A/N: I take it that you folks don't necessarily appreciate cliffies! :P Just a few reminders and statements- Geocities is being a pain, therefore my review response page hasn't been updated. . . for a very long time. If you want feedback from me or just want to talk about anything, I have this e-mail address. . . . dreadnaultatnetscape.net (the at stands for @). Or you can be lazy and leave your address in your review.
Here's a question that pops up often, "Will there be a sequel?" My answer, "Yes, there will be a sequel, some of you have caught the underlying plot lines and know what the sequel will be about.
There seems to be something else people were asking but I've forgotten, so if you want it answered, bug me some more. Other than that, read and enjoy. Also, Thank You very much for all of your reviews. :)
He's brought us the missing diary!" Harry exclaimed as he walked towards his desk towards where the diary lay. "It's almost time for us to go to Tescaster." He sat down and picked up the fragile diary. In it were drawn countless diagrams and descriptions of the security wards that lay around Tescaster. Most importantly of all, it described how to get past them. The only thing it lacked however, was the exactly location of the staff. "It doesn't say where the staff is," Harry said in a slightly disappointed voice.
"Seilftrist probably left that out on purpose," Ginny commented as she petted Warlomice with a happy smile on her face. "There's always the risk that the diary would fall into the wrong hands. Does it say a specific time as to when we need to go?"
Harry re-opened the diary and scanned the pages. He found the appropriate page and snickered, "What else? Full moon."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Seriously, why doesn't anyone ever do anything with a quarter or a half, or even a new moon? When's the next full moon anyway?"
Harry sat back and though for a few moments, "Next week."
"That hardly gives us any time to prepare!" Ginny exclaimed. "Does the diary say that we need to do something to open the wards, or just a plain key?"
Harry flipped through the delicate pages searching for such instructions. "Yeah, there's this magical object thing that needs to be set. It's in the vault at Valahost Hall. We also need to have certain magical objects specifically attuned towards the thing that needs to be set. You know, like something to extend it's special power or whatever to us. Then that's all that is required, however, there are several things also in the vault that could be quite helpful."
"What is supposed to be helpful?" Ginny asked.
Harry shrugged, "I have no idea."
"Well then, if that's all, we'll need to go and talk to Dumbledore about this. Then we should go to the vault, set the magical object, get everything we need from the vault and set up camp here so we can launch the expedition from Hogwarts." Ginny said excitedly. "I'm assuming that we can set the special object early and then just wait for the full moon. Is that right?"
Harry quickly perused the section of the diary that described and outlined the wards. "Yeah, that will work. What about Ron, Hermione, Neville and Elizabeth though?"
"We'll get junk for them too. Hopefully Ron will have regained his senses by then." Ginny explained to Harry.
"There's this problem though," Harry pointed out. "We might blow our cover if we suddenly show up with everything that we could possibly want or need as well as instructions and distribute it."
"That's no problem at all!" Ginny said in response to Harry. "We get everything and then we dump it in Dumbledore's office. We then tell Dumbledore to call Hermione in and say that she's going to command the expedition and then have her distribute the equipment to us. I'm sure that she'll listen to our suggestions if we think that she's going off track. "Then, if any of the equipment is well. . . you know, special or something that would give us away, we'll just substitute it for normal junk for Hermione to hand out and then we go and grab the real stuff and disguise it."
Harry nodded slowly as he thought every aspect of the plan over. "That sounds good," he finally decided. "When do you want to go and get the stuff."
"There's no time like the present!" Ginny said as she grabbed Harry's hand. "Transport us to Valahost Hall!"
Harry grinned and almost unconsciously ordered the ring to transport them. They found themselves in the front hall of the castle. "Lupin mentioned a vault and said that it was nearly impossible to find," Harry mused. "The diary didn't exactly mention where it was either."
"Why don't you just have the ring take us to the vault?" Ginny asked.
"I never considered that," Harry said ruefully. The pair once again held hands and found themselves instantly transported to the vault of Valahost Hall. Harry and Ginny found themselves standing before two solid stone doors nearly twice as tall as them. The stone doors were also intricately carved with designs of nature, wealth, wizards, witches, and weapons.
"If this isn't a vault, I don't know what is." Ginny commented. "Any ideas on how to open it?"
Harry tried to make the ring open it, however the doors failed to respond. He then tried some basic unlocking techniques that he had learned with his Phoenix power. They failed. Finally Harry stepped forward and touched one of the doors hoping that he would be able to feel whatever ward protected these doors. As soon as he touched the door, one of the very prominent wizards near the top seemed to come to life.
"WHO COMES TO ENTER THE VAULT OF VALAHOST?" he asked in a booming voice.
"Um. . . me?" Harry said timidly. The doors failed to open and the enlivened wizard merely studied Harry.
"Oh please," Harry heard Ginny said under her breath. "He's the High Lord of Phoenix." she yelled louder.
"ENTER THEN, MY HIGH LORD." The stone wizard's life drained from him and he became once again, stone. Slowly the gigantic doors began to swing outward. When the were completely open Harry and Ginny entered into the dark recess.
As they entered, torches placed around the room lit up and flickered with a familiar blue and gold flame. They surveyed the surrounding with their eyes bulging out. Gigantic tubes filled with various jewels were stacked on shelves. Humongous stacks of gold coins were piled everywhere. Various objects were strewn about the coins. Wands, rods, plain staffs, jewelry, chests, and swords.
"Wow Harry! You're rich!" Ginny said as she laughed happily.
They approached the center of the room in which stood a pedestal on which sat an elegant bowl filled with water. "This is the magical object." Harry announced as he checked the ancient diary. "I think that we simply take what we want to wear as keys and throw it in the bowl of water, or whatever it is. Then I stick my finger into the bowl and then it's set as well as the objects."
Ginny looked at the various objects about the room scanning for some appropriate things. "How about a nice set of earrings for Ron?"
"Very funny," Harry said dryly. "The diary mentions a chest with the extra equipment for us stashed inside. There might be something usable among the stuff. Do you see a chest anywhere marked with a blue and gold seal of a phoenix rising from the flames?"
Harry and Ginny quickly looked about the vault. Ginny pointed towards a large chest semi-buried beneath some gold coins. "Is that it?"
Harry nodded, "That looks like it may be it." They walked over and cleared the gold from off the top of the chest. They then opened it.
"Wow Harry! It looks like some armor!" Ginny exclaimed as she pulled an elegant dark steel breastplate gilded with gold and sapphires from the chest. In the center a gilded gold phoenix with sapphire eyes flew as if just taking off. She held it up in front of Harry. "It looks like it's a perfect match too! She handed it to Harry and he examined it.
"Not only is it made to stand up to physical blows, but it's heavily charmed against curses as well." Harry commented. He carefully placed it on him over his robes and examined the look in the mirror that lay against the vault's wall. "Not bad," he commented.
"That's an understatement," Ginny said in an admiring voice. She then handed him a pair of dark leather gauntlets to go with the breastplate. Harry slid them on to his hands and once again examined himself in the mirror.
"I'll be able to wear the breastplate under a cloak," Harry said idly. "No one will know the difference."
Ginny then reached down into the chest and pulled out a similar breastplate gilded in silver instead of gold, with sapphires. It was obviously made for a female as well. "Look Harry! They've made accommodations for my bosom!" She then placed the breastplate on her.
Harry turned and his cheeks flamed. "Ginny! That's indecent!"
"It is not Harry," Ginny replied admiring herself in the mirror. She winced slightly, "My shirt and robes seem to get in the way though, I might have to go down to a sports bra or something.
Harry's eye's grew wider and his cheeks more red. To distract himself he looked into the chest and pulled out a pair of similar leather gauntlets. This pair was tooled with silver unlike his plain black ones. He then turned and handed them to Ginny ("Why thank you!") and then went back to rummaging through the chest. He pulled out six identical protective amulets engraved with a simple phoenix. "We could use these as the keys against the protective wards," Harry suggested.
Ginny came over, "They might have some of their own properties as well." She looked into the chest and pulled out another pair of breastplates. She examined them and laughed. "These are for Ron and Hermione. Ron will just love Hermione's! She set down the gilded breastplates inset with rubies down and pulled out several more pairs of plain black gauntlets and then another two breastplates. They were simple and gilded only with the rising phoenix. "Neville and Elizabeth I assume," Ginny noted.
Harry reached in the chest and pulled out another pair that were similar to the simple ones for Neville and Elizabeth. "These are the ones that we'll have Ron and Hermione graciously present to us." He laughed at the irony.
Next Ginny pulled out several pairs of dragon hide boots. "For all of us I assume." She then proceeded to pull out eight swords. She handed the first one to Harry. It was fairly long and seemed very elegant yet plain. The hilt had a few sapphires and a little gilt. A rising phoenix was set into the hilt and etched into the blade.
Ginny examined her sword which could have been the twin of Harry's but for the silver. The next two were gilded a little less and were set with rubies instead. The last four were plain, yet elegant and well made. All had the rising phoenix etched onto the blade and set onto the hilt. "They even have swords for Ron and Hermione to present to us as well!" Ginny said.
Harry then looked into the chest and pulled out the remaining objects. Three golden rings, one with sapphires, the other two with rubies, two silver rings, both with sapphires, and two more plain golden rings. All but one of the rings carried the crest of the rising phoenix. The silver ring that didn't carry the phoenix, carried a rearing lion, crossed wands, and a lightning bolt, exactly identical but for the silver, to the one that Harry wore. "I guess these two silver rings are for you," Harry said. He handed them to Ginny.
Ginny beamed with happiness as she slid them onto her finger. "Does this make me lady of the castle?"
"I suppose that the one with the lion does," Harry said.
"You know what else I think it should mean?" Ginny questioned slyly.
"What?" Harry asked in a confused tone as he tried to figure out what she meant.
"I think that this ring should make us promised. I want you to marry me when we officially grow up." Ginny said as she giggled.
Harry began to cough uncontrollably. "Ginny. . . I'm only sixteen! You're only fifteen! It's a little early for that kind of stuff. We've only been on one date!"
"By next year we'll have technically graduated! You have to start thinking about the future sooner or later." Ginny pointed out. "Haven't you seen how well we've worked together on learning all of our power? Once we leave Hogwarts we can go out on the world together and do anything. We'll both enjoy it. Besides, I'm not saying that you should consider marriage in the near future. Just say that you'll marry me someday. Please, I'd feel as if I'd lost myself if something happened to you."
Harry took some amount of time to regain his senses. He took Ginny's hand, held it, and took a deep breath. "Someday, when we're older, I promise that I'll marry you if you wish it. For now though, let's just be friends. Very good friends."
"Friends then," Ginny said, smiling as if she were on top of the world.
The pair turned and looked at themselves standing together in the mirror. "You look like a queen Ginny, a warrior queen." Harry said.
"You look like a warrior king." Ginny said laughing. "Let's dip the amulets in the fountain, find some sacks, and then haul this loot back to Hogwarts."
* * * * * * *
The 'promised' pair had just arrived in Harry's office as someone knocked on the door. "Harry? Are you in there?" came Ron's voice.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other in panic. They then dragged the sack filled with the loot behind the desk and stuffed it in the kneehole. Harry then called for Ron to come on in.
Ron nervously walked in and the golden phoenix caught his eye. "Harry! Where did that come from?"
"Actually it's a him, and his name is Warlomice." Harry said.
"We were just actually wondering where he came from," Ginny said in a innocent voice.
"Yeah, that's right," Harry added in. "We walked in and here he was."
Ron looked from Warlomice, to Harry, and then to Ginny with a very confused look on his face. "If he just arrived, then how do you know his name?"
Ginny conjured up a piece of parchment behind her back and showed Ron. "See, it says 'Warlomice the Phoenix.'"
"Okay then," Ron said returning to his uncomfortable voice.
Harry sat down at his desk motioning for Ginny and Ron to grab a chair. Harry's foot automatically went forward and crashed into one of the breastplates within the sack they were hiding. He winced and resisted the urge to hop on one foot while his toe ached. Ginny shot him a sympathetic look and Ron failed to notice. "So how can I help you Ron?"
Ron shifted in his chair uncomfortably. "Well Harry, as you probably know, since about Christmas, I've kind of been a jerk, and a little arrogant. I'm also sorry about the whole thing about Tescaster." He prepared to go on about everything but Harry cut him off.
"That's okay Ron, I understand. I would be a little touchy and anxious if I was in your position too." Harry said. He didn't want nor need to hear the whole apology. "As for Tescaster, I'll be more than glad to go with you. I have a feeling that Dumbledore will give the okay any time now." Harry noted Ginny trying to hide a smirk.
Harry and Ron were friends again.
* * * * * * *
The next day Hermione was called to Dumbledore's office. "Miss Granger," Dumbledore said as his eyes twinkled. He motioned for her to sit down and she did. "The High Lord has given the okay and instructions about Tescaster."
"Really? What did he say? How are we going to get through the wards? What about Ron and his power?"
Dumbledore held up his hand to slow her down. He handed her several pieces of parchment. "These are the basic instructions and information. You shall be commanding the mission. The High Lord wishes you to take Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, and Miss Fawcett along with you. He also specifically wishes you to have Mr. Potter navigate and assist in getting around the wards."
"I'm sure that I would be able to get past them myself," Hermione said. "Why Harry?"
"When it comes to those wards, the High Lord specifically trusts Mr. Potter to complete that part of the mission." Dumbledore then pulled a large sack from behind his desk. "You'll also distribute these items to the member of your group. A breastplate, pair of gauntlets, boots, amulet, and ring for each. You and Ron's breastplates are inlaid with gold and rubies. The rings will allow you to all stay in contact with each other and will mark the authority in the group. Other people associated with the High Lord wear similar rings." Dumbledore showed Hermione his own golden ring with a rising phoenix.
Dumbledore continued on, "For security reasons, the High Lord and the High Lady will certainly be observing the mission. If things get difficult they may choose to interfere. Their authority far exceeds yours. Do you understand?"
"Yes, of course. How will I know them?"
"If they wish to be known they will show their ring to you. The High Lord's ring is gold with sapphires as well as the rising phoenix. The High Lady's ring is silver with the sapphires and phoenix." Dumbledore explained.
"What about Ron and his power?" Hermione asked.
"All in good time Miss Granger, all in good time." Dumbledore then went on to explain other details that Hermione would need to know.
* * * * * * *
About a week later Harry and Ginny sat in Harry's office. Ginny was sprawled on a couch and Harry had his feet resting on his desk. It was early in the morning and they were waiting for Ron and Hermione to show up. It was the day of the full moon and Hermione would be undoubtedly getting them ready all day for the night. "Today is the day Harry," Ginny said casually.
"Voldemort hasn't done anything yet to draw our attention away though," Harry noted. "Silence can only mean trouble."
"Maybe we'll have it easy," Ginny said hopefully.
Just then the door to the office burst open to admit Colin Creevey. "Harry!" he panted. "Harry! Have you heard?"
"What?" Harry asked frowning.
"The Minister of Magic has been assassinated."
A/N: Cliffhanger, cliffhanger! *dances around*