Disclaimer: I own none of the settings used. --' But I DO own Haruka and Sythe. So back off. :3 ____________________________________________________________________________ ___

Night had fallen upon the Hogwarts School Grounds, bathing everything in murkiness. A warm zephyr rustled by, stirring up the loose foliage upon the ground. Stars streaked across the empyrean, the circular moon hung high in the velvet, inky-black heavens. It was one of those warm spring days, where everyone was sweaty and the air was thick with the smells of the fast- nearing summer.

Breath held tightly in her chest, Haruka nervously made her way through the darkened shadows of the Forbidden Forest. The humidity of the night caused her mop of liquid silver hair to stick to her cranium, beads of perspiration dotting her brow. Ebon-hued school robes had been discarded earlier on, back when she had been in the Slytherin Common Room. Panting as she stumbled over upturned roots, she had been traveling for quite some time.

Plagued by insomnia, she had been unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, sheets tangled between her legs, she had fallen given up all hopes of falling into blissful slumber. Having peered out her window, crimson pools had caught the sight of something pearl-colored, darting between the trees of the Forbidden Forest. Curiosity eating away at her mind, she had shot out of bed, quickly dressing.

Sure that she was somewhere near the heart of the Forest, Haruka began loosening the green and silver tie around the collar of her crisp white blouse. Heat had molded the clothing to her body, sticking to her limbs as if it were second skin. Wincing as her knee-length gray sock snagged on a lowered branch, the 6th year let out a string of colorful curses, tripping over yet another root.

"Damn this," she hissed. Pulling out her wand, which had been tucked into one sock, she gave it a quick jab. "Lumos," she muttered. The end of her wand instantly lit up, the beam of light landing on the path before her. Almost immediately, something large and feathery collided into her chest, causing her to tip over. Crashing down towards the ground, her landing was cushioned by the thick grass. The elbows of her shirt were now caked in dirt. Lifting her head with a moan, Haruka sucked in a sharp breath as she felt the creature brush up against her leg. Scuttling quickly backwards, she narrowed her eyes, only able to see the outline. It seemed to be a bird of some sort. Hand slowly roamed from its position at her side, fingers searching for her wand.

Breathing pace quickened, chest rising and falling with each breath. The creature had disappeared again. She had no way of telling if it was going to attack once more or not. She didn't want to take the chance. Desperately crawling across the ground, she was forever searching for her wand. It wasn't safe to be unarmed in the Forbidden Forest, which was known for the dangerous creatures it held. Heart pounding at her rib cage, strangled shriek was muffled as she bit into her arm to keep from waking any unwanted animals. She had closed her fingers around something long and feathery. It seemed to be clutching her wand in its gleaming beak. Over-active imagination soon took over, visualizing the bill pecking away at her flesh, blood pooling beneath her... Then, it would-

Her fantasy was interrupted by the muffled cooing of the fowl. It was actually offering the wand to her. Sitting up on her knees, which were now covered in mud, hand slowly inched from her side. The bird only reached up to her thighs if she was to stand, yet she still feared the aura it was giving off. Arm trembling as she snatched her wand from the bird's prow, she quickly twirled her wand around so its shaft of light fell upon the bird. As soon as its appearance came into view, she drew a collective gasp.

The bird staring back at her was unlike anything she had ever seen before. But then again, how many witches and wizards her age have seen a Phoenix? Its body consisted of long, pearl stained feathers, silken to the touch. As it fluttered its large wings, feathers gleamed with every color imaginable. The breast of the Phoenix held raven black feathers. The color difference should've warned her that the bird may be an animagi; she wouldn't allow herself to even let the thought pass through. With its warm, hazel colored eyes, and an amber beak, Haruka tried to gather her thoughts from her Care of Magical Creatures class. Judging by the size and coloring, she could safely assume the Phoenix was a male.

Swallowing the lump that had lodged in her throat, Haruka rose on unsteady legs. She could hardly believe that she was truly awake, the beauty immensely astounding her. Haruka was not easily impressed. The Phoenix didn't seem to like the light, for it began to hop away, wings ruffling as if it were prepared to take flight. It cawed softly as it went, maneuvering itself between the tangled underbrush. Haruka finally snapped out of her dream-like trance.

"Wait!" she called out, hand reaching forward slightly, fingertips grazing the tail feathers. "Don't go." she pleaded softly, wanting to have a closer inspection of such a magnificent sight.

The bird turned back around to fix her with its green-brown stare. Giving another coo, it seemed to nod his head. Hopping closer, tail of feathers curling closer to his large body, it brushed up against her leg. Haruka, not believe her luck, instantly stooping down. With a quick swish of her wand, the light in her wand went out as she whispered the opposite spell. Now that they were in total darkness, she could see that the Phoenix was emitting a faint glow of his own. Perhaps it was another magical use for the bird. Stroking his silk-like feathers, she buried her face in the neck of the bird. It smelled like fresh mountain air and pine needles. The Phoenix, obviously enjoying the attention, gave a delighted gurgle.

"Do you have a name?" She new it was useless to ask, since the creature couldn't speak, but she thought she should try anyway. She had gone back to examine the bird with her eyes, instead of caressing its feathers and using all her senses to get the feel of the bird. He tilted his head to the side, and began scratching into the dirt.

'S-Y-T-H-E,' the Phoenix managed to spell out in the mud. Glancing up at Haruka, the bird seemed amused by her startled expression. 'Y-O-U-R-S-?' he scratched in next, brushing it's fragile head up against her arm, trying to rouse her from her startled state.

"Haruka," she said jerkily. Curling her legs beneath her, settling on the ground in a comfortable position, Haruka tentatively reached out to the bird. He allowed her to hold him against her. Fluffing his feathers gently, he cocked his head up, scratching away at the dirt once more.

'Y-O-U S-E-E-M T-R-O-U-B-L-E-D-. C-A-R-E T-O T-E-L-L-?' Hazel-eyed gaze turned up towards the sixteen year old with what appeared to be obvious concern.

"Will you listen?" she asked, not quite meeting the Phoenix's gaze. She was slightly unnerved. Who wouldn't be? She was out in the middle of the Forbidden Forest, talking with a mystical creature, which seemed to understand her speech.

'Y-E-S."

He actually looks like he means it. Haruka thought vaguely, though quickly snapping out of her thoughts. She was talking about a Phoenix being sincere. She stood, brushing twigs and blades of grass from her bottom. She stretched out an arm. "Let's walk."