Chapter 78: The Strategy of Destruction

Riddle stared despondently at the ashes of the basilisk scattered across the ground. A flicker of deep sorrow crossed his eyes. To him, the basilisk had been more than a creature—it was his loyal companion since his student days, growing alongside him. Now, it was reduced to a humble pile of ashes, leaving behind an inescapable sense of loss.

"You've won," Riddle said, his voice calm and measured. "As the victor, my diary and the memory of me are yours to destroy. I only ask that you make it swift. Even as a memory, I wish for a quiet departure from this place." A faint smile tugged at his lips. Though merely a fragment of a soul, Riddle still felt tethered to the world. Yet the situation left no room for rage or despair—only an acceptance of the inevitable. Voldemort's pride would not permit him to struggle like a desperate weakling in his final moments.

"Out of respect for a legend and in honor of an opponent, I will ensure your departure is peaceful," Augustus replied. His silver eyes gleamed with a touch of admiration. Strength and knowledge were invaluable, but dignity and character deserved equal respect. For humans, the true test of spirit often came at the brink of death, where courage revealed itself in its purest form.

Riddle gave a slight nod and closed his eyes, welcoming the embrace of oblivion. Augustus flicked his silver wand, and black flames emerged, engulfing Riddle's faint figure. The dark fire, like a bottomless void, consumed him entirely until there was nothing left. As Riddle vanished into the abyss, the phoenix on Augustus's shoulder sang a low, solemn melody, as though bidding a final farewell.

With a sigh, Augustus bent down to retrieve the now lifeless diary. Fawkes perched gracefully, and together they began heading toward the chamber's exit.

"Mr. Augustus, are you alright?" Loki asked as Augustus emerged at the entrance to the chamber.

"It's over. Neither Riddle nor the basilisk will trouble us again. You can rest easy now," Augustus replied with a reassuring smile.

Harry and Ron exhaled audibly, their relief evident. Ron's face lit up with satisfaction as he said, "I told you—if Augustus is here, it doesn't matter if it's the Dark Lord himself or Riddle. Defeat is inevitable." To Ron, Augustus had already become a living legend.

"The fight with the basilisk was still harrowing," Augustus admitted with a faint smile. He lightly patted Fawkes, who lifted its head proudly and let out a triumphant cry. "Without Fawkes's help, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

"Since it's all over now, let's get Ginny out of here and share the good news with everyone," Harry said eagerly, already yearning to leave the chamber.

"Harry, take the diary. You decide how to handle it," Augustus said, handing the cursed object to Harry, who accepted it with a solemn nod.

A soft moan broke the silence as Ginny stirred. Slowly, she sat up, her dazed eyes falling on the diary in Harry's hands. She shivered violently and burst into tears.

"Harry—oh, Harry—I tried to tell you at breakfast, but I couldn't, not in front of Percy. It was me, Harry—it was me who did it. But I swear, I didn't mean to! Riddle—he forced me! He controlled me! How did you stop him, Harry? Where is he? The last thing I remember is him coming out of the diary—"

"It's alright now, Ginny. Augustus ended it. There's no more diary, and no more basilisk," Harry said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Ginny sobbed uncontrollably for a moment, then tried to thank Augustus. He helped her to her feet and offered a few calming words before the group prepared to leave the chamber.

"I'll be expelled!" Ginny wailed as Harry supported her. "Ever since Bill came to Hogwarts, I've dreamed of coming here. Now I'll have to leave! What will Mum and Dad say?"

At the base of the pipe leading out, Harry looked at Augustus in confusion. "How do we get back up through there?"

Ron shook his head, equally baffled.

Fawkes flapped its wings and glided past Harry, its glittering eyes gleaming in the dim chamber. It waved its long, golden tail feathers meaningfully.

"You can hold onto Fawkes's tail. One of you grab another, and you'll make it up," Augustus explained, understanding the phoenix's intent.

"But there are five of us. Can Fawkes handle that much weight?" Harry asked, skeptical.

"You, Ginny, and Ron will go first. Loki and I will follow closely behind," Augustus replied. Harry nodded, then grasped Fawkes's tail feathers. Their surprising warmth spread through his hand. Ron held onto Ginny's hand with one of his own and Harry's robe with the other. A cool breeze swept over them as they ascended.

Moments later, they landed on the damp floor of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Augustus and Loki followed shortly after.

Myrtle stared at them with wide eyes. "You're alive," she said flatly to Augustus.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Augustus said with a wry smile.

Myrtle blushed and turned away. "Oh...well...if you'd died, I was thinking of inviting you to share my toilet," she muttered shyly.

"Perhaps in a century or so," Augustus replied lightly, earning a few chuckles. The group stepped out of the bathroom into the empty corridor beyond.

"This is incredible!" Ron exclaimed. "We sneaked into the Chamber of Secrets, fought a thousand-year-old basilisk with Augustus, and survived! Someday, I'll tell my kids and grandkids all about it!"

Augustus's lips curled into a faint smile. The adventures of youth were always full of surprises and wonder. In a hundred years, memories like these would still be worth cherishing forever.

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