*Apologies for the long time in updated. There was a death in my family that not only took away my muse but my time while I handled the affairs. I am back and hope this makes up for things. Thank you Will Pender and Door To Anima for keeping me inspired (Permission given by artist to mention their names)*
Everyone had been sent to the Great Hall. Phoenix sat in front of the wall by the counter for the House Points. Tonks sat next to him rubbing his back with one hand. Harry and Hermione sat by them. Everything had began to process for Phoenix. He ignored everything around him while it set in. Specifically what Snape had said to him while he was petrified, had set in. Who he said he was. He couldn't figure out how it was possible. Severus Snape was his uncle. He dropped his wand when that and one other revelation set in. It seemed that Harry had remembered the exact same thing at that moment when he looked at Phoenix with his eyes wide.
"Oh, bloody hell, Phoenix," he muttered and put a hand on his shoulder.
"What?" Hermione and Tonks asked at the same time.
"What happened my love?" Tonks asked next.
He sat still and motionless until he stuttered, "Snape, is... is... my uncle."
Hermione gasped and whispered, "No," as her hands went over her mouth.
"It's true," Harry responded. "I heard it when we were immobilized by Death Eaters by Hagrid's. A brunette one made him tell Phoenix."
Tonks looked confused for a moment. "I don't remember her being with them. Who would that be?"
Phoenix sat quiet and waited for Professor McGonalgall to come closer as she had taken in an interest in the conversation after Harry mentioned being trapped by the Death Eaters.
"Yes, Phoenix. Who indeed? I also do not recall seeing anyone matching that description with them."
Phoenix locked eyes with her and took a deep, shaky breath. "It was Rose. She said they faked her death. She's alive."
Minerva dropped her wand and clasped her hands against her chest. She shook her head repeatedly and whispered, "No. No. No, no, no, no."
Phoenix stood up and hugged her. All he could whisper to her was, "I'm so sorry. She fooled all of us. Me most of all."
The next thing he knew he was crying too. Tonks, Harry and Hermione stood with them with hands on their shoulders. After they released and the professor picked up her wand, their time to further process the events was cut short when Ginny rushed into the Great Hall and whispered something to Minerva. Her distress and urgency could be felt for miles. The professors eyes grew wide and she turned to the group.
"Everyone to the hospital wing. Now!"
They arrived to the hospital wing within minutes to see Madame Pomfrey, Ginny, Fred, George and Remus gathered around the bed opposite Neville's. They all moved closer to discover a seriously injured, Bill Weasley lying in the bed. None of them could recognize him.
"He was attacked by Fenrir Greyback," Ginny informed them.
When Phoenix saw the injured face of his former class mate, everything around him tuned out and a wave of guilt swam over him. He wasn't sure why. He tuned back in when his wife squeezed his hand. Everyone was fighting back their tears and Professor McGonagall was collapsed in a nearby chair. Then Tonks' voice chimed in.
"He must have known something about Snape that we didn't. Dumbledore always swore that he was on our side."
"What about Snape?" Phoenix asked.
Harry grunted. "That bastard killed Dumbledore! I was right there, petrified, when it happened!"
Anger became present in Phoenix's eyes. Tonks held his face in her hands and begged him to calm down. He pulled away from her and stared glared at the floor.
"I can not calm down. Now I have to live, knowing that I am related to the man who killed, Albus Dumbledore!" he shouted to multiple gasps. Including one from Madame Pomfrey.
He stormed out of the hospital wing and threw himself down onto a bench in the hallway. He put his face in his hands to come to grips with the feelings of anger, resentment and overall, just how upset he was about everything. An unknown amount of time passed while everything processed. After a while, it no longer mattered how or why everything had happened. He no longer wanted to hear or play the blame game. All that was on his mind was revenge.
The guilt he felt for Bill's injury was because he was not there at Hogwarts fighting when it all happened. He felt like he should have been there. Regardless of his absence being on Dumbledore's orders. Then an unpleasant thought crossed his mind. "What if Dumbledore knew everything that was going to happen?" Phoenix shook his head and displaced the thought. He cleared his mind enough that the only sound that could be heard, was the sad song of Fawkes the Phoenix.
Some time during his reflection, Tonks had joined him and was rubbing his shoulders. After discovering that she had done so, he placed his hands over hers but remained looking at the floor. Hagrid suddenly appeared in the corridor. He looked at the two of them.
"Professor McGonagall 'as asked ter see tha 'eads o' houses an tha watchmen in that 'ead masters office."
They acknowledged him and stood up to make the trek to the, now former, Headmaster's office. Once there, they sat with the Head's of the Houses and the other Watchmen. The discussion quickly began about whether or not Hogwarts should remain open the next year. Upon hearing that, all of the Watchmen stood up. Phoenix leaned against the desk with his hands on each side.
"I know you're still in disbelief, Minerva, but that is a terrible idea and I can not even believe you even entertain such an a thing!"
"There are too many children who depend on Hogwarts. We can't risk the Dark Lord going after their families to get to them," Tonks added.
After some more arguments, Professor McGonagall decided to follow Professor Flitwicks suggestion and let the Ministry decide. A decision that not even the Slytherin Watchman, Darius McCracken, agreed with. Then the discussion of when to send the students home came up. All of the Watchmen and Heads of House argued that it must wait until after Dumbledore's funeral. Minerva agreed and then Harry entered the office. He was followed by Ministry officials who sent the present staff away. Before exiting the office, Professor McGonagall informed them that they were dismissed until Dumbledore's funeral.
With that, Phoenix left for his cabin on the grounds. Tonks followed her husband in silence with her arms wrapped around his left arm, as he returned to his cabin. They arrived to discover his cabin, just like Hagrid's, was completely black, smoking and smoldering. Tonks gasped when she saw the cabin. Phoenix broke free of her and ran up to it panicked and tried to look in from where the window used to be.
"DEMETRIUS!" he screamed.
"There he is," Tonks shouted.
Phoenix breathed a sigh of relief when the Falcon perched on his shoulder. He quickly stroked the massive birds feathers and talked to him. "I am glad you are alright my friend."
Tonks cupped his cheek in her hand as she looked into his eyes. "It's okay. Demetrius is okay. We have a spare cage for him. Let's go home. To our home."
He nodded and they made their way to Hogsmeade. Keeping his wife and their daughter in mind was his silver lining for the recent unpleasantness. At least no one would go looking for him at this house. So he hoped. He now had time for everything to set in until Dumbledore's funeral.
Once inside, he wrapped his arms around Tonks after Demetrius flew off his shoulder and to a perch. "At least now, we can make up for lost time as a family."
After retrieving their daughter, Phoenix and Tonks spent the next several days at their Hogsmeade home as a family. Hermione provided them daily updates on Bills recovery. They didn't leave the house at all so they could keep their minds off of the recent unpleasantness. Even if it was to be short lived. They made the best of it. Even when he researched Severus Snapes family to find his connection. He still could not find anything or anyone in that family that could.
The best part for those couple of days was the night before the dreaded day came. Phoenix was putting Zandra to bed when she held onto his hand and looked at him with smile and said, "Dada." Hearing that brought tears to his eyes and healed a part of his heart. Even Tonks cried a little bit.
"I always waited for the day where I could hear her say that and you would know it's the truth."
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I am delighted that it happened."
"It was her first word, Phoenix."
"Certainly won't be her last."
They went to bed to get some rest. For the next morning was going to be rough.
** The next morning came with much sadness and anxiety. They waited for Andromeda to arrive to watch Zandra and went to Hogwarts for Dumbledore's funeral. Andromeda could not bring herself to go to the funeral. Once Phoenix and Tonks arrived, it didn't take long for them to find a seat. It was next to, Remus Lupin, who had a black dog sitting next to him. They both knew the dog was Sirius. Moments later, Harry and Hermione sat in front of them. Hermione was crying and didn't acknowledge Neville when he sat down with them. Tonks then grinned and pointed out Luna and Fred. They overheard Hermione point out with a slight disgust that Ginny was sitting with Cormack McLaggen.
Soon after, everyone shed tears when Hagrid came down the aisle carrying a something draped in purple velvet and spangled with golden stars. Silently, Phoenix thanked Dumbledore for lighting the spark in Tonks to get his memories back and himself back in her life. He paid attention to the proceedings again when a white light and fire flashed from Dumbledore's body, followed by arrows flying out. Then the service was over. The only thing heard was Hagrid crying.
Phoenix and Remus went to console Hagrid and were both pulled into a rib breaking bear hug. Hagrid kept squeezing them tighter as he cried until Madame Maxime got his attention and he held her instead. The two walked away holding their sides in pain and the black dog whined. They joined Fred, Luna, George and Neville to console Harry and Hermione.
They saw Ron standing in front of Harry. His posture was tense and stiff as he was noticeably nervous. When they got closer they heard Ron say, "I was a jealous and outright git. I never should have gotten onvolved with Tracey Davis. She got in my head and made things worse. I should be here when you need me. I'm sorry, Harry. I'm sorry, Hermione."
Phoenix and Tonks were not the least bit surprised when Harry shook Ron's hand and forgave him. Being somewhat disappointed, they began to make their way to the group. Before they could get closer, the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour appeared in front of Phoenix.
"Alexander Gaunt. I received word that your memories were found and returned. Splendid I must say. Pending some questioning we have for you, we are more than happy to reinstate you as an Auror."
Tonks's head whipped over to her husband in surprise. Wondering what his answer would be. A part of her seemed hopeful he would accept. However, Phoenix looked him over and thought for a minute before answering.
"Hogwarts hasn't officially let out yet. I still currently have duties to tend to there. Please inquire again after school is no longer in session."
The Minister then walked away from him and walked away with Harry. Fred, Luna and Neville all went out of site. Neville and Luna both were holding their D.A. Coins. Phoenix smiled at their sentiment. Tonks just stared at the white tomb Dumbledore was now encased in while they stood at the entrance.
Harry came back very annoyed. He mentioned that Scrimgeour was still pressing him to tell them where Dumbledore kept disappearing to when he would be gone for those long periods of time. He had even offered to glamorize him. Harry then dismissed it. Then the subject of the school being closed or remaining open was brought up. That was where harry dropped his bombshell.
"I'm not coming back even if it does reopen."
Ron gaped at him, but Hermione said sadly, "I knew you were going to say that. But then what will you do?"
"Are you sure about this, Harry?"
Harry sighed and answered, "Yes. Yes I am. I must do this. I am going back to the Dursley's once more, because Dumbledore wanted me to. But it'll be a short visit and then I'll be gone for good."
At that moment, Tonks looked alarmed and then ran to the nearest bush. Phoenix followed her in time to hear her retching. He stood behind her and rubbed her back until she was done. When she was done, she took a couple of deep breaths and cast a clean up spell on herself. He looked at her concerned.
"What happened?"
She took a couple of deep breathes before answering. "I'm fine. I think I'm just too overwhelmed with being stressed and upset. It happens some times. Let's go make sure Harry will be alright and then we'll go home."
They went back to the group to hear the argument taking place as Hermione was saying, "You told us once before, that there was a time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"
"What's going here?" Phoenix asked.
Harry gave Hermione a stern look before she answered. "Harry found out that there are some items he needs to find and destroy that will help bring an end to Voldemort. He's trying to insist that he does it alone."
"Why would you want to do such a foolish thing?" Phoenix asked.
Before Harry could respond, Hermione spoke up. "Harry, everyone here is here to help you."
"I don't want you all to be in danger. It's better if I go alone," Harry replied.
The group was startled when the black dog suddenly growled at him. Phoenix raised his eyebrows and looked back at Harry. "I agree with Sirius. As for myself, I am charged with your protection. You are my family now. I will continue to protect you."
"We all will," Tonks added.
Hermione kissed Harry and held his hand. "You're not alone anymore. You haven't been since this all began in first year. Stop thinking you are. Especially now. Please start relying on our help."
Ron then spoke up. "We're with you whatever happens. But mate, you're going to have to come round my mum and dad's house before we do anything else. Even Godricks Hallow."
"Why?" the group asked.
"Bill and Fleurs wedding, remember?"
The subject then changed to the topic of the wedding. If only for a while.