The Final Battle in the Chamber

The climax of the story: Harry confronts Tom Riddle and the basilisk in a life-or-death struggle.

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Confronting Tom Riddle

The Heir Revealed The Encounter Harry finds Ginny unconscious and Tom Riddle waiting. Riddle reveals he is Lord Voldemort and that he has been controlling Ginny. The Dialogue Riddle asks Harry how he survived Voldemort's attack. Harry learns about his mother's love. Riddle summons the basilisk. The Preparation Harry has only the Sorting Hat and Fawkes. He must fight without a wand. The odds are against him.

The Battle with the Basilisk

A Fight for Life The Attack The basilisk emerges from the statue. Fawkes blinds it, and the Sorting Hat gives Harry the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry fights the serpent. The Wound Harry is bitten by the basilisk, but Fawkes's tears heal him. He then drives the sword into the basilisk's mouth, killing it. The Destruction of the Diary Harry uses a basilisk fang to stab the diary, destroying Tom Riddle's memory. The threat is ended.

The Escape

Return to the Surface The Rescue Harry wakes Ginny, and they are joined by Fawkes. The phoenix flies them all back up the pipe, out of the Chamber. The Aftermath They emerge in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, covered in slime and blood. They go to McGonagall's office to report. The Celebration Dumbledore returns, Hagrid is freed, and the school is saved. The battle is won, and the mystery is solved.

inside the Chamber of Secrets, late May

inside the Chamber, late May

after the battle, late May