Soft voices were the first things Aria was aware of as she regained consciousness. The second was that she had been moved to the hospital wing. The third was that she was not covered in blood and was in a hospital gown.
A gently coo had her opening her eyes to investigate the sound and she found the red bird Fawkes perched edge of the bed, staring at her.
Fawkes was bigger than she remembered, but then again, a lot had happened in such a short amount of time and the bird had been flying and attacking a monster for the better part of it. Its deep red color was almost orange in color, but a beautiful orange-red, not the usual gaudy color found in things like clothing or crayons. It even had plumage on its tail and head and its dark eyes studied Aria with an intelligence that she had only ever seen in Harry's owl Hedwig.
"Hi," she whispered. "You're Fawkes? That's what Madam Pince called you. I'm Aria." The bird hopped onto the bed and waddled up to her lap. She wrapped her arms around the large bird, marveling at how gentle it was. Fawkes rubbed his head against her cheek, making her giggle. Running her hands across Fawkes' feathers she noticed what looked like fine gossamer thread surrounding its ankles. With a simple wave of her hand the thread untangled from the bird's feet and she tossed it off the side of the bed where it disappeared into the light coming through the window.
Fawkes stilled for a moment, staring at where the thread had apparently drifted to the ground. Then he rubbed his head against her cheek again and settled on her lap, making her laugh again.
The curtains around her bed opened. Professors Snape and Dumbledore appeared, pushed aside by Madam Pomfrey and Healer Smith. They both began waving their wands over Aria while she marveled that Dumbledore was even back in the castle. When had he arrived? Was he back to being the headmaster? She almost hoped not. She liked McGonagall better.
"Except for a little bit of magical exhaustion and exhaustion in general, you're perfectly healthy," Healer Smith finally said. "Did you try to perform magic on the basilisk?"
"That thing was a basilisk?" Aria cried.
"Yes and you've lived to tell the tale," Snape replied. "Did you try performing magic on it?"
"No," Aria replied. "I . . . I saw Hermione and Penelope get petrified and my . . . my magic it sort of . . . jumped. I was against the wall at the time and the stones heated and then I bolted down the corridor."
The adults looked at each other.
"This is a very ancient castle," Madam Pomfrey finally murmured.
"What do you mean?" Aria asked.
"Miss Bourne, Fawkes brought you two things," Snape said. "The Sorting Hat and what was in the Sorting Hat."
"Yeah, it was a Sword."
Snape stepped back out for a few seconds and returned with a blood covered sword which still glistened in the light. A ruby decorated either side of the hilt. He held it closer for Aria to see and she could just make out the inscription GODRIC GRYFFINDOR.
"This belonged to Godric Gryffindor?" Aria asked.
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "Though many have tried to find it, legend had it that it would appear to a Gryffindor at the brave one's greatest need."
"Well I'm no Gryffindor," Aria stated.
"No," Dumbledore replied. "But to face that beast like you did . . . apparently the magic within Hogwarts recognized you to be brave enough and pure enough to wield Gryffindor's sword."
Aria almost felt like asking Dumbledore to speak in ordinary English, but decided she would talk to Snape later and have him explain everything. For now she just wanted to sit and pet Fawkes.
"I see you and Fawkes have become good friends," Dumbledore said.
"Yes," Aria replied. "He showed up in a burst of flame and blinded the basilisk. What sort of bird is he?"
"He's a phoenix," Dumbledore said. "And my familiar."
"Oh." A small part of Aria had hoped that the bird was unattached to anyone. There was just something about Fawkes that made her want to sit with him forever.
"What's going to happen to the basilisk?" Aria asked. "I mean . . . how are you going to get it out of the corridor?"
"Currently that part of the corridor has been warded against wayward students," Snape replied. "As to the beast itself, as you killed it, wizarding law says you have first claim to it as a "right of conquest" so to speak."
"Uh . . . so I decide what to do with it?"
"That is correct," Healer Smith said, jotting down something on a piece of parchment and handing the parchment to Madam Pomfrey. "You decide what to do with the basilisk."
Aria looked to Snape for guidance.
"There are a great many things one can do with a basilisk," Snape stated, his voice taking on his "lecture" tone. "The main thing of course is potions ingredients. As your Head of House and adviser while here in the magical world I would suggest that you have the basilisk harvested and that you save some ingredients to your own vault at Gringotts while selling off the rest. Basilisks are rare in the wizarding world and it's difficult to harvest wild basilisks as there really is no such thing and the breeding of basilisks is illegal. Taking one down is, of course, near impossible unless you have the help of a phoenix and the backing of a centuries old castle."
Aria laughed.
"I would also consider having some the basilisk skin commissioned into clothing," Snape continued. "Basilisk skin is almost as good as dragon hide. As you've got at least one more growth spurt to go through I'd suggest keeping some skin and then when you graduate Hogwarts commission to have the skin made into something like boots or gloves or even a dueling vest."
"Right. Um . . . is it possible for you to take care of all that or should I get a hold of my dad?"
"I've already sent an owl," Dumbledore interjected. "As your Head of House I'm sure Professor Snape would not mind getting a hold of some goblins. They'd be the best sort to harvest the creature and it'll be easier for them to transport to Miss Bourne's vault and broker deals for the ingredients if there is no middle man."
"Sounds good," Aria muttered, yawning.
"Drink this," Madam Pomfrey ordered. Aria grimaced at the taste of whatever medicine she had just been given. "You should rest for the rest of the day. If you can get in another hour or two of rest I'll let your friends all come visit."
"What about Hermione and the others?" Aria asked. She slipped back under the covers and Fawkes perched on the headboard, like a sentry standing watch over treasure.
"The mandrakes are just a day or two away from being fully mature," Pomfrey said, "and once they are properly harvested Professor Snape will have a cure brewed within another day." Aria nodded, slipping off into slumber as Fawkes began to sing overhead.
All of Slytherin was camped outside the infirmary alongside the majority of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. People spoke in whispers and several Ravenclaws and Gryffindors sent the Slytherins nasty, suspicious looks, but one glare from Percy Weasley made them look away.
Finally the doors to the infirmary opened and Professor Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, and Dumbledore stepped out, firmly shutting the infirmary doors behind them.
Immediately the students began talking, asking question after question until Dumbledore put his wand to his throat and boomed out,
"SILENCE!"
Every student stopped talking.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said, removing his wand from his neck. "Miss Bourne is currently resting from her ordeal. Miss Clearwater and Miss Granger have been made comfortable and will be restored to their rightful animated selves in a few short days once the mandrakes are fully matured. Madam Pomfrey does not want any visitors to her patients at this time. So please do not fake illnesses or injuries. Any other questions? Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"What is the creature in the library corridor?" Harry asked.
"It is a basilisk, Mr. Potter," Flitwick replied. "A very deadly creature. Miss Bourne and every petrified student is lucky to be alive. We've warded the area and we ask that no one attempt to approach the beast. Basilisk venom is still deadly even if the creature is dead."
The professors shooed the students off.
The next morning when Aria awoke she found herself alone. Fawkes was gone and an overwhelming sense of loss at not seeing the phoenix at her bedside.
Madam Pomfrey bustled in with a tray off food. As Aria ate she waved her wand over her.
"Your magic is in excellent health and so are you," Pomfrey declared, "though this was a traumatic ordeal so I've sent your dad a list of mind healers in case you want to talk to someone over the summer holidays."
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," Aria said. "When can I leave?"
"As soon as you're done with breakfast."
"Can . . . can I visit Hermione before I leave?"
"Of course."
Aria finished eating, dressed, and tiptoed over to the bed where Hermione lay. Her friend's face was full of frozen shock and one of her arms was frozen upwards where she had been holding the mirror.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Aria whispered. She turned away, unable to stare at her still friend, hurrying out the door of the infirmary and almost colliding with Harry and Ron.
"Aria!" they cried, hugging her. She returned their hug, the three holding each other tightly.
"We're going to put these beside Hermione," Harry said, holding up a bouquet of flowers.
"You go, I'll wait here," Aria said. "I just saw her. It's . . . too creepy." She waited outside for almost ten minutes before the boys returned. Together the three walked out of the castle and settled near the Black Lake.
"You want to talk about it?" Harry asked.
"I have never been so terrified in my life," Aria said. "Not even last year was as terrifying as this. Or the attack from Jonah or Matthew. I thought I was going to die." She scowled. "I can't believe Dumbledore's back! When did he get here?"
"He was back pretty soon," Harry replied. "Almost like he was . . . waiting or expecting to return."
"I'd have taken a holiday somewhere warmer," Ron replied. "You'd think he'd want to retire from being Headmaster or Chief Warlock and the like. He's over 150 and that's still an impressive age for a wizard."
"I much prefer McGonagall," Aria muttered. "Anyway, when I saw that Hermione and Penelope were petrified my magic responded but instead of releasing wildly it shot into the wall and then, as I attempted to make an escape, Dumbledore's familiar came in a burst of flame and gave me the Sorting Hat."
"The Sorting Hat?" Ron cried.
"Inside it was the sword of Godric Gryffindor," Aria said. "I pulled it out and that's what I used to stab the basilisk. After Fawkes gouged its eyes out."
"Basilisk killing will look good when you apply to jobs after Hogwarts," Harry told her. She rolled her eyes, throwing rocks into the lake and earning a tentacle wave from the Giant Squid.
"What sort of bird is Fawkes?" Ron asked.
"A phoenix," Aria replied.
"That's impressive," Ron said. "Mum use to read us kids' book about different magical animals and I remember the pictures for the phoenixes. They're pretty rare, apparently the ones in Europe are thought to come from Avalon, and to have one as a familiar means that you're particularly honorable."
"Can phoenixes be bad judge of character?" Harry asked. "I'm not overly convinced about the honorable character of Headmaster Dumbledore." Ron shrugged and the three sat in easy silence for a while until Daphne, Theo, and Blaise found them.
"There you are!" Daphne cried, plopping down beside Aria. "We've been looking everywhere for you. The whole house is waiting for you."
"They can wait a few more minutes," Aria replied, leaning against Daphne's shoulder.
"You've got to show your face sometime," Theo pointed out.
"Come on," Daphne encouraged, climbing back to her feet and pulling Aria with her. "Let's go." Aria, Harry, and Ron trudged back up to the castle where lunch was being served.
A cheer went up from the Slytherins at Aria's entrance and dozens of others cheered for her from the other three houses. Several Muggleborn students came up and even shook her hand until Flint scared them off and escorted Aria to a seat next to Ginny Weasley. Daphne pushed her little sister down a few seats so that she could sit across from Aria, much to Astoria's displeasure.
"Miss Bourne." Professor Snape appeared behind her. "A letter from you father." He handed her Muggle envelope and then went back to the Head Table. Aria opened the letter while Harry and Ron made her a sandwich and filled her goblet with pumpkin juice.
"What's your dad say?" Ron asked, biting into his own sandwich.
"He says he's absolutely horrified at what has happened, has asked Professor Snape what sort of school is being run here, is reconsidering sending me to Hogwarts if the school isn't safe—,"
"Good," Astoria snapped. "You don't belong here anyway." Daphne yanked on her sister's braid.
"He won't really pull you from Hogwarts will he?" Ron asked worriedly. "That would be awful."
"Professor Snape'll talk him around I'm sure," Aria soothed. "I'd run away to come back here anyway. I'm a witch no matter what pompous little first years say." She glared at Astoria before returning to her letter. "He's . . . also started dating again."
"Good thing or bad thing?" Daphne asked.
"Oh it's not bad," Aria replied. "Just . . . well . . . it'll be different that's for sure. He's dating a guy that he met at work."
"A man?" Theo questioned.
"Dad likes both men and women," Aria replied. "There are pictures of him at home from before he married mum. Is that . . . okay in the wizarding world?"
"Only in some places," Blaise replied. "It's not a problem in Europe though. I don't think. It's not a problem in Italy that I know of or here."
Aria stuck the letter in her pocket and took a large gulp of pumpkin juice.
Within seconds a blinding pain shot through her head and she gripped her head as she toppled off the bench. Somewhere she could hear her friends shouting but the only thing she saw was the alleyway where she had been attacked earlier that summer. She saw a bald man standing over her and Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore pointed his wand at her and cried,
"Obliviate!"
Another memory flashed across her mind, one of Harry looking beaten up and taking him to Professor Snape, of hiding in the wardrobe when Professor Dumbledore arrived to take Harry back to Privet Drive, and of a visit she and Hermione took to Privet Drive and the ice cream that they ate and the women they talked to.
Suddenly the pain was gone and she found herself staring up at Professor Snape who's dark eyes were filled with worry and a glint of anger.
"Lay still," he muttered. "Take a few deep breaths. How's your head feeling?"
"Like soccer balls hit it," Aria muttered. Professor Snape produced a potion and helped her drink it. Immediately the pounding in her skull died and she was able to sit up on her own.
"I think it's back to the Hospital Wing for you," Professor Snape said. "Can you walk?" He helped Aria to her feet but she only managed a few steps before she almost toppled over again, her legs were shaking so badly. He lifted her in her arms and swept from the Great Hall. Harry and Ron trailed behind.
"A memory restorer?" McGonagall looked in shock between Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape. "I don't know much about potions but that is a difficult potion for even the most experiences brewers. And I doubt it's in any books in the library."
"Only in the Restricted Section," Snape replied. "We don't know what memories Miss Bourne has regained as she insists that nothing has returned to her . . . ." he trailed off.
"But you suspect what it might be," Flitwick said from his chair. Snape looked at the other two Heads of House and nodded.
"I was told . . . earlier in the summer of an incident that I supposedly took part in and do not recollect," Snape told them. "Concerning Mr. Potter. From Miss Bourne. However, after her mugging this past summer she no longer remembered it. I thought perhaps it was due to her head injury. But now this has me thinking."
"But who would have given her the potion in the first place?" Sprout asked.
"There is only one way to find out," Snape said. "I must take this potion and see if any of my own memories return."
"Severus!" Pomfrey cried. "You . . . the things you did for the Light in the last war, if you happened to have been obliviated during the war at any time those terrible memories will return too." Severus nodded.
"That is a risk I'm willing to take," he said. "I have . . . delved into my own mind to look at my occlumency shields and there are traces of things such as memory searches which the Dark Lord and others have done, but those are old and aged. There is, however, something strange and it is newer. It could be a memory block, I have never seen one before only read about them. Still, I think the only way to solve the puzzle is in these memories of Miss Bourne of which I might have a shared part." He produced a vial of potion. "This I have had in stasis since the war. I supplied the Order with it once or twice. Minerva is correct, it is notoriously difficult to brew. The timing alone is enough to drive a brewer to nervous fits, but the preparation of ingredients has to be exact." He fingered it before glancing at his colleagues who all looked concerned for him.
"Well at least sit on the ground and let me conjure up some pillows so you don't hurt yourself," Pomfrey muttered. Snape situated himself on the ground while the others created pillows for him to fall back on. He was touched by their care. Even after all these years such acts felt strange and nearly foreign to him.
Uncorking the vial Snape took a deep breath, readying himself for pain, and downed the potion. For a second nothing happened and then pain exploded in his head and he fell over onto the pillows.