"Boom... boom..."
Amid the deafening crashes, the enormous Slytherin Statue stepped out of the wall.
The entire Chamber of Secrets trembled, and stones rained down from the ceiling.
"Hssssss~~~"
The giant serpent hissed as it finally tore free of the Slytherin Statue. It whipped its tail, driving away Fawkes, the phoenix that had enraged it.
Voldemort used magic to bring Neville to his side, then called Luna over to stand behind him.
"Careful with the children, Albus. That Transfiguration of yours was far too rough."
Dust billowed everywhere. Voldemort couldn't see Dumbledore through it, but he still had to remind him to be gentle.
"This statue was enchanted with complex magic. It's difficult to control."
Dumbledore's voice rang out, though there was an unmistakable note of apology in it.
Of course, Voldemort didn't think that apology was meant for him. It was probably for the two children.
"I heard you went to fetch Nicolas Flamel. Is he here?" Voldemort shouted.
"We'll talk after I kill the Basilisk."
Dumbledore said no more. He simply kept waving his wand, conjuring one magical barrier after another to pinpoint the Basilisk's position.
The enormous Basilisk twisted its emerald body, dodged Fawkes's peck, then lunged at Dumbledore.
Voldemort closed his left eye and used only his blood-red right one to watch the dust settle in the Chamber of Secrets.
As it cleared, he saw the Basilisk charge at Dumbledore.
But before its long, thin, sword-like fangs could reach him, a stone arm stretched out from above Voldemort.
"Thud."
The muffled impact echoed through the Chamber several times. The emerald-green Basilisk's body spun through the air at least three times.
"Rumble~~~"
The Basilisk's body skidded across the floor until it crashed into a wall and came to a stop.
Voldemort glanced at the Slytherin Statue as