As Albus sat behind his desk Phoenix just stared out the window. A sad expression was on the young mans face. Fear, anger graced the emerald eyes that normally showed love and respect. This was the second time He had been in the presence of the war mage. Yes he's been around Phoenix many times but those times he was not in his stance as he was now.
"I have to go to the Council." He spoke softly.
"I see." Albus answered softly. "How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure Albus, it depends on the Council. It could be two days or two years. But I'm not the only one who must appear before them." Albus' eyes shot up.
"Don't worry the children are not the ones needed. Could you please summon Severus." Albus nodded and walked to the fire and threw in a bit of floo powder calling out Severus' name. Shortly Severus' head poked through the fire.
"Yes Headmaster?"
"Could you please come to my office?"
"Very well." Albus stepped back and soon Severus was standing in front of the fire place. "May I ask why I am here?"
"I was asked to call you here. Severus I want you to meet War Mage Phoenix." As Severus' eyes found them upon the other figure in the room he gasped.
"Hello Severus." The figure spoke softly, as though the weight of the world was upon his shoulders.
"Phoenix?"
"Yes Severus, I asked for you presence. I must appear before the Council."
"I'd be happy to take over the class till you return Phoenix." Shaking his head phoenix looked up and spoke.
"No you don't understand, I must take another with me." Severus' eyes began to widen.
"You mean I must go with you?" Silently nodding Severus' heart dropped into his stomach.
"I was instructed to bring you along though I don't know why." Phoenix was pained in his heart. He had come to love the Potion's Master, though hid it from the world. War Mage's don't normally mate to one outside of the order. The Potion's Master was fighting to gain control over his thoughts. The revelation of his journey was unsettling for him.
"When do we leave?" Severus asked.
"In an hour, just long enough to gather a few changes of clothes." Phoenix replied softly. "Severus, I don't know what is going to happen when we reach the border lands, What I do know is that you must stay close to me at all times. It is for your safety." Severus nodded in understanding. Standing the Potion Master returned to his rooms to gather his things.
"Phoenix I will have both classes covered, don't worry about them."
"It's not that Albus, I fear for the lives of those children, I could tell that they were not under their own control, something or someone was controlling them. Do you know the price of attacking one such as I?" Albus shook his head no. "It isn't just their death, it's far worse. The very essence that created the offender is destroyed. Meaning that the offender won't even exist on ANY plane or realm." Albus' face turned to an ashen gray.
"Phoenix I plead with you do what you can for those children, accept anything other than that." Tears were falling from the aged mans eyes.
"I shall do what I can, until I return place them in my chambers, With me gone my belongings will be gone, they will be safe there until I return with the council's decision." With that Phoenix vanished from the Headmaster's office and appeared in Severus' chambers. Severus was shrinking the last bit of luggage so he could carry it in his robe pocket.
"I'm ready." Was all that he said. Phoenix nodded and took hold of his arm and soon the two were no where to be found in Hogwarts. Albus had quickly headed for the Slytherin dorm's with the list of students that were to be placed in the protected room. The students were crying for fear of what would happen to them.
"Headmaster, please we didn't mean to harm him, we don't remember even leaving the dorms." The students who had attacked Phoenix cried as Dumbledore walked through the portrait hole.
"Calm yourselves, I know that and so does War Mage Phoenix, he is on his way to plead your case to the Council of mages. Right now I need you to follow me, Phoenix has set up a protected area that only he can open once you enter. Food and supplies will be sent through the house elves but none of you can leave the room until Phoenix returns.
Far away two figures were standing before a crevice that was said to be bottomless. The one in front held his staff up, chanting a forgotten spell to wizards. Before the eyes of the second figure the crevice vanished leaving a vast barren land, littered with volcanoes. Far in the distance was a large mountain that reached up above the clouds.
"Welcome to the Border lands Professor." The figure with the staff began the trek across the waste land before him. The second quickly caught up with him. Turning to see the place he had just left he saw nothing. The green land with trees and birds was gone, only barren land was left.
"What happened to the forest?"
"The crevice that we stood before is the gateway to the Border lands. To keep travelers from becoming lost here, the Council created this world between realms to separate your world and their world. Only a mage can open the gateway. We must hurry, the Border lands are extremely dangerous." He was correct thought the older traveler as he watched as several volcanoes erupted spewing lava up into the air. Ash filled the sky blocking the sun or any source of light other than the blue glow that was atop the staff of the Mage before him.
"Phoenix…" Phoenix interrupted him.
"Severus, please call me Harry, I believe you deserve that for coming with me, Mage's only allow those who he/she feels trust with to call them by their real names or their mates."
"I.. I'm honored War Mage, Harry, what is that mountain up ahead that reaches into the clouds here?"
"That Severus is the exit of the Border Lands, And home of the Mage's. You know it by Mt. Phoenix." Severus dropped his mouth open. This was the ancient mount of the Grand Phoenix.
"Harry how much farther is to the base of the mount?" Severus asked looking back over his shoulder at the way they had come.
"We're here, distance here is not what it seems." Severus turned stared up at the huge mountain. Looking back at Harry, Severus heard him muttering something. Turning to the mountain side a golden glow appeared. As Harry finished the incantation a large Phoenix appeared before the two. "Severus this Phoenix will take us to the Hall of Mages. Severus was surprised to see a phoenix as large as this one. Climbing up behind Harry he felt a gust of wind flow past his face. Looking around he saw that he was no longer on the ground but high in the air. With a loud cry an opening appeared in the ash filled sky. Golden sunlight shown through. As the Phoenix passed through the opening Severus found himself gaping at the beauty that surrounded him. Perfect trees, grass was every where. Animals were with out fear of one another. Severus looked back up to the mountain to see a large citadel sitting on the top of the mountain. With perfect grace the large Phoenix landed in the court yard of the grand citadel. "Come Severus, the Council awaits." Harry led him into one of the many corridors that led from the court yard. After several turns Harry stopped before a large golden door. Pointing the top of his staff at the door it opened. Severus was astonished with the great hall of this citadel. He was brought out of his reverie by an aged voice.
"Welcome Ancient Elemental War Mage Phoenix, and welcome Severus Snap Potion's Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Severus did as Harry had done and bowed to the floor.
"I have come in answer of my summons from the council, and I have brought the requested party Severus Snape." Harry spoke calmly.
"Rise Child, it is good to see you again young one. But sadly your calling was not on a happy note."
"I know your grace, I come to plead on the case of my attackers, no not attackers the children used by an evil force to attack me. The children are not at fault Grand Mage." Harry said when he stood. A smiled graced the elder Mage's face.
"I would not expect any less from you my child, very well the children will not be harmed as you are correct they were merely pawns in a dangerous game. Now retire to your room we will deal with the rest of our business later." With that the council left the room leaving Harry and Severus standing in the center of the room.
"Follow me Severus, I'll show you to our quarters."
"Harry, I don't think the Council called you here just for the fact of you pleading your case of the children."
"You are correct Mr. Snape" Spoke the Grand Mage. Both Harry and Severus jumped.
"Might I ask, Grand mage why we were summoned here?" Harry asked the elderly Mage.
"Yes you may, as you know you are the last Ancient Elemental War Mage, and as such the guidelines of mating must be bent. Normally you are only allowed to mate with one of the same strength as you are, but there is not one here in the Order. However there is one who is equal in strength but not in type of power. You are required to mate young one, for if you don't you will be in danger. A Mage must mate with another to even out their power." Understanding filled Harry's mind as the information sank in. Turning to look at Severus he knew why he was summoned.
"Grand Mage may I take some time and discuss this with someone?"
"Yes child you may, I will send word for you to return to the Great Hall." With that the Grand Mage left leaving Harry and Severus standing in Harry's chambers.
"Severus you may want to sit down for what I am about to tell you." Curious as to what was going on Severus took a seat on the couch and waited for Harry to fill him in. "When a mage reaches a certain point they must mate to keep living. They must share their power with another to keep from imploding." Harry stopped and watched Severus think.
"Okay I understand that part, but why am I here?"
"Mage's must mate with one who is equal in strength, weather that is in power or knowledge. Also Mage's don't get to pick who they mate with." Understanding finally hit Severus as Harry finished speaking. He had to marry Harry.