Thanks for all your reviews on Chapter 2! And here's Chapter 3! I'm open to any suggestions as well, so feel free to put them in the reviews as well. If you spot any grammatical errors either, just let me know and I'll fix them.

Enjoy!

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Harry sat alone in the small room that was his for the time being. His head was spinning with all these crazy facts from this new universe. He had a family. He had siblings. And Voldemort was not in power. His head replayed Lily's words.

"About a year after you were killed, there was a major battle in Diagon Alley. Somehow, Alastor Moody managed to attack Voldemort and throw the Killing Curse at him. He didn't die, but he was reduced to a spirit. He is now in hiding, barely alive."

Voldemort had never gotten hold of the Philosopher's Stone, Ginny had never been given the diary and the Triwizard Tournament had never taken place. Voldemort had never had the opportunity to re-establish himself. Of course, the downside was he had several Death Eaters who were in regular contact with him. The Order was on permanent alert and had never been dispersed. They also had several well-placed spies in the Death Eater ranks. This inevitably made Harry think of Snape. In Harry's world, Harry had made sure Snape was in Azkaban and he was now rumoured to be insane. In this world, Snape had never been discovered. Instead, he was always travelling and the Potions job at Hogwarts had been taken by none other than Harry's mother, Lily. Slughorn had not come out of retirement. James was an Auror, along with Sirius, and Remus was the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. That thought brought a smile to Harry's face. Remus was highly popular, and he didn't wear shabby robes. The years of steadily working for Dumbledore had left Remus quite comfortable. In a way, this universe was better than Harry's, for there was peace, Sirius had never been to Azkaban and Snape was insane. Yes, Harry thought, lying down again and stretching. I could get used to this. A nice, well-earned break.

But he was missing several important things. Ginny, for one. And Ron, Hermione, Hedwig, Sakima, his snake, and Asa, his Japanese Phoenix (A/N: Rare, Japanese, mythological creature), though he supposed Asa would find a way to get to him. She was astoundingly clever. She had come to him on his seventeenth birthday, and Hermione had instantly recognised her as the Japanese Phoenix, thanks to her snowy colour. Hermione had researched Japanese names and come up with Asa. It meant 'the healer' and 'the morning'. Hermione had chosen the name because of Phoenix healing tears, and Harry, Ron, Ginny and the Phoenix herself had approved. Since then, Asa had stuck with Harry faithfully. If Harry was in trouble or away against his will, Asa would be with him in an instant. Harry had been afraid Hedwig would be jealous, but the animals had gotten on famously. Harry had no idea what they squawked to each other about, but it was obvious to everyone that Hedwig had taken the young Phoenix under her wing.

He had found Sakima nearly ten months before. He was a majestic animal with a large dosage of pride, hence the name 'Sakima' which meant 'king' and was a Native American name. Sakima was an American species. Hermione had looked that name up as well. Sakima was a deadly constrictor, but Harry had found him injured and nursed him back to health, thus the great snake trusted him. Harry had had many cheerful chats with the snake. It drove Ron and Hermione crazy. They could never follow the conversation entirely.

Harry's thoughts drifted to his animagi ability. When he had first mastered it, he hoped he would be able to understand Hedwig and Asa, but no such luck. If it had been possible, they kept their beaks shut near him when he was in his stag form. It was the same form as his father's, and that of his patronus. His friends had also become animagi with him, and their forms corresponded with their patronuses also. Harry had been the first to achieve a full transformation, but Hermione was merely a fortnight behind. She became an otter, which could be handy during surprise attacks, if there was some water about.

Ron had succeeded six weeks later, becoming a small Jack Russell. He and Ginny, who had accomplished the art mere days after her brother, could use their forms to sneak around. Dogs and ginger cats (Ginny's form) were not unusual around the streets. They could spy and nobody would look twice. It had been highly useful.

Harry, being a stag, had often carried Hermione of speedy escapes. He was astonishingly fast when transformed and everyone agreed he was handy for getting away. He sometimes carried Ron and Ginny as well (Ron hadn't liked this the first time. He insisted he was fast enough on his own, and had ended up captured. He earned himself a session of being screamed at for being 'too proud for his own good'. After this he agreed to let Harry help.), and not once had they been taken hostage when he gave them a lift to safety. Remus had often commented how amazing it was. The Marauders took three years to become animagi. Harry took three months, Hermione took almost four and Ron and Ginny needed only six.

Fred, George, Bill and Charlie had all begun animagi training as well. They had established their forms, and were almost capable of a complete transformation. Both twins were talking parrots ("Why do they get the most annoying animals on the planet?" Ginny had complained when it was revealed.), Bill was a Red Fox, whilst Charlie became a Grey Wolf. It often struck Harry how similar the two elder Weasley brothers' forms were. Bill became a Red Fox because he was 'calm, cool and striking' to quote Hermione, who stated this very matter-of-factly. It certainly caused Bill and Ron to go bright red, though Ron was red with jealously and anger. Hermione had ignored this and gone on to explain that Charlie 'liked doing it tough and liked the danger'. Harry didn't know whether he was thick or not, but he still found the connections unusual.

Throughout all their Animagus training, they had Remus on hand to help out. Professor McGonagall was also watching closely. Both had experience in the area, and none of the Weasleys, Harry or Hermione was registering. There were far too many spies and Voldemort would know within days. They wanted and needed to keep their special abilities as secret as was humanly possible. Barely anyone knew about it. Tonks, Kingsley, Moody, Mr and Mrs Weasley and Fleur (who had married Bill and joined the Order a week after Harry's seventeenth birthday) were the only ones besides Remus and McGonagall who knew anything about it.

Mr and Mrs Weasley had, predictably, reacting with worry.

"Don't go and over-exert yourselves," Mr Weasley had said, spinning his wand between his index and middle fingers. "I know a simple spell to help you if you splinch…"

Mrs Weasley had cut him off with one of her rants about the dangers, the stupidity and the ways to live without being animagi. Naturally they had ignored her, and she calmed down eventually.

Tonks had exclaimed with glee at the announcement. She initially asked to learn with them, but Harry pointed out she was already a Metamorphmagus and had no need to learn. She had visibly deflated at that, but given them her solemn word she would help them all the way. She then turned to Kingsley and demanded he do the same. Harry had expected a lecture from the Auror, but he had simply warned them to be careful and told them to let him know if they ever needed any help. He too used splinching for his example.

Moody had encouraged them, telling them the more ways they had to get around the Dark Lord, the better their chances of survival ("Cheerful, isn't he?" Ron said to Harry under his breath). Harry had taken the words to heart and worked doubly hard, and was rewarded very quickly. So fast, no one believed him when he said he was capable of a full transformation.

He remembered Ron's dumbstruck expression; Ginny's awed look and Hermione's amazed, but slightly annoyed face when he had proven it. He knew she wanted to be first. She had been gracious about it, and was rewarded for her efforts two weeks later, when she shocked everyone again with their 'instant' animagus ability. Ron had also been very proud to prove he would not be the last, although Ginny was over a year younger than Harry and almost a full two years younger than Hermione.

"Excuses, excuses," Ron had said airily when she pointed this out. "You need to work, not talk, Ginevra."

Ginny had been infuriated, and given Ron a blood nose and a black eye, before turning into a cat in front of him three days later. Ron had been so annoyed –

WHOOSH

Harry shot put of bed, startled from his reminiscence. He was standing in a duelling position, wand out, when he spotted Asa. He sighed in relief and happiness at the sight of his companion and replaced his wand on the bedside table. It was then he noticed she was carrying his trunk and Hedwig's cage (with Hedwig inside). Sakima was wrapped around the trunk. For about the millionth time, Harry was struck by the Phoenix ability to carry such heavy loads. He hastened across the room, and started arranging the few belongings she'd brought him. After ensuring Sakima was wrapped around his arm securely, he shoved his trunk to the foot of the bed and hung Hedwig's cage from a hook that conveniently protruded from above the window. Hedwig hooted at him, banging around in her cage. He laughed and opened the door. She flew to his shoulder and nibbled his ear affectionately. Asa landed on the other shoulder and began to peck him. He laughed at the birds' antics and sat back down on the bed. Hedwig flew off his shoulder and settled on the bedside table. Asa landed on the bed frame, but Sakima stayed firmly in his place.

"I am happy where I am," he hissed. "You are warm."

Harry snorted slightly. It gave him a sense of normality, chatting with his snake, though he still didn't have any of his friends.

"Have you seen Ginny, Ron, or Hermione?" he asked the snake.

"Yes," the snake sighed. "Ginny is frantic."

Harry winced at the thought of worrying his friends. He couldn't help but wonder if Ron and Hermione were worried. They had become engaged on the eve of the battle, and promised to wed over the summer if they both survived. If they both survived. Those words had chilled Harry to the bone when they had told him. It gave him reason to fight, however.

But where they worried? Of course they are, he told himself. Stop being such a prat! He almost laughed at himself. He firmly assured himself they were highly concerned, but he couldn't quench the slight twinge of 'maybe they aren't'… He shook himself. You know they're worried, you great lump! Stop pitying yourself!

"Please stop shaking," Sakima interrupted Harry's self rebuking thoughts. "It is most uncomfortable."

"My apologies, Sakima," Harry hissed to the snake, though laughing mentally. Sakima could be quite temperamental. "I hope you were not dislodged?"

"Not this time," the snake said irritably.

Harry nodded slightly. "Any messages, Asa?" he asked calmly. He sometimes swore they had a telepathic connection. He always understood exactly what the bird meant to say to him, and she always understood him. He just never understood what she and Hedwig said. Come to Hedwig, he often had a telepathic connection with her too.

Asa looked at him fiercely, and cooed slightly. Harry understood it as, "The girls are frantic and Ron is in shock."

"But you haven't any messages?" Harry asked desperately. She obviously didn't have a note – he would have seen that by now. But maybe a simple message? Something like "Are you alright, Harry?" or "Where are you, we're worried sick!"?

Asa held her head high and looked down on him.

"No…" Harry sighed. "Here, Asa, could you take a note? I guess you can travel across dimensions. I don't want them worried. And they need to know what's happened to me. I mean, the press will be hunting me down, they have to be certain I'm safe and at least be able to tell them that much. It might give them a break. But imagine the headlines! Boy-Who-Lived Disappears! The Man-Who-Conquered Is Missing In Action! Merlin, now I feel bad about leaving them –"

There was a creak as the door opened. Harry had his wand in his hand within seconds.

"Who are you?" he demanded, seeing a shadow from the doorway. No figure had come into sight.

"S-Sophie," a small voice said. "And Nick and Andy. They're still in the hall… I can go, you know. I just heard you talking and wondered… Nick and Andy dared me. I'm sorry… I'll just go. Um, sorry to bother you."

Harry saw the shadow start to retreat. "No, no," he said quickly. "Come in."

The shadow edged forwards again. Then she stepped into the room. A small girl, no older than ten, with red hair and his green eyes looked around. Her eyes fell on Harry and she gasped. Harry stared at her, not noticing the two boys who followed her in.

"Who are you?" one of the boys demanded. Harry jerked his eyes away from the little girl, and stared at a tall boy with black hair. He didn't wear glasses – neither of them did – and had hazel eyes. The younger looking boy had red hair and green eyes, just like the girl. They looked to be the same age as well.

"I might ask you the same thing," Harry said calmly. This was weird.

"I'm Andrew Potter,' the black haired boy said with an air of importance. "I'm called Andy. I'm fourteen."

"And I'm eighteen," Harry said, startled by the name 'Potter'. He had siblings here? This place was weird. But he wasn't sure he liked the boy. He seemed full of himself. Harry was unkindly reminded of Cornelius Fudge when he thought he had something over someone. Like at the hearing, Harry thought bitterly.

"Liar," Andy said, going slightly red. "You don't look older than fifteen."

"Appearances can be deceiving," Harry retorted. "Fourteen, eh? Just finished third year?"

"Yep!" Andy said proudly. "And my older sister just finished fourth. You and she look about the same age. You just finished fourth?"

"Seventh," Harry said. Nope, he definitely didn't like this boy. Pompous prick. He did not like him at all.

"I don't believe you," Andy said.

"Then don't," Harry said, sick of him. Idiot. "And who are you?" he asked the younger children. They exchanged stunned looks. Maybe Andy was considered pretty good when it came to arguments. Harry snorted mentally.

"I'm Nicholas, but I'm always called Nick," the boy said. "And Sophie's my twin. I'm older by eleven minutes and we're ten. We're starting at Hogwarts next year. Our birthday's in December."

"Good for you," Harry said. His head was swimming with the rude comments Andy had made. Harry knew he looked young for his age and people often looked surprised when he told them how old he was. But they never, ever outright called him a liar.

"Why do you have a snake?" Sophie asked timidly. She gripped her left elbow with her right arm and rubbed it, hard, with her thumb. Her eyes flickered between Harry and Sakima.

"I'm a Parselmouth," Harry said, eyeing Andy distastefully. Would this shock the selfish prat? He certainly hoped so. "This is Sakima. He's a Kingsnake and his name means 'king'. I found him, injured, not too long ago. He's stuck with me ever since. Would you like to pet him? He doesn't mind."

Sophie looked at the snake in awe. "Yeah…" she muttered, gawping at it as though transfixed. "Yeah, okay."

"Sophie will pet you, Sakima," Harry told the snake. "Let her be."

"Very well," Sakima's tongue left his mouth to pick up her scent. "But ensure she does not hurt me. I would not take kindly to that."

"Understandably," Harry responded smoothly. "He says you mustn't harm him. A perfectly reasonable request."

Sophie nodded and began walking forwards towards Harry's outstretched arm, around which Sakima with wrapped. Before she was halfway across the room, Andy shouted suddenly.

"Hold it!" he cried. "How do I know you didn't just lie to us? You might have told that snake, Sack-Emma or whatever, to attack her! You're a Parselmouth and that's a known trait of dark wizards! You're probably out to hurt us!"

"I'm not," Harry said quietly. Anger pumped through every vein in his body. How dare this boy accuse him of being a dark wizard? How dare he say Harry was a liar and bent on harming them? "I have no intention of hurting anyone, let alone a nice young girl who wants to pet my snake, who's name is Sak-ee-ma, not Sack-Emma. And you'd better watch who you accuse of dark activity. I'm sure you wouldn't fancy being unconscious for the next fortnight. I hate every dark wizard on the planet and I would never join them. Anyone who accuses me of doing that regrets it sincerely, you can be sure of that, Andrew Potter."

"You're threatening me!" Andy protested.

"So I am," Harry said, in mock thoughtfulness. "How about we do a deal. You promise to shut up, and I won't threaten you – much."

Andy gulped. "But – but –" he argued half-heartedly. "How do I know you aren't lying? You've got nothing to prove that you're trustworthy!"

Harry cocked his head. "I've got Asa," he said. He held out his Sakima-free arm and the phoenix jumped on. She shuffled up to his shoulder and nudged his head. Harry grinned. "Will that do?"

"You've got a phoenix?" Andy demanded, glaring at Harry and Asa. "A Parselmouth who owns a phoenix! That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard. And totally unbelievable. Either you're a Parselmouth and dark, or you're light and you own a phoenix! You can't be both!"

"I'm light, I own a Japanese Phoenix named Asa, and I'm a Parselmouth who owns a snake named Sakima. Oh, and Hedwig, my owl. I've had her since I was eleven. She was my birthday present from Hag – an old friend," Harry hurriedly covered up 'Hagrid'. He reckoned these children would know Hagrid and Andy might ask if he'd bought anyone an owl. This Hagrid would say no, and he didn't want a reputation as a liar already. He'd spent too much of his life being called that. He certainly didn't want to be labelled that when he had a chance to start over with a clean slate.

If Andy noticed the cover-up, he didn't say anything (which probably meant he didn't notice anything, Harry said later). He certainly looked suspicious and less than friendly. However, it was clear he'd run out of arguments.

"Andy, please can I pat the snake?" Sophie begged, giving him incredible lost little puppy eyes. "Pretty please?" she stuck out her bottom lip.

Andy sighed. "Fine!" he said, biting his lip in annoyance. "But don't come running to me – or blaming me, for that matter – when it tries to kill you. I've said he's not trustworthy, but I can't say any more. It's your call entirely."

Harry scowled at the boy, who let out a deep sigh, obviously trying to give the appearance of being a silent hero. Harry turned away and held out his arm once more. Sophie crept up, as though frightened that if she walked too loud, Sakima would kill her. Her arm shook as she stretched it out. It hovered above Sakima for a moment, and then landed lightly on the snake's back.

"Aaah," Sakima hissed in pleasure. Harry knew just how much Sakima loved being petted and stroked.

Then…

"MUM!" Andy screamed. "DAD! THERE'S A KID UP HERE AND HE'S ATTACKING SOPHIE!"

Sophie screamed. Nick yelled. Andy was in the doorway shouting at the top of his lungs. Nick ran up to him and covered his mouth, muffling the yells. Sophie began to cry and she curled up next to Harry on the bed, resting her head on his chest. Harry let Sakima slither off his arm, and he then wrapped it around the terrified girl. Footsteps thumped towards the door. Then Lily and James burst in. James started towards Harry.

"You!" he exclaimed furiously. "I knew you were trouble! I don't know why we believed you! How did you pull it over Dumbledore, eh? And what did you do to my daughter?"

"He got his snake to attack her," Andy said smugly. Harry shot a glare at the boy. "He said he would attack her, but I knew better. I tried to dissuade her from touching the beast, but she didn't listen. So I got you up here."

"And scared the living daylights out of her when you screamed," Harry snapped. "She was stroking him. She wasn't in any danger. But now she's scared out of her wits, all thanks to you, you clever idiot!" he pointed vigorously at the little girl who was crying even harder now.

James looked suddenly uncomfortable. He looked at his daughter, who was clinging to Harry, crying, before rounding on Andy. "What do you mean, he was attacking her? She looks fine to me, other than she's just been frightened beyond belief! By you!"

"He hadn't started to attack her, but he was about to!" Andy tried to protest.

"He wasn't!" Sophie said suddenly. "Andy, you great prat! He was letting me play with his snake. I was nervous, of course, but not because of him, because of the snake. Snakes make most people nervous. And I had barely touched it when you screamed. And you scared me! You're so mean! You think you can get away with everything, just because you look like Harry!"

The whole room was deathly quiet. No one even breathed. Sophie clapped her hand to her mouth and began to whimper again. She ducked behind Harry again, who looked around at the rest of the room. Lily and James had begun taking shuddering breaths. Nick looked shell-shocked. Andy started to go red and then began spluttering. As if this gave her confidence, Lily walked right up to him.

"To your bedroom, young man," she ordered, pointing her index finger between his eyes. They crossed to see it. Harry restrained from snorting. It was obvious that Andy was in shock. Lily seemed to have gotten over hers, though. "And no Quidditch for a week! You can help out around the house instead. Maybe you should learn not to judge people too quickly. You were very wrong about this incident, weren't you?"

Andy mumbled something, going even redder.

"What was that?" Lily asked, her chin jutted out in annoyance.

"Yes, Mum," Andy said, his voice barely audible.

"Good," Lily nodded her head forcefully. She placed her hands on his shoulders and steered him from the room. Nick followed, still looking like he didn't know what had just hit him. Harry was strongly reminded of how Ron had looked when he first kissed Ginny.

"Erm, right. Well…" James cleared his throat. "Ah, Sophie?"

"Coming, Daddy," Sophie wriggled out of her position next to Harry. She looked up at him. "You're nice. What's your name?"

"Harry," Harry said. He watched for a reaction. He didn't get one, because James grabbed Sophie and literally shoved her out the door. He looked back at Harry as he began to leave as well.

"Nice phoenix you've got there," he said suddenly. "Japanese, isn't it?"

The door shut with a click.

(--)

"So let me get this straight," eleven-nearly-twelve-year-old Emily Potter folded her arms across her chest as she stared down her younger brother and sister. "There's a boy upstairs who looks like Dad, has Mum's eyes and calls himself Harry?"

"Yes!" Sophie nodded insistently. "He's so nice!"

"And he's a Parselmouth with a snake named Sakima and a phoenix named Asa," fourteen-year-old Rose Potter said. "And he says he's eighteen and has finished at Hogwarts."

"Yes!" Nick exclaimed. He grinned at his older sisters.

Emily and Rose exchanged dubious looks. Sophie caught the looks and the meaning behind them and her bottom lip started to tremble.

"You don't believe us, do you?" she asked, letting a tiny sob escape. "You never believe us! We're not lying! I swear!"

"Sophie…" Rose began, looking helplessly at Emily, who was edging away. "Emily Natalia (A/N Don't think it's weird. There's a reason. You'll see later on.) Potter, get back here right now!"

Emily slunk back grouchily. "Aww, come on Sophie, don't cry! Mum will flip if she reckons we got you crying!"

"You did get her crying," Nick pointed out. He knew what Sophie was up to. She did it a lot to get things to go their way. It was a twin thing.

"Shut up, Nicholas!" Rose scolded. "Sophie, come on, I'll ask Mum. I'm sure she'll tell us what's going on."

"Like she ever tells us anything!" Emily scoffed. "If she and Dad provided a room for some stranger, its obviously top secret Order business. She won't say anything."

"We may as well ask," Rose pointed out. She grabbed Emily's sleeve and dragged her sister from the room.

As soon as they were gone, Nick rounded on his sister.

"What was that for?" he demanded. "What did you want this time?"

"Oh, Nick," Sophie said impatiently. "It's obvious! If we feed information to Em and Rose, they ask Mum. Mum will naturally tell them a certain amount of stuff about Harry. We then eavesdrop – you know them, don't ever consider that someone might listen in – and get that stuff too. That way, we work out what's happening with this guy. We know him so we can draw on our own experience as well."

"Uh-huh," Nick said doubtfully. "Run me through that again."

Sophie glared at him. "Well…"

(--)

Albus Dumbledore was in his office, pondering the mystery of cross-dimensional travel, when James Potter's head appeared in the grate. Dumbledore immediately dropped the quill he had been writing with and swept around his desk to crouch before the flames.

"Albus!" James sounded slightly panicked.

"Has something happened to Harry?" Dumbledore said, worriedly. They couldn't afford to let any harm come to the boy. If something happened, well, a great opportunity for magical research had been missed, not to mention the ability to learn of how to defeat Voldemort. No, Harry was extremely important.

"Not really," James said. "But Andy, Nick and Sophie found him. Albus – he's a Parselmouth and he's got a snake. A big one. Some kind of constrictor, I think. Anyway, Andy accused him of being a dark wizard and screamed for us when Sophie tried to pet it. His belongings have all showed up as well. He has a snowy owl and – you won't believe this, Albus – a Japanese Phoenix. Pure white. I'm guessing the phoenix brought his things, but – Merlin, Albus, he gave everyone a fright. Plus, he comforted Sophie when she started crying. She's already taken a shine to him. I guess you could say I'm in shock at the moment. This is one heck of a tirade isn't it? Not to mention breathless."

"You could say that," Dumbledore smiled, though he himself was slightly stunned. A Parselmouth with a snake and a phoenix? The ability to converse with snakes was considered to be a dark ability. An ability that resided in the line of Slytherin. Though it probably did not mean he was dark. Werewolves were considered dark, but Remus Lupin was quite the opposite of the 'aggressive, blood thirsty and evil' label all werewolves were forced to bear. And the fact Harry had a phoenix meant his heart was true and he had no evil intentions. What's more, the Japanese Phoenix was renowned for purity, with its snow white feathers. Harry had to be pure at heart to have one of these phoenixes. He had Fawkes, and one or two of his great friends also owned phoenixes, but they were all average phoenixes. Not Japanese ones. Dumbledore could feel his head spinning. "From your jumbled and rushed explanation, I would say Harry is pure at heart, but is a Parselmouth, though that does not detract from his trustworthiness. Look at your friend Remus, for example. He has the misfortune of being a werewolf, but his is kind and gentle and has a good heart. What is to say Harry is not in the same boat? Though his ability is born, not gained. I suppose you could say that the way he comforted young Sophie is an example of what sort of man he is."

"Yes," James said, his head shifting in the flames. "I've got nothing to hold against him, but I thought you should know this. Its not every day you meet an eighteen-year-old who is a Parselmouth and owns a phoenix."

"Yes," Dumbledore said, thoughtful. His eyes suddenly widened and he looked at James intensely. "You say his belongings showed up, along with the phoenix and snake?"

"And owl," James said. "Yes, they did."

"He has an owl as well?" Dumbledore smiled. "Many pets. Hmm. You didn't actually see this, did you?"

"No, I didn't," James shook his head. "We left him in his room, and when we returned to Andy's yells, they were there."

"Ah," Dumbledore nodded. "I would assume the phoenix found him and brought them for him. That is what you said you believe, is it not?"

"Yes, I said that," James eyed Dumbledore with a furrowed brow. "What are you getting at, sir?"

"I mean," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps phoenixes can move through dimensions. Possibly there is a passage they travel down and if people could find that passage, we may be able to move between them also. Though of course, it may be only phoenixes capable of that, but I still hope. If it is merely the phoenix, we humans can communicate through them. Phoenixes can carry mail just like owls, you know."

"Yes, I do," James nodded. "Cross dimensional mail service, is it?" James laughed heartily. "But what do you want from that? Something to benefit the Order? And if so, how would that work, Headmaster?"

"You remember Harry said Voldemort had been defeated?" Dumbledore asked, staring hard at the young man in the fireplace, awaiting his reaction.

"You want to know how they did it!" James exclaimed. "But – but we have Harry here! He could help!"

"There may be several secrets he is unaware of," Dumbledore said calmly. "But they may know of them and we can gain their help and support. The phoenixes might even consent to transport a few people for us as well. After all, Harry's phoenix brought the snake and the owl, did he not?"

"She, I think," James corrected. "Albus, I –"

He was interrupted by a large eagle patronus swooping into the office. Dumbledore gathered the message intended, before turning back to James with a solemn face.

"James," he said gravely. "Alastor Moody has been captured by Lucius Malfoy. The Death Eaters intend to use him in an ancient ritual tonight."

"R-ritual?" James stuttered.

"It will return Voldemort to his body," Dumbledore's eyes had lost their twinkle completely. "Gather the Order."

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Its not much of a cliffie, but it will do.

This chapter is double the length of the other two and I expected it would take longer to post, but it didn't. I must have been really focused or something. Be glad its up so soon! Chapter 4 may take longer, as it will be longer than this one again, butitis all mapped out. It should be up soon enough.

Please review. I love reviews!