Thanks again Seaver for beta reading!

Thanks for all the reviews everyone!

keebler-elmo: You got a point! And there is a reason, you smell the plot!

Devotion408: Well our favourite author describes the Phoenix as a class four animal that lives in Egypt and parts of Asia if I am not mistaken so in the HP world there are several… although it would be nice if Dumbledore had the only one. I tent to work in periods, I am having a free period at the moment : )

Nevets: Thanks! I must say I am not sure about the R rating. American television ratings are a bit of a joke (You are allowed to buy a gun but not say Fuck on TV) here in Sweden… to make a long story short, I don't really know how to rate this fic due to minor differences in culture… I take it you think it should be PG-13? I might change it.

Everpresent: Lol! But it could be worse I could have named myself after the phoenix and lived a Marry Sue life (don't read my answer to Logan, lol). Ginny is a… well you'll seeeee.

TimGold: I do know that… thanks.

Logan: Oh come on I deserve to be a bit egotistical 'cause I'm soo good… lol! I actually came up with the phoenix's name before I created this account. Thanks for reviewing!

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Chapter 26 Gifts and Holyday pranks

They awoke abruptly the next morning by Vertex's first attempts of singing; it was rather good at least for a bird that was only a couple of hours old.

"Harry?" Fleur asked sleepily.

"Yeah," Harry mumbled he was awake though he had not yet opened his eyes.

"We better get up it's time for presents," She said and made an attempt to sit up but Harry didn't let her go instead he pulled her closer.

"I love sleeping with you," Harry said without thinking. Fleur spun around in his arms and faced him. Harry opened his eyes and watched her.

"I love you Wingbeat and if you want to take the next step…" Fleur said seriously but trailed off hoping he would understand.

"What? Oh that… well unless you really want to I can wait," Harry said jerkily he was not awake enough to have serious conversations.

"Are you sure because I wouldn't mind," Fleur said smiling reassuringly.

"Let's not decide like this, when the moment comes it comes," Harry said, he didn't know where that sentence came from but he knew it was true. He had no control over those feelings after all and it would feel wrong just taking the step because neither of them minded.

"I love you Harry," Fleur said and kissed him quickly before she got up.

"Wow Vertex you have grown!" Fleur exclaimed, "You got se this Wingbeat!"

"Is that the same phoenix?" Harry asked but somehow he could feel his magical connection with the bird and knew it was Vertex. Vertex had become about twice as big as he was the night before and had started to sprout red and golden fluffy feathers.

"Can you feel that?" Harry asked focusing on his connection.

"Yes… it nice," Fleur said hesitantly, "I didn't think we would actually feel it."

Vertex made another attempt on Phoenix song perhaps to tell them that he could feel the connection as well.

"You must be hungry little-one if you've grown that much over the night," Fleur said and handed the bird another green herb, "I have to go and buy you some more of these, hope I can find some good enough in Diagon Alley."

"Just blast the salesman and he'll travel to Egypt to get the best for you," Harry said teasingly.

"May I remind you Mister Potter of that nurse at the hospital you charmed to ignore several hospital rules," Fleur retorted.

"She didn't ignore rules," Harry said defensively.

"Yes she did, you left your room without a healer's permission, you walked the corridors after curfew, you visited a patient way after visiting hours and you brought me along," Fleur said teasingly. "That is at least four hospital rules, if anything had happened that nurse would have been in loads of trouble. And it's not only females, when we first met this year you managed to get free ice-cream."

"Right I give in" Harry said grumpily.

Fleur smile victoriously, "Delacour: one, Potter: zero."

"Oh Fleur my love how can you be so heartless?" Harry asked dramatically.

"I'm a veela," Fleur said and gave him an evil smirk Draco Malfoy would be proud of, but unlike Draco, her eyes were warm and happy not cruel and cool.

"You're cute when you're mischievous," Harry stated completely ignoring Fleur's smirk, "Now I want my gift!"

They all gathered in the drawing room and opened their gifts together with Remus and the Weasleys except Bill, Percy and Ginny. Neither Mr nor Mrs Weasley seemed to be too sad about their missing children since, according to Fred and George, they had all sent gifts and greetings with owls.

Harry had enjoyed Christmas shopping this year since he had not entered a single shop much less been gawped at, all his gifts had been bought by owl order. Never before in his life had he bought as many gifts as he had now.

To Ginny and Selena, he had bought sweats from Honeydukes. For Hermione a book about curse breaking so that she could learn how to remove enchantments. Ron had gotten a Quaffle so that they would no longer have to play with apples when they were not in school. Mr Weasley got a rather advanced muggle calculator and Mrs Weasley a letter writing kit.

He and Ron had bought the most serious, boring looking ties they could find and Tonks had helped enchanted them so that they would force themselves on and not come off.

Remus was perhaps the hardest one to find an appropriate gift for, after much thinking Harry finally settled on a set of new robes. He hoped Remus would not be offended by the gift.

The countless hours he had spent finding some jewellery with a good protective charm had paid off. In the end he had ordered a silver bracelet lined with deep blue Sapphires, it would look good on Fleur but that was not the point. He had spent more then half of his parent's money on it but it was worth every Knut several times over. The bracelet was carefully enchanted to push the wearer out of the way of the killing curse. Harry wanted to make sure that Fleur was not killed like Cedric and most of all like his mother. He knew that he under no circumstances could live if Fleur died to save him.

"Oh Harry," Fleur said breathlessly when she opened his package, "It's so beautiful!"

Harry smiled and Fleur put it around her left wrist where it adjusted itself so that it would not slip off.

"Oh," Fleur said, self-adjusting bracelets was not to usual even in the wizarding world, "You didn't pay too much for it did you?"

"No," Harry said truthfully, nothing was too expensive when it came to Fleur's safety.

"I worked for Gringotts as a curse breaker. I know when things are too expensive," Fleur said, looking as if she didn't know if she should be happy or angry with him for spending too much money.

"I got it at a fair price," Harry said and then added to make her just accept his gift, "Why don't you like it?"

"I adore it but you shouldn't have," Fleur said at once. "Are there any special features?"

"No I don't think so, just some kind of protective charm," Harry lied. He wouldn't tell Fleur anything in case it didn't work as planned or worse she would try and force Harry to wear it if they ever got into battle.

"Promise you will always wear it no matter what?"

Fleur gave him a searching look as if to see if Harry was hiding something, "Sure," She finally said, "I promise."

"Good," Harry said and smiled he felt much better knowing that Fleur was not going to die by the killing curse.

"Open mine now!" Fleur said and handed Harry a flat soft package.

"Robes?" Harry guessed.

"Absolutely not!" Fleur said, though Harry knew by the way she answered that his guess had not been far off. He opened the package carefully and pulled out a rather stiff black cloak.

"A cloak… a dragon skin cloak," Harry stated.

"No much better Graphorn hide," Fleur said proudly, "And I made it myself!"

"You made this by yourself? I didn't know you could sew and isn't Graphorn hide grey not black… or is it dark green?" Harry asked holding up the cloak and admiring it. It was very well made and even though it was a bit stiff, it fit him perfectly, perhaps just a little too wide in the top.

"First of all yes I can sew that's what two veela with inborn dress-sense does when they spend to much time alone. I used to do all my clothes myself when I was in school veela usually do. Secondly Flitwick made it dark green instead of grey," Fleur said proudly, "And look at this STUPEFY!"

Red sparks shot from Fleur's wand and hit Harry in his side before he had time to realise what had happened. The impact made Harry stumbled and he took a step to steady himself.

"What did you do that for?" Harry asked irritable, rubbing the sore spot were the stunner had hit him. The room had gone quiet and every one had stopped their gift openings.

"Is that dragon skin?" Charlie asked enthusiastically, "Not much else could reflect a stunner like that!"

It had not occurred to Harry until now that he wasn't stunned.

"Graphorn," Fleur said proudly, "Flitwick colored it for me."

"You made it yourself?" Hermione asked, "How did you make it fit so well?"

"Tonks is good with memory charms," Fleur said and flashed a guilty smile at Harry.

"I posed for it?" Harry asked trying to force down a stupid grin and failing miserably.

"Yes, and more then once," Fleur said, "But it paid out didn't it?"

"It's wonderful couldn't have made it better myself," Molly Weasley praised. They all congratulated Fleur on her handy work and went back to opening their Christmas gifts.

"Thanks it's wonderful," Harry said and he really meant it. He had never gotten a gift he liked this much before except for his Firebolt.

Fleur smiled at him, "I've been working on it ever since term started."

"Now you made me feel bad I only spent a month picking out your gift," Harry complained.

"Don't, I love this bracelet," Fleur said and held her left arm up to show him. "Besides if I am right you paid much more for this then I paid for the hide and mind you it was not cheap."

"Perhaps," Harry said, "You'll never know will you?"

"I'll make you talk sooner or later Potter, I am a patient girl," Fleur said grinning mischievously.

"Good one Potter," Fred called across the room dryly.

"Absolutely spiffing, Ron," George added just as dryly.

Harry looked up at them and saw that they must have opened his gifts because they were both wearing ties that made them look almost as serious as Percy usually did.

"That's lovely dears," Mrs. Weasley said, fondly surveying the twins, "I can't believe how much you have grown up since last Christmas."

Harry bit his tongue painfully hard to keep himself from laughing aloud at the sight of the twins.

"Let's take a photo," Harry said, fighting with every ounce of willpower he could muster to keep his face strait.

"All of us," He added so that the twins wouldn't have a chance to disappear.

"What a wonderful idea Harry. Arthur will you summon the camera?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Let's get up around the Christmas tree," Ron said and stifled a chuckle by pretending to cough.

"I think there will be enough room for everyone to stand in front of the tree," Hermione told the twins who had tried hiding behind it.

"We'll get you Potter!" Fred said angrily, though Harry knew that they were thrilled to be challenged like this.

"Your days are marked," George added.

"Huge smile," Arthur said when he had charmed the camera to take the photo by it self and run around so that he was standing among them, "Say Weasley."

"Weeeeeeeasley!" They all chorused and the camera photographed them with a flash.

"That will be a good one," Harry said and the twins glared at him. He wished Ginny were here no one could work her brothers as well as she.

"I can develop the photo tomorrow," Remus offered, "And I'll make a few extra copies for every one who wants one."

"I'd love one," Harry said, he wondered for a moment if Remus had realized what they were doing to the twins, "And perhaps one extra just in case."

It turned out that everyone wanted at least one photo except the twins. The twins forgot to pretend being angry when they discovered that they had more presents to unwrap. Everyone was very pleased with his or her gifts; Harry got many gifts he liked very much though all of them fell rather pale next to Fleur's cloak. Ron had bought Hermione a rather nice necklace for the money he had saved on the canceled Hogsmeade trips. Hermione had for once not given Ron something useful; she had given him a small Quidditch pitch with small flying players very useful to plan new strategies on.

After lunch, a few hours after the gift openings, Remus and Fleur apparated into Diagon Alley to buy herbs for Vertex. Harry had brought Vertex down from Buckbeak's old room to the drawing room were they all sat. Both Ron and Charlie were beating Harry merciless in Chess. Hermione sat nearby reading the different books she had gotten while absentmindedly fingering her necklace Ron had given her.

It was good to see Hermione so hopelessly happy in love but it was also a bit sad, Fleur never looked so utterly in love and he knew that his emotions was not that visible on him. Perhaps he and Fleur just was not that kind of people, perhaps they had once been before their families had died. Harry remembered the previous night when Dumbledore had opened his mind and he had felt all his love for Fleur clearer then ever, it had been directly painful, but still he didn't desire her as much as he knew he should. Sometimes when he missed her terribly, he fantasized about her but those fantasies always disappeared when he saw her again. However, it didn't really matter he was very happy with Fleur the way it was.

Vertex continued to practice his phoenix song in the drawing room, he had become quite good at it by now and could play several tunes. To Harry's big relief Crookshanks didn't seem at all interested by Vertex, he liked the little chessmen much better anyway.

"Can't you charm something else for him to chase, Hermione?" Ron asked when Crookshanks had tried to attack the still playing chessmen for the third time.

"Sure when we are back in Hogwarts," Hermione replied and gave Ron a sweet smile. Ron literally melted.

"Figure out a good enchantment and I will perform it for you," Charlie said from his chair, he was reading Harry's dueling for masters.

"All right can you conjure a toy mouse?" Hermione asked, "It doesn't have to be anything fancy just make sure it has legs."

Hermione started rummaging through all her books to figure out a good incantation while Charlie conjured a mouse. A few minutes later of frantic scribbling and Quick Arithmancy calculations, Hermione had a good long incantation ready.

"I've only briefly balanced it so it may be a little tricky to perform," Hermione said, "But you shouldn't have any problems."

"Right can I have a look at it?" Charlie asked and Hermione handed over her notes, "Wow this is good. Have you ever considered being an enchantress?"

"A little," Hermione said, "It would be fun but then you either work developing brooms or creating protective charms or if you work for the ministry setting up wards and I don't think I want to do any of those."

"You could start an animal toy company," Charlie said.

"Why just not a toy company?" Ron asked.

"Yeah that too," Charlie agreed and started to rehearse the incantation. A few minutes later a little toy mouse ran around on the floor, it was unlike a real mouse, charmed so that it would not only hide from Crookshanks but also try to sneak up on him from behind. Vertex enjoyed the show from his stand and seemed to cheer on the toy mouse with exited squeaks.

By the time Fleur and Remus returned, Crookshanks and the mouse had fallen asleep together. Vertex had put his head under his wing something only baby Phoenixes did since their neck got to long when they were physically mature. Vertex had grown unnaturally fast and was now almost half the size of Pigwidgeon. He looked like a fluffy red tennis ball when he was asleep, becoming quite cute since he got his feathers and was no longer bald.

Fleur smiled at the sleeping Vertex, she was very proud of him. Harry was very proud too but he had not gotten over the shock yet of having a Phoenix. He had always believed that they were too expensive or rare for him to even consider having as a pet. Vertex must have sensed Fleur presence or perhaps he had smelled the herbs she had with her because he awoke and gave a soft shrill.

"Hello there handsome," Fleur said and patted the phoenix gently, "Between you and me," Fleur whispered to it only Harry could overhear, "Your feathers are much softer then mine."

The Phoenix squeaked and flapped its tiny wings proudly.

"Think you will be up to flying soon?" Fleur asked and opened a paper bag with the text 'Diagon Alley Apothecary Always Open'.

"Hope you like these, they are not specially imported from Egypt but I hope they will do for now," Fleur said and started to feed the little phoenix.

"Goodness that bird knows how to eat," Hermione stated, "Perhaps you could ask Neville to help you to grow those herbs by yourself."

"Yeah, but don't you know?" Harry asked.

"Of course I know how to grow North African herbs, but Neville would appreciate you asking him and besides I don't have time to spare," Hermione said glancing involuntarily over at Ron, "With house elves and all."

The Christmas passed quickly in Black manor. Vertex learned how to glide down from his stand the following day and the day after he managed to flutter his little wings hard enough to fly up again. He grew quickly and everyone had fun sending him around the house with messages. Pigwidgeon arrived just in time for Vertex to learn how to fly and became good friends. Unlike Hedwig, Vertex did not judge Pig by his capability to behave as a post owl and seemed to think of him as a playmate. Vertex had also started to figure out how to disappear but so far, he just managed to flicker.

"That's the longest time yet!" Harry praised his Phoenix when it flickered back after a couple of seconds, "Wish I could disappear like would save me loads of trouble."

"You are not planning any rule breaking are you dear student?" Fleur asked.

"Me?" Harry asked innocently, "I've never… mmmm will you be giving me detention professor?"

There was a couple on knocks on the door to Buckbeak's room.

"Dumbledore is down in the kitchen," Ron's voice said.

"He got Fawkes with him," Hermione's voice added through the door.

Harry stood up and straitened his shoulder for Vertex. Vertex seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to read Harry and Fleur's minds and fluttered over to Harry shoulder.

"Fawkes gave the tail feather you were forged from," Fleur explained for Vertex, "And Harry got another of his feathers in his wand. He's a great Phoenix saved Harry's life too."

"Twice," Harry added. They knew he couldn't understand what they really was talking about but he did understand that they were talking to him and he appreciated it.

Vertex tried to hoot as Pigwidgeon usually did but failed and instead whistled a few typical Phoenix tunes. He was quite good at it now and liked to reply when he were spoken to.

"Took you long enough," Ron said when Harry opened the door.

"Bet you two could figure out things to do if you got bored waiting," Harry shot back.

Ron blushed but Hermione didn't care.

"Hello Vertex," Hermione said, "Care to disappear for me?"

Vertex gave a little whistle in reply and flickered away for a couple of seconds. The little pressure on Harry's shoulder vanished and then appeared again on his other shoulder. Disappear was one of the few words Vertex understood.

"Wow! That was really good," Hermione praised, Hermione was almost as taken by the little bird as Harry and Fleur were.

Vertex sang a few tunes proudly in reply to Hermione's praise and Hermione giggled something she very rarely allowed herself.

"What do I call her?" Harry asked abruptly he had been nervous about meeting the last part of Fleur's family.

"Who?" Fleur asked.

"Your aunt," Harry said, "Should I just call her Ms Lyon or should I call her professor or madam?"

"Just start out with Madam then she'll let you call her Nancy."

"Don't worry Harry it will be fine," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Ron added, he was the only one who seemed to realize that Harry's fears were not illogical, "And if all goes to hell you are only staying two nights."

"That's a positive way to look at it," Harry said sarcastically.

"You will be fine she'll adore you." Fleur said, "Besides you are a Gryffindor!"

Vertex blew a few encouraging tones and Harry felt a little better.

"Good afternoon," Dumbledore said when they entered the kitchen. Dumbledore was sitting in one of the chairs around the table and Fawkes was perched on his shoulder. Both Arthur and Molly Weasley were there as well.

"Hello," Harry and Fleur chorused.

Vertex seemed very anxious in meeting a fellow Phoenix.

"Professor Dumbledore, Fawkes this is Vertex. Vertex, Professor Dumbledore and Fawkes" Harry introduced them.

"Hello Vertex," Dumbledore said politely, "We heard your wonderful singing a little while ago."

Vertex gave an uncertain little whistle in reply. Fawkes seemed very proud over what his latest tail feather had become and replied.

"Cup of tea?" Molly Weasley asked Dumbledore with a teapot in her hand.

"Why don't you offer our guest an herb?" Fleur asked and held up a green herb for Vertex.

Vertex seemed to understand what Fleur meant and with a couple of quick wing beats, he was over at the table and placed the herb in front of Fawkes. When the herb was placed on the table, Vertex flickered and disappeared only to appear again a second later on Fleur's shoulder.

Dumbledore chuckled, "Already apparating are we?"

"Yes, but that was the longest so far," Fleur said and then added quietly, "You are so clever sweetie."

Vertex blew a short response.

"It won't be long until young Vertex apparates across the world," Dumbledore said, "And I'm sure that in a few months he will be fully grown, but of course only bodily spiritually he will mirror you two"

"Hear that Harry you got to mature no more pranks!" Fleur said teasingly.

Dumbledore chuckled.

"I have a Portkey here for you; it will transport you to Beauxbaton and back. It is activated by the tap of a wand," Dumbledore said, "I trust you two to be careful and I want both of you to travel under your invisibility cloak in case the landing site is not safe."

"All right," Harry said, "Let us just get our bags and we're off."

"Accio bags," Fleur said lazily and waved her wand.

"Get my cloak too," Harry asked.

"Accio my masterpiece," Fleur said and waved her wand again.

"Masterpiece?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"Fleur made me a cloak for Christmas, sir," Harry said proudly and caught his cloak when it come flying into the kitchens.

"Dear me, Graphorn hide," Dumbledore said at once, "I got a veela cloak too somewhere in my wardrobe but it is only Swedish shortsnout."

"You should wear it more often," Fleur said matter-of-factly, "You dress well in blue."

"That is was Velvet said as well," Dumbledore chuckled.

Harry opened his bag and pulled out his invisibility cloak.

"You'll have to stay with Ron and Hermione for a few days sweetie," Fleur told their phoenix.

Vertex gave a sad questioning squeak.

"Don't look at me like that," Fleur said sadly, "We will be back before you know it."

"Yes and we'll bring you all the French herbs we can find," Harry promised.

Vertex gave another sad tune and fluttered over to Hermione's shoulder.

"You will find that your magic bond between you two and Vertex will be just as strong even if you are in France," Dumbledore told them gently, "And you will in a way not be gone from each other at all."

Fleur sighed and she exchanged a sad look with Harry. They both felt very bad leaving their baby phoenix behind even though Dumbledore's words were of some comfort.

"Come on you'll see each other in a few days and it's not like we will take bad care of him," Ron said happily.

Vertex gave a thrill as if telling Ron 'You better not!' but only Harry and Fleur interpreted it that way. It eased their mood tremendously.

"Is anyone expecting us besides my aunt?"

"Only the headmistress, Madam Maxime, she has taken certain precautions to make your stay as enjoyable as possible," Dumbledore said and Harry got a feeling that he was going to be greeted as some kind of hero. "I want you to promise me that you will not leave each other under any circumstances."

"We promise," Fleur promised for both of them.

"And don't leave the school," Mrs. Weasley added, "Heavens knows what could happen."

"We won't Mrs. Weasley," Harry promised.

"Excellent," Dumbledore said and flicked his wand. A CD appeared on the table.

"Is that the Portkey?" Fleur asked incredulously, "Isn't that a muggle thing?"

"Ingenious!" Arthur burst out when he realized it was a muggle made.

"It's a CD," Harry stated.

"Actually it's a DVD," Dumbledore said and Harry's mouth fell open he had never imagined Dumbledore even knowing what a DVD was. As far as Harry knew, DVDs had not even been introduced to the English market yet. In fact, the only reason Harry knew what a DVD was, was that Dudley had started nagging his parents for a player.

"A DVD but isn't that a little unnecessary sir?" Hermione asked, "Wouldn't anything much simpler do?"

"Indeed yes but I imagine death eaters will have trouble tampering or replacing this without your notice," Dumbledore said.

"Plastic," Mr. Weasley stated to himself eyeing the DVD carefully.

"But what if we scratch it?" Harry asked he knew that CDs was sensitive or at least his aunt had yelled at him every time he dusted his cousin's CD collection to be careful.

"Scratches are nothing that can't be fixed with magic," Dumbledore said, "Moreover I have already seen Fargo and will not miss it."

"Is it any good Professor?" Hermione asked in a very uncharacteristic behavior. It took Harry several moments to realize that Hermione must miss the muggle world immensely, she had hardly seen her parents in several years, and since the Fidelius charm she has not even been able to send them regular owls. Every message to them would have to be carried by Mrs. Weasley. Harry suspected that she might be the secret keeper but would not dream of even asking Hermione. Harry could not imagine how Hermione must be feeling but he knew it had to hurt a lot.

"Yes rather good actually," Dumbledore replied, "But then I've always enjoyed films. Nicholas Flamel and I have gone to the cinemas ever since they invented motion pictures."

Harry threw his father's old invisibility cloak over his and Fleur shoulders and Fleur picked up the DVD.

"See you in two days then," Harry said and covered himself and Fleur completely with the invisibility cloak.

Every one said their final goodbyes and Mrs. Weasley gave them several more warnings before Fleur tapped the Portkey with her wand and they were off.

As the tug behind his navel hocked him away, he held Fleur hard with his left arm so that they would not bang into each other as the swirled by the colors. He grabbed hold of the invisibility cloak with his right hand to make sure it didn't slip off them when they landed. But they didn't land, they continued to whirl through thousands of blurred colors. Some seamed to last for several seconds other flickered by like power poles outside a train window.

He had never been traveling with Portkey for this long unless you count his nightmares. His nightmares about the graveyard often started when he grabbed any innocent object and then the dream would change to nightmare and after a long travel full of horrible expectations. Sometimes with his love ones others alone, he would find himself in the graveyard with Voldemort and Wormtail. His friends would be executed at arrival, if he was not alone. In the end of the dream, Voldemort would kill him, though the green flash always came as a relief.

Without realizing it, Harry suddenly expected the travel to end at that Graveyard and he pulled Fleur painfully close. He would not let Fleur die, Voldemort would have to kill him first. Unlike his dreams he felt ready to face Voldemort, he would draw his wand and fire every nasty curse he knew before Voldemort could even open his mouth to say 'Kill the spare'. With a sudden thud they landed and the colors dissolved, it was white.

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So what do you think?

Oh yeah, Fargo is a good movie. See it sometime if you have an opportunity.

As I am writing this, I have 99 (Thanks!) reviews! Please make it a hundred!