Panko Piskun: grins We do don't we? Just wait till later on though…
Starkitty: ^-^ I'm glad you liked it.
Pamela: (Hey your name is the first name my spell check has accepted…) Anyway,
thanx!
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Mademoiselle Gabrielle: Thanx!
Kay: blushes Gosh thanks…
Keara Jordon: You and me both!
LS: ^-^
Rei Tamashii: Ok! And thanx!
Semmel: You like her? I was worried I made her out to be to much of a chicken… .
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Aimee4angel: thanx!
****
For disclaimers check prologue!
The Return of the Phoenix Chapter 2.
Enjoy!!
****
The air reeked of the stench of blood, death and destruction. It was horribly silent and all he could see was rubble. Everywhere he went he could see the remains of both bodies and a castle he knew had once stood tall and proud but was now a mere memory in this time he found himself in.
A scream pierced the silence startling the boy with it despair and torment. He knew whoever it was; he had to get to them. He followed the sound; it was getting louder as he came closer and closer. His apprehension grew until he rounded a particular large piece of rubble and stopped cold.
"Sirius!" The strangled sob was almost ripped from the boy's throat as he stared at what was left, but was unmistakably, his godfather. The bloodied corpse moved staring up at the boy with white unseeing eyes. The boy backed away, horrified out of his mind, too stunned to think. "You sold us out," The voice of Sirius Black rasped. "You gave us up to Voldemort."
The boy shook his head, and denied it. "No! No I would never do that!" It was another voice, the once friendly voice of Hermione Granger who spoke next, her tone emotionless. "You allowed Voldemort to kill us. You were the one to destroyed the light." He turned on her, and saw just a shapeless mass of flesh, blood, bone and a few organs. The torn lips moved as the sound of his friend accused; "You betrayed us!"
"You betrayed us all! You called yourself our friend then you sold us You-Know-Who! You're nothing but a traitor! Wormtail was better than you!" A nameless person accused. Tears streamed down the object of their accusation's face. "No, I'm not like that! I'm not like that..." He sobbed, and sank to his knees. "It's not true..."
"Do you see now, your true self Potter? You're as evil as I am..."
Harry's head shot up. "You! I should have known you would be behind this," he spat. The dark lord Voldemort clicked his toung in a very un-Voldemortish way. "Now, now Potter, no need to blame this on me. You did this yourself. I saw you personally Avada Kadavra you're dear and precious father..." He sneered. Harry growled. "What the hell are you on about! My father is dead, and you killed him!" Voldemort merely smiled a twisted smile. "Farewell, Potter. I can't wait till the day we meet again."
--*--
"Harry? Harry! Wake up!" Ron Weasley shook his tossing and turning best friend. When shaking Harry proved to be futile, Ron sighed and grabbed something off the floor. "Forgive me for this, but it's for your own good." He said...
...And promptly dumped a rather large bucket of ice water on Harry.
"ARGH!!!" Harry screamed, jumping a foot off the bed. He looked in all directions fully expecting Voldemort to be there, before he realized he was soaking wet and he could hear muffled snickering. Ron never saw it coming. One minute Harry was narrowing his eyes at him, the next the red head heard "Aquacis!" and was doused in water.
"Wha-what was that for??" Ron sputtered, indignant. Harry's face broke into a grin. "You do know don't you, that you highly resemble a drowned cat right now?" He asked smugly. Ron gave him a dirty look. "Gee, I wonder why?" The boy muttered sarcastically. The unruly haired boy shrugged and used a quick drying spell on himself. (When you live with the Weasley twins you are forced to learn certain spells if you don't plan on being horribly embarrassed.) "You don't dump water on me, I won't dump water on you." Harry said simply. Ron grunted.
Soon both boys were down stairs (being careful to miss the spot the twins had planted a touch-sensitive prank) and Ron sat on one side of the table and stared longingly at a large pile of pancakes. Harry to, was looking forward to the pancakes.
Shortly, two sleepy red-haired twins appeared, yawning face splitting yawns. "G'morning to ya, Harry, Ronnikins." Fred, or was it George, teased. Ron threw his hands into the air and cried; "What is this: National Pick on Ron Day??" As if on cue a dungbomb went off right behind him. Harry snickered, while Ron glared at the laughing twins.
Mrs. Weasley chose that moment to explode- er- so to speak. "THAT DOES IT! THAT IS THE LAST STRAW!!" The plump woman glared at her two children. "You two will not only be de-gnoming the lawn, you'll now also be scrubbing up those marks! Without magic!" She slammed the syrup container on the table so hard it was a wonder it didn't shatter.
Fred and George groaned. "But mum-!" They started to protest, but they're mother cut them off with a heated glare. The two were still sulking when the last members of the household appeared. "Hallo, everyone!" Mr. Weasley greeted upon entrance. Ginny, Bill, and Charlie, both of who had mysteriously came home a few days before Harry came to visit, and Hermione greeted everyone with a 'good morning'.
"Mum," said George, at least Harry assumed it was George, "are we still visiting Diagon Alley today?" He gave Harry the briefest of looks, before looking at his mother again. Harry frowned confused. Nobody had told him about this... Mrs. Weasley glared at the twins, then smiled at the rest of them. "Yes everyone is still going to Diagon Alley, except Fred and George, who stay to serve their punishment." Both twins stared at her in something akin to disbelief. She stared at them with an odd look. "Stay here and make sure everything is done." Harry failed to miss the twins' sudden enlightened look.
And this is why; three hours later Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in the three broomsticks enjoying a butterbeer each, some time later.
"So," Ron said after drinking half his butterbeer in one swing. "Who do you think the next Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be?"
Harry responded with, "I don't really care, just as long as they stop the 'let's try to kill Harry' streak." He began sipping the drink through his straw again.
Ron winced, said, "You seem to have trouble with the DADA teachers, don't you?"
Harry sighed around his straw. "I didn't have problems with Professor Lupin, really. In fact he helped me a lot with the Dementors and my patronus, it was Snuffles that I had problems with."
Hermione sipped her drink thoughtfully. "It's kind of creepy to think that all this time, Scabbers was really Wormtail. I mean at any time he could have..."
A raven-haired head looked down at his drink. Ron shivered, then said, "How about Lockhart?" Harry scolded. "I could have done without him any day." He muttered darkly. "Hermione sure liked him..." Ron commented slyly, and dodged Hermione's kick at his shins. He grinned smugly at her, while she threw him an uncharacteristic 'I'll get you back, you'll see' look, before turning back to Harry. "I still can't believe Quirell and Moody- I mean- Crouch were working for You-Know-Who." She pointed out. Harry winced, "Don't remind me..."
They were sitting for a moment, before Harry caught Ron throwing looks over his (Harry's) head. Harry mentally frowned. Why were people keeping secrets from him all of a sudden? Was there something he didn't know? He continued to ponder this through out their trip, and by the time they back to the burrow he was so lost in his thoughts that he almost failed to notice that no one was with him.
Harry looked around in utter bewilderment. Wait a minute! Where had everybody gone?? Harry, in a state of confusion, entered the house and sunk deeper into confusion when he noticed all the lights were out. He had just walked into the living room when, suddenly, all the lights flickered on, all the Weasley's and Hermione jumped out of every imaginable (and some not) hiding place in the room, and screamed:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!!!"
Harry could only stare at the pile of presents, the streamers, and the 'Happy Birthday Harry!' banner. If Bill hadn't chosen that moment to steer him to a chair, he might have fainted. "You did this… for me?" Harry said faintly. He'd never had a birthday party, let alone a surprise one.
"Of course!" exclaimed Hermione, "We knew you've never had before, so we decided to throw you one." Harry opened his mouth to say something, though not exactly sure what, but found one of the twins' "Pacifier Pops" in his mouth. A small fight followed on what to do next, which was solved when Harry grabbed one of presents and stated reading the card.
Dear Harry,
I saw this and thought of you! Hope you like
it and Happy Birthday!
Barely readable was 'with love Ginny'. Harry looked up at Ginny with a smile, choosing to ignore her beat red face. He turned his attention back to the gift, square shaped and wrapped in red and gold paper that shined when the light hit it. He felt it was almost a shame to rip it.
Under the paper was a simple white box. When he opened it he was awed to see a silver chain that held an emerald eyed, "Basilisk?" Harry inquired. Ginny looked away wide-eyed, turning a new shade of red, and mumbling something incoherent. "It's perfect. Thank you, Ginny." He said and put it on. Ginny could only gap. Harry was wearing her necklace! She could have started jumping for joy right then and there.
The next the pile came a short note that said:
Hope this finds you well, and you're having a happy birthday!
–M&P
Curious, what Professor Remus Lupin (who was M, short for Moony) and his godfather, Sirius (who was P, short for Padfoot) had got, he opened the present to see the words: The Best Quidditch Plays of the Century and Who Made Them.
"Oi, Harry," asked Fred, "Who is 'M & P?"
Harry replied in an off-hand tone, "Oh, no one in particular."
Next was a new broomstick care kit from Ron, who had wrote a short letter that consisted of saying 'Happy Birthday' and that he wanted to borrow his Firebolt. The youngest Weasley son got many thanks for it. Harry was very cautious of the sweets Fred and George had given him, despite their promises that the sweats were normal in every way. Harry made a mental note to get rid of the sweats at the first available moment.
The second to last present he discovered looked suspiciously like a three-inch book, which was exactly what it was. Checking the card he discovered it was from Hermione. ("Oh there's a surprised," commented Ron sarcastically.) The book itself was named Curses and Counter curses, by Suzanna White. The only answer he could get about the reasoning behind the book was that he would never know when he might need it.
The last and final present was a knee-sized box that moved when they got too loud. Greatly fearing it had teeth (He still hadn't gotten over the monster book from two years ago.) he picked up the card first.
Happy Birthday Harry, Yeh thought I got you something with teeth didn' yeh?
Well I got yeh something I discovered along me travels. Hope yeh like her!
-Hagrid
"Her?" Harry echoed.
"Maybe we should- er- you know… open it?" Ron suggested warily. Everyone else remembered the books just as much as Harry did. Harry nodded his head. "Yah…"
No one moved.
"Oh for heaven's sake!" Ginny exclaimed suddenly causing everyone jump. "Here give me that!" She snatched the box off the floor, placed it on the nearest table, and before anyone could stop her, she tossed the lid off.
Everyone stepped back.
Nothing happened.
There was a pause, then a cat-like thing jumped out of the box. The thing had barely touched the ground when it had leapt into the air again and onto Harry's lap. Everyone (except Harry) gasped. "It's a kneazle!" Ron exclaimed.
A kneazle? The raven-haired boy had read about them once but not in depth. They were intelligent creatures that could seek out sneaky or suspicious people. He hadn't ever seen one before though. Crookshanks, Hermione's pet, was supposedly part kneazle, but that didn't really count. This was a real kneazle.
Curious, Harry inspected the creature. This creature had long, floppy ears, a tail that resembled a lion's tail, and a pair of sapphire eyes that shone out from a red and black speckled furred face. "Mew?" The kneazle tiled her head, she seemed aware that she was being scrutinized.
Ginny appeared on Harry's left to peer at the creature. "What are you going to name her?" She asked. The emerald-eyed boy blinked. A name? What on earth would he name a kneazle…? Maybe, perhaps… "Karma," Harry said simply. The newly dubbed Karma purred in approval.
The atmosphere was shattered by an angry rapping on the window. The partiers looked at the window in surprise. There flapping to stay up were a tawny owl and a black hawk. Karma began hissing at the hawk the moment she lay eyes on it, and she only got worse when (after it was let in) the hawk landed on Harry's shoulder.
"Who uses hawks to deliver a letter?" Ron murmured as Harry took the letter from the black bird. "Dunno," Harry shrugged and unrolled the letter, and began to read.
Hello Harry, having a good birthday I take it? Yes well, look around you. Who's missing from your party?
Harry frowned, but looked around. There was Ginny was still beside him; Mrs. Weasley was reading a letter bearing the Hogwarts crest; Bill and Charlie where restraining Fred and George from attacking the birthday cake. Ron and Hermione were watching him. No one was missing except… "Where's Mr. Weasley?" Harry asked suddenly. Fred's voice came from beneath Bill, saying, "He went upstairs about ten minutes ago."
Harry felt anxious. Something didn't feel right. "Harry," Hermione asked concerned, "Is something wrong?" But he wasn't listening to her; he was reading the letter again.
Mr. Weasley is missing, is he not? I have borrowed Mr. Weasley until further notice, Mr. Potter. I'mgiving you a choice, boy, join me, for I know you have
guessed who am I, or I will take more of your friends.
Perhaps it should be your precious godfather next time?
Think about it, I'm sure you'll make the right decision…
Oh, one more thing. Tell anyone and I can't be held accountable
to what happens to Mr. Weasley.
It wasn't sighed. It didn't need to be, Harry knew exactly who it was. Voldemort. Only he would do this.
The paper suddenly disappeared. It took Harry a few seconds to realize that someone, George, had snatched it out of his hand. Harry panicked. "Wait!" he cried, standing up so fast he sent Karma to the floor. "Don't read that!" Oh no! Now they would read it and… But, instead all George did was look at him strangely. "Why? It's completely blank." Harry's jaw dropped open when the twin showed him the completely blank parchment.
Charlie placed a hand on the raven-haired boy's shoulder, growing concerned when the youth flinched. "Is something wrong?" "No! No, nothing's wrong." Harry answered a little too quickly. Charlie wasn't completely convinced but said nothing more.
A few minutes later, Harry managing to convince Hermione, and the surrounding Weasley clan that he was fine, Mrs. Weasley surprised them by saying, "Everyone? I hope this doesn't sound abrupt but, we will have to continue this party later."
There were groans all round. "But, Mum, why? We haven't even had cake!" That was from George, of course. Mrs. Weasley gave him a look, before continuing, "Dumbledore wants to move us to Hogwarts." The rest of the partiers looked at each other. Professor Dumbledore would only want to move them to Hogwarts if they were in danger. Harry couldn't help but feel that it was he who was putting them in danger.
*
Ron was across the room, moving his robes from the dresser to his trunk. Harry had never really unpacked so he had already finished, and he sat with Karma on his lap, thoughtfully stroking the animal's head. They had been packing in silence since they had gotten up there. Neither seemed to want to break the silence.
Ron picked up another pile of robes and watched Harry out of the corner of his eye. Contrary to what some thought, he wasn't entire oblivious. He knew something had been written on that letter Harry had received. He also knew that was why his best friend was so quiet now. The ginger haired boy inwardly sighed. He hated the fact his friend was always thrown into the middle of things…
A knock at the door startled both, and brought a hiss of displeasure from the kneazle. Seconds later Ginny poked her head in. "Hey guys, almost ready?" Both nodded, also giving her halfhearted glares for the near heart attacks. She looked confused briefly, before shrugging. "Mum says she'll be ready to go soon and that everyone is to go downstairs. Our stuff will be moved later."
She disappeared, and the door had almost closed when she stuck her head back in. "Oh, and have either of you seen dad? Mum's been looking for him. She can't find him." Ron almost missed the look that crossed Harry's face at the mention of the former's father. "No," Harry whispered, not really looking at Ginny when he said it. Ron reported that no, he hadn't seen him either. Ginny nodded and left the room.
Ron waited till Ginny was gone before he turned on the other boy. "Alright. What's going on? And don't deny it, I know you know something." He added when Harry opened his mouth to protest. Harry sighed, he wanted to tell Ron, really he did, but something would happen to Mr. Weasley if he did.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry said in what he hoped sounded like an off handed voice. He stood up, Karma comfortably cradled in his arms. "I want to go downstairs I'll see you later…" Ron moved in front of the door, effectively blocking him. "No. Not till you tell me. This is my father we're talking about. If you know something, tell me."
Harry faltered. Oh this was so hard. Damn Voldemort for making him do this. "I'm sorry. I can't." He whispered in the same way he had answered Ginny. Ron narrowed his eyes, struggling with himself, and desperately trying not to blow up at his friend. "Fine," Ron finally ground out. "Fine. I don't care. It's only my father we're talking about." The raven-haired boy held Karma closer. She seemed to understand and purred soothingly.
Oh how he wished Voldemort hadn't risen again…
*
The Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry (Karma was half draped around his shoulders) were all gathered around the living room. They were traveling by portkey to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley was staying to see if her husband showed. "Now remember, please behave," this got Fred and George a personal look, "And don't blow anything up!" The innocent looks didn't exactly reassure her. "Now, hands on the portkey!" Everyone placed a hand on the portkey, a warming pot, and held on.
Harry was wary of portkeys, and for good reason, the last one had sent him straight into Voldemort's hands. He relaxed though when he felt a hook somewhere behind his navel, and his feet left the ground, only to land moments later after a very twisty ride. "Never did like those…" Harry was surprised to hear Charlie mutter, but thought it better not to ask.
"Welcome, everyone made it in one piece I see." Came a warm voice from the doorway (Harry realized they were in transfiguration classroom). The group turned to see the smiling face of Headmaster Dumbledore. "Hallo, Professor!" The twin greeted cheerfully as ever. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he returned their, as well as everyone else's, greetings. "You most likely want to get situated. I believe your stuff has arrived in your dorms…"
Everyone began to leave, but Dumbledore held Harry back. "Harry, please follow me. There is something I wish to discuss with you." Oh no, Harry thought with much dread. He probably knew about Mr. Weasley and wanted to question him. He'd have no choice but to lie to the older man, or at least try…
The youth allowed himself to be lead to the headmaster's office; neither took much notice to Karma following. Harry felt his heart beating sluggishly in his chest under the weight of his dread. He was almost to his breaking point when they arrived and Dumbledore had Harry take a seat, before sitting himself.
Karma jumped into Harry's lap, playing the supportive companion. Dumbledore took notice of her. "That is a beautiful kneazle you have there Harry. May I ask how you received her?" Harry muttered something and all Dumbledore managed to discern was 'Hagrid' and 'birthday present'. Dumbledore smiled; yes he could imagine the grounds keeper would give Harry such a gift.
They sat in silence; Dumbledore had a pensive look, like he was weighing his words and Harry was anxiously waiting for him to speak. After a few moments though, the silence became too much for the green-eyed boy. "Sir? Forgive me, but there must have been a reason you brought me here. I doubt it was about Karma either." The headmaster gave him a knowing smile. Harry was never one who beat around the bush, at least not for long.
But the smile disappeared as he sighed. "I have witnessed many things in my days, Harry, but never has this ever happened." Dumbledore began. This couldn't be good, thought Harry, unconsciously petting his new pet. "Tell me, Harry, do you what Mortuus Surgere means, and that it was a potion?" Dumbledore peered at his pupil over his glasses as the boy shook his head, bewildered.
The headmaster sighed again. "Yes, I would think as much." This left Harry blinking in confusion. "Sir? What is this Mortuus-something-or-other?" He asked, blinking more so when the old wizard chuckled slightly. "Yes it is somewhat hard to pronounce." Dumbledore said warmly. "I believe, in Latin, it means, quite frankly, 'to raise the dead'." He paused to let this sink in, and watched Harry closely.
Harry's mind was struggling to process this. Was Dumbledore trying to say, that there was a way to bring the dead back to life? He relayed this piece of information to the headmaster. Dumbledore nodded in approval. "It would seem, that yes this potion is capable of just that."
Harry's heart felt like it wanted to escape his chest. If this potion could bring people back to life then maybe, just maybe his parents… No he couldn't get too excited, not yet. Just because they could, didn't mean would… But why would Dumbledore be telling him if they weren't going to… His head was beginning to hurt trying to figure this out. "Professor," Harry managed to say, "Why are you telling me this?"
Dumbledore leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. "Ah, yes you must be wondering that. Earlier today, a young Jenaneve Whenzy came to me with an interesting story concerning someone you and I both know. At first, I admit, I was reluctant to believe her but concerning the evidence…"
Harry said in a very quiet voice, that Dumbledore almost didn't hear him, "Do you mean…?" Dumbledore nodded and gestured behind Harry's chair. "Yes, I do mean it." He paused. "Harry, I would like you to meet, your father, James Potter."
(A/N: I would like to say I was SO tempted to leave it there, but I'll be nice… for now. :3)
Slowly, as if time had put in slow motion, Harry turned in his chair. Standing behind his was a man the looked so much like him, except the shining brown eyes that gazed at him. James reached out a hand and beckoned Harry to him. Harry almost tripped as he threw himself at James, who pulled him into an embrace, as if his arms could shield this boy from the hardships of the world.
Harry didn't know when it started, nor did he really care, but he broke down right then and there, as supports he had built up to hold himself up since Cedric's death came crashing down. James said nothing, but only made soothing motions up and down Harry's back.
Neither knew how long they stayed there, but it took a while for James to discover the Harry had cried himself into an exhausted sleep. Harry's father gently gathered him into his arms and lifted him, momentarily marveling at the fact the boy was so light. Silently he left the headmaster's office no even noticing the headmaster himself had left long ago, and descended down to his room.
To be continued…
*****
Finished, finished, fffffffffiiiiiiiinnnnnnniiiiiissssssshhhhhhheeeeeeddddddd!!!!! Finally!
Sirius in tears: Oh that was so sweet…
pauses to stare Uh, Sirius, are you…ok?
(Sirius continues to sob.)
awkwardly rubs his back There, there, it will be all right...
(Sirius just continues to cry.)
Um… See you next time! Oh Sirius! Please stop crying! (Sirius ignores her and carries on crying) groans For Heaven's sake. Bye everyone! scene fades but one can still hear Sirius's crying…
