Disclaimer: none of the characters are mine, so don't sue.

1 The betrayal

HOGWARTS:

Sirius sat in one of the chairs in the headmasters office, everyone who had attended the trial sat silently there trying to absorb what had happened. When Malfoy had said his name in the trial, he had felt a surge of relieve and joy rush through him, Harry was innocent. It didn't last long, the realisation that he had probably lost his godson forever had kicked in almost a second later. They had no idea where the three kids were, for all they knew, Voldemort could have killed them a long time ago. Even if they were still alive, the hurt and betrayal he had seen in his godson eyes when he had been carried of was enough to convince him that it wouldn't be easy to regain the trust and love he had so careless thrown away. Sirius buried his head in his hands, he should have seen something wasn't right, Harry had proved so many times he was on the light side... but it had been so easily forgotten when they had been accused of murder.

Finally, Dumbledore spoke.

"We have to find them. Or at least sent them a message."

"How? We have no idea where they could be, the ministry has spend months looking for them without luck, what makes you think we can find them?"

"We aren't going to, Minerva. I'm going to sent Fawkes, I think he can find them." Everyone in the room nodded, if someone could find the kids, it was Fawkes.

"What should we tell them?" Remus looked around the room. "I'm pretty sure that if you just tell them to come they will ignore it." Everyone nodded again, it was quite obvious that they wouldn't just come at a summon, even if it was from Dumbledore himself.

"It will soon be Christmas, why don't you invite them to spent it here?" Ginny's quite voice carried trough the room, and some people nodded.

"Yeah, most of the students wont be here, and we could spent the Christmas all here to be with them." Dumbledore thought about it, it seemed to be a very good idea and it might work, if the kids were willing to try, of course.

"Ok, I'll sent the message tomorrow first thing, but for now it's better you all go get some sleep, it has been a long day. You can stay all here, I've already arranged rooms for you. And Sirius, I would appreciate it if you walked around as Snuffles till the news comes out tomorrow."

"Ok headmaster, no problem." With that everyone left the room.

London:

It had been three days since the trial, Phoenix and her two friends were sitting through a boring class of biology. Hearing professor Villjé talk about all kind of animals remembered the lessons they had with Hagrid, the difference being that she didn't have the passion the half-giant had for dangerous creatures. Hermione didn't mind in the least, she had had her fair amount of dangerous creatures in her time at Hogwarts. It was halfway through the class that something caught the professors eye. A bird was resting on the window, it was the most beautiful bird she had ever seen. It's feathers were gold and red and it had a very long tail. It was looking inside, seemingly looking for something. All the class was now looking at the bird, they were completely focused on it and no one noticed how pale Dragon, Phoenix and Griffin had gone. Dragon wasn't happy, it seemed that professor Dumbledore hadn't wasted his time, and knowing he couldn't find them himself, had sent Fawkes, his phoenix, to fetch them. He noticed the note attached on the leg of the bird, he was slightly curious about what the message was, but he couldn't bring himself to approach the bird. Finally it was Fawkes who took the first step, flying inside trough the window he went to settle himself onto Dragons shoulder. Hessitantly he looked at his two friends who were looking at him with apprehension.

"Dragon, is it Fawkes?"

"Yeah, it is. It's carrying a note. Should I take it?" Phoenix shrugged, before she could answer, professor Villjé stepped in.

"Do you know this bird?" Griffin nodded.

"It's called Fawkes, it's from our former Headmaster. It seems he has found a safe and quick way to find us. Come on Dragon, lets see what Dumbledore has to say." Dragon nodded and untied the letter. He handed the letter to Hermione and petted Fawkes while she read it. When she finished, her face was a mask.

"Could we be excused from class, professor?" Professor Villjé looked at her three proteges, she didn't like them wandering alone, but she had no real reason to tell them no. They didn't really need to be there, their marks never were affected by their escapades. Finally she nodded.

"Ok, but be careful, and you will have to do the assignments for tomorrow like everyone else."

"Of course, thanks professor." They packed their things and left, the phoenix still perched on Harry's shoulder.

Once outside, they didn't go home, they looked around fearing that someone had been following the bird to their school. Not seeing nor sensing anyone they headed for a park and sat on a bench. It was cold, but Griffin placed a charm on the bench so it would keep them warm.

"What did the letter say, Phoenix?"

"We are invited to spent the Christmas holidays in the castle. It seems they realised that a simple summoning wouldn't work." Dragon nodded.

"Well, it seems to me they are trying to get a second chance with us. If we spend our holidays there, I want to bet that your families and Sirius will be there too."

"Yeah, probably. The question is are we going to give them the chance to make it ok? They may not realise that we have changed a great deal."

"May be true Phoenix, but I think I'm willing to try. It's as Griffin said, we don't belong here, in the muggle world. And besides, now that everything is out I fear Voldemort is going to look for us again, and we would be putting lots of muggles in unnecessary danger if we stayed."

"I guess you're right, but if things don't work out I'm returning here."

"Don't worry Phoenix, you wont be the only one." The three of them nodded, Fawkes let out a happy note, he seemed to have understood every work spoken between them. Hermione took out some parchment she always had at hand and sent a quick reply telling the headmaster they would be at the castle two days before Christmas.

Author's notes: Thank you for all reviews.