"Megan...? Megan, can you hear me?"

Megan could feel a little hand on her shoulder. And something warm on her cheek. She opened her eyes. Ginny's face and Fawkes came into focus. Megan sat upright.

"Ginny! Ginny, you're okay!"

Ginny's eyes filled with tears. Megan pulled her close.

"I'm so sorry...!" Ginny sobbed. "I never meant to... I just... I tried to tell you, but... I couldn't with Percy there, I..."

Megan just held her and stroked her hair.

"It's okay..." Ginny said. "It wasn't you. Riddle was using you. It's over, now. The diary's gone."

"I'll be expelled..." she said miserably. "And what will Mum and Dad say...?"

"You won't be," Megan assured her. "They'll understand. You weren't yourself."

Fawkes brushed his head along her cheek. Then, Megan noticed her head was completely clear, and she had no pain anywhere. Fawkes gave her a curious look and took off, floating around Ginny, wrapping her in the warmth Megan had experienced. She was glad Fawkes was here. Ginny did indeed seem to be feeling better.

"What happened?" Megan asked.

"... Well, I came round... that bird was there and... It was standing over you, crying... I was terrified, you were so still and... All that blood... but then, the wound on your arm vanished, and... You woke up."

Megan had a small smile. Of course. He had healed her with his tears.

"Phoenix tears can cure wounds," she told Ginny. "Dumbledore said so... Okay. Come on, let's get out of here," she added, and they helped each other up. "We'll be okay, now."

Megan kept her arm around Ginny along the chamber, then climbed the ladder before holding her hand out to Ginny to help her up. They made their way back along the tunnel, and heard the sounds of rocks being moved and voices.

"Hey! Boys!" Megan called. "We're back!"

"Megan?!" Cedric shouted back.

Megan, holding Ginny's hand, quickened the pace and they finally reached the spot of the rock slide. The wall was pretty much gone. The three boys had done a good job on moving the rocks. And Megan was aghast as she realised she had to have been down there longer than she'd thought. Megan and Ginny ran forward. Ron hugged Ginny while Megan fell into Cedric's embrace. They hugged tightly for a moment. He caught her face in his hands and kissed her forehead.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Fawkes helped a lot."

She didn't want to go into too much detail. She just wanted out. Cedric held her against his chest, and she rested against him. Even healed, she was exhausted. Ron, who was still hugging Ginny, and Megan exchanged a glance.

"Thanks, Megan." he said, his voice marked with emotion.

Megan smiled at him.

"Don't mention it. She's my sister too," she said.

"Where did the bird come from?" Harry asked.

"What happened?" Cedric asked.

"How did you get a sword?" Ron asked incredulously.

"This is Fawkes," Megan said. "He's Dumbledore's. He really got me out of trouble. But for the rest, I'll explain later."

Then, she remembered someone was missing:

"Hold on... Where's Lockhart?" she asked.

"Back there. Like Cedric said, he's completely lost it." Ron said, pointing behind him with his thumb. "Though, he was such an idiot to start with, it's almost refreshing."

Lockhart was sitting quietly on a rock, looking around him like a curious child. Megan and Cedric's fingers stayed locked together as they went back towards Lockhart. Megan looked at the hole they had come down in.

"Hm..." she said, eyeing it thoughtfully. "I don't suppose you thought about how to get back up there, have you?" she asked.

The boys shook their heads. But then, Fawkes, who had been flying around quietly, came and circled around Megan, his tail brushing her fingers.

"... You want me to grab hold of your tail?" she asked.

He let out a small sound and brushed her fingers again.

"But how's a bird going to carry us out?" Ron asked. "We're much too heavy."

"It's a phoenix." Cedric said. "They can carry huge weights. We should be fine."

Megan thought a moment.

"Ginny, you take Cedric's other hand," Megan said. "Ron, you take hers, then Harry and Lockhart."

She tucked the sword into her belt, and then caught Fawkes' long tail and then gripped Cedric's hand firmly. When she touched the feathers, she felt a lot lighter, all of a sudden, and the tail was warm. And then, they were off, flying upwards.

Megan held Cedric's hand tightly, and not just so he wouldn't fall. She was pretty sure the warm tingle in her body wasn't only Fawkes' doing either. She glanced down at Cedric, her hair whipping around her. Cedric was smiling at her, that warm, kind smile that made her heart race. And she then realised she didn't just have a childish crush on Cedric. She was in love with him. One could think a twelve year old is a bit young for that, but it seemed too obvious. There were hundreds of other boys, yet Megan had always seen only Cedric. They looked into each others' eyes. Megan doubted he felt the same way, but it was still good to feel this way rather than being terrified or thinking you're about to die. She didn't even hear Lockhart's "Amazing! This is just like magic!". And just as soon as it had begun, the flight ended. They were back in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Cedric jumped down and helped Megan down too. Ron and Harry made sure Ginny could stand all right. Lockhart went back to his childlike curiosity as the sinks moved back into position.

"You're alive..." Myrtle said in a disappointed voice.

Megan noticed again that she was looking at Cedric.

"Why the long face?" Cedric asked as he released Megan, though he kept an arm around her shoulders.

"Oh, well... I just thought you... would be welcome to share my toilet if you died..."

Megan and Cedric exchanged an uncomfortable glance.

"But it's clear you go with her." she added, nodding at Megan.

Megan flushed, unsure how to react to that.

"Ugh," Harry said. "I think Myrtle likes you, Cedric. Megan, looks like you have competition," he added to her.

Megan blushed and tried not to look at Cedric. She was afraid of what she'd see.

"What now?" Ron asked.

Ginny was still pale and shaky. Megan wrapped an arm around her.

"Fawkes will lead us." she said.

And he did. Cedric, the tallest, took Ginny on his back, while one hand still held Megan's. They soon found themselves outside McGonagall's office. Cedric gently let Ginny down, and Megan knocked and opened the door.

There was a stupefied silence for a moment when they came into the office. Then, there was a cry.

"Ginny!"

Mrs Weasley leaped up from her seat in front of the fire and ran to her daughter, closely followed by Mr Weasley. Megan glanced at Dumbledore, who stood beaming at them while Fawkes landed soundlessly by his side. Professor McGonagall was leaning on the desk, clutching her chest. Megan then found herself pulled tightly into Mrs Weasley's embrace.

"Oh, Megan... you saved her...!"

She hugged the boys as well.

"How did you do it...?" Arthur asked weakly.

"I think we'd all like to know that," McGonagall said, sitting down.

Megan hesitated, then pulled out the sword, the Sorting Hat and the remains of the diary and put them on the desk. Dumbledore waved his wand and conjured chairs for everyone. Then, she told them everything. It took almost half an hour to explain hearing the disembodied voice, Hermione realising it was a snake and leading them to the answer even though she was petrified, following the spiders in the forest, that Aragog had led her to realise the identity of the victim fifty years ago - namely Moaning Myrtle -, and that the entrance to the chamber might be in there.

"We knew it was pretty much abandoned because of Myrtle, so it sounded like the ideal location." Megan said. "Not to mention since it was a boy acting through a girl's bathroom, no one would suspect the entrance was there."

Then she paused.

"So," McGonagall said. "You found the entrance, breaking a hundred school rules in the process, I might add, but how in Heaven did you get out of there alive?"

"We weren't the ones in real danger, professor," Cedric said. "Megan was the one who took the biggest risks."

Megan, despite her voice growing hoarse, went on to describe the fight, the sword, and the basilisk. But then, she hesitated. She had tried to avoid mentioning Ginny's involvement. She was still clearly shaken. What if she was expelled...?

"What interests me most," Megan heard Dumbledore say quietly, "is how Ginny was enchanted by Voldemort, when my sources tell me he is somewhere in Albania."

She gave him a small grateful smile. She wasn't positive, but she thought she saw him wink.

"... Enchanted...? Ginny?" Molly said faintly, while Megan allowed herself a sigh of relief. "But... How?"

"It was the diary," Megan said, picking it up and showing it to Dumbledore. "Riddle wrote in it when he was sixteen."

Dumbledore examined the book closely.

"Remarkable..." he whispered. "He was probably one of the most brilliant students Hogwarts has ever known..."

He turned to the Wealeys.

"Few people know Voldemort's true name of Tom Riddle. I myself was teacher to him at the time. He disappeared after he left Hogwarts. He travelled, sank deeper and deeper into the Dark Arts... so deeply that he was no longer human by the time he resurfaced as Voldemort. He was impossible to connect with the clever boy once student here."

"But where does Ginny fit into all of this?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"... It was the diary..." Ginny said tearfully. "I wrote in it and he wrote back all year."

"Ginny!" Mr Weasley wasn't angry, but not exactly pleased. "How many times have I told you and your brothers about things like that? Never trust anything magical that can think for itself if you don't know where it keeps its brain! Why didn't you show anyone the diary? A suspicions object like that! It's clearly full of Dark Magic!"

"I'm sorry, Daddy, I really am... I didn't know," Ginny said. "It was with the books Mum and Megan got me, and I just thought someone had forgotten it..."

"I think a visit to the hospital wing is in order for Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said. "This has been a dreadfully hard time for her. There will, of course, be no punishment. Older and wiser wizards have been tricked by Voldemort in the past."

He opened the door.

"Some bed rest and hot chocolate, I always find that cheers me up," he smiled at Ginny.

The Weasleys and Ginny left.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, "kindly have the kitchens prepare a feast. I think this all calls for a celebration."

"Certainly, Dumbledore." she said. "I'll leave them to you."

He nodded, and she walked out. Megan and her friends exchanged a slightly nervous glance. They weren't going to be punished... were they?

"Now..." he said, looking at Ron and Megan. "I recall telling you that I would have to expel you, should you break any more rules."

Megan bowed her head. She wished she hadn't brought Ron into this... but Dumbledore had warned them. If they broke the rules, he would have to expel them...

"But professor, you can't-" Cedric tried to protest.

"And you two have broken enough rules to be expelled also," Dumbledore interrupted, turning to Harry and Cedric.

"No, professor, don't, if anyone sho-" Megan began.

He raised his hand to silence them.

"But, even the best of us must sometimes eat their words." he said with a mischievous smile. "I think Special Awards for Services to the school, and I think... yes, two hundred points each."

Megan sighed in relief.

"But one of us is rather quiet about all this." he went on. "Why so silent, Gilderoy?"

Megan had almost forgotten about Lockhart, sitting in a corner, the same little smile on his face.

"Uh... professor Dumbledore..." Megan said, "There was a little accident in the Chamber of Secrets... Professor Lockhart's-"

"Professor? I'm a teacher? I'm sure I wasn't very good, was I?" Lockhart said.

"He tried to erase our memories with Ron's wand, and it backfired..." Megan explained quietly. "He's been lying to everyone about his accomplishments and he tried to keep his secret by using his Memory Charm on us."

"I see... dear me, Gilderoy, impaled upon your own sword."

"I don't have a sword," Lockhart said. "She has, though," he pointed to Megan.

"Mr Weasley, would you be kind enough to escort our friend Gilderoy to the hospital wing?"

"Yes, sir... Come on."

They left the room.

"And, would you two gentlemen kindly send an owl to Azkaban? I think we all want our gamekeeper back. "

They all beamed.

"Yes, sir, right away."

They hurried to the door, but Megan stayed seated.

"Aren't you coming?" Harry asked.

"I would like a few more words with Megan."

"You go on ahead, I'll be right there." she said, smiling.

She had suspected as much when he had only addressed the boys. So, they left.

Megan watched them leave, then turned to Dumbledore, not exactly nervous, but not completely comfortable, either.

"First of all, Megan, I wish to thank you." he said calmly. "You showed me true loyalty in the Chamber of Secrets. That alone could have brought our good friend Fawkes to you."

He was stroking his long feathers. Megan gave him an awkward smile.

"He was amazing." she said. "I wouldn't be here without him."

"I'm sure he appreciates the feeling." Dumbledore smiled.

There was a pause.

"... So," he went on. "You met Tom Riddle. I'm sure he was very interested in you, wasn't he?"

Megan nodded. And then, finally, let down her bravado.

"... Sir," she said hesitantly. "Riddle said... I'm like him... that we were... the same."

"Did he, now?" he wondered, thoughtfully. "And what do you think, Megan?"

"...I don't think I'm like him..." Megan said, but couldn't tell if she believed it or not. "I mean... he killed my parents! We're both orphans, but in my case, he's responsible, so it's not the same! And... I'm a Gryffindor, I can't be... I don't want to be like him... his heart is colder than ice. No, that's too kind. He has no heart, no soul... I can't be like that... because that would mean... all these feelings that burn inside me... fear, anger, friendship... they wouldn't be real."

"Interesting theory." Dumbledore said.

"... But then, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. And I'm a Parslemouth, and everyone believed I was the heir of Slytherin... so I can't help thinking... maybe he was right... and the thought terrifies me."

"Megan," Dumbledore said. "You can speak Parsletongue because Lord Voldemort can. You were not born with the ability."

"What do you mean..?" Megan asked.

"Well, this is merely speculation, but I believe that the night he gave you that scar, he may quite possibly have transferred some of his powers to you."

Megan sat thunderstruck.

"You think he put a part of him into... me?" she asked.

"It certainly seems so," he agreed.

Megan's heart filled with ice-cold dread.

"Then the hat was right... I should be in Slytherin. It sensed that part in me and..."

"Put you in Gryffindor," Dumbledore said. "Megan, you do possess certain qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his students; his gift as a Parslemouth, resourcefulness, determination... and I might add, a notable disregard for the rules," he added with a smile. "Yet, the hat put you in Gryffindor. Can you think why?"

Megan thought for a moment.

"... Because I... asked it not to put me in Slytherin..." she said heavily.

"Exactly, Megan," Dumbledore said enthusiastically. "Which makes you very, verydifferent from Voldemort. Think. Why?"

Megan hesitated. Then, it came to her.

"... Because he chose to go to Slytherin when I didn't... and he chose to use Dark Magic when I would rather rip my own heart out." Megan said.

"Precisely. It is not our abilities that show who we truly are, Megan. It is our choices. Two people with similar or identical talents can choose very different paths and become two completely different people. Just like you and Riddle. And one thing he was not good at, unlike you, if that's any consolation, was Quidditch."

Megan smiled.

"And, if you want further proof of your place in Gryffindor, take a look at this..."

He indicated the sword. Megan leaned slightly forwards.

"... Godrick Gryffindor," she read in a whisper.

"Indeed. Only a true Gryffindor could pull this sword out of the hat."

Megan felt a lot better. The thought she might really belong in Slytherin had been a daily nightmare. But now, it seemed she never had belonged there. It was just the little part of Voldemort's powers that did.

"Now, I suggest you hurry off to that excellent feast, and then get some rest. I think that's just what you need to pep you up. Hm... I will have to write for another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher... dear me, we do run through them."

Megan got to her feet and was almost at the door when it flew open. Megan only just stepped back in time to avoid being knocked onto the floor. And to Megan's astonishment, as Lucius Malfoy marched into the office, Dobby jostled in behind him.

"So," he said icily. "You have indeed returned. Even though you are suspended."

"As you can tell," Dumbledore said politely. "You see, Lucius, I was showered by eleven owl letters just this morning. The other governors contacted me. They had heard that Ginny Weasley had been killed and wanted me reinstated immediately. And do you know, they told me some very interesting things. They seemed to believe you would threaten their families, should they vote against my suspension."

Paler than usual, Mr Malfoy's eyes narrowed.

"So. Have you stopped the attacks?" he demanded.

"As a matter of fact, we have." Dumbledore answered pleasantly.

"And?" Malfoy asked snappily. "Who was it?"

"Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore replied calmly. "Only, this time he chose to act through someone else. By means of this."

He indicated the diary, looking closely at Malfoy. Megan, on the other hand, was glancing at Dobby. He was acting very oddly indeed. He kept pointing at the diary, then Malfoy before tugging at his ears with a wince. Megan frowned, trying to understand. Then, her mouth Oed in understanding. She nodded quietly at Dobby who stood still.

"I see..." Malfoy said.

"An ingenious plan, truth be told," Dumbledore said, his eyes still on Malfoy. "Because, without young Megan-" Malfoy's eyes darted to her "- and her friends discovering the diary, Ginny may have gotten the whole blame. It would have been impossible to prove she hadn't acted of her own volition."

Malfoy's face was hard.

"And imagine, Mr Malfoy," Megan intervened, having understood something. "What would have happened in that case. The Weasleys, a well known and respected wizard family, would have been completely discredited in the eyes of the Magical Community."

"And Arthur's new Muggle Protection Act," Dumbledore added, "would have been shot down. No one would believe someone defending Muggle protection when their daughter was off killing their magical descendants. Yes, it is very fortunate that the diary was found, and Riddles' memories destroyed. Who knows what would have happened otherwise..."

"Quite fortunate, indeed..." Malfoy said stiffly.

"D'you have any idea how the diary came in Ginny's possession, Mr Malfoy?" Megan asked, turning to look at him.

"Of course not," he snapped. "Why would I?"

"Because I think I do. D'you remember when we ran into you in Flourish and Blotts, last summer? Ginny was there that day. And she told us she'd found the diary in the books Mrs Weasley and I gave her. And you -" she pointed at him. "- picked her Transfiguration book out of her cauldron. You slipped the diary into her book. Later, she found it, and wrote it off as forgotten."

Malfoy's hands clenched and unclenched on his cane.

"Prove it, then, child."

"Oh, we all know we won't be able to." Dumbledore said. "Not without Riddle in the diary. However, I would advise you, Lucius, to refrain from giving out more of Voldemort's old school things. Should they make their way into innocent hands, I'm quite sure Mr Weasley, among others, will ensure they are proven to be connected to you."

Megan could clearly see he was tense and itching for his wand.

"Come, Dobby. We are leaving."

He marched out the door, Dobby behind him. Megan heard the poor elf crying in pain. Megan thought a moment. Then got an idea.

"Professor, can I get the diary back to Mr Malfoy?" she asked.

"Why, certainly," he said. "Now that its magic has gone. But don't forget the delicious feast."

"Yes, sir."

She took the diary and turned to the door. Then, one hand on the handle, she said:

"And... thank you, sir."

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts for those who ask for it," he smiled.