It had been an entire month since Dante's disappearance, and while most of the school was focused on the upcoming end-of-year exams, Harry Potter had other things on his mind. He sat in the Gryffindor common room, his expression distressed as he talked with Ron. Hermione entered the room, a book tucked under her arm, and immediately noticed Harry's troubled look.
"Still no trace of the invisibility cloak?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Harry shook his head, frustration evident on his face. "I've asked everyone in the past week if they saw anything or knew who took it, but no one did. It's like it just vanished."
Ron chimed in, "Harry only noticed it was missing last week. It is possible it was stolen even before that."
Hermione frowned slightly, her brow furrowing. "Who would want to steal an invisibility cloak? They're not exactly rare, and it's not like it's valuable—except to you, Harry, because it belonged to your father."
Harry sighed. "Maybe someone hates me and wanted to hurt me by stealing it. Why else would they take it?"
Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement. It was the only explanation that made sense. Hermione glanced at the book in her hands. "I need to go back to my room to study. Let me know if you find anything."
As she turned to leave, Ron called after her, "You can study no matter the time or situation, can't you?" He then turned to Harry. "So, what are we going to do now?"
Harry shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I've hit a dead end."
That night, as Harry prepared for bed, he found a letter tucked under his pillow. His heart skipped a beat as he unfolded it and read the message:
'Come alone to the Forbidden Forest if you want your cloak back.'
Ron, noticing Harry's sudden movement, leaned over. "What's that?"
Harry handed him the letter. "The thief wants to meet me in the Forbidden Forest alone if I want my father's cloak back."
Ron's eyes widened. "This could be a trap—or a prank."
"I know," Harry said, his voice firm. "But it might be my only chance to get the cloak back. I have to go."
Ron hesitated, then said, "I'm coming with you."
Harry shook his head. "No. If the thief sees you, they might run. I have to do this alone."
Ron frowned, clearly unhappy with the plan. "At least tell Hermione. She might have some ideas."
Harry shook his head stubbornly. "It's too risky. I'll go alone. If I'm not back by midnight, go get the professors."
Ron reluctantly agreed. "Be careful, mate."
And so, Harry sneaked out of the common room, his heart pounding as he made his way through the castle. He prayed he wouldn't run into Filch, Mrs. Norris, or any of the prefects. Minutes later, he was outside, running down the hill toward the Forbidden Forest.
When he reached the edge of the forest, he stopped and looked around. The darkness was oppressive, and the trees loomed like silent sentinels. Harry took a deep breath and stepped inside.
After walking a dozen meters into the forest, Harry called out, "I'm here, and I'm alone!"
There was no reply. Just as Harry began to think it was all a prank, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned sharply, his wand at the ready, and froze.
Ginny Weasley stood there, smiling, an old notebook clutched in her hands.
"Ginny?" Harry asked, confused. "Did you write the letter?"
Ginny nodded. "I wanted a chance to talk to you alone. I heard about your missing cloak and thought it was a good way to get you here."
Harry frowned. "Why go through all this trouble? You could've just asked me."
Ginny didn't answer, instead a golden light shimmered around her body. She collapsed to the ground, and in her place stood a boy a few years older than Harry, holding the notebook.
Harry stepped back, his wand trembling in his hand. "Who are you?"
The boy smiled coldly. "I am Tom Marvolo Riddle, the Heir of Slytherin from fifty years ago."
Harry's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"
Tom's smile widened. "Fifty years ago, I opened the Chamber of Secrets to complete Salazar Slytherin's noble goal. But after I killed the first girl, I realized I was being watched closely. So, I left a copy of my memories in this diary, hoping to finish the job in the future. I made Ginny open the chamber, I made her attack the muggles and I made her write on the wall"
Harry's voice was filled with disbelief. "Ginny would never help you!"
Tom's expression turned sly. "Oh, I can be quite persuasive. And let's just say she was in a trance."
Harry's face twisted in anger. "You'll pay for what you did to her!"
Tom laughed, his wand flashing as he disarmed Harry with a single spell. Harry was thrown to the ground, his wand flying into Tom's hand. "The savior isn't so impressive after all," Tom sneered.
Harry struggled to his feet, defiance burning in his eyes while saying "You waited 50 years and you still failed, the basilisk is dead!"
Tom tilted his head, studying him. "Yes, I failed. I didn't expect a student to find and kill the basilisk. But that's fine. I had a different goal anyway after I controlled Ginny."
"What do you want?" Harry demanded.
Tom's smile turned predatory. "You, Harry Potter. I want to know how a baby with no magical skill managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all time. How did you survive?"
Harry's confusion was evident. "Why do you even care? Voldemort is long after your time."
Tom's expression darkened. He waved his wand, and letters appeared in the air: 'Tom Marvolo Riddle'. With a flick of his wrist, the letters rearranged themselves: 'I am Lord Voldemort'.
"Voldemort is my past, present, and future," Tom said, his voice cold. "Now, tell me, Harry. How did you survive?"
Harry hesitated, then stepped slowly forward saying "That night, when I was baby…"
then broke into a sudden sprint, hoping to tackle Tom. But Tom was faster. With a wave of his wand, Harry was lifted into the air and slammed into the ground. Another flick sent him crashing into a tree.
Tom sneered. "I truly can't comprehend how you survived as a baby. But it doesn't matter. I'll finish what my future self failed to do."
As Tom raised his wand to deliver the final blow, a red beam of light struck him, knocking him to the ground. Harry looked up to see Dumbledore standing there, his expression grim.
"It has been fifty years, Tom," Dumbledore said, his voice heavy with regret.
Tom scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around as he searched for an escape. Dumbledore's gaze fell on Harry, then on Ginny's unconscious form. His frown deepened.
"What have you done, Tom?" Dumbledore asked, his voice filled with sorrow.
Tom said nothing, his fear evident. Dumbledore sighed. "I can't allow you to continue. You've harmed this child too much."
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore cast 'Fiendfyre'. A column of fire shot toward Tom, engulfing him and the diary. Dumbledore controlled the flames carefully, ensuring they didn't spread.
Harry struggled to his feet, his body aching. "Professor Dumbledore…"
Dumbledore turned to him, his expression softening. "Not now, Harry. Ginny needs to go to the infirmary."