Thanks Seaver for beta reading!

Devotion408 and keebler-elmo you are my only true friends, thanks for reviewing last chapter!

Please note that I am not a Phoenix.

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Chapter 25 Christmas

"Ginny!" Harry begged, "Please don't be dead please! Please wake up!"

"She will not wake up," A cold high pitch voice said with amusement. Lord Voldemort as tall and snake like as ever appeared standing next to them, Harry's wand in his hand.

"Voldemort," Harry whispered in disbelief.

"Have not your parents taught you some manners Potter?" Voldemort asked, "You will call me Lord Voldemort as I am the greatest sorcerer of all time!"

"You're not!" Harry said with much more courage then he felt.

"But you are much mistaken I am indeed the most powerful sorcerer of all time." Voldemort said with a hint of a smile as if almost pitying Harry for not knowing better.

"But Dumbledore…" Harry said trying to reason with him.

"Do you really think so Potter?"

"Yes," Harry said firmly.

"Then why isn't Dumbledore helping you? Why has he left you to die here?" Voldemort asked, "Not even his damn bird is here!"

Harry knew Voldemort was right Fawkes was supposed to be here but somehow Voldemort had become too powerful, powerful enough to prevent Fawkes from helping them. He and Ginny was going to die, the only comfort being that Ginny was unconscious and would not notice a thing.

"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four!" Voldemort said to the huge statue of Salazar Slytherin in plain English. Slytherin's mouth opened and Harry knew that he had to run but he didn't. There was no point, Fawkes was not there and he wouldn't stand a chance against a basilisk with his bare hands. He decided to curl up next to Ginny instead and await his death together with her. All of a sudden, Ginny felt warm and alive and she was moving, Ginny was not supposed to move, he knew somehow.

"Don't be afraid it will all be over soon," Harry said comforting, he could hear the basilisk uncoiling it self on the floor in front of the statue.

"Harry," Ginny said.

"I'm here," Harry replied but Ginny didn't seem to hear him.

"Harry!" Ginny said again this time more forcefully.

"Shh, its okay it won't even hurt," Harry murmured, his voice oddly sluggish.

"HARRY!" Ginny yelled, or was it Ginny? He was not quite sure.

"HARRY WAKE UP!"

Harry woke with a start and leapt up from the bed before he could take in the situation. He was in Fleur and Tonks's room and both of them was watching him anxiously. After a few seconds, his memories returned. Fleur had let him spend the night in her bed even though it was strictly forbidden. The room was now dark only lit by a candle on Fleur's bedside table.

"You were dreaming," Fleur said reassuringly and hugged him, "It was only a bad dream, Wingbeat."

Harry took a deep breath he was almost hyperventilating and he was covered with sweat.

"Was it about today?" Fleur asked, softly wiping his forehead with her pyjamas sleeve. Tonks walked back to her bed performed a couple of charms on it, probably a silencing and a darkness charm, and went back to sleep.

"No, well it was about the chamber," Harry said, "It was the usual, but you woke me up before the really bad part begun."

"Want to tell me?" Fleur asked and made Harry sit down on her bed.

Harry took a deep breath and told her about all the details. He had never told any details before only that he usually had nightmare about the Chamber, the graveyard and that veil Sirius disappeared behind and sometimes about the philosopher's stone as well. Fleur held him tightly while he talked and rocked him gently back and forwards.

"It's silly, it happened almost four years ago," Harry said apologetically.

"It is not," Whispered Fleur firmly, "You are the bravest person I know… after Gabrielle."

They sat in silence for a few minutes and Fleur held him. It felt very good, normally when he had a nightmare he would pull out his invisibility cloak and just run away and not return to the dormitory until it was time for breakfast. His room mates knew about his nightmares and didn't ask him were he had been if they found his bed empty. Ron would of course worry and locate him on the marauders map if he was gone. Ron would never admit that he did this and Harry would not say a word if he found his map somewhere else in his trunk then where he had put it. Harry hoped his roommates were going to think that he had suffered another nightmare when he was missing from his bed the following morning and not that he had spent the entire night in the defence against the dark arts teacher's bedroom.

"You go back to sleep," Harry said, "I'm going to take a shower if it's okay?"

"Help yourself," Fleur said and leaned back in her bed.

It was as nice as always to wake up next to Fleur and somehow their pulses had synchronised again. His roommates didn't seem to think there was anything odd about him returning just to change clothes though Ron had probably seen spotted him on the map, judging by his constant grin. They spent the day doing homework and visiting Hagrid. There was a leaving feast in the great hall since most students would be leaving for the Christmas holyday the following day.

Harry felt a little bit sad when they left Hogwarts in slays pulled by Thestrals the following day, he imagined what Christmas at Hogwarts would be like. He regretted for a moment that he had decided to leave Hogwarts, but then he remembered that he would spent it with the Weasleys and that he would go to France with Fleur. This would definitely be the best Christmas ever.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Fleur got a compartment for themselves on the Hogwarts express. Harry found it very comfortable to be travelling inside the warm train, drinking hot chocolate that the witch with the food trolley sold when it was freezing outside. Harry had his arm tightly wrapped around Fleur and she leaned her head on his shoulder. Ron and Hermione had snuggled up against each other as well and looked very comfortable.

"Who would have thought this last Christmas," Harry said abruptly nobody had said a word for the last half hour.

"Yeah," Ron agreed, "Dad must have been in the hospital and you were hiding because you thought you were being possessed by you-know-who."

"I was not hiding," Harry retorted.

"Was too," Ron said childishly, but didn't wait for Harry to answer instead he turned to Hermione, "And you was going to strap on those pieces of wood and rush down mountains."

"It's called skiing and it is very fun," Hermione said firmly.

"I was home with Gabrielle and mum and dad," Fleur said smiling slightly at the memory, "I had not seen any of them for many months so Gabrielle was really happy to see me. I transfigured all kinds of animals and we were having so much fun."

They all sat in silence after these words not daring to say anything that might upset Fleur but Fleur didn't seem to sad at all instead she had a far away dreamy smile on her face. It slowly become dark outside and Harry nodded off to the rhythmic sounds of the steam engine.

Harry dreamed of Gabrielle and Fleur playing with different kinds of animals that Fleur transfigured from cushions in the sofa they were sitting in. Gabrielle and Fleur was laughing and giggling. It was not hard to tell that Gabrielle's greatest idol was Fleur and that Fleur treasured her sister above everything else in the world. Harry didn't wake up until it was time to get off the train.

"Harry it's so good to see you again," Mrs Weasley said when it was Harry's turn for the compulsory hug at platform nine and three quarters.

"You have grown! Look at you, starting to fill out like a grown man." Harry blushed, though it was nice to know that someone cared for him in that motherly way.

"Oh but I wish Ginny could be hear too," Mrs Weasley told the group.

"She wouldn't leave, we tried to persuade her but she said she wanted to do well on her OWLs." Ron said.

"I know dear," Mrs Weasley replied and turned to her husband, "Our little girl is growing up Arthur."

"Yes, I remember when you were in that age," Mr Weasley replied and then looked exactly as Ron usually did when he thought he had said too much.

"All ready to go?" Remus said, "I think we can get through the barrier now."

"I will go first just to make sure, then Hermione and Fleur," Mad-eye commanded. "And then I think Harry, Arthur and you Remus and then finally Molly and Ron to keep up the rear."

"We are a bit short on the guard," Moody growled when they were all through the barrier and walked towards Grimmauld Place, "But Albus informs me that you can take care of yourself efficiently."

"If he says so," Harry said. Why did Mad-eye Moody always pick awkward topics?

"Severus is an excellent dueler with many years experience of dueling the hard way," Moody said, his normal eye watching where they were going and his magical swirling around and living up to Moody's nickname.

They passed numerous shops full of peoples doing their Christmas shopping. It was snowing hard; huge snowflakes fell from the dark winter sky. It was hard to see very far but Harry didn't care to him it was perfect winter weather. Moody and Remus didn't seem to agree with his opinion of the weather both of them had closed in on Harry closely so that he almost had problems walking. Behind him Ron and Hermione walked closely followed by Mrs Weasley and in front of them was Mr Weasley and Fleur.

"Darn weather," Moody growled, "Can't se a damn thing, smell anything Remus?"

"No I'm afraid I don't, fresh snow terminates most of it," Remus replied. As a werewolf, Remus had a very developed sense of smelling.

"Let's circle this block once just to make sure," Moody ordered they walk swiftly around the block.

"I think we got floo powder," Remus said to the group and they all tightened in on Harry even further.

"Cover yourself with this!" Moody commanded in a whisper, pulled out an invisibility cloak from inside his cloak and handed it to Harry.

"In the middle of the street?" Harry asked.

"Just do it Potter!" Moody snapped. Harry knew it was a serious offence to show any kind of magic in front of muggles but obeyed Mad-eye anyway. A woman stopped dead in her tracks and dropped her shopping bags. She stared at the empty spot between Moody and Remus where Harry was.

"Obliviate," Remus said coolly and with a very quick flick with his wand when passing by the woman she forgot what she saw.

"Nice one," Ron muttered behind him.

"I think I got him," Moody growled, "Bearded, long hair, next to that muggle burger restaurant got that Azkaban look."

"Are you sure Alastor?" Remus asked.

"Yes, but I got to make sure that he is alone," Moody said and slowed down a little. "Damn we should have travelled with port key or by muggle vehicle at least!"

"What about Taxi?" Remus asked and threw a quick glance over at the street.

"That would be a good idea I got some muggle money and that plastic card Albus handed out to all of us," Mr Weasley said enthusiastically.

"Good, Arthur get that Taxi. Kids, Mrs Weasley, Fleur and Arthur go with it," Moody ordered.

"But there is a limit they can't take that many passengers," Hermione said, "I think they have a limit of four peoples and Harry's invisible."

"Persuade the driver I authorise the imperius," Moody said dangerously. Mr Weasley was ecstatic even though the graveness of the situation. The taxi driver didn't seem too exited though when Mr Weasley explained quickly that they would be five travellers.

"I only take four," The Taxi driver said irritably, "Take the buss or split up!"

"But you don't understand sir," Mr Weasley said desperately.

"Surely you wouldn't mind little me?" Fleur asked in her sweetest voice and blasted the driver with her charm, "I wouldn't take much room and you got such a big Taxi."

"I-I-If you say so miss," The driver stammered, he would probably agree to anything Fleur asked him.

"Thank you kind sir," Fleur said and they started to pack themselves into the car. Mr Weasley of course seated himself in the front seat and the rest of them in the back. It was very difficult for Harry to sit down with out the driver noticing since he was still invisible. It was not made easier by the fact that the driver stared mesmerised at Fleur in the mirror and that Harry had to sit in Fleur's lap. Next to Fleur and Harry sat Mrs Weasley and next to her Ron with Hermione in his lap, Ron and Hermione blushed furiously.

"My nose," Fleur hissed silently when the Taxi started, Harry had accidentally bumped his back into her. The driver who continued to look at Fleur in the mirror seemed to think that Fleur was flirting with him and winked back at her and Harry.

"Oh yes you got ecelectric windows," Mr Weasley said enthusiastically, "I had an old Ford once but it only had cranks."

"Oh Really?" The driver said not paying any attention to what Mr Weasley was saying.

"Yes and is that a mobility phone?" Mr Weasley exclaimed.

"Sure," The driver agreed.

"Fantastic, brilliant not even wires… but it does run on ecelectrisity?"

"Battery," The driver replied.

"Oh of course! I got a fine collection of batteries," Mr Weasley said proudly. After several questions later about the cars different equipments, they arrived Grimmauld place and the car stopped outside number eleven.

Mr Weasley glanced back in the back seat with a triumphant smile and held out a master card.

"I'll take it on the card," Mr Weasley said clearly, as if it was some kind of password.

"Excellent," The driver said and took the card from Mr Weasley.

"Ingenious," Mr Weasley said breathlessly when the driver drew the card through the card reader and it started to print the recite.

Even Mrs Weasley Ron and Fleur seemed to think this procedure was interesting because they all bend forward as much as they could to get a better look.

"So no money is necessary?" Mr Weasley asked uncertainly.

"You just paid on the card," The driver said uncertainly.

"But how do you get any money from that card?" Mr Weasley asked.

"It transfers from your bank account to the company's account, are you al right sir?" The driver asked.

"Oh yes absolutely," Mr Weasley ensured and they all started to get out of the car.

"I'm really sorry about this," Mr Weasley said and pulled out his wand, "Obliviate!"

"Was that really necessary dear?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"Yes I'm afraid it was we can't afford anyone finding out that he drove anyone here."

They all stopped for a moment between number eleven and thirteen and focused on number twelve before they entered Black manor.

"Think Moody and Remus are all right?" Ron asked his father.

"Yes of course, no single death eater will be stupid enough to try anything with old Mad-Eye around he got quite a reputation," Mr Weasley said matter-of-factly.

"But if he wasn't alone? What if there were more of them?" Hermione asked.

"They both carry portkeys. If things get out of hand, they disappear and if Alastor Moody was right about the Azkaban look then the ministry will know if they do magic. All Azkaban prisoners' magical signatures are carefully recorded by the ministry."

"But Sirius could do magic... at least last year," Harry said from underneath Moody's invisibility cloak.

"That would be Dumbledore's doing, just as we suspect you-know-who has changed his faithful supporters' signatures or just cleared them from the ministry lists," Mr Weasley explained as they entered number twelve Grimmauld place.

Mrs Weasley cooked a wonderful warm soup they all enjoyed immensely for dinner. Half way through Remus and Moody arrived and joined them.

Remus rubbed his hand hungrily before he tucked in, "Mmm, this is delicious!"

"Every thing went all right then?" Arthur asked.

"Yeah poor the bastards is as good as dead," Moody said grimly, "Azkaban prisoners that never had any intentions of joining the death eaters."

"There were two of them?" Hermione asked Remus nodded in reply. "Did you find out what they wanted?"

"They were supposed to try and find out where…" Remus took another spoon of soup, "we spend our Christmas."

"But why are they as good as dead, did you duel?" Ron asked eager to hear of some action.

"No," Moody replied after a spoonful of soup, "Voldemort will get them for being discovered."

The shock of hearing Voldemort's name seemed finally to have become a so daily business for the Weasley's that none of them commented.

"Can't the ministry do anything?" Hermione asked.

"They could," Mr Weasley said in a final tone that said that he did not agree with how things were working in the ministry at all.

"So," Fleur said after a moment of silence that followed Mr Weasley's words, "Now that we will not be overheard I would like to inform you all that Harry and I are going to my aunt over the New Year."

"Your aunt?" Ron asked dipping a piece of bread in the remains of his soup.

"Nancy Lyon, she teaches charms at Beauxbaton," Harry explained.

"Oh Nancy," Remus said looking up at Fleur, "she was an exchange student a year under us… in our sixth or seventh year I think. We got along quite well but she had to go home early because of Voldemort."

Harry felt very sorry for Remus he didn't have much in life. The things Remus treasured most were his memories of his friends who were gone for different reasons. Remus had himself to blame for that, Harry realised, Remus always held back his own life because he was a werewolf.

The following days they were busy decorating for the Christmas celebrations and when Christmas finally arrived Black manor was hardy recognizable.

Harry and Fleur had both been in very fragile moods and cried quite a lot in Buckbeak's old room. Hagrid had as he said he would, taken the Hippogriff back to Hogwarts. Christmas after all was a family holyday and last year this time this year Sirius had been singing carols.

They had a huge Christmas party for the order members on Christmas Eve. Dumbledore and Hagrid arrived when dinner was done at Hogwarts and celebrated with the rest of them. The only one missing at least the only one Harry missed was Tonks she was always very funny at these types of occasions. He wondered for a moment if Tonks and Selena had frozen Myrtles toilet jet.

"A Christmas gift for your thoughts," Dumbledore said merely and brought Harry back to reality.

"Oh, Merry Christmas Professor," Harry said, "Tonks and Selena were planning on freezing Myrtle's bathroom."

"Again? I remember having Argus Filch in my office about that special event several years ago, he was rather upset since he is not allowed to enter a girl's bathroom without notification and by the time he had notified the students I am afraid Nymphadora was mysteriously gone."

"But how did you know it was Tonks ice-skating then?" Harry asked.

"Ice-skating?" Dumbledore asked and chuckled, "I should have suspected there was more to it then just freezing the floor."

"You are not going to forbid her are you sir?" asked Harry, he hoped that he had not ruined Tonks and Selena's plans.

"I happen to enjoy Ice-skating, I think that I might even put a notice up so that I may have a go at it," Dumbledore said and stretched his long legs as if preparing himself for ice-skating.

Harry chuckled, he felt a little light headed due to all Butterbeer he had been drinking. "Just watch out so you don't fall down into the chamber."

"I understand that you have done the school a great favour by securing expensive potion ingredients," Dumbledore said, "I dare say that Severus was quite impressed."

"Why is that Professor?" Harry asked, "All I did was to levitate the Snake."

Dumbledore smiled, "You killed a thousand year old legendary basilisk without magic and destroyed Tom's diary."

"Oh," Harry said blushing slightly, "but I could never have done it without Fawkes and I would have died doing it if Fawkes hadn't saved me."

"I can imagine your mother gloating at your father for you inheriting her modest personality," Dumbledore said eyes twinkling.

Harry smiled.

"Fawkes gave another feather this semester, his third as you might remember," Dumbledore said.

"Is it going to be another wand?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't think Fawkes intended another wand with this feather," Dumbledore said, "You see Harry, Fawkes gave me that feather the moment you and Fleur left my office that morning you arrived back from St Mungo's."

"Oh," Harry said wondering what Dumbledore was getting at.

"Perhaps we can go somewhere less lively?" Dumbledore asked.

"Certainly," Harry said becoming more and more curios every second, "Should Fleur come along as well?"

"Yes I think that would be a good idea," Dumbledore replied and waited at the drawing room entrance for Harry to get Fleur.

Harry found Fleur talking to Hagrid about animal classifications. Fleur was equally upset with the classifications as Hagrid was since pure Veela had been rated as four stared beasts after the world cup when one of the veela had burned someone. After a few moments Harry, Fleur and Dumbledore was up in Buckbeak's old room. Dumbledore had told Fleur about the feather Fawkes had given right after they had been in Dumbledore's office on the way.

"As you both know Phoenixes are remarkable animals they have many rare abilities and make highly faithful pets," Dumbledore informed them, "Unfortunately not everyone has the magical power to have a Phoenix."

"Can't one just buy them?" Harry asked.

"Phoenixes are very proud animals and would never allow themselves to be traded. I got Fawkes by befriending a very old phoenix in Egypt many years ago. After weeks of persuasion the old phoenix gave me one of his tail feathers and wet it with a tear."

Harry didn't know why Dumbledore was telling him this but Fleur obviously did, "And you managed to enflame it?" She asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said.

"And Fawkes was born from the ashes?" Fleur pressed on, Dumbledore nodded, "I wish I could have seen that."

"That leads us strait to the point because Fawkes wet this feather," Dumbledore pulled out a long golden Phoenix feather, "with a tear."

"But there is no way either of us could make it burn," Fleur said, "Even if we could we are way too young."

"You are indeed very young. I expect you would be the youngest ever if you succeed," Dumbledore said.

"Wait a moment are you asking us to create a phoenix?" Harry asked he had always assumed that Phoenixes was born from eggs just like normal birds. "But why can't you do it yourself Professor you could probably do it much better."

"I could, but I already have a Phoenix and lovely creatures as they are, two of them would be a little much," Dumbledore said.

"Are you sure Headmaster?" Fleur asked, "And do you really think we could enflame the feather?"

"Yes and Fawkes seems to be too," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "Besides I offered Harry a gift for his thoughts earlier this evening."

"But you don't have to Professor," Harry said even though he bought a Christmas gift to Dumbledore as an apology for the things he broke when Sirius had died. Tonks was going to give it to him; it was of course woollen socks that were enchanted not to make any sound at all when you walked in them.

Dumbledore smiled gently, "If you can make the feather burn then you are worthy a phoenix."

Harry and Fleur glanced briefly at each other and made a silent agreement they both wanted a phoenix since they both liked Fawkes very much. Dumbledore seemed to guess their decision because he brought out the feather again and placed it mid air. Harry gaped he had never seen anyone do magic like this.

"This feather is so full of magic that it is very easily influenced even without a wand," Dumbledore explained and pulled out his wand for some reason. He flicked his wand and a bird stand appeared it looked like the one Fawkes had. With another tiny flick of his wand, the feather loosened from the air and float down to the bird stand.

"So we just…err burn it, with magic?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Both yes and no, Harry," Dumbledore said seriously, "To enflame this feather you have to use magical power to the extent of your ability."

"How do we do that sir?" Harry asked, hoping he wouldn't be needed to exhaust himself magically like he had done on Halloween.

"I am sure both Professor McGonagall and Flitwick have taught you how to relax before attempting a more difficult spell, this is very much the same but as you create a mental connection with your phoenix…"

"Sorry professor, but it's going to be in my… our heads?" Harry interrupted.

"That is a matter of definition but yes, in a way."

Fleur nodded eagerly for Dumbledore to go on.

"I'll perform a mind opening charm on you first so that the phoenix can bond correctly with you, it is not necessary but since it will bond with both of you it might need a little help."

Harry and Fleur nodded.

"Liberare Anima," Dumbledore said lazily and flicked his wand elegantly over them. Harry didn't feel any greater difference but then he looked at Fleur. He could feel how much he loved her cleared then ever.

Fleur smiled at him she probably had the same feeling. Her smile, made Harry feel directly ill, he couldn't look at her. His emotions were too strong he figured.

"It'll were off after a minute or two," Dumbledore said.

"It feels good," said Fleur happily, "So what do we do now?"

"Now you simply have to make it burn, Incendio should do"

"Does it matter which one of us who performs it?" Harry asked.

"No not as long as you have skin contact with each other," Dumbledore said, "Holding hands will do."

"You better do the magic Harry since you got a feather from Fawkes in your wand" Fleur said and walked up next to Harry.

"Right," Harry muttered, "So it is hard to make the feather burn?"

"Yes of course it is. Why do you really think I let you go first?" Fleur teased.

"Can have several tries?" Harry asked.

"If you need," Dumbledore said.

Harry pulled out his wand and focused his mind on fires, "Perhaps Hermione should do this instead…"

Neither of them replied but Harry hadn't really expected them too. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as Flitwick and McGonagall always had taught him to do before attempting difficult magic.

Harry squeezed Fleur's hand hard, "INCENDIO!"

The Phoenix feather burst into huge hot flames for a couple of seconds and when they had burned out, only the ashes remained.

"Excellent," Dumbledore said, "You have now forged a Phoenix."

"It really worked?" Fleur asked and stepped up to the little pile of ashes pulling Harry along.

"Yes, now I will leave you to bond with it, and you might want to think of a name," Dumbledore said and left the room.

"I can't believe this, you forged a Phoenix," Fleur said and kissed him almost forcefully.

"But I bet anyone could do that, it wasn't hard at all," Harry said licking his lips.

"I did seem very simple," Fleur agreed, "But it can't be or everyone would have phoenixes, they beat owls… Look it's moving!"

A little golden beak started to move among the ashes and after it a featherless neck.

"Hello little one," Fleur cooed. The little baby Phoenix blinked its black eyes at Fleur and then at Harry.

"We need a name," Harry told their Phoenix softly.

"What about the-bird-who-flew?" Fleur teased.

"Why can't you just ask it in bird language what it wants to be named?" Harry retorted.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Harry asked after a moment of silence when they both tried to figure out names.

"Neither I think Phoenixes doesn't work like that they are forged remember?"

"Great that leaves us with twice as many names to choose from," Harry said. Fleur carefully stretched out a finger and patted the tiny birds head and beak.

"What about Peak?" Harry asked Fleur and the tiny Phoenix.

"No, I don't think so," Fleur said, "What about Vertex instead?"

"Sounds good, do you want to be named 'Vertex instead'?" Harry asked and patted the tiny bird with one finger. The baby phoenix let out a little squeak and tried to stand up.

"Vertex it is then!" Fleur said, taking the little squeak as an affirmative.

"This is so strange," said Harry abruptly, "We just got a phoenix from Dumbledore."

"Yes and you managed to forge it too, you are a really powerful wizard you know," Fleur said.

"Are you sure about the forging part being difficult?" Harry asked, he could not understand what the hard part of the flaming could be.

"Yes absolutely, but we better get some herbs for Vertex to eat and I have no idea of where to get them," Fleur said.

There was a loud knock on the door, "Can I come in?" Hagrid's voice asked gently. Harry opened the door for him.

"Dumbledore told me!" Hagrid exclaimed, "He told me you two made a Phoenix!"

"Ahh the little tyke," Hagrid whimpered at the sight of Vertex, "Hello there little fellow."

"Got a name for it yet?" Hagrid asked eagerly.

"Vertex," Fleur stated smiling proudly.

"Little Vertex," Hagrid said and carefully patted the phoenix's head, "I always knew you two were special and now you forged a Phoenix."

"I got some herbs here, always keeps some in case I run into Fawkes." Hagrid told them and waved a little bag he had been carrying, "Order them from Egypt. Best phoenix food there is!"

"That's great Dumbledore left before he could give… hang on Dumbledore knew you had some didn't he?" Harry asked.

"Great man Dumbledore never misses anything," Hagrid said, "I recon its better if you feed him, trusts you better since you forged him. Have you told Ron and Hermione yet?"

"Better go and tell them then I'll be back in a minute," Hagrid said and left the room. "A Phoenix," He muttered happily to himself on the way out.

"I figure this will be in the papers when every one in Hogwarts finds out," Fleur said, "The-boy-who lived forges Phoenix."

"Do you really think they would write that?"

Fleur raised an eyebrow.

"They would wouldn't they," Harry said darkly. The prophet wrote everything they could lay their hand on about him, things like his OWL results was as well known, as Voldemort was a dark wizard.

There was a quick knock on the door and before Harry or Fleur could say anything, it opened.

"Harry is it true? I can't believe it, you forged a phoenix and you are not even twenty!" Hermione said very quickly and entered the room with Hagrid and Ron.

"Oh… he is so little, have you got a name yet? Better try and keep Crookshanks out of here, I don't think he will harm a phoenix he knows better then that but he may frighten it… Did you have a name yet?"

"You already asked that," Ron stated from behind Hermione.

"It's Vertex," Harry said.

"Ohh, congratulations Harry!" Hermione exclaimed suddenly and threw her arms around Harry in a bone-crushing hug.

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said and squeezed her gently.

"You do realise how rare Phoenixes are don't you?" Hermione asked bossily a few moments later, "There are about twenty-five of them in whole Britain and everyone who has forged them has been at least thirty. You got to register it with the ministry of course Phoenixes are class four animals and needs to be registered."

"I can do it," Fleur said, "After all I named him."

"It's a 'him' now?" asked Harry.

"No but we can't call him 'it' can we?" Fleur replied.

"Why not she?"

"Fine, you call him she and I'll call him he!" said Fleur.

"No, no problem we'll call him he," said Harry teasingly, Fleur groaned in exasperation.

"He looks hungry," said Hagrid when the little Phoenix let out another squeak.

Fleur opened Hagrid's bag with herbs and pulled a green fresh looking plant of some exotic origin. Fleur pulled of a green leaf and held it up to the new forged Phoenix. After a few seconds of sniffing, the Phoenix nibbled the leaf. They were all even Hagrid, amazed by the amount of food Vertex ate. A little later, when Vertex had finished his second plant Ron and Hermione left them to assist in the kitchens or at least that is what they said. Hagrid left as well a while later to get back to Hogwarts.

Harry and Fleur stayed up very late that night. Fleur told Harry everything she knew about Phoenixes to make sure he didn't do anything wrong.

"Don't worry I already know how to take care of birds," Harry teased her, "I'm rather good at it too, don't you think?"

"Very good," said Fleur, she was too tired to have a playful argument instead; she lay down on the huge bed. "I'm tired I'm going to sleep."

Harry made sure that Vertex was all right for the night and then lay down next to Fleur. Fleur sleepily snuggled up on Harry's arm with her back towards him. Harry put his arm around her and pulled her close.

Harry smiled widely as sleep took him, it was Christmas and he had a family, again.

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