Harry sat down hard on top of his trunk to try and force it closed. He let out a muttered oath when it did not. But then he suddenly laughed. He supposed like when the Dursleys tried to stamp the magic out of him, it was impossible for him to completely stamp out being like a Muggle a little at heart. He pulled out his wand, still chuckling to himself, waved his wand at the contents of the trunk and cried "Reducio!" and all of the contents then fit into about half of his trunk and it now closed easily. He then shrunk the trunk itself to briefcase-size. Proud of himself, Harry took a quick look around his room to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. He still had the Elder Wand, and even though it was loyal only to him at this time, he had absolutely no desire to use it since his own wand was perfectly satisfactory. His plan was to return it to its rightful place in Dumbledore's tomb when he got back to Hogwarts.
Hedwig's cage stood on his dresser, looking empty and lonely. He had not been able to bring himself to throw it away. The phoenix, it seemed, preferred to sleep near Harry, and hadn't shown any interest in it. Then again, remembered Harry, it was pointless with teleportation. He then headed downstairs where he found the bird on the kitchen table, demolishing a moth it had caught somewhere. It had grown considerably in only a couple days. It was now roughly the same size Hedwig had been, and some of its colorful plumage was starting to come in. It was the same colors its egg had been; Blue, green, and purple. He had no idea what gender it was or if it even had a gender in the first place, so he hadn't named it yet. It was a wonderful companion, however, and Harry's mood had already changed for the better with his new found friend around. The phoenix would sometimes disappear randomly off his shoulder in a flash of flame and smoke. But he had only to think of it, and it would pop back into existence again. It was extremely affectionate. Harry looked around once more, waved his wand at the front door, where he heard the locks clicking into place with satisfaction.
"Well, I guess that's everything," he said aloud, and the phoenix, in a puff of green smoke, appeared on his shoulder and nipped his ear. Then, Harry took a deep breath, and Apparated to the Burrow. He expected to feel the usual suffocating feeling with a huge tug behind his navel, but surprisingly, all Harry felt was light floating. It was also seemed to be a much easier thing to do. When he arrived at the picket fence of the Burrow, instead of feeling sick, he felt pleasantly warm, surrounded by flames which disappeared. Remembering when Dumbledore once used Fawkes to escape from his own office, he found himself sighing with relief. He had never really enjoyed apparition.
"Wow," he said looking at the phoenix. It blinked at him solemnly and then closed its eyes humbly and snuggled back against his cheek, as if this was nothing to be so amazed over.
He headed up the front drive, and hesitantly, realizing he had never done this before, knocked on the front door. No sooner had he knocked than the door had been flung open and he found himself getting a huge hug from Molly Weasley.
"Harry! Oh, good to see you, Harry, dear!"
The phoenix, disturbed from its perch, disappeared.
Harry hugged her back just as tightly.
"Are you alright?" he asked with concern. Mrs. Weasley looked as if she had not been sleeping well lately. Her hair was rather frazzled.
"Oh, rubbish, don't mind me, dear," said Mrs. Weasley as she blew her nose. "I'm doing just fine. Merlin, Harry, you look like you haven't eaten in a month! Sit down and I'll whip up something for you.
Harry knew better than to argue. He sat down in the dining room, where the phoenix poofed back onto his shoulder. He glanced around the room. Nothing much had changed here. The old radio was still there, currently playing something low-key. His gaze fell on the great Weasley grandfather clock. Four of the hands, being that of Molly, Ron, Ginny, and Bill were pointing to the "At Home" position. The one that had Arthur Weasley's picture on it, which was smiling and waving, was pointing at work. The same was true for George, Charlie and Percy. Harry looked away before he saw the last hand. It was George's and no doubt pointed to "Mortal Peril".
Mrs. Weasley came bustling in and put a large bacon sandwich down in front of Harry. She finally saw the baby phoenix and gasped.
"Harry! Is that a phoenix?" she asked, staring.
"Oh! Yeah, I think so." Harry replied, taking a bite of the sandwich, which was very tasty as always. "I'll tell you the whole story when everyone is here." Harry said thickly through the sandwich. "Thanks Mrs. Weasley, this is delicious!" He wasn't much of a cook himself and hadn't really had the motivation recently anyway.
"Oh I'm glad you like it, it has my special sauce in it. But please don't talk with your mouth full."
Harry swallowed. "Sorry. Where is everyone?" he asked.
"Well, I asked Ron to de-gnome the back garden, Hermione is most likely upstairs, I think I saw Ginny heading out to the meadow, George is at the store, and Arthur is at the Ministry."
"Is the store going to stay open then?"
"We aren't sure yet," Mrs. Weasley said with a small sad smile. "George is hoping that he might be able to keep the store running, but it's tougher with just one person." Harry nodded in understanding.
Things were pretty quiet while Harry, helped by the phoenix, finished eating. He thanked Mrs. Weasley and went out the back door to the rear garden, where he found Ron, lounging lazily on a garden bench, pointing his wand menacingly at two gnomes who were peeking around a rock at the corner, clearly intent on getting back in. Just as they decided o make a break for it, Ron yelled "Flipendo!", knocking them back over the border where Harry knew they would be dizzy for a while.
"Good shot!" Harry said as he came up behind Ron.
"Thank you!" said Ron, looking around. He saw Harry and jumped up before grasping his hand tightly. "Good to see you mate! What th-"
He had noticed the phoenix.
"It's a phoenix. Ill tell you about it in a bit."
"Wow!" said Ron, eyes goggling.
"How are you doing?" Harry asked. Ron turned serious.
"It's been hell here. I think things will be much better now you're here, though, for everyone."
"Yeah, well hopefully going back to Hogwarts will help a bunch of us, too."
"You mean you're going?" Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Well, honestly, do I really have a choice? I'd never hear the end of it from Hermione if I left."
"Excellent! I don't know what school would be like if it were just Hermione and I the entire year. I hope McGonagall gave the Captain's badge back."
Harry laughed. "Yes. I made Quidditch Captain. And before you ask, yes, you're still going to be Keeper."
Ron punched the air enthusiastically. "Alright! I really can't wait now, I haven't ridden a broom in ages!"
"Tell me about it." Harry agreed. "I guess I'll have to use a school broom..."
Ron gave a mischievous face and shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah...or..."
"Or what?" said Harry, laughing again.
Ron turned towards the house. "Come on! I have something I want to show you in the house. Also, I think Hermione is in her room, she'll want to see you."
Harry followed Ron back into the house and up the thin and spindly staircase. At Hermione's door, Ron knocked, and when bid to enter, did so.
"Hey Ron!" Harry saw Hermione stand up from the desk where she'd been working and kiss Ron.
"H-mpph. Ack, Hermione, Harry's here."
"Harry!" She gave him a big hug. "Oh, Harry, I'm so glad you're here! And Ginny will be ever so glad to see you. She keeps bringing you up at the oddest parts of conversations."
"Uh, right..." said Harry blankly.
"Harry—what's THAT?" The phoenix, who had disappeared again when Hermione hugged Harry, had reappeared and Hermione saw it.
Harry told them both about Fawkes' surprise visit.
"Fawkes just appeared out of nowhere?" mused Hermione, as she stared at the phoenix. "This is incredible, do you know anything about them?"
"Only what Dumbledore told me," said Harry. "They have healing tears, they can carry immensely heavy weight, they can appear or disappear at will...I'm actually finding stuff out as I go. For example, I've never had such a pleasant Apparition. Coming here was a breeze."
"Fascinating" said Hermione, reaching out to lightly pat the bird on the head, which it allowed. "And the way it just hatched out of the egg is incredible, we'll have to find out more at Hogwarts."
"You don't know anything else?" Ron asked.
"No, I never really researched them specifically." Answered Hermione, bristling. She was still looking intently at the phoenix. "He's going to be so pretty..."
"I don't even know if it's a guy," admitted Harry. The phoenix, seemingly finally tired of all the attention, disappeared in a poof of blue smoke.
"Oh-" said Hermione.
"It's fine," said Harry, "It'll be back. So, how are you two? Still hopelessly in love by the look of it."
"Oh come off it, Harry," admonished Ron, who was going bright red, and Hermione giggled. But she then turned serious and asked Harry, "How are you?"
"I'm-"
"Fine," said Ron and Hermione together, and they all laughed.
"Well...I've been loads better since you sent your letters. You guys really know me too well, you know that?"
"Nonsense, that's what friends are for. We're here whenever you need us, Harry."
"But-"
"Bloody hell, Harry, no one blames you. In fact, the whole wizarding community should be thanking you on bended knee!"
"Don't," advised Harry. The last thing he needed was to be treated like a king. Wanting to change the subject, he turned to Ron. "What did you want to show me?"
"Oh, right!" It's in my room, come on!"
As they were leaving, Hermione said in a sing-song voice, "Enjoy your "Hottest Witch Monthly Report: Swimsuit Edition!"
Ron stopped dead, his ears going red very quickly. "I wasn't going to... How do you know..."
Hermione was struggling to keep a straight face. "I'm kidding Ron! You should see your face!"
Ron spun back around and left the room, still very red. Harry laughed too, and followed him.
Upstairs amid the orange walls of Ron's room, Harry found the latest issue of "Quality Quidditch Supplies" being shoved in his face by Ron. He started skimming through the pages in earnest.
"Wow! Some of these models are really nice!" Harry marveled.
"Never mind those, look at the pamphlet in the front!"
Harry did so, and a huge full page-ad folded out in front of him. It read:
SPITFIRE!
From the works of legendary Broomstick aficionado Randolph Spudmore comes the new racing broom that may just leave your britches behind! Introducing the elegant and nimble Spitfire! Made from a newly discovered light-weight wood that is nearly as hard as dragon scales, the Spitfire is our quickest and most durable model yet. Perfect for the Quidditch pitch, the Spitfire is even more streamlined and sleek than its predecessor the Firebolt, and features include ground-breaking safety features and exceptional speed. Visit your local Broom dealer for more details!
Harry whistled softly in wonder. The broom featured in the clipping was splendid, having a handle that was jet-black with faded gold stripes and one of the thinnest tails Harry had ever seen. He felt a sudden familiar longing to be flying again.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Ron asked. Harry saw the same look in Ron's eye.
"It's a bit unnecessary though, isn't it?" Harry mused, looking back at the Spitfire. "My Firebolt did just fine...and to be honest if I had this, I don't think anyone else would have a chance to win."
Ron looked at him, aghast. "Are you mad? That's the whole point!" Harry laughed as he turned his gaze out Ron's window, towards the meadow they had used to practice flying in the past years.
"I wonder how all this affected everyone else?" he mused. "I mean- Did everyone else graduate? Are they doing the year over for everyone in our year? That seems like it would make quite the graduating class..." None of this had been spoken about before they had left Hogwarts. "Did either of your letters say anything in particular about how the year would be handled?" he asked them.
They both shook their heads.
"I guess we'll have to find out when we get there," said Hermione finally.