Chapter Ten: Philander

Christmas was coming. One week before Christmas, Hogwarts woke itself to find itself covered in several feet of snow. As usual Harry was the first to sign that he would be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. Ron was staying too, as his parents and Percy were to meet up with Charlie and Bill in Romania. Hermione stayed as well since they were staying.

On Christmas morning Harry and Ron were the only ones left in their bedroom and woken up by Hermione who brought her presents up to their room and placed them on Neville's bed.

"Wake up," she said loudly, pulling back the curtains at the window.

Harry and Ron grumbled something like go away, it's to early before pulling their covers over them. Hermione got impatient. "You asked for it." She then conjured to jugs of iced cold water and pulled back their covers before letting it spill on their sleeping faces.

Immediately they got up scowling and going into the bathroom to get changed. When they came out they were dry but still scowling.

"Merry Christmas to you, too", said Hermione throwing them their presents. 'It's Christmas and you should not be sleeping through it. And we better start finding out who is in this Order of the Phoenix."

Ron sat up suddenly, wide-awake. "Do I hear this, coming from a Percy?"

Hermione threw Neville's pillow at him. "Think what you will, but I think they should tell us something. After all the reason it started up again…" But then she stopped realizing Harry was listening.

"Your right. You are in danger as you are my best friends and I don't think Voldemort is too happy that you helped me at Halloween. And I think I should know. They are always keeping things from me, trying to protect me. I don't.."

But Harry didn't finish, because at that very moment a phoenix flew into the room and when it spotted Harry it landed on his arm. Ron and Hermione looked at the confused Harry. "There's a note Harry. See what it says."

Harry unraveled the note and read:

Merry Christmas Harry.

My wishes also to Hermione and Ron.

This is your phoenix and his name is Philander.

Bring him to the Christmas feast and all will be explained.

Hermione pursed her lips together. "That's Dumbledore. Why did he give you a phoenix? Something to do with that order of his I bet."

Philander flew onto Harry's desk and settled there. The rest of Harry's Christmas presents were far more satisfying. Hagrid had sent him a large tin of treacle fudge and rock cakes. In an envelope were photos of the Marauder's and Lily at school. They were laughing and one had Sirius who was trying to pull a prank on James, but Lily was scolding him. Harry made a personal note to thank Hagrid for them; Ron had given him a wizard's watch where he could see the time. But all he had to do was say a person's name to find out what they were doing; and Hermione had brought him an amulet which it supposedly belonged to a great wizard, but Hermione did not believe it. Harry had also received another hand-knitted jumper and a large chocolate cake.

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Again the Great Hall looked magnificent. There were a dozen frost-covered Christmas trees and thick streamers of holly and mistletoe cress-crossing the ceiling. There were pixies that were reluctantly singing Christmas carols and wearing little Santa hats. Dumbledore led them through his favorite Christmas Carols and as usual, Hagrid was thriving more and more loudly with every goblet of eggnog he consumed.

As requested Harry brought Philander into the hall and everyone except the Slytherins were admiring the bird. It looked exactly like Fawkes, Dumbledore's own Phoenix, but Philander had a beautiful gold streak that reached from the endmost feather tail to the middle of his eyes. Ron said it made him look like he was a leader.

Harry, Hermione and Ron waited until they were alone with the teachers before approaching the head table. Dumbledore smiled. "Merry Christmas Harry, Ron, Hermione. Did you enjoy the feast?" Three eager nods. Dumbledore reached out and patted Philander who was on Harry's right shoulder. "So I see you met Philander. He is beautiful isn't he? A brother of Fawkes he is. You know what Phoenix's can do?"

Before Harry could speak, Hermione shot her hand up eagerly making all the teachers except Snape laugh. "Hermione, this is not a classroom, therefore you do not have to raise your hand. But since you began, you may finish."

Hermione blushed but continued with certainty. "Phoenix's can live to an immense age so it can regenerate, bursting into flames when its body begins to fail and rising again from the ashes as a chick. It can disappear and reappear at will. Phoenix song is magical: it is reputed to increase the courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the impure. Phoenix tears have powerful healing properties and can carry extremely heavy loads." She grinned with satisfaction.

Dumbledore smiled. "Is that what you were going to say Harry?"

"Something like that headmaster."

"Very good Hermione, 5 points to Gryffindor for such knowledge. Where did you acquire such information?"

"With the help Mr Scamander and Hagrid of course." Hagrid who was very red and very drunk just grinned like a little boy.

"No doubt of course. Do you know why I gave you Philander, Harry?"

"Well – it helped me in the Chamber of Secrets when I got poisoned – '

"And it helped us rise back up the pipe when Harry returned with Ginny.' Ron added.

"Yes you are right Ron. Now, can you think of why I have placed a powerful creature in your pocession?"

Harry and Ron shook their head. Hermione was desperately thinking of the answer.

"Hermione, settle your mind. I will explain. A Phoenix is very faithful to his owner, as you would have noticed when Fawkes helped you in your 2nd year. Fawkes will help their owner or the people who truly believe in the Phoenix' owner. Does that help?"

"So Philander is here to help me when I or my friends get into trouble from Voldemort (everyone flinched except Dumbledore, Snape and Harry). He is my protector while you are not able to watch me? Like, like last year." The last line was more of a statement. Harry felt a surge of anger of always being watched.

"Yes Harry. Voldemort is not as powerful as he used to be, but he is still powerful and has that advantage over you. I have given Philander to you as a protection against him. You were able to escape Voldemort with the help of your father, but Voldemort might understand what happened and not use his wand again. That is why if you are injured or transported, Philander will be able to help you. And what is more special about Philander and Fawkes being brothers is that they can communicate with each other and sense when one is in danger. So Fawkes will be able to alert me. Do you understand Harry?"

"Yes, I do. Will I be carrying him around with me everywhere I go?"

Dumbledore looked at McGonagall. She looked at Philander and Harry. "Yes Harry. You did hear what you- alright- Voldemort said. We have to take extra precaution, especially on you. Fudge still insists that the ministry does not need to take any extra steps so it is up to us to do it."

Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione bid goodnight before heading back up and Ron and Hermione played chess. Harry sat petting Philander who was on his knee.

Hermione looked up when she killed Ron's bishop. "It's for the best Harry. And maybe it's better to have an extra- claw around just in case something happens to one of us."

"Yeah but what is going to happen and what is he planning to do?"

"Only time will tell,' said Ron after checkmating Hermiones king. 'It never will remain a mystery when we're hot on the trail."

Harry still had his doubts. "I hope your right."