~ Chapter 51: Snape's Protégé or Fenix's? ~
Sirius had taken off the shield, revealing Harry who was captivated by laughter. Ron, still lying down on his makeshift pallet, reached for a red cushion and lazily aimed it at Harry's face. Harry gave a groan when it hit him directly on the face and looked sheepishly at his friends, disapproval showing clearly on their faces. Harry mouthed an apology, making Hermione roll her eyes upward theatrically, before going back to read a book that Remus had given her.
Earlier that day, since Dumbledore had strictly ordered the students to remain in the Hall, Hermione had grown increasingly hysterical. She seemed to have forgotten about her cat after the encounter with the Lethifolds and Dementors, and then the fight with the giants occupied her mind totally. After listening to Hermione's worries, Draco blanched as he thought of his eagle-owl and was about to get out off his pallet when Professor Grubby-Plank came in. She informed them that all their pets were all safe, and a flash of orange whisked past her to head straight for his owner. Hermione let out an exclamation of relief and cuddled Crookshanks tightly, not really listening to Grubby-Plank's news that their pets had been installed into the antechamber situated beside the Great Hall.
"What about the owls?" Draco asked urgently.
"They're coming…" she informed them and headed out just as dozens of owls trickled in. Hagrid steered away from the cats that had followed Crookshanks into the Hall and backed out of the place, since he was terribly allergic to cat fur.
Back to the present, Harry was still laughing at his godfather and his euphoria carried over to the link that was still connected to Draco. The Slytherin was wearing a slightly pained expression but he was also amused by the incident. He requested Harry to tone down his ebullience. "Sorry…" Harry choked down on his laughter that turned into a series of coughs. Draco shook his head in disgust and looked around for Alamanda.
"Come," Draco commanded the girl, feeling a little surprise by the unfriendly way she was staring at him. She was still feeling displeased but got up and sat next to him. The Slytherin looked pointedly at Harry. "Get off my bed, Four-Eyes."
"Chill out… git," Harry's reply was punctuated by racking coughs as he crawled away from the Slytherin's bed to Sirius's.
"Harry!" Alamanda protested in a weak voice.
As if he was still feeling dissatisfied with Sirius, Draco tugged Alamanda closer to give her a kiss. Catcalls erupted as they looked at Alamanda's face turning bright red, while Hermione collapsed in laughter. Sirius laughed ly at the open display of affection while Harry grabbed a soft pillow and covered his face, eyes streaming tears as he burst out with laughter, slightly tinged with hysteria.
Draco slowly broke off from the kiss and looked fondly at his girlfriend, who quickly hide her face on his chest. I wonder why she was not the one to come looking for me in the dungeon… but judging by the way I acted with Harry yesterday, I'm lucky she didn't came down. I might have done something that I might regret. He extremely loved the way Alamanda was holding him and could not resist giving her another kiss.
The catcalls quickly turned into coughs and the students pretended to busy themselves when Snape and Remus returned. The latter wore an amused expression when he saw Draco and Alamanda together, then slowly made his way down to the still-sleeping Fenix, leaving the Potions Master at the entrance. Snape was looking at his godson in disbelief, then he strode forward silently and stopped directly behind his favorite student. He cleared his throat noisily and muffled chuckles echoed about the Hall, drawing in some of the elves to look at the students with interest.
The Slytherin prefect carefully screened Alamanda's face while he gave a sigh so full of regret. "Yes, Professor?" he asked lazily, looking up at the Potions Master with his silver eyes.
: Draco, for once… act your age, : Snape pleaded, rubbing his temple tiredly.
: But I am, aren't I? : Draco pointed out dryly.
: I think you are sorely in need of discipline. :
: No one has taught me yet. I am still a spoilt brat after all, : Draco replied indifferently. Snape threw his hands up in the air in defeat, then his eyes widened when he saw Fenix struggling to sit up. Remus was looking quite angry when she stubbornly pushed him away. Her 'family' began to crowd around her. Moody, seeing the sudden commotion, quickly instructed them to give the Fire Master a breathing space when she looked slightly breathless.
"Thanks, Moody," Fenix croaked out. "Although I don't want to know how you managed to find out that I'm claustrophobic." The ex-Auror nodded his head calmly and satisfied that her 'family' now had understood to give her a breathing space, he went back to Mineif. Fenix looked slightly dazed but her silver eyes turned clear and she scowled darkly at Sirius.
"Fenix," Snape began, kneeling beside her, his eyes showing his concern. "You're not supposed to be awake…yet."
: Draco, take pity on me, : Sirius gulped, not liking the way the Fire Master was scrutinizing his face. He stared anxiously at his oathsister, while trying to control his emotions. It's possible that she would be very sensitive to emotions and thoughts, he thought to himself.
: I know, Sev. But something broke my concentration when I was recharging my reserves while I'm sleeping. : Her mindvoice was acidic as she glared at Sirius, then at Harry and Draco.
: I think we're in trouble, : Harry sent his thought to his godfather and to the Slytherin beside him.
: No doubt, : Draco replied with a straight face and Sirius winced when Fenix questioned them coldly.
: What's this about Draco seducing Harry? : Fenix broadcast her inquiry to Sirius, Remus, Snape and the named ones, looking quite intimidating for a woman who had just recovered from her near-death.
: I knew I hadn't blocked myself fast enough. : Harry's godfather moaned softly and at the same time Draco's godfather yelped out.
: What? : Snape exclaimed, giving Draco a horrified look.
: It's nothing, sister, : Sirius answered quickly. : Just a small misunderstanding. :
Snape stared coldly at his godson. : Explain, Draco. :
"Are you sure you want to hear my explanation?" the Slytherin answered calmly, and their friends exchanged puzzled looks at his abrupt sentence. The Potions Master did not answer so Draco began to describe his feelings and confusion in great detail and then added in Sirius's wild conclusion, communicating with their alternative way of speaking.
Fenix shook her head in amusement, as she listened to Draco, and finally chuckled weakly when the boy finished. : As Sirius told you, it was a small misunderstanding. : Draco ended his explanation, looking impassively at the Potions Master, who was staring at the two boys and then Sirius with shock.
That was understandable because he had just thought that Draco had let go of his pride to acknowledge that he was beginning to care for the people that he was working with. Snape had not expected that Draco might actually want Harry to be his partner. Thankfully, his student had regained his senses and prevented any other complications. Snape then sneered at Sirius. : For a man, who had seen Death in the face, you have an extremely perverted mind, Black. :
: Don't push it, Snivellus. I'm feeling bad enough, : Sirius lashed out.
: Bro… you're not thinking clearly… : Her amusement drifted through their links and Harry and Draco smiled brightly at her, relieved that she was acting like her usual self.
"Dear Lord." Snape sighed, suddenly feeling drained. Draco crawled on his knees and prodded Snape away so that he could approach the Fire Master. A lot of questions were building in his mind but he knew that now was not the time to bombard her with his questions. They all looked at him curiously when he carefully drew her into his arms, ignoring her fiancé who was looking at him archly. Fenix did not fight but let Draco hug her carefully. Snape did give a faint smile as he watched the two.
Montague and the rest of Draco's gang looked at their gang leader in amusement. "I feel like I've been dunked a little too long in syrup," he observed and gave a grimace.
"What an unhealthy influence," Warrington agreed, making a face. "But I wouldn't mind having someone like Alamanda to cuddle me... though," he added dreamily. Evina Grierson, one of Dina's girlfriends, whispered something to her group of girls and they burst out giggling, making the Slytherin boys looked at them with suspicion in their eyes.
Fenix was dazed by the intense emotions coming from the youth holding her and chuckled lightly. There was something different however. Draco had appeared normal to her before this but somehow being near him actually comforted her. So what is different? She frowned slightly. Something must have happened yesterday, but I can't really remember what happened when I fell to the ground. Fenix gently probed the boy with her Gifts, then quickly withdrew them. She was trembling. A mirror… reflection…
"Draco…" Fenix breathed, pulling away and instinctively cupped his chin to look into his eyes. "Dear Gods…" She was speechless. She was looking into a pair of eyes that was her own. Elation began to build up in her.
"Fenix?" Snape questioned the Fire Master softly, not understanding the wonder that was radiating out of her.
: It's nothing, Sev, : Fenix replied dreamily.
: What do you mean by nothing? : Draco questioned her dangerously. : If it's nothing, then why are you feeling so happy? :
Fenix could not stop smiling. : You will understand… soon enough… : she reassured him.
"You're awake…" Mineif approached the group, his face glowing with happiness.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" she answered, glowering at him. "What can I do to keep you in the Grove, Old Wolf?" She finally released the Slytherin boy, while the rest watched her giving casual treatment to the Elven Lord. "Wrap you with coercions?" Mineif chuckled as he looked down at her. Fenix paled and Draco immediately made her lay back down again. "Sorry guys… but I think I have to go back to sleep…" Her eyes began to close and fell asleep instantly. The Slytherin covered her back with the light blanket and paused long enough to give her a kiss on the forehead.
Snape sighed and looked around the Hall. "Since you have nothing else to do," his voice carried effortlessly to all corners of the Hall, "you might as well get some sleep." The students sighed and began breaking up. Alamanda had already gone back to her circle of friends and Draco was contented to remain with Harry and their godfathers.
Sirius gave a silent signal to the three other people and moved away slowly, to let his best friend spend some time with the Fire Master. While Sirius and the two boys lied down on their makeshift beds, Snape sat himself against the wall, looking at Draco intently. : What? : The boy could not help but ask his godfather.
: I think you have been marked by your 'Aunt', : Sirius answered for the Potions Master. Draco gazed expectantly at his godfather and Snape finally gave a nod.
: What do you mean, 'marked'? :
: Come to think of it, it's slightly obvious, : Harry interjected, turning on his side to look at Draco directly. : First, you have the same abilities that Fenix has, you know? She has the capability to incinerate something, like you had done yesterday. And another, you're a master of shields. Funny, : Harry gave a lopsided grin at his friend, : it seems that there is much more to you than meets the eye, Drake. :
Snape chuckled lightly. : Well, as soon as your 'Aunt', : he gave a sly look at Harry's godfather, : gets her strength back, I'm sure that she would want to train you. :
: That is a good idea, : Harry said fervently. : You had better learn how to control your emerald fire, Drake. :
: Do you want to know why your eyes are silver by the way? : Aldren casually implanted himself beside Sirius, smiling at the two boys.
: All right. How? : Draco asked easily.
: You have the capability at controlling Magick the way Fenix does. I'm not really talking about her being an Elemental Master. The ability to create and penetrate complex shields for one. Having you as a Mindhealer clearly labels you as something different from your counterparts here. By the looks of it, you do seem like you have the Adept Potential, : the violet-eyed elf answered.
: But how does that explain me being silver-eyed? : Draco asked in exasperation, though he did not understand what the elf meant by Adept-potential. Aldren laughed at his impudence.
: That emerald-fire was the one that had caused the change. You are something much like Fenix, although if I were to bet, I would say rather than a Phoenix, your natural form would be the Great Dragon. You do know that she is a Phoenix, don't you? : Aldren asked the company and they nodded. Harry had informed Draco about Fenix's real identity when the Slytherin began to unbend enough for him to be friendly with the others, and the Slytherin had approached the Fire Master to confirm the news, and had returned to his friends, looking a little wild-eyed. : I assume that your eyes glowed like how Fenix's did, when she's extremely irritated? : the elf asked in interest, leaning forward slightly to stare at Draco then chuckled when all four males nodded. : That's her all right; except that her Fire is blue. The simplest way I could explain is that you had taken Magick to the maximum and began transmuting it into pure energy. I think that's how Fenix went silver-eyed in the first place. She's immortal-- well… sort of. Maybe reincarnation is a better word to describe the process. She is born a human, but with deep memories that had been locked away until she's ready… :
That sentence made Draco twitch nervously, because it felt familiar. Aldren continued as if he had not seen the look of surprise on the Slytherin's face. : So all she knows-- back then-- that she had strange powers, when she was nearing her puberty and had attracted the attention of her school teacher, who was also a Fire Mage. He had a general idea of her real identity and was careful to bring her Fire out. When it did, it was… well, rather spontaneous, and not controlled. It damaged her mentor's workroom quite a bit. : Aldren paused for a while and winced when lightning hit the wall directly behind him. It was quite deafening. : So began the practices, for her to contain her Fire by making it and herself into the form of animals. I remembered that her mentor told us once, when she had tried to work in the form of a boar, the results were rather disastrous. It was just as well that they held their practice in a secluded area. :
: When did she find out about her Phoenix? : Harry asked curiously.
: A few months later. Her mentor noticed that her control was more reliable when she took the form of birds, especially a raven or an eagle. It was quite amusing actually. By then, Fenix had attracted quite a handful of the elves, especially my father and a cousin of mine. Luis helped her mentor to draw up a list of all bird species, and somehow without knowing why, my father had also impulsively added the word Phoenix. :
: That sounds tiring. : Draco gulped as he tried to imagine himself being trained that way by Fenix. : You mean that she had to go through the A-Z list? :
: Yeah… but of course that stopped when she tried her Phoenix form. : Aldren chuckled. : So she didn't have to waste her time on the Q-Z list. :
: Did anything else happen when she took on that form? : Snape asked curiously.
: Yes. She gave us a fright when she became invisible and took off without warning. Went missing for several days, and came back with quite a different personality. From young, she had been silent and does not socialize a lot, preferring to stay indoors to read her books or go outside and tend her garden. That hasn't really changed as she went into adulthood. If I had remembered correctly, : Aldren pursed his lips as he thought hard, : she went missing for about five days, then returned with silver eyes and a sharp tongue… and a sense of humor… a bit warped sometimes, and as you know, she also possessed the talents of an assassin. She extremely loves to nettle my father a lot, : Aldren informed them.
The elf let them think on his words for a while, before Sirius hazarded a question. : So her memories as the Ancient were activated only when she took her form? : the Elf nodded. Snape, Sirius and Harry looked speculatively at Draco, and the Slytherin blushed uneasily.
: Somehow it feels good to know that I'm normal. : Harry grinned at him.
: What are you implying, Four-Eyes? : Draco said threateningly.
: Nothing… : Harry answered innocently.
Draco snorted, then gave his friend a sidelong look. : Don't be too sure about your normalness though, : he said in a warning tone. : 'The Chamber of Secrets was meant to be opened by you, but thankfully you did not. I did not reckon Tom Riddle to have a basilisk habituating in there. And I absolutely hate it when I have to abort my plans because of that.' : he recited, almost imitating Hermione. Harry had completely forgotten about Salazar Slytherin's cryptic remarks on Hallowe'en night.
: Why must you remind me? : Harry moaned, lying flat on his back and looked up at the ceiling of false starry sky. : Now, I have to deal with my curiosity. Unlike you, who could ask Fenix about your Fire, I have to ask a ghost who might not appear soon enough to my liking, or if I want to know what he wants... : he said rather sulkily, making the rest of the group chuckle. Why am I supposed to be the Heir? So was Voldemort carrying out Salazar's wishes, or had Voldemort acted out on his own? Damnation… I don't understand a single thing about the Chamber of Secrets now… Harry gave a pensive sigh.
Snape gave a long sigh and gave Draco a look that seemed to be disappointed. His godson frowned at him and Snape spoke to him alone. : I was thinking about making you my protégé, : the Potions Master explained, his mindvoice sounding a little wistful.
Draco suddenly sat up, his eyes going round with incredulity. : Why? : His heart was pounding excitedly, not able to believe that Snape had actually considered the idea.
: Do I really have to explain myself? : Snape said in a rueful tone. : Other than Granger, you're the natural in Potions. And since you're my godson… : The Potions Master did not bother finishing his sentence.
Draco's face lit up with a bright smile. : So what's making you hesitate? Fenix's training wouldn't last that long… and I do need a career to last me a lifetime, don't I? : he asked cheerfully, suddenly feeling happy.
: You won't really have time to rest, you know… Being a Potions Master isn't an easy course… : Snape said dubiously and glowered at Draco when the boy swore.
: Whatever, but I want to be like you. : Draco said abruptly and did not bother letting Snape answer, as he released the mind-link and went to sleep.
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"Salz…" Godric called out. The founder of Slytherin was looking down at The Boy Who Lived from above. "What are you doing?"
"As you can see, Ric, I'm watching," he answered sarcastically.
"None of that… you're going melancholy again."
"How could I not be? If Voldemort wasn't a rotten soul in the first place, I wouldn't have found the need to linger and this destruction of the School wouldn't have happened." Salz gave a long sigh.
"Might I remind you that your kind has souls like that? Anyway, what is this business with Harry Potter? Even I did not understand what you had said yesterday." Ric pestered his best friend.
"Are you saying that the lovely lady down there has a rotten soul?" Salz asked acidly and his friend flushed. "He was supposed to receive something in the Chamber of Secrets… but not the basilisk. How long had that been there anyway?"
"A couple of decades? I'm not too sure though…"
"It's just as well that Voldemort has passed his gift of animal speech to Harry, and making Harry the Heir almost by default. I don't think I have the guts to remain here for another century or so. And Harry is much a suitable candidate for what I had in mind." Salz looked at the sleeping werewolf. "My messenger had passed the gift to Harry, and the Purpose that Harry should fulfill-- if he survives this major interruption-- would be revealed if Harry goes down with the gift to the Chamber again, up to the dais." He gave another sigh. "It's just as well I couldn't cry… being a ghost… but I feel…" his voice trailed off, and he sank into depression once more.
"I think being separated from Helga's making you fey-- no pun intended, Salz. Come, we'll visit her and Wen." Roc pulled his friend into the direction of the Hufflepuff's common room.
The Hall was silent except from the tempest that was brewing outside. Aldren and his father remained behind the Hall to guard the students while the other elves, with Charlie, the Aurors, and the Dumbledore brothers began their patrol for the night again. Aldren had heard the soft conversation between the founders of Slytherin and Gryffindor. All elves possessed good eyesight, and although the ceiling of the Great Hall was high, Aldren was able to pinpoint that Salazar was looking at Remus and not the Fire Master as he said 'My messenger had passed the gift to Harry'. Aldren pursed his lips as he contemplated, watching the sleeping forms of Fenix's friends. I have to remember this and maybe ask Remus about the gift that he gave Harry tomorrow…
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