Friday, 18th August. The Burrow…
Fenix was lying on the bed, looking up at the silent moving gigantic posters of the Quidditch players. Of all the time that my insomnia decides to kick in. Fenix turned to her left and watch Remus's calm face and she smiled as she watched the slumbering wizard. Like Sirius after her constant watch, Remus's tired face was now etched with alertness rather than constant fatigue.
He'll need a haircut soon, she observed then pushed back his hair affectionately and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Then she turned to Sirius, her hand picking up his right hand and traced the pentacle mark. She pulled his palm towards her lips and kissed it before she wriggled out of bed as quietly as she could.
: Where are you going? : Sirius complained sleepily.
: Can't get to sleep. Be a good man and get some rest while you can. You need your wits about these few days, : Fenix sent her thought tenderly to her oathbrother.
: Look who's talking, : Remus joined in the conversation, cracking his left eyelid open.
: Go back to sleep, you two. I'm going to do a bit of exercise… :
: All right, but be careful, : Sirius said sleepily.
: I will, : Fenix promised, then gave them a brief mental caress as she changed to her Hunter gear.
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Harry was wakened by something he had heard. Heart pumping in his chest, he blinked his bleary eyes. He remained in bed, trying to listen for that same sound again. He identified the soft snores given by his roommate and the distant hoot of an owl that could be Hedwig.
Then he heard it, a strange and eerie metallic sound. It sounded as if someone was playing a flute, and goose-flesh spread over his body. Harry remained in bed for fifteen more minutes and tried to ignore the strange musical sounds that ripped softly through the air. However, he found himself unable to sleep and felt a nagging thought that he should try to investigate.
Quickly, he crept out of bed and reached for his glasses and wand. He opened the bedroom door slowly, hoping that it would not creak and sighed when it did not. It was dark in the corridor and he went down the stairs stealthily, putting his weight slowly on the boards. He wondered to himself why he was doing all of this and upon a quick reflection, he realized that he was mimicking Fenix as she moved about The Burrow. She never hurries and always seems to walk very slowly and constantly creeps up behind Ginny and giving her a shock. Harry smiled at the thought. Ginny had sworn revenge and constantly slipped the Weasleys' Mini-Popping Firecrackers in places that Fenix did not suspected. It was a general entertainment for them other than the evening Quidditch practices.
He stood quietly in the darkness of the living room. It seems to be coming from the backyard. Harry quickly strode over to the kitchen and to his surprise, he found the door slightly ajar.
: Morning, Harry, : Fenix's mindvoice spoke softly in his mind. : Shouldn't you be in bed? :
: It's you! : He gave a start of surprise.
: What? :
: Nothing. Did you hear that peculiar strange music? : Harry asked, grabbing a stool and sat down. Crookshanks trotted out of the kitchen and leapt up to Harry's lap. The cat butted its head against Harry's chest.
: You mean this? : Fenix said with amusement.
In the pale moonlight, Harry saw Fenix had gripped her sword with both hands and began a dance. She moved in a circle, swinging her sword back and forth and Harry found out to his astonishment that the eerie note came from her blade, each time she swung. It was strangely hypnotic and Harry fumbled for his pocket watch. It was three twenty-six and Harry still did not feel sleepy. I wonder if the twins had invented something that will make you sleep…
: Since you can't sleep anyway…care to exercise with me? : Fenix spoke up, standing still on her two feet, her sword vanishing from her hand.
: What kind of exercise? : He asked warily.
: Stunt works. Why don't you keep your wand somewhere safer? You won't be needing it until later… :
Harry stared at the Fire Master for several moments before pushing Crookshanks off his lap before pulled his wand out and placed it on the stool. Then he felt a strange tingling sensation.
: Don't worry, I just placed a little protective spell on it. :
What does she mean by stunt works? Does she want me to learn how to use a sword? Huh, no use fretting about it, I'll just have to find out what she expects from me. Crookshanks curled on the pavement and Harry crossed it carefully as it mewled inquiringly, tail twitching.
Harry approached Fenix and suddenly he was aware that a huge shield had been erected over the two humans. He breathed calmly and came closer to her. She was smiling gently.
: Still afraid to trust anyone, Harry? : She questioned slowly, her mindvoice carrying her concern and sympathy to the young Potter. : Not even yourself? :
Harry took a step backward, his eyes betraying his emotions. He had no idea how she was able to deduce his hesitation accurately. He felt the wind wounding its way peacefully over the area and a strange kind of peace pierced through his soul. Harry had not confessed his feelings ever since Sirius had fallen through the Veil to anyone, not even his best friends. Somehow, in a yet peculiar way, the strange woman that had just entered their lives in an abrupt fashion actually seemed to understand what Harry was going through.
: How could I trust myself when I had almost endangered their very lives, without careful consideration for my friends? I knew who I was. I know who I am. My very existence threatens the lives of all people that in subtlety were trying to protect me. But I didn't bother to tell anyone that I was having problems with Voldemort. I didn't tell Snape about all the dreams that I had shared with Voldemort! : Harry 'yelled', his frustrations coursed through the mind-link. : My godfather nearly died because of me! And he would, had he remained trapped. : the boy's mindvoice faded.
: Why didn't they let me die, when I had a chance to? Isn't it better if it's just me who died? Ron's father nearly got himself killed last year. What am I supposed to say to them if any of their family members were killed because they were sheltering and protecting me? And what do I say to the parents, if their children die because they were insistent they would back me up if I'm in need? : He vented his anger and grief, weeping silently.
: And what makes you think it will be any safer for the people, who cared about you, if you die? : Fenix ruthlessly pointed out. Harry stared at the Fire Master, unable to get a word out. : Professor Lupin had told me of the Prophecy. Sometimes these things can't be trusted but so far it's the truth isn't it? : She paused, trying her best to make Harry think about what was obvious.
: I am not a savior for them! : Harry lashed out, his heart grew heavier with guilt and uneasiness.
: So you're not. But what if you are the peoples' last chance in regaining the balance between good and evil? : Fenix argued. : The Dark Lord had already chosen you as the other one. You're just going to back out? :
: I did not ask for all of this, : Harry whispered, collapsing on his knees.
: Neither did I ask to be what I am, : she knelt beside him, her eyes gleaming strangely in the moonlight. : I remembered that I had constantly asked myself what's my purpose in Life. I didn't expect Him to come down and give me instructions, as I was too dense to see what's obvious, : she raised her hand to lift Harry's chin so he would look directly into her eyes.
: Most of us are left floundering in Life, our Purposes all unclear and shaded. Most Muggles think their only purpose is to have children but that is not true. Every second they spend will actually determine what happens to the future. : Fenix gave a melancholy sigh.
: One of my purpose as I live, is to ensure that Life is balanced, Harry. The reason why I didn't interfere with the Dark Lord because I see you survive even after your parents were killed. I'm sure that you will ask; why didn't I eliminate Voldemort myself, since practically, he's the one who is responsible for the disruption of balance. I could actually, but I can't. I'm not allowed to interfere in this because this is just one of my sets of instructions that were given to me a long time ago, because of the fact that you're still alive and well. :
: Does that mean that there are alternatives? :
: Yes. If you die willingly, I see the Headmaster's power failing because he seeks his strength from you. If you gave up hope, why should he hang on? And Voldemort will walk unhindered, killing those whom you loved and others you don't. :
: But if I should die while battling him? :
: Then someone else has to take over. It could be me, or it could be others. The whole point is this, : Fenix took a deep breath and went on. : He has given you a task through the words of the Seer. Are you going to fulfill your Purpose or are you giving up without even trying? :
Harry closed his eyes, his shoulders trembling slightly.
: Since you are alive and well, I have another set of instructions, which is to train and teach you to make use of every kind of resources, even if it's unorthodox and not approved by the wizarding world, : Fenix said lightly and stood up. : What say you? :
Harry remained silent, his eyes still closed and thought deeply. Voldemort isn't going to get into my mind, no matter what, because I have the means to shield my mind against him. At least, he wouldn't be able to use me again. And Fenix is right. Voldemort is a killer. Whom was I trying to kid anyway? Even if I successfully attempt a suicide, will that stop Voldemort from trying to tyrannize the rest of the world? Will my easy death make a difference to anyone?
: You're right, Fenix. I wasn't thinking…at least if I do fight, it would make those who are against his cause even more determined to finish him once and for all. At least, that's what I hope, : Harry admitted gravely, opening his eyes and gave the Fire Master a smile.
: I just have to make sure that doesn't happen until it's the Final Duel. That's why I'm here. Let me warn you; if you happen to get yourself killed before that, the war will be even be more messier than what's possible. Since I'm the one who'll be running around again in the future, I'm counting on you to make things more manageable, : Fenix said cheerfully.
: This all seems like teamwork to me, : Harry mused, standing up and dusted his pants.
: I thought that was obvious? :
"Hey, I am not as wise as you are," Harry protested.
"Who says I'm wise? I may have eons of experience but I do occasionally blunder," Fenix snorted.
: So what about this shield? : Harry asked her, gesturing at the peculiar sphere around them.
: Precautions, : Fenix shrugged then went on. : Now, about stunts. I seem to remember that in a war, take note that I said war and not duel, there's a lot of dodging and footwork, very much like fencing. Therefore, I will teach you to use your body and brains to get yourself out of trouble when you can. :
Fenix sent Harry dodging for his life when she flung Ping-Pong sized white fireballs at him. After a while, the Fire Master stopped and Harry gasped for breath.
"Do you really…think…that will help me?" Harry panted.
"Nope," Fenix said, and Harry stared stupidly at her, "but it will increase your reflexes."
After Harry got his second wind, Fenix sent him to dodge again. "Good, you're moving faster on your feet." She paused to sniff at the air. "It will be dawn soon."
: Why don't you get your wand? I'll lift the protection spell and we'll do some training using your wand. : Fenix suggested.
Harry picked up his wand and felt his hand tingled. In a second, the sensation was gone and Harry stood before the Fire Master again. Two fireballs of different colors appeared right before Harry. One was the same white while the other was green.
: This is what I want you to do. The white fireball is a distraction, you're supposed to eliminate the green one. Use any spell you want but no curses, : she warned.
: So you want me to dodge the white but destroy the green? :
: Without getting singed, : the Fire Master added.
This was much harder than what Harry expected but it was much enjoyable now he had an objective. After several minutes of constant dodging, ducking and rolling and numerous 'Expelliarmus', Harry was getting better at controlling his movements. Harry thought he had heard a crack but ignored the sound from his mind as a green fireball chased him within the sphere. When he had finally blast the fireball off, did he realized that Snape and Dumbledore were standing behind Fenix.
"Good morning. Didn't expect you to arrive so early," Fenix greeted calmly, and winked at the Headmaster who winked back merrily at her.
"Carry on, Fenix. Harry seems to be quicker on his feet than he ever was," the Headmaster said in approval and Disapparated. The Potions Master was not so happy about what they had been doing.
"What foolishness! Do you think that you could stand up with the Dark Lord with cheap tricks?" Snape hissed. The incident about his Dark Mark had made him look paler than as was normal.
Harry stared coldly at the Potions Master. "At least in doing this, I'm achieving something else, rather than stand about doing nothing at all. I'm afraid this time I have to learn how protect my own life. I can't singly depend on people to look after me anymore." Snape's eyes widened at Harry's impassive voice. As Harry was talking, Fenix had dissolved the shield protecting them.
: Let's give it a rest for now. And we'll resume our exercise later. : Fenix said, and Harry nodded slightly.
: Krill? :
: We're on it. :
Snape's trunk suddenly floated by itself and began to move into The Burrow.
"The others are still in bed. Should I prepare some
breakfast for you?" Fenix asked politely.
"Very well," Snape grated and followed where his
trunk was going.
: Can I go and wash up first? : Fenix asked Harry.
: Yeah. :
: All right. You don't have to stay awake. Why don't you get some sleep? :
: I'm not leaving you alone with the Potions Master if I can help it. :
: I think you've let Sirius influence you a bit too much, : she grinned crookedly as Harry bolted the door.
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