom-coated blade.

Harry: Godric Gryffindor.

Professor Dumbledore: Ah. It would take a true Gryffindor to pull that out of the hat.

Harry and Matthew look at Dumbledore. The door to the office opens, and Dumbledore glances past Harry and Matthew, who turn around; Lucius Malfoy steps into the office, and standing behind him is Dobby.

Harry: Dobby! So this is your master. The family you serve is the Malfoys.

Dobby: [nervously looking at Harry] Mm-hmm. [He fearfully glances up at Lucius]

Lucius: [through clenched teeth] I'll deal with you later.

Dobby cowers and whimpers; Lucius pulls out his walking stick and walks toward Dumbledore's desk, followed by Dobby; as he walks up the steps, he coldly uses the stick to push Harry and Matthew aside.

Lucius: Out of my way, boys. So... it's true. You have returned.

Professor Dumbledore: When the governors learned that Arthur Weasley's daughter was taken into the Chamber, they saw fit to summon me back.

Lucius: [angrily] Ridiculous!

Professor Dumbledore: Curiously, Lucius, several of them were under the impression that you would curse their families if they did not agree to suspend me in the first place.

Lucius: How dare you?!

Professor Dumbledore: I beg your pardon.

Lucius: My sole concern has always been, and will always be, the welfare of this school and, of course, its students. [He glances at Harry and Matthew, and then turns back to Dumbledore] The culprit has been identified, I presume.

Professor Dumbledore: Oh, yes.

Lucius: And? Who was it?

Professor Dumbledore: [pauses dramatically before answering] Voldemort.

Lucius: Ah.

Professor Dumbledore: Only this time he chose to act through somebody else using this. [He holds up Riddle's diary]

Lucius: I see.

Dobby: [pulls on Harry's sleeve] Mmm. [He looks straight at the diary] Mm-mmm. [He looks to Lucius]

Professor Dumbledore: Fortunately, our young Mr. Potter and Mr. Stutler discovered it. One hopes that no more of Voldemort's old-school things should find their way into innocent hands. The consequences for the one responsible would be... severe.

Lucius: [as he turns to face Harry and Matthew] Well... let us hope Mr. Potter and Mr. Stutler will always be around... to save the day...

Harry: Don't worry. We will be.

Lucius: [nods to Dumbledore] Dumbledore. Come, Dobby, we're leaving.

Lucius kicks Dobby down the stairs. As he gets back to his feet, he canes him with his walking stick before hurrying him out the door. Harry watches this sight with pity.

Harry: [turning to Dumbledore and placing the sword back on the desk] Sir... I would if I could have that. [indicating the diary]

Harry and Matthew catch up to Lucius right outside of Dumbledore's office.

Harry: Mr. Malfoy! Mr. Malfoy! [Lucius turns to face him] I have something of yours. [He hands him the diary]

Lucius: Mine? I don't know what you're talking about.

Matthew: We think you do, sir. We think you slipped the diary into Ginny Weasley's cauldron that day at Diagon Alley.

Lucius: You do, do you?

He passes the diary to Dobby as he leans into Harry.

Lucius: Why don't you... prove it?

Harry and Matthew say nothing.

Lucius: Come, Dobby. [He begins walking away again]

Harry: [whispers to Dobby] Open it.

Dobby opens up Riddle's diary, revealing a sock inside.

Lucius: Dobby!

Dobby: Master has given Dobby a sock.

Lucius: [stops and turns around] What? I didn't give you a...

Dobby: Master has presented Dobby with clothes. Dobby is free!

Harry lifts a trouser leg to reveal his bare ankle.

Lucius: [angrily] You lost me my SERVANT!

Lucius pulls his wand out of his walking stick and begins walking threateningly towards Harry and Matthew.

Dobby: [With His Hand Out] You shall not harm Harry Potter!

Lucius: Avada--.

Suddenly, a plasma bolt hits Lucius and sends him flying across the hallway. Harry looks at Matthew thought that he did it, but Matthew shakes his head.

They turn around and see Balthazar, who's the one who casts the spell.

Balthazar: Don't even think about, Malfoy.

Matthew: Balthazar.

Harry: Thank you, professor.

Lucius slowly gets up with his cane after being hit by the plasma bolt.

Lucius: Your parents were meddlesome fools too. [He points at Harry] You mark my words, Potter... one day soon you are going to meet the same sticky end! [leaves]

Dobby: Harry Potter freed Dobby! How can Dobby ever repay him?

Harry: Just promise me something.

Dobby: Anything, sir.

Harry: Never try to save my life again.

Dobby gazes up at Harry with an admiring smile.

Matthew: Well, glad that's over.

It is the end-of-year feast; Nearly Headless Nick, now revitalized, floats along the row between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables in the Great Hall.

Female Student: Welcome back, Sir Nicholas!

Nearly Headless Nick: Thank you.

Another Female Student: Good evening, Sir Nicholas.

Nearly Headless Nick: Good evening.

Male Student: Good to see you, Sir Nicholas.

Nearly Headless Nick: Thank you. [glancing at another pair of students] Hello.

He reaches the doors to the Great Hall, he passes Filch, who is just happy to have Mrs. Norris back, and Hermione walks in as he turns toward her.

Nearly Headless Nick: Hermione! Welcome back.

Hermione: Thanks, Sir Nicholas.

Nearly Headless Nick floats away as Hermione turns her attention to the Gryffindor table.

Neville glances at the Great Hall entrance and then looks at Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Ginny sitting across from him.

Neville: Harry, it's Hermione.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron turn to look at the doorway to see Hermione standing there and both greet her with beaming smiles as Ginny also turns to see her; Hermione, overjoyed to see her three best friends again, runs to them. They all get up to greet her; she runs right up to Harry and they embrace for a few seconds.

Then, Matthew hugged Hermione and lifted her in a brotherly hug-like manner, as he set her down. Hermione is just about to hug Ron as well before suddenly stepping back.
Ron briefly smiles at Hermione with what looks like a loving look on his face.

Ron: Uh, uh...

He chuckles and clears his throat before he and Hermione shake hands.

Ron: We-welcome back, Hermione.

Hermione: It's good to be back. Congratulations. I can't believe you solved it.

Harry: Well, we had loads of help from you.

Ron and Matthew smile and nod at Hermione as Harry glances at him.

Harry: We couldn't have done it without you.

Hermione: Thanks.

Matthew looks at Pansy coming through the entrance.

Matthew: Um, I'll be right back.

Matthew leaves the Gryffindor table and walks up to Pansy. Then, her friends, Tracey, Millicent, Astoria, and Daphne ran to her and hugged her.

Matthew: Good to see you moving again.

Pansy: [glares at Matthew]

Matthew: If you don't want me around, that's fine.

Astoria: You should thank him for solving it, Pansy.

Tracey: And brought you back to life.

Pansy: [smiles mischievously at Matthew] OK. Close your eyes and pucker up.

Matthew: [blushes] W-W-what?

Pansy: [smiles mischievously] You heard me.

Matthew: [blushing] Um, okay. [Slowly closes his eyes and puckers his lips]

Pansy smirks wickedly and gives Matthew a hardened slap.

Matthew: OW!

Pansy: As if.[walks away]

Astoria: Uh, it's her way of saying thank you.

Matthew: You think?[rubs the pain off his cheek]

Tracey: Thank you for the help, Stutler.

Matthew: No problem.

They smile as they leave to meet up with Pansy. Professor McGonagall taps her glass.

Professor McGonagall: Could I have your attention, please?

Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione immediately sit down.

Professor Dumbledore: [standing up] Before we begin the feast, let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout, Madame Pomfrey, whose Mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been Petrified.

Everyone except Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and a few Slytherins applaud them.

Professor Dumbledore: Also, in light of the recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been canceled.

Everyone except Hermione applauds

Hermione: [silently whispers] Oh, no.

Dumbledore sits down and smiles at Professor McGonagall. The doors to the Great Hall open, and Hagrid walks in.

Hagrid: Sorry I'm late.

Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione look at him in amazement; even Neville is amazed to see Hagrid back.

Hagrid: The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Errol.

Ron's eyes widen in surprise as he and Hermione glance at Dumbledore while Harry focuses on Hagrid; Dumbledore smiles and nods at Ron; they then turn toward Hagrid again; he walks right up to the Gryffindor table as Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione all shift to face him.

Hagrid: And I'd just like to say that if it hadn't been for you, Harry... Matthew... and Ron... and, Hermione, of course... I would, uh... I'd still be you-know-where, so I'd... I'd just like to say thanks.[chuckles]

Harry: [glances at Matthew and Ron, who smiles, then stands up] There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid.

Hagrid chuckles; he and Harry embrace as Ron, Matthew, and Hermione watch with smiles on their faces. Dumbledore stands up and begins to applaud; Balthazar and Professor McGonagall do the same. Hagrid looks at them as Harry joins in the applause, leading Ron, Matthew, Hermione, and eventually, everyone in the Hall, to join in as well. Crabbe is about to get up and applaud when Malfoy stops him; Seamus puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles while Dean cheers "Yay!".

Behind Harry, Colin snaps a picture; Ron glances at Hermione, who has a joyful tear rolling down her face. Matthew gave him a thumbs up. Hagrid happily wipes a tear from his eye and glances at Dumbledore. As the other staff continue applauding, Hagrid spins around and holds his arms out happily; Harry nods. The camera pans out, showing an aerial view of Hogwarts as the screen darkens.

Meanwhile, a new book by Gilderoy Lockhart titled "Who Am I?" is shown in the window of Flourish and Blotts; on its cover is Lockhart wearing a straitjacket and a sling on his right arm and mumbling.

Back in New York City, Horvath visits a local diner where the unnamed Fry Cook working. Despite his mundane appearance and occupation, he is implied to be secretly an agent who catalogs any living sorcerers in his territory and is on Morganian side; when he notices two fresh patties he just put onto the grill had a peculiar-looking pentagram burned into them, he recognizes them a Morgana Star, Morganians' crucible and symbol, signaling a Morganian seeking his assistance nearby. Later, the fry cook and Horvath converse outside the diner.

Fry Cook: (points at Horvath's cane) I haven't seen that cane since I saw a picture of it when I was a boy. You've been locked up for a long time.

Horvath: (sneers) And now I'm out. And I need soldiers.

Fry Cook: I got one kid. He ain't old school.

Horvath was unimpressed, sensing that his only ally wouldn't be like what he expected to be.

Horvath: One will do.

Horvath leaves the scene as the camera pans away.

End of Chapter 20