Author's Note: Apologies for taking almost a millennium to update but any time I've had away from school has been completely messed up with exams and my dad was involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully, he's fine. Thanks for all you're reviews, patient and sticking with me. Sorry that's this chapter so short but I really wanted to update.

Disclaimer: I am simply borrowing the magic of JK Rowling's magical world for my own entertainment and comfort and have no desire to claim them as my own.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Gift

To the suspicion of the Madam Pince, the librarian, Harry and his friends spent many hours researching in the library. However, Harry was fast losing hope and despite the vast resources Hogwarts library had to offer; very little information could be found about the Veil.

It was late when Harry bid his friends, (minus Peter whom had been called home by his mother for his grandmother had taken ill,) goodnight on Christmas Eve. Lying in the warmth, silvery moonlight which illuminated the room as Harry watched fluttering snow through the window. He had only one week's worth of time before he was due to return to his own time and he was no closer to saving Sirius then before. Although he had gain precious memories and a priceless relationship with the family he had never before known, Harry could not help but feel bitterly disappointed, anguished and slightly cheated. His only aim had been to regain his godfather but instead he had had to face more trouble and death eaters then he did as the boy-who-lived.

Drifting of into the welcoming hands of sleep, Harry did not acknowledge a sudden bright twinkle of light in the sky, the appearance of Fawkes or a silvery gold radiance encasing him.

Somewhere, in a location where neither place nor time existed, a stranger watched the swan size phoenix deliver her gift to the black-haired boy. She was not meant to be here and neither was the gift legal. This unknown girl had watched the saviour of light since the very beginning of his life, and though interference was highly banned and heavily punished by her father's laws, she did not regret or feel guilty at what she had done and was doing. She watched anonymously as a scene unfolded in front of her.

Harry found himself being flung through a spinning whirl of blurred colours. This strange vortex was pulling him faster and faster towards its centre. The feeling and pull was similar to the one of a portkey and it was with panic and fear did Harry remember what happened the last time he had taken a surprise portkey. Almost as though expecting a graveyard to appear around him, Harry struggled against the pulling grip.

Suddenly, Harry found himself tumbling to the ground as the whirlpool released him. Picking himself off the ground Harry saw the tornado dissolved before his eyes into the air.

Blinking and rubbing his eyes Harry wondered where he was. Looking around, he could not help but feel awed at the magnificent hall he was in. The walls were plain and pure white with golden pillars. The ceiling was a dome shape and was too white, though this time it was laced with a flowery gold pattern. The only entrance to the room was a large oak door, there were no windows. Despite the large size of the room it was virtually empty besides a stand on a raised platform facing the door.

Although he had been panicked and scared, Harry could not help but feel no fear in this room. It had an aura of safety, innocence and purity. Harry felt he would not come to any harm here.

Only a little hesitant, Harry walked towards the stand and was surprised to find on it a single closed book. It gave Harry the impression the book had never been opened or used. The edges were crinkled with age and its cover was a plain deep green bearing the title in simple silver writing. There wasn't an author mentioned, just the name of the book: Time.

Harry heart skipped a beat as he stared at the book, not quite daring to believe what he was seeing. For several seconds, Harry remained motionless and silent. Then slowly, his hand reached out to open the book. Upon making contact with the cover, the room faded.

Misty grey clouds now enclosed around Harry and where the book had been was nothing but air. A mixture of dread and apprehension coursed through Harry's veins. Where was he? What had happened? Shadows of the last looks upon Sirius and Cedric crept into the edge of his mind.

Turning round, Harry noticed that the fog was thinning. When Harry could finally see where he was, he realised that he was surrounded with shelves upon shelves of books. It all looked very familiar. His mind registered that he was in the library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Questions filtered into in his mind, how, what, why? Before he had a chance to ponder a glowing light caught Harry's eye and attention. A book was emitting a soft gold glow. Harry moved to investigate when it levitated itself of the bookshelf, floated to a stop less then a quarter of a metre in front of Harry, hovering just over a metre from the ground.

This book held he same look of age as the last time. It was royal blue in colour with golden lettering. Harry gasped as he read the title and the author of the book.

'The Dawn before Time' by Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw.

As though being blown by a light wind the book opened and its pages fluttered coming to the rest on chapter three. It was titled, 'The Black Veil'.

Back in Gryffindor common room a black-haired boy awoke with a start. Sitting up, he breathed rapidly taking short shallow breaths. The room was dark, the moon having gone behind a cloud. Running a shaky hair through his head, Harry thought back to what his dream had shown him.

Throwing his bed covers aside Harry jumped out of the bed, excitement coursing through him. Not even bothering to put on a dressing gown, Harry put his shoes on and ran out of the room. Opening the portrait door, Harry skid to a stop.

Standing there, surprised but nevertheless beaming was three of his best friends: Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. Please review and tell me what you think. Do you want Hermione, Ron and Ginny in the past or not because that can be easily changed. I, myself, am in two minds about it.

Competition: I need a name for the strange girl who keeps popping up. I've got an idea what I want to call her but it's not very good and I'm open to suggestion. Ideally, I would like the name to mean star/time/heaven/protector/time or wish. It can be a name from any language. Please leave your e-mail address as well as your entry and is possible what the name means. Thanks.

Next Chapter: The Guardian of Time