Harry Potter and the Phoenix Flames

And now, here comes the second chapter!

Familiar Feelings

Harry got off the Hogwarts Express with Ron and Hermione close behind. They still didn't talk, but the atmosphere around them was better. Harry looked around and felt as though he was finally home. He heard Hagrid's familiar shouting, and let a small smile spread across his face.

They went to the carriages. Harry stopped for a moment and looked at the strange creatures before stepping into the carriage. He settled himself down opposite to Ron and Hermione, next to the window. He looked out, already deep in thought. Mom, Dad, Cedric, Sirius … all dead because of me and before my eyes.

"Is there any space left for us?" They heard the familiar voice of Luna Lovegood. She was standing next to the doors with Neville Longbottom.

"Yeah, sure," answered Ron.

Neville sat down beside Harry, and Luna next to Ron and Hermione.

"Do you know who is going to be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" she asked.

"I've heard she is some lady. I don't remember her name. Jane something, I think," offered Hermione.

Suddenly Harry felt something strange, a power somehow familiar. It swept through the grounds looking into everyone's mind for a short while. It stopped on Harry. He puffed as he felt the sheer size of it. But suddenly it got gentle and ... very familiar. After the first shock, Harry immediately tried to block the access to his mind. The power backed away a bit. Harry felt it was quite amused. It pushed the barriers delicately. Harry thought he heard a voice saying it was a friend. Uncertainly he took his defences down a bit. The power came closer again and ...

"Harry, mate, you okay?"

Harry snapped out of ... whatever it was and looked up at his friends. They all were looking at him quizzically. He felt the power back out of his mind. He desperately tried to stop it, but it slipped away. Harry felt the softness and warmth of it vanish out of his mind as it grew dark and cold yet again. He looked irritated at his friends.

"What?" he asked, his irritation clear in his voice.

"You looked as if something was happening," Hermione answered uncertainly.

"Didn't you feel it?" Harry asked, even more irritated.

They all looked at him strangely.

"Feel what, Harry?" Hermione asked delicately.

"Well ... that … the thing in your minds!" They were still looking at him strangely.

"You didn't feel it?" He couldn't believe it. Was he going mad?

"Nobody? Nothing?!" They all shook their heads.

He leaned back in his seat and shook his head, making his hair even more messy. I'm going nuts, he thought with resignation.

Soon enough he felt a pull and the carriage started rolling. While everyone started talking, Harry looked out the window, still thinking of the power he felt back there. It was so nice … soft, warm. But Harry couldn't shake off the feeling that he had felt it somewhere before. It was very familiar. He certainly didn't feel it at the Dursleys'. He snorted at that thought. Those were the worst years of his life. Hogwarts? No. He had never felt it here before now. Yes, it was the only place he actually called home and felt good in, but it wasn't that. So, when? Maybe...

"You coming, mate?"

Harry looked around, quite disorientated. Everyone got out of the carriage but him, and they were now standing looking at him expectantly. He quickly scrambled out and joined them.

"You're sure you're okay, Harry? You've been acting a bit strangely lately," Hermione asked cautiously.

"I'm fine," he answered a bit too harshly. As soon as he saw the hurt look on her face, he added, "Just a bit tired, that's all." Well, that didn't sound too convincing, Harry thought with resignation.

Hermione looked as if she was going to say something, but stopped herself.

Without another word, they turned and walked into the Great Hall.

&&&

On the top of the Astronomy Tower stood a lonely figure looking down at the tiny carriages moving slowly down below.

Its dark red coat was moving as the wind blew once from the north, once from the south. Long, fiery red hair was dancing around as if with its own life.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew it away, revealing the beautiful face of a woman in her early thirties. Her green eyes darted around as her mind swept the grounds for any signs of danger. She felt everyone's thoughts, trying to find anything alarming.

Suddenly she felt another wandering mind. Strangely enough, it was a boy who had no idea what he was doing. She approached him casually and slipped inside his mind. He felt her and was quite overwhelmed. After a moment he tried to push her out and block the access, but was quite clumsy with it. She smiled to herself. A novice. She politely backed away. /- I'm a friend, -/ she sent. He took his defences down a bit, granting her some access. She approached him again and ...

"Professor Grey?"

Her concentration broke, and she lost contact with the boy's mind. The last thing she felt was his desperate calls for her to come back. Sighing quietly she turned to the old wizard with a long, white beard and half-moon glasses. He was smiling warmly at her. She managed a small smile in return and turned back, looking out at the grounds, wrapping her arms around herself, suddenly feeling very lonely and cold.

"Have you found something?"

She frowned, unsure how to answer. He came up and stood beside her. His presence was soothing, and she answered after awhile.

"I'm not sure, Professor Dumbledore. I felt someone who could feel me. It was as if he also had telepathic powers."

Dumbledore smiled lightly, his eyes shining.

"I have a strong feeling I know who it might be."

She looked at him interested.

"You do?"

He nodded without a word.

"Come now. The feast will begin soon and we both should be there. Maybe later I could introduce you to the person I was talking about." He winked at her.

She smiled. He was one amazing person, just like the Professor. She looked out one last time, trying to catch the mind she felt, but failed.

"Coming, my dear?"

With one last glance at the grounds she turned and walked to the elderly professor.

"Yes, let's go."

Hey! I hope you enjoyed it and didn't find any spelling errors.

I've got a lot of reviews telling me that Logan's claws were not a part of his mutation. I just want to straighten it out. Logan had claws before his adamantium skeleton but they were of bone.

It's my first fic, so reviews would be very helpful and reassuring.

In the next chapter, Harry meets Jean and things start getting interesting!

(edited 20-Nov-2006 - td4)