The attacks at Hogwarts had escalated to a terrifying level. With Dumbledore suspended and Ginny Weasley missing, the atmosphere was heavy with fear. Ezekiel Malverne had been keeping an eye on the situation, but even he hadn't expected what happened next.
---
Ezekiel was in his private quarters when Harry Potter barged in, his face pale and desperate.
"Malverne! I need your help!"
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, closing the book he had been reading. "I assume this is serious?"
Harry nodded frantically. "I know where the Chamber of Secrets is, but no one believes me! Ginny's down there—I have to save her!"
That got Ezekiel's full attention.
"Where?" he asked, already standing up.
Harry took a deep breath. "It's in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. I—I think I know how to open it."
Ezekiel grabbed his wand. "Then let's not waste time."
---
Harry, Ron, and Ezekiel arrived at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where the ghost was floating above her usual stall.
"You're back?" she asked, looking at Harry curiously.
Harry ignored her, pointing at a sink with a serpent engraving.
"This is it," he said.
Ezekiel studied the marking. A Parseltongue trigger.
"Speak to it," Ezekiel instructed.
Harry hesitated before whispering, "Open."
With a deep grinding sound, the sink slid aside, revealing a dark tunnel.
Ron swallowed. "That does not look safe."
Ezekiel gave him a flat look. "Nothing about this is safe. Let's go."
They slid down one by one, landing in a damp, ancient tunnel.
---
They entered a massive underground hall, lined with giant snake carvings. At the center, Ginny Weasley lay unconscious, her red hair spread out on the cold floor.
Standing over her was Tom Riddle, his figure flickering between solid and ghostly.
"Welcome," he greeted smoothly. "You're just in time."
Harry's fists clenched. "Who are you?"
Riddle smirked. "I am Lord Voldemort."
Ron paled. "What?"
Ezekiel narrowed his eyes. "No, you're a memory—one trying to become real."
Riddle chuckled. "Clever. But it won't matter."
Then he whispered something in Parseltongue.
The chamber trembled.
A massive stone serpent's mouth opened, and from the darkness slithered the Basilisk.
---
The massive serpent towered over them, its emerald scales gleaming.
"DON'T LOOK AT ITS EYES!" Ezekiel shouted.
Harry and Ron dove behind a pillar while Ezekiel faced the beast head-on.
The Basilisk lunged at him, its fangs bared.
"Protego Maxima!" Ezekiel roared, summoning a shimmering barrier.
The Basilisk's head slammed into the shield, sending cracks through the stone floor.
Ezekiel sidestepped and fired a powerful curse. "Confringo!"
The explosion hit the serpent's side, scorching its scales, but it barely seemed affected.
The Basilisk struck again, faster than before.
Ezekiel rolled to the side and flicked his wand. Ice spread from his fingertips, coating the ground.
The Basilisk slid, losing its balance for a moment.
Taking his chance, Ezekiel raised his wand. "Glacius Maxima!"
A wave of icy spears formed and launched into the serpent's body, piercing through its thick hide.
The Basilisk shrieked, but it wasn't enough.
It lunged one final time, its fangs aimed straight at him.
Ezekiel didn't hesitate.
With all his strength, he thrust his wand forward and cast—
"Diffindo Maxima!"
A razor-sharp arc of magic sliced through the air, cleanly severing the Basilisk's head from its body.
The massive creature collapsed, its body twitching before finally going still.
The chamber fell into silence.
---
Riddle's expression twisted in rage. "You—!"
Harry saw his chance and grabbed a Basilisk fang from the ground.
Before Riddle could react, Harry stabbed the diary, piercing straight through the pages.
Riddle let out a horrifying scream as his form flickered violently.
Then, with a burst of dark energy, he vanished.
Ginny gasped, waking up in shock.
Ezekiel let out a slow breath. "It's over."
For now.
---