Disclaimer: same as always....i don't own it...

warnings: same as always too....

A/N: I would give you all sorts of reasons why I have not updated, but they would waste time....so without further ado here is the next chapter in our adventure!

Chapter 21: Fawkes and Odd

Harry wondered into Hermione's room the next morning after the excitement Ron had caused. Severus was still asleep beside her, but she was sitting up reading a book in bed. Harry walked quietly over to her and sat down as she closed the book and looked up at him.

"How are you feeling Mione?" Harry asked grasping her hand.

"I'm feeling alright. A little sore, but nothing that can't be fixed," she said with a small smile ghosting across her face.

Harry looked at her puzzled for a moment. He knew if he had been raped by someone who used to be their friend he wouldn't be smiling for a long while.

"Are you sure you're okay Mione?" Harry asked.

"I'll get over what he did to me. It's not like he was big enough to actually hurt me if you get my drift. It's just the fact that he tried to take me from Severus," Hermione said.

Severus started to stir beside them as they continued to talk quietly. Severus finally woke up and immediately had Hermione in his arms.

"I was so worried about you. Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything love?" Severus said running his hands through her hair.

"Air…need air…" Hermione gasped out. Harry just laughed as Severus loosened his grip on Hermione but didn't let her go.

"I was so worried about you. I couldn't stand to see you hurt. I don't know what I would have done if Harry and I hadn't got down there so quickly." Severus said running his fingers through Hermione's hair.

"It's okay Sev. You'll never lose me." Hermione said closing her eyes and smiling contently.

"I know I won't." Severus said letting go of Hermione and getting down on one knee beside her bed. "You are everything to me. I know it's sudden but I feel a connection to you that I can't explain. Hermione Granger. I love you. Will you bond with me?"

Harry smiled from the corner of the room that he had slipped to in order to give them a little space. He looked at the tear-streaked face of Hermione as she accepted and gave Severus a passionate kiss. He decided it was time to leave and let them rejoice in the happiness they had found.

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Harry wandered aimlessly down the hall humming to himself as he went. This day was going splendid. Mione found her true love and was getting married, Arthur played the perfect part as they found his wife's body in her own house, and he found Bini's stash of chocolate frogs. Today was going his way.

He wandered a little farther and turned left to head down another corridor aimlessly when he saw Luna lying in the middle of the hallway. He smiled to himself as he went and lay beside her.

"How are you doing today Miss Lovegood?"

"I'm doing wonderful. Could you pass me one of Bini's chocolate frogs please?"

Harry just chuckled. Trust her to know he found Bini's stash. They lay there in silence as people walked silently around them. They were used to Harry and Luna doing odd things at odd times of the day. Suddenly Luna rolled all the way to the end of the hallway and all the way back to Harry. He was about to ask what she was doing when she gently laid Tahj on his chest.

"Young massster. I've been looking for you. Dumblesss is keeping the students from doing anything he doesn't approve of. They aren't allowed to meet in groups or anything. He is keeping a close eye on everyone."

"Thanksss Tahj. Go join Nagini. I'll come visit you later."

Harry rolled and wrapped an arm around Luna. "How did you know she was there?"

"I seen her there. I thought you would be used to that by now Harry." Harry just nodded as him and Luna took a nap in the middle of the hallway.

Harry was woken up later by Draco staring down at him with a frown on his face. Harry looked around and noticed he was still in the hallway but Luna was lying on top of him with her head resting against his chest.

"Please explain why you are sleeping in a hallway and why she is on top of you," Draco seethed.

"It's not what it looks like. We were laying here talking and eating Bini's frogs when Tahj finally returned and we decided to take a nap," Harry said not moving.

"Normal people sleep in beds, not hallways," Draco said.

"What's normal?" Luna asked moving from Harry to sit on the floor.

Harry looked at Luna thoughtfully and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure Luna. We'll ask Mione later. Remember, Mione knows most things."

Harry, Draco and Luna went down to the dining hall where everyone was already starting to eat their dinner. Midway through the meal Severus got everyone's attention. Harry smirked as Severus began to talk.

"As you know, a tragic event took place yesterday. Hermione has showed she is stronger than all of us to endure the perils of war and there isn't anyone else like her. I would like to announce as of this morning, we are now engaged to be married."

Congratulations were heard from around the dining hall as everyone rejoiced in the happy news. The women completely forgot about the meal they were eating and grabbed Hermione and rushed from the room.

Lucius shook his head and placed it on the table. "Severus what have you done. Now we'll never hear the end of it. Until the day of the wedding, all we'll hear about it is dresses, flowers and music."

"Don't forget that they'll be trying to play dress up with us," Sirius piped up from the table.

Severus smiled and shook his head. He didn't care. He was in love.

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As February came to a close and March slipped past, April was soon approaching. The wedding was to be held on April 25 at 2 pm – which was four hours away. Last minute preparations were being made as the garden at Malfoy Manor was decorated in simple flowers every where the eye could see.

Harry slipped into Hermione's room where her mom and Narcissa were helping her get ready. They had already put make up on her and they were busy trying to fix her hair.

"You look so beautiful Mione," Harry said kneeling beside her.

"Thanks Harry. I'm so nervous," Hermione said as Narcissa pinned more of her hair up.

"Don't worry. Severus is a very lucky man," Harry said giving her a small hug. "I'm going to head out and make sure the guests are situated."

Harry slipped from the room and went out into the garden. Many of the Death Eaters were present along Hermione's parents. As the time for the ceremony drew near, Harry slipped into his place as Hermione's witness as Lucius was standing for Severus. Tom took his place presiding over the ceremony as soft music starting to play. Hermione wanted to include some aspects of a muggle ceremony. Her father walked her down the aisle and gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

It was a very short ceremony. Hermione and Severus exchanged their own vows as Tom bound them together for the rest of their lives. A reception was held in honor of the couple before they would leave to one of the Prince Manor's in France. People were on the floor dancing as others were sitting around talking and having a good time.

Hermione and Severus said their goodbyes a few hours later. Harry and Draco entered their room to find Fawkes sitting on Hedwig's owl perch with the Sorting Hat sitting beside him.

"What is Dumbledore's bird doing here?" Draco asked. "I thought he was supposed to be loyal to Dumbles."

They both made their way cautiously over to Fawkes and the Sorting Hat.

"There's only one way to find out," Harry said as he slipped Odd onto his head.

"Good evening Mr. Potter. I trust you had a wonderful time at the wedding," Odd said into his ear.

"It was wonderful, but may I ask why you have come to me and also why Fawkes is here," Harry asked Odd.

"It's obvious I couldn't walk here my dear boy. As for why we are here, Fawkes is loyal to the most powerful witch or wizard of the age. He once belonged to Merlin, who I understand is your great great something grandfather. We are here to tell you that you need to act quickly in removing Dumbledore from the wizarding world. He has a plan to cause great destruction and blame it on Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He's hoping in the mayhem he kills you."

"Dray, Dumbles is planning to cause a massive attack and blame it on Tom and to try to kill me in the process," Harry said wrapping an arm around Draco.

"We need to let Tom and my father know. We won't bother Severus on his honeymoon, but we need to tell him as soon as he gets back. Come on Harry. Bring Fawkes and the Sorting Hat with you," Draco said grabbing Harry's hand and leading him out of the room.

They found Tom and Lucius sitting in the library drinking a glass of scotch. When Harry and Draco entered followed by Fawkes and Odd on Harry's head, they both jumped to their feet with their wand pointed.

"What is Dumbledore's chicken doing here?!" Tom shouted.

"Calm down. Long story short, he is loyal to me now," Harry said. "He also brought Odd to speak with me. It seems Dumbles is planning something big and he plans to blame it all on you. He also hopes to kill me in the process."

"Did the hat say what he was planning?" Lucius asked.

Harry sighed, "His name is Odd and no he didn't say what he was planning. Dumbledore knew not to say any of the plans where he might hear them."

"We'll have to summon Severus," Tom said heading towards the fireplace.

"No. You don't need to. Him and Mione need time alone together. Let us try and figure out what he is planning first and then we'll summon him if absolutely necessary."

The group sat around discussing what to do about Dumbledore when Harry stood up abruptly and stared at Fawkes.

"Why don't you just go back on spy on him then?" Harry said hotly. They others stared at Harry. They weren't sure who he was talking to.

"Harry. Who are you talking to?" Draco asked taking slow steps towards Harry.

Harry whipped around and faced the others with his hand on his hips. "I'm talking to this bloody chicken who keeps pointing out everything wrong with our plans so far. If he is so smart then he should go spy and tell us exactly what Dumbles is planning."

"Harry, it's not possible to speak to a phoenix, let alone understand one." Tom said.

"Well, I guess there is no such thing when it comes to me," Harry scoffed sitting back down. Suddenly his head jerked towards Fawkes once again. "What do you mean I'm a phoenix? I'm human. I can't be a phoenix. I'm not even an animagus. Tom and Lucius tested me in during my training."

"Sweet Merlin," Lucius said standing. "Harry, the reason you didn't seem to have an animagus form is because we were only testing for basic animals. If you have a magical form, there is no way to test for that because there hasn't been any documented cases."

"Gee, thanks Lucius. You're so helpful. That bloody chicken just said the same thing."

"If you're a phoenix, since Draco is your soul mate, more than likely he is one too," Tom said.

"If I'm also a phoenix, why can't I understand Fawkes?" Draco asked.

"Don't look at me," Harry said. "I have no idea, but he did agree to go back to Dumbledore and figure out what his plans are."

Fawkes flamed out of the room as they others were left to ponder on the mystery that was Harry.

"Well Harry, let's start you're animagus training now that we know you're a phoenix. Draco should join us too," Tom said.

Harry flashed a smile at Tom and Lucius. "I think that may have to wait. I have some business to take care of with Draco." Before Tom or Lucius could get protest, Harry grabbed Draco by the hand and ran from the room.