Thanks to everyone who reviewed! It was amazing opening my email to find twenty reviews! Hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the last.
Early the next morning, Harry packed all his possessions into his trunk and took it and Hedwig's empty cage down to the loungeroom. As expected, Dudley was nowhere to be seen. Harry actually couldn't blame him for hiding. In his few encounters with wizards he'd grown a pig's tail, a four foot purple tongue, but the previous year Ron's twin brothers Fred and George had given him a reduction toffee, hence Dudley's amazing weight loss. Uncle Vernon was busily pacing the hall, occasionally pausing to go outside and look down the street for any odd looking cars driving down Privet Drive. Almost exactly on twelve, a shiny new car pulled into No. 4's driveway. Harry noticed with delight the shocked look on Uncle Vernon's face. No doubt he'd been expecting them to pull up in a beat up heap of junk. Harry didn't have the heart to tell his uncle that Mr Weasley was now the Minister of Magic, the highest ranking Ministry official.
Behind the wheel of the car was Ron's older brother Bill. Ron himself was sitting in the back seat, as his other brother Percy was sitting in the passenger seat. All three Weasleys got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Percy stepped forward and introduced himself to Uncle Vernon rather pompously. Uncle Vernon found himseld shaking hands with Percy, who began rambling about how lovely the Dursley's house was. Meanwhile, Bill and Ron had greeted Harry and helped him carry his things out to the car.
'Ready Perc?' called out Bill.
Percy shook hands with Uncle Vernon again and walked back to the car. Harry couldn't help but burst out with laughter at the shocked look on his uncle's face. Bill started the car and backed it out of the driveway. He headed it down Privet Drive, and towards the Burrow.
Harry chatted happily with all three Weasleys and in no time at all they were pulling into the long driveway that led to the Burrow. As Bill turned off the engine, several more redheaded people ran out of the house. Harry recognised Ron's twin brothers Fred and George, as well as Charlie and the youngest Weasley Ginny. Mrs Weasley followed her children out to greet Harry.
'Hello Harry dear.' She hugged him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Harry shook hands with Charlie and turned down a sweet that was offered to him by the twins. He gave Ginny a quick hug, they'd become much closer friends over the last couple of years. The twins grabbed Harry's things and dragged them into the house for him. Harry walked into the familiar kitchen and to his surprise, Hedwig was sitting on the back of one of the kitchen chairs.
'Hedwig! When did you get here?' The snowy owl spread her large wings and flew across the kitchen and landed on Harry's shoulder. Mrs Weasley smiled.
'She only arrived a few minutes before you did.'
Harry noticed the letter tied to Hedwig's leg and she obediently held it out for him. He quickly untied it and unrolled the parchment.
Dear Harry
I knew you'd find out about your family's connection with the House of Phoenix sooner or later. There's just too much to tell you in a letter, and I'm not the right one to tell you. Professor Dumbledore will explain everything. I'm still at Remus' but I'm unable to leave at this time.
Sirius.
Harry read the letter a second time. He'd have to wait for Dumbledore to tell him about the House of Phoenix.
'Damn.' He muttered quietly. He rolled the parchment up and shoved it in his pocket.
'Anything wrong, dear?' asked Mrs Weasley. Harry shook his head.
'I asked Sirius something about my parents, but he said the only one who could tell me was Dumbledore.'
'That's correct Harry.' Harry spun around to see that Dumbledore had suddenly appeared in the Weasley's kitchen.
'Professor!' exclaimed Harry 'How did you know where to find me?'
Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkled merrily.
'Mrs Weasley informed me of your visit yesterday, and Sirius told me of your letter.' Dumbledore turned to Mrs Weasley.
'May I borrow Harry for a moment, Molly?' he asked. Mrs Weasley nodded. Dumbledore led Harry out into the Weasley's back yard.
'Harry, you asked Sirius about your parents and the House of Phoenix, correct?' Harry nodded 'It is time you knew.' Dumbledore conjured several chairs and positioned them under the shade of a rather large tree.
'Harry, you know of course, of the Order of the Phoenix?' Of course Harry knew this. The secret order committed to fighting the Dark Arts. His parents and their friends had all been members.
'Well, the original Order was started by the grandson of Godric Gryffindor. He lived during the same period when the Royal House of Phoenix was established. The Order of the Phoenix consisted of those who were in charge of protecting the royal family from the Dark Arts. Over the years it has concentrated more on fighting the Dark Arts for the protection of all witches and wizards. However, Gryffindor's decendants are still the protectors of the royal family. Harry, your father was Gryffindor's heir, as are you. James and Lily protected the royal family always.' Dumbledore paused, Harry sat dumbfounded.
'But why did they die?' he finally asked. Dumbledore sighed deeply.
'Harry, there is an ancient prophecy. I will tell it to you;
'The Dark wil rise, and all will fall but one,
The Stag and the Flower's only son.
He will join with the Phoenix Royal
Together they will fight and toil.
And if they join, their power great
The Dark Lord will soon meet his fate.
The Boy who Lived will conquer all
The Light will rise and the Dark will fall.'
Harry looked at Dumbledore, understanding his part in the prophecy. He was the son of the Stag and the Flower, the boy who lived. Voldemort had killed his parents in an attempt to kill him. Voldemort knew that one day Harry would defeat him. But who was the Phoenix Royal?
'Harry, your parents protected the House of Phoenix, and in turn the Order of the Phoenix protected them. They believed that you and the Phoenix Royal would join one day and you would indeed defeat the Dark. Voldemort tried to prevent this by murdering your parents and trying to kill you.'
'But what about the Phoenix Royal?' asked Harry.
'The whereabouts of the Phoenix Royal have been hidden for many years. Only your parents and I knew the location of the Phoenix Royal. The child knows of their identity and of the prophecy.' Dumbledore smiled at Harry.
'So, one of the children of the King and Queen is the Phoenix Royal.' Harry said slowly 'The Princess?'
Dumbledore nodded.
'She, like you, has extraordinary abilities. Together, your power would be incredible. The time will come when you will join to defeat Voldemort.' Dumbledore stood up and patted Harry on the shoulder. 'I must leave you now Harry. You know of the prophecy. It would be best if you didn't tell anyone of it; even Miss Granger and Mr Weasley. They will know in time.' With his final word, Dumbledore diapparated with a faint pop.
Harry sat for a moment and then went back inside the house.
'What did Dumbledore want?' asked Ron as soon as Harry walked into the kitchen.
Harry felt an envelope suddenly appear in his hand. He opened it and read it allowed.
Dear Mr Potter
You have been appointed Head Boy of Hogwarts for the upcoming year by the staff. Congratulations!
Your badge is enclosed.
Sincerely
Professor Albus Dumbledore.
Ron gasped and grabbed the letter to read for himself. The shiny badge fell out of the envelope Harry was holding and into his hand.
'Wow,' whispered Ron 'I wonder who Head Girl is?'
'Isn't it obvious?' spoke up another voice; it was Ginny 'It has to be Hermione.'
'Not necessarily.' Retorted Ron. He was still rather touchy on the subject of Hermione.
'Of course it is Ron. She's top in every class. It has to be her.' Ginny gave Harry a quick hug 'Congratulations!' she whispered.
'Thanks, Ginny.' He hugged her back.
The week until Hermione's arrival passed uneventfully. Harry and the Weasleys played Quidditch in the field near the Burrow most days. Harry lay awake most nights, thinking of what Dumbledore had told him about the prophecy. The picture of the Princess kept popping up in Harry's mind, sending shivers down his spine. She was so beautiful. He longed for the day when he would see her face to face. Harry also had strange dreams about him turning into a Phoenix. He put this down to hearing to much about the House of Phoenix and the prophecy.