Chapter 06 A Night at the Forbidden Forest
The next day to the party, the whole school knew about the couple of Harry and Hermione. Many girls looked jealous of her, but neither he nor she paid any attention to them.
"Finally we discovered who was the girl that you loved, Harry!" Joked Cho.
"Who's the boy that you love, Cho?" Asked with an evil grin Harry.
"Like you always say: "That's for me to know and you to find out", Harry." Said mysteriously the Ravenclaw's Seeker. This caused that Harry burst out in laughter, and was joined by Cho soon.
"Ok, we'll know soon." Said Harry when both of them stopped laughing.
"What do you think that Rita Skeeter will say when she knows this?" Asked with an evil grin Cho.
"Don't worry about her. She is interested in something else that I can provide her that just a gossip." Said Harry with a mysterious tone of voice.
"What is it?" Asked Cho with curiosity.
"That's . . . " Began Harry but Cho cut him off.
". . . for me to know and you to find out." Finished the girl for him.
"Right. I guess that we won't be able to make gossip to the whole school again together." Laughed Harry.
"Yes, what pity." Laughed Cho and she went to her Tower, and Harry went to his.
****
Sirius and Remus returned to the School 2 days after the party. Both of them teased the new couple. They stopped when Harry changed their robes to pink women's dresses with black, white and blue dots and changed their voices to little girls' ones.
"Don't EVER tease me. I'm worse than you two together." Threatened Harry to the adults with his wand pointing to them.
"When will we recover our normal voices?" Asked Remus sounding like a 3- year-old girl.
"Let me think . . . One or two days, I presume." Said the boy with a big evil grin.
Dumbledore, Minerva and the MNG burst out in laughter thinking in that image. Remus and Sirius looked like they wanted to kill Harry. The teen looked them like if nothing was wrong.
"When will you show the room to us?" Asked Albus with twinkles in his eyes when the laughter finished.
"What room?" Asked the old Marauders confused.
"Didn't you tell them? You told it to my Godmother, but not to this two lovely young women?" Asked Harry to Dumbledore pointing to Remus and Sirius.
"Hey!" Said Sirius hurt by Harry's comment before he shot a curse toward his Godson.
Harry ducked it and shot another one to his Godfather which hit him with full strength. Now, Sirius had long and blond curly hair and had a red hood over his head, a basket on his hand and a signal that said: "Hi, I'm Little Red Hood and I'm going to visit my Grandmother." Needless to say, all of them burst out in laughter once again.
"You look really good like that, Padfoot!" Teased Remus when they stopped laughing.
"I told you, don't tease me." Warned Harry to his Godfather who tried to remove his clothes but he couldn't.
"How long will he stay like that?" Asked Fred with great amusement.
"He'll return to the normality tomorrow for the lunch." Said Harry with an evil grin.
"An excellent job, my dear Blaze." Said Fred bowing to his partner in pranks.
"You are welcome, my dear Wise." Said Harry returning the bow.
"You didn't answer our question: what room?" Asked Remus curious.
"The MNG built a hidden room. If I remember correctly, the name is MNG's Headquarters, right?" Asked Dumbledore to the five teens who nodded in response.
"When shall we see it?" Asked Minerva amused by Sirius' look.
Before any of them could answer, a big and grey owl entered in the room and placed herself over Harry's shoulder and showed him the letter tied to his leg. Harry untied and read it for himself:
"Meet me at The 3 Broomsticks today at 6.30 p.m. Come alone. It's important.
Rita."
Harry checked his watch and saw that it was almost 5. 45, he put the letter in his robes and turned to the others who were looking him curiously.
"Who sent it?" Asked Dumbledore curious.
"Someone. If you excuse me, I have to attend some personal business." Said Harry standing from his chair. When he was leaving, he turned to the adults and said: "We'll show it tomorrow after dinner if you want." Said this he left and closed the door leaving all of them wondering what kind of business he needed to attend.
****
Harry went to Hogsmeade through the secret passage that went to Honeyduke's. After he left the shop, he put his hood over his head to be not recognized by anyone and went to the bar. When he entered, he went straight to a table that was far from the door and began to wait for Rita.
"Will you want something to drink, Mr. . .?" Asked Rosmerta going to his table.
"A Butterbeer will be fine, thanks." Said Harry politely. Rosmerta nodded and went to look for ir and brought it to him a few minutes later.
In that moment Rita entered the place and spotted immediately Harry. She went straight to the table and sat. She looked anxious to speak with him urgently, noticed Harry.
"Miss Skeeter, will you need something?" Asked Rosmerta to the reporter.
"The same." Answered Rita pointing Harry's Butterbeer. Rosmerta nodded and went again to get the drink for her and brought it a few moments later.
"What did you find, Rita?" Asked Harry drinking his drink.
"Look at this." Said the woman giving him a folder that was full of papers and pictures.
Harry opened it and began to scan everything. His eyes grew wide at every page that he read. It contained information about Fudge and his dirty business: Muggle's drugs, guns, terrorism acts, murders, and more than 20 other things. There were proofs of the blackmails that he did trough the years.
"Wow. I never expected this." Said Harry shocked when he finished reading the papers.
"There is more. Your rumor was true. He's one. And a very important one, I must tell you." Said Rita seriously.
"Ok. In two weeks, I'll make my movement. Continue with this." Said Harry finishing his drink and standing. Before he left the table, he asked to Rita: "I presume that you have a copy of this, right?"
"Your presumption is very well as always." Said Rita with an evil grin.
"See you soon, Rita." Said Harry before he paid to Rosmerta and left the bar to return the School.
****
When he arrived to the School, he went immediately to Dumbledore's Office. He sensed that the Headmaster needed to know this. After giving the Password to the Gargoyle, went up through the stairs and was going to knock the door when he recognised Fudge's voice:
"We need to know what happened, Albus! He's the only one who can tell it!" Shouted the Minister to the Headmaster.
"He still wants to continue with the questioning." Thought Harry before he knocked the door.
"Come in!" Called Dumbledore from inside. His voice sounded tired from the chat with the Minister, thought Harry.
"I need to speak with you alone." Said the teen seriously to the Headmaster without preambles.
"He's speaking with me now." Said Fudge furious with Harry's attitude.
"If you want to question me, I'll do it in two weeks. That Wednesday after dinner here at the School. Isn't it what you want?" Asked Harry facing the Minister, with rage in his body.
"I agree. Till that day." Said Fudge and stormed out of the room angrily. "Look at this." Said Harry to Dumbledore giving him the folder that Rita had given him at Hogsmeade, when they didn't hear Fudge's steps anymore.
"Where did you get it?" Asked Albus in a mix of a shocked and a serious tone of voice when he finished reading the papers.
"Rita Skeeter has been investigating him for a long time. She gave me this at Hogsmeade 10 minutes ago." Explained Harry.
"Hogsmeade?" Asked the old wizard interested in his words with an eyebrow raised.
"Personal business." Said Harry with a guilty look.
"I'll make like I didn't hear that." Said Albus with a smile, before he turned serious again: "What will you do now?"
Harry began to explain his plan to the Headmaster, who agreed with him and decided to help him with whatever he could.
****
The next day the trio was at Care of Magical Creatures taking care of the Heat Wolves, when something odd happened: 3 Centaurs left the Forbidden Forest and went to Hagrid's Huts.
"Something's terribly wrong here." Said Harry worriedly recognizing the three of them: Bane, Firenze and Ronan, the three Centaurs that he had met in his First Year during a detention at the Forest.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Asked Hermione confused watching at awe the three creatures that were looking for someone.
"Don't you recognize them, Hermione? They're the three that we met at the Forest in our First Year." Explained Harry to his girlfriend.
"It's been a long time since the last time we saw each other, Harry Potter." Said Firenze going where he was. The other two were next to him.
"I think the same, Firenze. What brings you here?" Asked Harry curious, ignoring the stares of everybody at the class.
"We need to speak with you in private." Said Ronan very seriously.
In that moment, Dumbledore appeared there and went to greet the three Centaurs with a look of confusion and surprise in his old face. With him were McGonagall, Remus and Sirius all of them had the same looks that Dumbledore.
"What brings you here, Firenze?" Asked politely Albus to the Centaur.
"We need his help." Answered Firenze pointing Harry, meanwhile his companions nodded.
"Is there any place where we could speak alone and in private?" Asked Bane not happy with the looks that all of them were receiving from the students.
"Sure, come with us." Said Albus, before he added to the Professor Grubbly- Planks: "I'll take Harry for the rest of the class."
The Professor, who was staring at the three creatures like everybody, just nodded meanwhile the four adults, the teen and the Centaurs began to walk toward the Castle.
****
"Why do you need my help?" Asked Harry to Firenze when all of them were in Dumbledore's Office.
"Harry Potter, the stars had informed us of your powers and achievement. At this moment, the Centaurs have a big problem in our hands. Do you know what is the Clingein?" Asked seriously the creature to the teen.
"How many are infected?" Asked Harry worriedly by the news that the Centaur had given him.
"What is Clingein?" Asked the adults confused at the same time, looking to Harry and the Centaurs.
"We have 25 now, but the number increases at every moment. We have already lost 10 of us." Said Bane seriously ignoring the four adults.
"Give me a parchment and a quill. Now." Ordered Harry to Dumbledore seriously. Dumbledore did it and waited to get an answer, while Harry began to write a few things in it.
"What is the Clingein that you talked about?" Asked Remus confused and wishing to get an answer.
"Get this. Find me at the main gate at 23.00 tonight. It must be done at midnight if we want any result. Get as much as you can." Said in a very serious tone Harry to Firenze giving him the parchment, ignoring the Professors.
"We'll be here." Said Firenze solemnly. The other two nodded and the three left the Office.
"What is Clingein, Harry?" Asked Sirius when the five were alone.
"It's an illness of the Centaurs. It's mortal. It Spreads quickly and kills in four days. When there aren't any more of them, it infects other creatures. It infects humans too." Explained worriedly Harry.
"Is there any cure?" Asked Dumbledore understanding the seriousness of the situation.
"Yes, but the only one who can do it, it's I. The things that I asked them are part of the cure. Like I said, if you want results of it, you have to do it at midnight. I guess I'll have another night adventure at the Forest." Said Harry going to pet Fawkes who sang a few notes when the teen stoked his feathers.
"Can it infect you if you are with them?" Asked worried Minerva, not liking at all the idea of her Godson passing a night there.
"Not yet. At the beginning it only affects the Centaurs." Said Harry before he looked at his watch and said: "If you excuse me, I have a class to attend and it's yours." The last part was said pointing to his Godmother who had a worried look in her face.
Minerva checked her watch and said: "Let's go. The class will start in five minutes." She stood and went to the door
"See you later." Said Harry leaving the Office with McGonagall and began to walk to the Transfiguration's classroom in silence. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Assured the teen to the Professor after a few moments of not talking.
"I don't like the idea of you being alone a whole night at the forest." Said the Head of Gryffindor when they reached to their destination. Harry noticed that she had a lot of worry in her voice.
"Do you prefer to let them die and don't stop the illness? Excuse me, but I don't do it." Said seriously the student.
"That's not what I mean, Harry. You know it." Said Minerva very seriously to her Godson.
"I know it. But this is the only way to stop it, and I can defend myself very well. And before any of you suggest it, I won't take Sirius with me." Said Harry in a tone that didn't leave places to arguments, going to his seat.
Minerva couldn't answer him because all of the students entered in that moment and she began to teach. But she was very nervous about that night.
****
"Hey, in a while we have to show the room to Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sirius and Remus." Whispered Fred at the dinner.
"Ok." Said Harry absently meanwhile he played with his food, almost not touching it.
"Harry, what's wrong? You have been silent since you met the Centaurs and spoke with them and the Professors." Said Hermione worried by her boyfriend's mood.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Said Harry before he stood and added in a voice a little louder than a whisper: "I'll be at the room. When all of you finish, take them." Without waiting any answer he left the Hall.
The friends exchanged confused looks and waited till the moment when all of them had to go to the room with the Professors. They didn't have to wait very much, because 10 minutes later the 4 MNG and the adults began to walk to the Lion's entrance.
"Prongs." Said Hermione and the statue moved to the left and allowed them to enter.
"Welcome to the MNG's Headquarters." Greeted Harry when the adults were in.
The four of them began to look around. Dumbledore looked amused, Minerva surprised by everything, Sirius and Remus shocked by the place meanwhile the teens spread around the room and began with their activities as if they were alone.
"Where is this place connected to?" Asked Minerva pointing the doors that were at the left wall.
"The Boys' and Girls' Dorms from Fifth to Seventh Year, the Dorms of the Head Boy and Girl and both Common Rooms. For now they are the only ways to enter here." Explained Ron who was playing Chess with Fred.
"Right now, the only entrances that are open are the ones in our dorms, the Tower's Common Room and the Lion's." Added Hermione without looking up from the book that she was reading.
"If we are moved of Dorm, the new one will be open and the old one's closed." Finished Harry who was watching Ron and Fred's Chess game.
"It's like a private Common Room." Commented Remus watching the furniture and the decoration.
"A private Tower is a best definition." Said Harry pointing the five beds without taking out his eyes from the game.
"You thought everything: Bookshelf, place for brooms, couches, beds, tables and a fireplace too." Said Albus watching the place carefully.
"You can't forget the trees and flowers." Said George who was laying under the oak with a Charm's book over his lap.
"And the plants and trees too." Chuckled Albus going to watch the Chess game.
"Is the fireplace connected to somewhere?" Asked sternly McGonagall.
"We are planning to connect it to the Burrow, so if we need to speak with my parents we can do it." Explained Fred moving his king when Ron's queen made check.
"For now, it's just to warm us in winter. The weather here isn't very pleasant at that time of the year." Said Harry petting Marauder who went to him in that moment.
"It's impressive." Said Sirius grinning.
"Before we forget, there will be rules for the four of you." Said Harry seriously to the adults.
"And they are . . . ?" Asked curious Dumbledore.
"The statue has three positions. If it's standing like walking, it means free entrance. If it's laying, don't enter because we are doing something and you can't know it." Said Harry mysteriously.
"Mostly, new pranks." Said George with an evil grin.
"If it's in a sleeping position, it means one of us wants privacy. In those cases the entrance is forbidden for us too till the MNG who put the lion in that position doesn't change it." Added Hermione.
"Only an MNG can change the lion." Warned Fred.
"And if someone put the lion to sleep, only he or she will be able to change it." Added Ron.
"Follow the rules and you'll be able to come here." Told George.
"Only we know the Password. We'll change it soon." Finished the explanation Harry making reference to the old one, Prongs.
"Interesting." Said Albus with a twinkle in the eyes.
"Thanks." Said the five proudly.
"What's this?" Asked Sirius pointing to a big map.
"The Marauder Map's new version. It isn't finished yet." Said Harry with an evil grin.
"What do you think about my broom?" Asked suddenly Sirius to his Godson.
"He didn't open it yet!" Laughed Fred before Harry elbowed him.
"I didn't have time to do it yet. With Fudge and everything I couldn't do it." Said Harry sheepishly.
"Why don't you do it now?" Suggested Sirius anxiously.
Before they could answer, Hermes, Percy Weasley's owl, entered in the room and landed next to Harry with a folder full of papers tied to his legs.
"Why did Percy write you?" Asked Ron to Harry confused by his brother's owl being there.
"Not Percy, Bill did it." Said Harry taking the papers and beginning to read it. He read it with a very serious and worried look in the face. When he finished reading it, he took the note that came with it:
"Dear Harry,
What the hell is this?! I needed the help of almost 10 friends to be able to translate it. Where did you get it?!? There are parts written in Egyptian, ancient Greek, hieroglyphs of many Asian countries and of one or two American countries too.
It looks like a riddle or a prophecy. We did our best and translated it with 95 percent of success. Be careful, not everything there is perfect.
Bill Weasley.
P.S.: Say hi to Ron, the twins and Ginny from me."
Harry closed the folder and put it in his private part of the room and locked it magically. He decided to read it carefully later.
"What is it, Harry?" Asked Fred confused and wondering why his old brother would write to Harry.
"Personal business, Fred." Said Harry in a flat tone of voice, saying clearly that he would not talk about it. Then he added: "Bill says hi to you." All of them exchanged confused looks and decided to drop the matter till Harry wanted to tell them about it. They went on talking and explaining about the room till 22.45 when Harry stood up.
"If any of you are planning to stay here tonight, leave for the breakfast. When I return, I'll sleep and don't want any noise." Said Harry putting on the cloak.
"I'll go with you." Said Sirius stubbornly and decided to not leave his Godson alone.
"No way, Sirius. They asked my help, not yours. And they don't trust you, they only do it in me." Said Harry meaning clearly that he wouldn't go with Sirius.
"What are you two talking about?" Asked the MNG confused.
"I'll pass the night at the Forest with the Centaurs." Was Harry's only explanation before he left the room to go to the main gate where he would meet with the Centaurs.
"When will you return?" Asked worriedly Minerva going to where he was waiting them.
"For the breakfast, the sunshine or for the first class. Although, I won't be for breakfast or classes, I'll be sleeping." Laughed Harry spotting the three creatures leaving the forest and going to him.
"Are you ready?" Asked Firenze, when he, Ronan and Bane went to him a few minutes later, when they reached to him.
"I am." Said Harry seriously, before turning to his Godmother and said: "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll see you in a few hours."
"Be careful." Said Minerva and hugged him.
"Let's go." Said Harry mounting Firenze's back.
"I hope that God can protect you, Harry." Said Minerva watching her Godson disappear before she returned to the Castle.
****
The three Centaurs and the teen went through the Forest for almost 20 minutes till they reached to an open space where were almost 50 of the creatures. Many of them were ill and the others tried to heal or at least help them. Harry went down of Firenze's back and whistled loudly to get everybody's attention.
"Ok, the ones that aren't ill or don't have any symptom of the illness leave. I'll need only four or five here with me to help. The rest do whatever you want till sunshine. Don't return before." Said the teen very seriously when he got it.
Of the centaurs, 15 left and began to run to the Forest, 25 was ill, and the other five stayed there with them and Harry. Harry only recognized two of them: Firenze and Bane. He suspected that Ronan went with the others to be with them in a safe place till the sunshine.
"Did you get everything?" Asked Harry to Firenze in a serious tone of voice.
"Here you have it." Said the Centaur and gave to the student a big bag full of roots.
Harry took them and began to pulverize them carefully and slowly, meanwhile the creatures watched him silently. After he finished doing it, he made appear 30 bowls and put the pulverized roots there. He chanted a few words in a whisper and a gold light glowed around the bowls for almost 10 minutes. Now in the bowls there was a liquid of a gold, red and green color.
"Drink this before we begin to give it to them." Ordered Harry to his companions. They nodded and did it quickly. When they finished, Harry said: "Take a bowl and give a third of the liquid to each one."
"Why only a third of it?" Asked one of the Centaurs that Harry didn't know.
"To make it work, we have to make the process three times before 6.00 in the morning. It means that we have to give them the cure every two hours. Let's do it." Said Harry before he took a few bowls and went to the Centaur that was nearest to him.
After almost 30 minutes the six of them had finished their work and sit waiting two hours before they needed to do it again.
"I'll go to sleep a while. Wake me up if something happens or in an hour and half." Said Harry to Firenze.
"I'll do it." Said Firenze nodding.
Harry laid in the grass and put his cloak very tight to his body. Five minutes later he was sleeping, knowing that he needed some rest before he had finished the work completely.
****
"Harry Potter, wake up."
Harry felt someone trying to wake him and pushing his shoulder gently to do it. He opened his eyes and saw Firenze kneeling next to him. He stretched his body and stood up.
"Is it time?" Asked the teen with a yawn.
"Yes." Said Firenze before he asked with a smile: "Did you sleep well?"
"Uncomfortable, but fine." Said Harry before he repeated the same process that he had done before with the roots and the bowls. Again he gave bowls to the five Centaurs that were with him, before they began to give the cure to the other ones.
"May I ask you something, Harry Potter?" Asked a Centaur behind him. She had grey fur, looked young, maybe a teen one, and had blue eyes.
"Sure, but I would like to know your name first." Said Harry with a smile, sitting under a big tree.
"Kithet, I'm Firenze's sister." Said the girl sitting next to him.
"Nice to meet you, Kithet. What do you want to know?" Said Harry without containing a little yawn. He looked to her and said sheepishly: "Sorry, I'm still a little tired."
"Don't worry. I wanted to ask you what is your debt to my brother?" Asked Kithet curiously.
"What do you mean?" Asked Harry with confusion.
"When we were discussing this problem, someone said that you could help us with it. Bane told Firenze that he could convince you reminding you of your debt to him. My brother told him that he wouldn't use it to oblige you if you didn't want to do it. When I asked Firenze what they were talking about, he refused to tell me." Explained the Centaur.
"Kithet, I owe my own life to your brother. He saved me at the Forest in my First Year at Hogwarts." Said Harry and began to tell her the story of that night and what had happened with Voldemort, the Unicorn and the three Centaurs.
"I thought that I told you to not ask him about it, Kithet." Said sternly Firenze listening Harry's story.
"Sorry, but I had curiosity." Said sheepishly the Centaur.
"How have you been these four years, Firenze?" Asked Harry with a smile.
"Very well, thanks. How have you dealt with last year's events?" Asked worriedly Firenze sitting next to them.
"As well as I could. Cedric's death hit me hard, more than you can imagine. And what happened with my family, made the things worse." Said Harry closing his eyes.
Before any of them could say something else, they heard a loud and shrill cry, but it wasn't a human's or Centaur's one. It was different. The three stood up quickly and began to run toward the cry. Harry transformed himself in a panther to run faster and without problems, with Firenze and Kithet running behind him.
When they reached to the place from where the cry came, the three of them were shocked when they saw the one that had cried. It was a Phoenix, but not a normal one. It was Rainbow Phoenix. They were thought to be dead for almost 600 years. They were beautiful. Their feathers, fur and everything were multicolors. That was the reason of the name, the colors were the ones of the Rainbow.
Harry transformed himself again and went near the Phoenix. He could see that it had a wounded wing. There was a big cut in it and it looked not very well.
"What happened to you, Rainbow Phoenix?" Asked Harry in the language of the creature.
"You speak my language?" Asked surprised the bird turning to see the teen.
"I speak every language from the animals and creatures of the world, magical or not." Explained Harry before he asked again: "What happened to you?"
"I was injured by a beast of this Forest, speaker." Explained the Phoenix.
"My name is Harry Potter, what's yours?" Asked Harry going to the bird carefully and checking the wound.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. My master told me very good things of you." Said the Phoenix, before he added: "My old name doesn't matter to me anymore. My Master died a few months ago. The one that becomes my new one, will have the right to name me as his wishes."
"Who was your Master?" Asked curious Harry.
"Nicholas Flamel." Said the Phoenix with proud.
"Who else could have a creature that is supposed to be extinct for the last 600 years?" Said Harry with amusement.
"I'm the last one of my species. I came here because my Master told me that if he died, I had to go with his old friend Albus Dumbledore. I was going to him, when I was attacked." Said the Creature, not offended at all by Harry's comment. Instead of it she found it amusing too.
"If you want, I can take you to him in the morning. At this moment, I'm in the Forest healing Centaurs of the Clingein." Explained Harry stroking the bird's feathers slowly, hoping there wouldn't be any problem with it.
"I can wait a few hours." Agreed the Phoenix, understanding the seriousness of the situation.
"Let's return with the Centaurs, I guess that Firenze and Kithet must be wondering what's going on now." Said Harry pointing to the two Centaurs that looked at them in shock.
"Of course." Said the bird placing herself in Harry's shoulder.
Harry returned with the Centaurs and explained them the situation and about the Phoenix and why she was there. The two nodded in understanding and went back with Harry to the place where the other Centaurs were.
Harry began to talk with the Phoenix and the bird told many things about her old Master and his wife, Perenelle, and their lives during all those years. Harry told her that he was partially responsible for her Masters' death and told the adventure of his First Year that included the Sorcerer's Stone. The bird didn't blame him for that and assured Harry that it would be worse if Voldemort got the Stone.
A while later, Harry had to give the cure to the Centaurs again and did the same process that he had done two times that night.
"When shall we know if it worked, Harry Potter?" Asked Bane when they finished giving the liquid to the ills.
"Today at the sunshine. If they wake, they'll live. If they don't, they'll die." Said Harry seriously.
"Another two hours." Said Firenze listening to his words.
"Yes." Sighed Harry and sat again under a tree with the Phoenix near him.
Those two hours seemed an eternity. At 6.00 a.m., the five Centaurs and Harry began to move around the ill ones and checked if they would wake. When the sun began to show, it happened: they began to open the eyes. After 30 minutes, they made a final check to know how many had survived. Of the 25 ills Centaurs, only two hadn't opened the eyes.
"We lost only 12." Said Firenze relieved by the results.
"Thanks God we could stop it before it got worse." Said Harry rubbing his eyes.
"Thanks for everything, Harry Potter. The Centaurs will be always in debt with you." Said solemnly and seriously Firenze.
"I did the same that you did to me, Firenze: saving your life." Said Harry in the same tone of the Centaur before he asked: "Could you take me back to the School? I'm tired to walk there." When he finished this sentence, he yawned again.
"Of course, I will." Replied the Centaur with a smile before he asked: "What will you do with the Phoenix? She isn't someone that can pass unnoticed very easily, and you know it."
"I'll use an invisibility charm till we are at a safe place. I'll need Fawkes to heal her wound. If I remember correctly, the only way to heal an injured Phoenix is with the tears of another one." Said Harry thinking in the problem.
"That's right." Answered the bird in her language.
Harry nodded and used the invisibility charm on her when she placed herself at his shoulder. He climbed Firenze's back and they began to go to the School's main gate.
When they reached there, they saw Dumbledore, McGonagall and Sirius waiting for him anxious and nervously. They seemed relieved when they saw that Harry was ok, just a little tired. Harry said goodbye to Firenze and walked toward them.
"Before any of you say something," Said Harry pulling up his hand to stop their questions and turned his attention to the Headmaster, "I need that you come with Fawkes to the room. We have a little emergency." Finished Harry seriously.
"What happened?" Asked Albus confused by the request.
"You'll know it later." Said Harry before he turned to his Godparents: "Tell Ron and the others that the entrances to the cave will be blocked and the lion will sleep for days. They'll understand what it means." Finished with a serious tone of voice.
"Ok. We'll go with you now. Later we'll tell them." Said Sirius in a serious tone of voice, nodding as the other two did.
"Sorry, but this matter concerns Professor Dumbledore alone for now." Said Harry and they began to walk to the Castle.
****
A while later, Harry was at the room alone waiting for Professor Dumbledore and Fawkes. The Phoenix was still under the invisibility Charm, and she would stay in that way till Dumbledore was there.
A few moments later, the statue moved meaning that someone had given the right Password. In that moment appeared Dumbledore with his pet on his shoulder. With them were Sirius, Remus and Minerva trying to know what was going on.
"I said ONLY Dumbledore and Fawkes! The three of you OUT!" Said Harry to his Godparents and Remus pointing the entrance.
"They want to know, like I do, the reason of the request, Harry." Explained Dumbledore meanwhile the other three nodded.
"Tell Dumbledore the name Friegs." Whispered seriously the Phoenix in her language to Harry.
"Friegs." Said Harry to Albus.
"Is she here?" Asked the Headmaster with the eyes twinkling. Harry only nodded.
"Who is Friegs?" Asked the two Marauders and the Head of Gryffindor confused at the same time.
"Please, leave us alone. I'll explain you everything later." Said Dumbledore to the adults in a serious tone of voice. The three nodded and left the room reluctantly.
"Wait here while I change the lion's position to the sleeping one and change the Password." Said Harry going to the entrance.
He returned 10 minutes later and found Dumbledore looking at him anxiously. Harry removed the charm of Friegs. The bird spread her wings and sang a note saying 'hi' to Fawkes, who did the same.
"I found her last night at the Forest. That's why I need Fawkes." Said Harry pointing the wound in her wing.
Fawkes understood what he wanted from him, and fled to Friegs and cried a few of his silvery tears in her wing. A few seconds later the wound had disappeared and the wing was healed and looked like a normal one.
"Thanks." Said Friegs to Harry, who smiled in answer.
"It's been a long time since the last time I saw her." Said Dumbledore petting his own bird. Then he turned to Harry and in a serious tone of voice asked: "How did it go with the Centaurs?"
"It went ok, another two died but the others will heal." Explained Harry with a yawn. When he finished the yawn, he told to Albus: "If you two don't mind, Friegs and I want to sleep. She'll stay here for a few days." Said Harry seriously. He and the bird had agreed that they could spend a short time together considering that he had helped her to heal.
"As you wish. Tell her that if she wants, she can be your pet. For me, Fawkes is enough and I'm sure that she will be a great one for you. Sleep well." Said the Headmaster before he left the room.
"What do you think about it?" Asked Harry going to his bed, after creating a perch for the Phoenix.
"I'll think it." Answered Friegs before both of them fell asleep.
****
The two old Marauders and Minerva waited anxiously to Dumbledore at the Great Hall to talk with him. They wanted to know who was Friegs. None of them had the slightest idea of whom or what was she.
When the MNG appeared at the Hall, Sirius went immediately to them and told them Harry's message. They nodded and began to eat their breakfast without making comments to the message.
"What did he mean with that?" Asked Sirius to the kids curiously.
"It means that the lion is the only way to enter. It means complete privacy and that he plans something big and doesn't want any kind of disturbance. I'm sure that he changed the Password too." Explained Hermione meanwhile the others nodded and went on eating their breakfast.
Sirius nodded and returned to the High Table to wait Dumbledore. When he entered, Fawkes was on his shoulder and many students watched the Phoenix in awe and shock. The Headmaster ignored them and took his usual seat at the Staff's Table.
"What happened with Harry?" Asked Minerva worriedly when Albus began to eat.
"He's fine. He needed Fawkes to heal someone." Explained Dumbledore with a smile.
"Who is that Friegs that he mentioned?" Asked curious Sirius.
"Friegs is here?" Asked Filius Flitwick, the Charms' teacher, surprised to Dumbledore listening Sirius' words.
"She arrived last night. She was wounded in her wing. Now she's with Harry sleeping if I'm not wrong." Answered Dumbledore to the Charms' Teacher with a smile.
"Who's Friegs?" Asked the other teachers.
"Nicholas Flamel's pet. A Phoenix if my memory doesn't fail me." Said Flitwick thinking.
"A Rainbow one." Said Dumbledore with a broad smile.
"A Rainbow Phoenix? I thought that they have been extinct for 600 years!" Exclaimed in disbelief Remus.
"Friegs is the last one of her species." Said Dumbledore petting Fawkes and giving him some food.
"Who will be her Master now? I mean Flamel died a few months ago." Asked Linda Sprout, the Herbology's teacher, to the Headmaster.
"If I'm not wrong, her new Master will be Harry." Said Albus with a smile.
"Potter with a Phoenix? That's something hard to believe!" Snorted Severus Snape, the Potions' teacher.
"We'll know it soon. But I'm sure they will get on very well together." Said Dumbledore before he returned to his attention to the breakfast once more.
****
Harry didn't show up till lunch. When he appeared at the Hall, he had a tired look and looked like he was going to fall asleep at any moment. He sat at the table and started to eat silently, rubbing his eyes from time to time. His friends noticed his tiredness and decided to leave him alone and don't disturb him.
"What do we have now?" Asked, with a new and huge yawn, Harry to Ron when they left the Hall for classes a while later.
"Ancient Runes. Did you study for today's exam?" Asked Ron nervous about the exam. The teacher of that class, Angelica Qurte, had informed that day she would take a test to see how much they had learnt.
"Yes, it will be easy." Said Harry taking his seat at the classroom. Ron nodded and sat next to him meanwhile the teacher entered and began to give the parchments with the runes to translate it.
Like he thought, the exam was really easy and half hour after the beginning of it, he had finished. Harry gave his exam to the teacher and sat again waiting the end of the class. He used the time to sleep a little more and get more rest that the one that he had that night.
He woke up when the bell rang and went with Ron and Hermione to Charms, his last Class of that day. That day Flitwick began with the chameleon charms that helped to the people to confuse someone if they were chased. Harry didn't have any problem with them and earned 50 points in that class for his work.
"Mr. Potter, can I speak with you a moment please?" Called Flitwick when the students were leaving the classroom to go to dinner.
"Did something happen, Professor Flitwick?" Asked Harry surprised by the call.
"How is Friegs? Albus told the staff that she's with you now." Said the little Professor to the student.
"She's fine. The last time I saw her, she was sleeping in her perch. I'll follow her in that very soon, believe me. The night at the Forest tired me more than I had thought." Said Harry with a yawn.
"I can see that." Said amused the Head of Ravenclaw. When both of them were leaving the Classroom, Flitwick told Harry: "Take care of her. She's unique and a great pet for anyone."
"I'll take the advice. If you don't mind, I'll go to dinner. Till next class, Professor." Said Harry and began to run to the Great Hall. When Harry reached to the Hall he sat next to the MNG and began to eat his dinner.
"Did you change the Password too?" Asked Hermione in a whisper.
"Yes, till new a new notice, the room will be closed for the four of you. I need time to do a few things and we have a new inhabitant that must be kept in secret. I'll show her to you when everything returns back to the normality." Said Harry seriously and in a whisper to his friends.
"A girl? Did you leave Hermione?" Asked Fred teasing Harry.
"Maybe." Said Harry jokingly and kissing his girlfriend when she looked at him strangely.
"Who is she?" Asked interested George.
"She's a what." Said Harry mysteriously. With a new yawn, Harry stood and said: "See you tomorrow, I want to sleep with despair." Then he left the Hall and went to the room without waiting any answer from his friends.
When he entered, he saw that Friegs was still sleeping in her perch. Harry took off his robes and went to the bed. He fell asleep in less than five minutes.
The next day to the party, the whole school knew about the couple of Harry and Hermione. Many girls looked jealous of her, but neither he nor she paid any attention to them.
"Finally we discovered who was the girl that you loved, Harry!" Joked Cho.
"Who's the boy that you love, Cho?" Asked with an evil grin Harry.
"Like you always say: "That's for me to know and you to find out", Harry." Said mysteriously the Ravenclaw's Seeker. This caused that Harry burst out in laughter, and was joined by Cho soon.
"Ok, we'll know soon." Said Harry when both of them stopped laughing.
"What do you think that Rita Skeeter will say when she knows this?" Asked with an evil grin Cho.
"Don't worry about her. She is interested in something else that I can provide her that just a gossip." Said Harry with a mysterious tone of voice.
"What is it?" Asked Cho with curiosity.
"That's . . . " Began Harry but Cho cut him off.
". . . for me to know and you to find out." Finished the girl for him.
"Right. I guess that we won't be able to make gossip to the whole school again together." Laughed Harry.
"Yes, what pity." Laughed Cho and she went to her Tower, and Harry went to his.
****
Sirius and Remus returned to the School 2 days after the party. Both of them teased the new couple. They stopped when Harry changed their robes to pink women's dresses with black, white and blue dots and changed their voices to little girls' ones.
"Don't EVER tease me. I'm worse than you two together." Threatened Harry to the adults with his wand pointing to them.
"When will we recover our normal voices?" Asked Remus sounding like a 3- year-old girl.
"Let me think . . . One or two days, I presume." Said the boy with a big evil grin.
Dumbledore, Minerva and the MNG burst out in laughter thinking in that image. Remus and Sirius looked like they wanted to kill Harry. The teen looked them like if nothing was wrong.
"When will you show the room to us?" Asked Albus with twinkles in his eyes when the laughter finished.
"What room?" Asked the old Marauders confused.
"Didn't you tell them? You told it to my Godmother, but not to this two lovely young women?" Asked Harry to Dumbledore pointing to Remus and Sirius.
"Hey!" Said Sirius hurt by Harry's comment before he shot a curse toward his Godson.
Harry ducked it and shot another one to his Godfather which hit him with full strength. Now, Sirius had long and blond curly hair and had a red hood over his head, a basket on his hand and a signal that said: "Hi, I'm Little Red Hood and I'm going to visit my Grandmother." Needless to say, all of them burst out in laughter once again.
"You look really good like that, Padfoot!" Teased Remus when they stopped laughing.
"I told you, don't tease me." Warned Harry to his Godfather who tried to remove his clothes but he couldn't.
"How long will he stay like that?" Asked Fred with great amusement.
"He'll return to the normality tomorrow for the lunch." Said Harry with an evil grin.
"An excellent job, my dear Blaze." Said Fred bowing to his partner in pranks.
"You are welcome, my dear Wise." Said Harry returning the bow.
"You didn't answer our question: what room?" Asked Remus curious.
"The MNG built a hidden room. If I remember correctly, the name is MNG's Headquarters, right?" Asked Dumbledore to the five teens who nodded in response.
"When shall we see it?" Asked Minerva amused by Sirius' look.
Before any of them could answer, a big and grey owl entered in the room and placed herself over Harry's shoulder and showed him the letter tied to his leg. Harry untied and read it for himself:
"Meet me at The 3 Broomsticks today at 6.30 p.m. Come alone. It's important.
Rita."
Harry checked his watch and saw that it was almost 5. 45, he put the letter in his robes and turned to the others who were looking him curiously.
"Who sent it?" Asked Dumbledore curious.
"Someone. If you excuse me, I have to attend some personal business." Said Harry standing from his chair. When he was leaving, he turned to the adults and said: "We'll show it tomorrow after dinner if you want." Said this he left and closed the door leaving all of them wondering what kind of business he needed to attend.
****
Harry went to Hogsmeade through the secret passage that went to Honeyduke's. After he left the shop, he put his hood over his head to be not recognized by anyone and went to the bar. When he entered, he went straight to a table that was far from the door and began to wait for Rita.
"Will you want something to drink, Mr. . .?" Asked Rosmerta going to his table.
"A Butterbeer will be fine, thanks." Said Harry politely. Rosmerta nodded and went to look for ir and brought it to him a few minutes later.
In that moment Rita entered the place and spotted immediately Harry. She went straight to the table and sat. She looked anxious to speak with him urgently, noticed Harry.
"Miss Skeeter, will you need something?" Asked Rosmerta to the reporter.
"The same." Answered Rita pointing Harry's Butterbeer. Rosmerta nodded and went again to get the drink for her and brought it a few moments later.
"What did you find, Rita?" Asked Harry drinking his drink.
"Look at this." Said the woman giving him a folder that was full of papers and pictures.
Harry opened it and began to scan everything. His eyes grew wide at every page that he read. It contained information about Fudge and his dirty business: Muggle's drugs, guns, terrorism acts, murders, and more than 20 other things. There were proofs of the blackmails that he did trough the years.
"Wow. I never expected this." Said Harry shocked when he finished reading the papers.
"There is more. Your rumor was true. He's one. And a very important one, I must tell you." Said Rita seriously.
"Ok. In two weeks, I'll make my movement. Continue with this." Said Harry finishing his drink and standing. Before he left the table, he asked to Rita: "I presume that you have a copy of this, right?"
"Your presumption is very well as always." Said Rita with an evil grin.
"See you soon, Rita." Said Harry before he paid to Rosmerta and left the bar to return the School.
****
When he arrived to the School, he went immediately to Dumbledore's Office. He sensed that the Headmaster needed to know this. After giving the Password to the Gargoyle, went up through the stairs and was going to knock the door when he recognised Fudge's voice:
"We need to know what happened, Albus! He's the only one who can tell it!" Shouted the Minister to the Headmaster.
"He still wants to continue with the questioning." Thought Harry before he knocked the door.
"Come in!" Called Dumbledore from inside. His voice sounded tired from the chat with the Minister, thought Harry.
"I need to speak with you alone." Said the teen seriously to the Headmaster without preambles.
"He's speaking with me now." Said Fudge furious with Harry's attitude.
"If you want to question me, I'll do it in two weeks. That Wednesday after dinner here at the School. Isn't it what you want?" Asked Harry facing the Minister, with rage in his body.
"I agree. Till that day." Said Fudge and stormed out of the room angrily. "Look at this." Said Harry to Dumbledore giving him the folder that Rita had given him at Hogsmeade, when they didn't hear Fudge's steps anymore.
"Where did you get it?" Asked Albus in a mix of a shocked and a serious tone of voice when he finished reading the papers.
"Rita Skeeter has been investigating him for a long time. She gave me this at Hogsmeade 10 minutes ago." Explained Harry.
"Hogsmeade?" Asked the old wizard interested in his words with an eyebrow raised.
"Personal business." Said Harry with a guilty look.
"I'll make like I didn't hear that." Said Albus with a smile, before he turned serious again: "What will you do now?"
Harry began to explain his plan to the Headmaster, who agreed with him and decided to help him with whatever he could.
****
The next day the trio was at Care of Magical Creatures taking care of the Heat Wolves, when something odd happened: 3 Centaurs left the Forbidden Forest and went to Hagrid's Huts.
"Something's terribly wrong here." Said Harry worriedly recognizing the three of them: Bane, Firenze and Ronan, the three Centaurs that he had met in his First Year during a detention at the Forest.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Asked Hermione confused watching at awe the three creatures that were looking for someone.
"Don't you recognize them, Hermione? They're the three that we met at the Forest in our First Year." Explained Harry to his girlfriend.
"It's been a long time since the last time we saw each other, Harry Potter." Said Firenze going where he was. The other two were next to him.
"I think the same, Firenze. What brings you here?" Asked Harry curious, ignoring the stares of everybody at the class.
"We need to speak with you in private." Said Ronan very seriously.
In that moment, Dumbledore appeared there and went to greet the three Centaurs with a look of confusion and surprise in his old face. With him were McGonagall, Remus and Sirius all of them had the same looks that Dumbledore.
"What brings you here, Firenze?" Asked politely Albus to the Centaur.
"We need his help." Answered Firenze pointing Harry, meanwhile his companions nodded.
"Is there any place where we could speak alone and in private?" Asked Bane not happy with the looks that all of them were receiving from the students.
"Sure, come with us." Said Albus, before he added to the Professor Grubbly- Planks: "I'll take Harry for the rest of the class."
The Professor, who was staring at the three creatures like everybody, just nodded meanwhile the four adults, the teen and the Centaurs began to walk toward the Castle.
****
"Why do you need my help?" Asked Harry to Firenze when all of them were in Dumbledore's Office.
"Harry Potter, the stars had informed us of your powers and achievement. At this moment, the Centaurs have a big problem in our hands. Do you know what is the Clingein?" Asked seriously the creature to the teen.
"How many are infected?" Asked Harry worriedly by the news that the Centaur had given him.
"What is Clingein?" Asked the adults confused at the same time, looking to Harry and the Centaurs.
"We have 25 now, but the number increases at every moment. We have already lost 10 of us." Said Bane seriously ignoring the four adults.
"Give me a parchment and a quill. Now." Ordered Harry to Dumbledore seriously. Dumbledore did it and waited to get an answer, while Harry began to write a few things in it.
"What is the Clingein that you talked about?" Asked Remus confused and wishing to get an answer.
"Get this. Find me at the main gate at 23.00 tonight. It must be done at midnight if we want any result. Get as much as you can." Said in a very serious tone Harry to Firenze giving him the parchment, ignoring the Professors.
"We'll be here." Said Firenze solemnly. The other two nodded and the three left the Office.
"What is Clingein, Harry?" Asked Sirius when the five were alone.
"It's an illness of the Centaurs. It's mortal. It Spreads quickly and kills in four days. When there aren't any more of them, it infects other creatures. It infects humans too." Explained worriedly Harry.
"Is there any cure?" Asked Dumbledore understanding the seriousness of the situation.
"Yes, but the only one who can do it, it's I. The things that I asked them are part of the cure. Like I said, if you want results of it, you have to do it at midnight. I guess I'll have another night adventure at the Forest." Said Harry going to pet Fawkes who sang a few notes when the teen stoked his feathers.
"Can it infect you if you are with them?" Asked worried Minerva, not liking at all the idea of her Godson passing a night there.
"Not yet. At the beginning it only affects the Centaurs." Said Harry before he looked at his watch and said: "If you excuse me, I have a class to attend and it's yours." The last part was said pointing to his Godmother who had a worried look in her face.
Minerva checked her watch and said: "Let's go. The class will start in five minutes." She stood and went to the door
"See you later." Said Harry leaving the Office with McGonagall and began to walk to the Transfiguration's classroom in silence. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Assured the teen to the Professor after a few moments of not talking.
"I don't like the idea of you being alone a whole night at the forest." Said the Head of Gryffindor when they reached to their destination. Harry noticed that she had a lot of worry in her voice.
"Do you prefer to let them die and don't stop the illness? Excuse me, but I don't do it." Said seriously the student.
"That's not what I mean, Harry. You know it." Said Minerva very seriously to her Godson.
"I know it. But this is the only way to stop it, and I can defend myself very well. And before any of you suggest it, I won't take Sirius with me." Said Harry in a tone that didn't leave places to arguments, going to his seat.
Minerva couldn't answer him because all of the students entered in that moment and she began to teach. But she was very nervous about that night.
****
"Hey, in a while we have to show the room to Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sirius and Remus." Whispered Fred at the dinner.
"Ok." Said Harry absently meanwhile he played with his food, almost not touching it.
"Harry, what's wrong? You have been silent since you met the Centaurs and spoke with them and the Professors." Said Hermione worried by her boyfriend's mood.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Said Harry before he stood and added in a voice a little louder than a whisper: "I'll be at the room. When all of you finish, take them." Without waiting any answer he left the Hall.
The friends exchanged confused looks and waited till the moment when all of them had to go to the room with the Professors. They didn't have to wait very much, because 10 minutes later the 4 MNG and the adults began to walk to the Lion's entrance.
"Prongs." Said Hermione and the statue moved to the left and allowed them to enter.
"Welcome to the MNG's Headquarters." Greeted Harry when the adults were in.
The four of them began to look around. Dumbledore looked amused, Minerva surprised by everything, Sirius and Remus shocked by the place meanwhile the teens spread around the room and began with their activities as if they were alone.
"Where is this place connected to?" Asked Minerva pointing the doors that were at the left wall.
"The Boys' and Girls' Dorms from Fifth to Seventh Year, the Dorms of the Head Boy and Girl and both Common Rooms. For now they are the only ways to enter here." Explained Ron who was playing Chess with Fred.
"Right now, the only entrances that are open are the ones in our dorms, the Tower's Common Room and the Lion's." Added Hermione without looking up from the book that she was reading.
"If we are moved of Dorm, the new one will be open and the old one's closed." Finished Harry who was watching Ron and Fred's Chess game.
"It's like a private Common Room." Commented Remus watching the furniture and the decoration.
"A private Tower is a best definition." Said Harry pointing the five beds without taking out his eyes from the game.
"You thought everything: Bookshelf, place for brooms, couches, beds, tables and a fireplace too." Said Albus watching the place carefully.
"You can't forget the trees and flowers." Said George who was laying under the oak with a Charm's book over his lap.
"And the plants and trees too." Chuckled Albus going to watch the Chess game.
"Is the fireplace connected to somewhere?" Asked sternly McGonagall.
"We are planning to connect it to the Burrow, so if we need to speak with my parents we can do it." Explained Fred moving his king when Ron's queen made check.
"For now, it's just to warm us in winter. The weather here isn't very pleasant at that time of the year." Said Harry petting Marauder who went to him in that moment.
"It's impressive." Said Sirius grinning.
"Before we forget, there will be rules for the four of you." Said Harry seriously to the adults.
"And they are . . . ?" Asked curious Dumbledore.
"The statue has three positions. If it's standing like walking, it means free entrance. If it's laying, don't enter because we are doing something and you can't know it." Said Harry mysteriously.
"Mostly, new pranks." Said George with an evil grin.
"If it's in a sleeping position, it means one of us wants privacy. In those cases the entrance is forbidden for us too till the MNG who put the lion in that position doesn't change it." Added Hermione.
"Only an MNG can change the lion." Warned Fred.
"And if someone put the lion to sleep, only he or she will be able to change it." Added Ron.
"Follow the rules and you'll be able to come here." Told George.
"Only we know the Password. We'll change it soon." Finished the explanation Harry making reference to the old one, Prongs.
"Interesting." Said Albus with a twinkle in the eyes.
"Thanks." Said the five proudly.
"What's this?" Asked Sirius pointing to a big map.
"The Marauder Map's new version. It isn't finished yet." Said Harry with an evil grin.
"What do you think about my broom?" Asked suddenly Sirius to his Godson.
"He didn't open it yet!" Laughed Fred before Harry elbowed him.
"I didn't have time to do it yet. With Fudge and everything I couldn't do it." Said Harry sheepishly.
"Why don't you do it now?" Suggested Sirius anxiously.
Before they could answer, Hermes, Percy Weasley's owl, entered in the room and landed next to Harry with a folder full of papers tied to his legs.
"Why did Percy write you?" Asked Ron to Harry confused by his brother's owl being there.
"Not Percy, Bill did it." Said Harry taking the papers and beginning to read it. He read it with a very serious and worried look in the face. When he finished reading it, he took the note that came with it:
"Dear Harry,
What the hell is this?! I needed the help of almost 10 friends to be able to translate it. Where did you get it?!? There are parts written in Egyptian, ancient Greek, hieroglyphs of many Asian countries and of one or two American countries too.
It looks like a riddle or a prophecy. We did our best and translated it with 95 percent of success. Be careful, not everything there is perfect.
Bill Weasley.
P.S.: Say hi to Ron, the twins and Ginny from me."
Harry closed the folder and put it in his private part of the room and locked it magically. He decided to read it carefully later.
"What is it, Harry?" Asked Fred confused and wondering why his old brother would write to Harry.
"Personal business, Fred." Said Harry in a flat tone of voice, saying clearly that he would not talk about it. Then he added: "Bill says hi to you." All of them exchanged confused looks and decided to drop the matter till Harry wanted to tell them about it. They went on talking and explaining about the room till 22.45 when Harry stood up.
"If any of you are planning to stay here tonight, leave for the breakfast. When I return, I'll sleep and don't want any noise." Said Harry putting on the cloak.
"I'll go with you." Said Sirius stubbornly and decided to not leave his Godson alone.
"No way, Sirius. They asked my help, not yours. And they don't trust you, they only do it in me." Said Harry meaning clearly that he wouldn't go with Sirius.
"What are you two talking about?" Asked the MNG confused.
"I'll pass the night at the Forest with the Centaurs." Was Harry's only explanation before he left the room to go to the main gate where he would meet with the Centaurs.
"When will you return?" Asked worriedly Minerva going to where he was waiting them.
"For the breakfast, the sunshine or for the first class. Although, I won't be for breakfast or classes, I'll be sleeping." Laughed Harry spotting the three creatures leaving the forest and going to him.
"Are you ready?" Asked Firenze, when he, Ronan and Bane went to him a few minutes later, when they reached to him.
"I am." Said Harry seriously, before turning to his Godmother and said: "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll see you in a few hours."
"Be careful." Said Minerva and hugged him.
"Let's go." Said Harry mounting Firenze's back.
"I hope that God can protect you, Harry." Said Minerva watching her Godson disappear before she returned to the Castle.
****
The three Centaurs and the teen went through the Forest for almost 20 minutes till they reached to an open space where were almost 50 of the creatures. Many of them were ill and the others tried to heal or at least help them. Harry went down of Firenze's back and whistled loudly to get everybody's attention.
"Ok, the ones that aren't ill or don't have any symptom of the illness leave. I'll need only four or five here with me to help. The rest do whatever you want till sunshine. Don't return before." Said the teen very seriously when he got it.
Of the centaurs, 15 left and began to run to the Forest, 25 was ill, and the other five stayed there with them and Harry. Harry only recognized two of them: Firenze and Bane. He suspected that Ronan went with the others to be with them in a safe place till the sunshine.
"Did you get everything?" Asked Harry to Firenze in a serious tone of voice.
"Here you have it." Said the Centaur and gave to the student a big bag full of roots.
Harry took them and began to pulverize them carefully and slowly, meanwhile the creatures watched him silently. After he finished doing it, he made appear 30 bowls and put the pulverized roots there. He chanted a few words in a whisper and a gold light glowed around the bowls for almost 10 minutes. Now in the bowls there was a liquid of a gold, red and green color.
"Drink this before we begin to give it to them." Ordered Harry to his companions. They nodded and did it quickly. When they finished, Harry said: "Take a bowl and give a third of the liquid to each one."
"Why only a third of it?" Asked one of the Centaurs that Harry didn't know.
"To make it work, we have to make the process three times before 6.00 in the morning. It means that we have to give them the cure every two hours. Let's do it." Said Harry before he took a few bowls and went to the Centaur that was nearest to him.
After almost 30 minutes the six of them had finished their work and sit waiting two hours before they needed to do it again.
"I'll go to sleep a while. Wake me up if something happens or in an hour and half." Said Harry to Firenze.
"I'll do it." Said Firenze nodding.
Harry laid in the grass and put his cloak very tight to his body. Five minutes later he was sleeping, knowing that he needed some rest before he had finished the work completely.
****
"Harry Potter, wake up."
Harry felt someone trying to wake him and pushing his shoulder gently to do it. He opened his eyes and saw Firenze kneeling next to him. He stretched his body and stood up.
"Is it time?" Asked the teen with a yawn.
"Yes." Said Firenze before he asked with a smile: "Did you sleep well?"
"Uncomfortable, but fine." Said Harry before he repeated the same process that he had done before with the roots and the bowls. Again he gave bowls to the five Centaurs that were with him, before they began to give the cure to the other ones.
"May I ask you something, Harry Potter?" Asked a Centaur behind him. She had grey fur, looked young, maybe a teen one, and had blue eyes.
"Sure, but I would like to know your name first." Said Harry with a smile, sitting under a big tree.
"Kithet, I'm Firenze's sister." Said the girl sitting next to him.
"Nice to meet you, Kithet. What do you want to know?" Said Harry without containing a little yawn. He looked to her and said sheepishly: "Sorry, I'm still a little tired."
"Don't worry. I wanted to ask you what is your debt to my brother?" Asked Kithet curiously.
"What do you mean?" Asked Harry with confusion.
"When we were discussing this problem, someone said that you could help us with it. Bane told Firenze that he could convince you reminding you of your debt to him. My brother told him that he wouldn't use it to oblige you if you didn't want to do it. When I asked Firenze what they were talking about, he refused to tell me." Explained the Centaur.
"Kithet, I owe my own life to your brother. He saved me at the Forest in my First Year at Hogwarts." Said Harry and began to tell her the story of that night and what had happened with Voldemort, the Unicorn and the three Centaurs.
"I thought that I told you to not ask him about it, Kithet." Said sternly Firenze listening Harry's story.
"Sorry, but I had curiosity." Said sheepishly the Centaur.
"How have you been these four years, Firenze?" Asked Harry with a smile.
"Very well, thanks. How have you dealt with last year's events?" Asked worriedly Firenze sitting next to them.
"As well as I could. Cedric's death hit me hard, more than you can imagine. And what happened with my family, made the things worse." Said Harry closing his eyes.
Before any of them could say something else, they heard a loud and shrill cry, but it wasn't a human's or Centaur's one. It was different. The three stood up quickly and began to run toward the cry. Harry transformed himself in a panther to run faster and without problems, with Firenze and Kithet running behind him.
When they reached to the place from where the cry came, the three of them were shocked when they saw the one that had cried. It was a Phoenix, but not a normal one. It was Rainbow Phoenix. They were thought to be dead for almost 600 years. They were beautiful. Their feathers, fur and everything were multicolors. That was the reason of the name, the colors were the ones of the Rainbow.
Harry transformed himself again and went near the Phoenix. He could see that it had a wounded wing. There was a big cut in it and it looked not very well.
"What happened to you, Rainbow Phoenix?" Asked Harry in the language of the creature.
"You speak my language?" Asked surprised the bird turning to see the teen.
"I speak every language from the animals and creatures of the world, magical or not." Explained Harry before he asked again: "What happened to you?"
"I was injured by a beast of this Forest, speaker." Explained the Phoenix.
"My name is Harry Potter, what's yours?" Asked Harry going to the bird carefully and checking the wound.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. My master told me very good things of you." Said the Phoenix, before he added: "My old name doesn't matter to me anymore. My Master died a few months ago. The one that becomes my new one, will have the right to name me as his wishes."
"Who was your Master?" Asked curious Harry.
"Nicholas Flamel." Said the Phoenix with proud.
"Who else could have a creature that is supposed to be extinct for the last 600 years?" Said Harry with amusement.
"I'm the last one of my species. I came here because my Master told me that if he died, I had to go with his old friend Albus Dumbledore. I was going to him, when I was attacked." Said the Creature, not offended at all by Harry's comment. Instead of it she found it amusing too.
"If you want, I can take you to him in the morning. At this moment, I'm in the Forest healing Centaurs of the Clingein." Explained Harry stroking the bird's feathers slowly, hoping there wouldn't be any problem with it.
"I can wait a few hours." Agreed the Phoenix, understanding the seriousness of the situation.
"Let's return with the Centaurs, I guess that Firenze and Kithet must be wondering what's going on now." Said Harry pointing to the two Centaurs that looked at them in shock.
"Of course." Said the bird placing herself in Harry's shoulder.
Harry returned with the Centaurs and explained them the situation and about the Phoenix and why she was there. The two nodded in understanding and went back with Harry to the place where the other Centaurs were.
Harry began to talk with the Phoenix and the bird told many things about her old Master and his wife, Perenelle, and their lives during all those years. Harry told her that he was partially responsible for her Masters' death and told the adventure of his First Year that included the Sorcerer's Stone. The bird didn't blame him for that and assured Harry that it would be worse if Voldemort got the Stone.
A while later, Harry had to give the cure to the Centaurs again and did the same process that he had done two times that night.
"When shall we know if it worked, Harry Potter?" Asked Bane when they finished giving the liquid to the ills.
"Today at the sunshine. If they wake, they'll live. If they don't, they'll die." Said Harry seriously.
"Another two hours." Said Firenze listening to his words.
"Yes." Sighed Harry and sat again under a tree with the Phoenix near him.
Those two hours seemed an eternity. At 6.00 a.m., the five Centaurs and Harry began to move around the ill ones and checked if they would wake. When the sun began to show, it happened: they began to open the eyes. After 30 minutes, they made a final check to know how many had survived. Of the 25 ills Centaurs, only two hadn't opened the eyes.
"We lost only 12." Said Firenze relieved by the results.
"Thanks God we could stop it before it got worse." Said Harry rubbing his eyes.
"Thanks for everything, Harry Potter. The Centaurs will be always in debt with you." Said solemnly and seriously Firenze.
"I did the same that you did to me, Firenze: saving your life." Said Harry in the same tone of the Centaur before he asked: "Could you take me back to the School? I'm tired to walk there." When he finished this sentence, he yawned again.
"Of course, I will." Replied the Centaur with a smile before he asked: "What will you do with the Phoenix? She isn't someone that can pass unnoticed very easily, and you know it."
"I'll use an invisibility charm till we are at a safe place. I'll need Fawkes to heal her wound. If I remember correctly, the only way to heal an injured Phoenix is with the tears of another one." Said Harry thinking in the problem.
"That's right." Answered the bird in her language.
Harry nodded and used the invisibility charm on her when she placed herself at his shoulder. He climbed Firenze's back and they began to go to the School's main gate.
When they reached there, they saw Dumbledore, McGonagall and Sirius waiting for him anxious and nervously. They seemed relieved when they saw that Harry was ok, just a little tired. Harry said goodbye to Firenze and walked toward them.
"Before any of you say something," Said Harry pulling up his hand to stop their questions and turned his attention to the Headmaster, "I need that you come with Fawkes to the room. We have a little emergency." Finished Harry seriously.
"What happened?" Asked Albus confused by the request.
"You'll know it later." Said Harry before he turned to his Godparents: "Tell Ron and the others that the entrances to the cave will be blocked and the lion will sleep for days. They'll understand what it means." Finished with a serious tone of voice.
"Ok. We'll go with you now. Later we'll tell them." Said Sirius in a serious tone of voice, nodding as the other two did.
"Sorry, but this matter concerns Professor Dumbledore alone for now." Said Harry and they began to walk to the Castle.
****
A while later, Harry was at the room alone waiting for Professor Dumbledore and Fawkes. The Phoenix was still under the invisibility Charm, and she would stay in that way till Dumbledore was there.
A few moments later, the statue moved meaning that someone had given the right Password. In that moment appeared Dumbledore with his pet on his shoulder. With them were Sirius, Remus and Minerva trying to know what was going on.
"I said ONLY Dumbledore and Fawkes! The three of you OUT!" Said Harry to his Godparents and Remus pointing the entrance.
"They want to know, like I do, the reason of the request, Harry." Explained Dumbledore meanwhile the other three nodded.
"Tell Dumbledore the name Friegs." Whispered seriously the Phoenix in her language to Harry.
"Friegs." Said Harry to Albus.
"Is she here?" Asked the Headmaster with the eyes twinkling. Harry only nodded.
"Who is Friegs?" Asked the two Marauders and the Head of Gryffindor confused at the same time.
"Please, leave us alone. I'll explain you everything later." Said Dumbledore to the adults in a serious tone of voice. The three nodded and left the room reluctantly.
"Wait here while I change the lion's position to the sleeping one and change the Password." Said Harry going to the entrance.
He returned 10 minutes later and found Dumbledore looking at him anxiously. Harry removed the charm of Friegs. The bird spread her wings and sang a note saying 'hi' to Fawkes, who did the same.
"I found her last night at the Forest. That's why I need Fawkes." Said Harry pointing the wound in her wing.
Fawkes understood what he wanted from him, and fled to Friegs and cried a few of his silvery tears in her wing. A few seconds later the wound had disappeared and the wing was healed and looked like a normal one.
"Thanks." Said Friegs to Harry, who smiled in answer.
"It's been a long time since the last time I saw her." Said Dumbledore petting his own bird. Then he turned to Harry and in a serious tone of voice asked: "How did it go with the Centaurs?"
"It went ok, another two died but the others will heal." Explained Harry with a yawn. When he finished the yawn, he told to Albus: "If you two don't mind, Friegs and I want to sleep. She'll stay here for a few days." Said Harry seriously. He and the bird had agreed that they could spend a short time together considering that he had helped her to heal.
"As you wish. Tell her that if she wants, she can be your pet. For me, Fawkes is enough and I'm sure that she will be a great one for you. Sleep well." Said the Headmaster before he left the room.
"What do you think about it?" Asked Harry going to his bed, after creating a perch for the Phoenix.
"I'll think it." Answered Friegs before both of them fell asleep.
****
The two old Marauders and Minerva waited anxiously to Dumbledore at the Great Hall to talk with him. They wanted to know who was Friegs. None of them had the slightest idea of whom or what was she.
When the MNG appeared at the Hall, Sirius went immediately to them and told them Harry's message. They nodded and began to eat their breakfast without making comments to the message.
"What did he mean with that?" Asked Sirius to the kids curiously.
"It means that the lion is the only way to enter. It means complete privacy and that he plans something big and doesn't want any kind of disturbance. I'm sure that he changed the Password too." Explained Hermione meanwhile the others nodded and went on eating their breakfast.
Sirius nodded and returned to the High Table to wait Dumbledore. When he entered, Fawkes was on his shoulder and many students watched the Phoenix in awe and shock. The Headmaster ignored them and took his usual seat at the Staff's Table.
"What happened with Harry?" Asked Minerva worriedly when Albus began to eat.
"He's fine. He needed Fawkes to heal someone." Explained Dumbledore with a smile.
"Who is that Friegs that he mentioned?" Asked curious Sirius.
"Friegs is here?" Asked Filius Flitwick, the Charms' teacher, surprised to Dumbledore listening Sirius' words.
"She arrived last night. She was wounded in her wing. Now she's with Harry sleeping if I'm not wrong." Answered Dumbledore to the Charms' Teacher with a smile.
"Who's Friegs?" Asked the other teachers.
"Nicholas Flamel's pet. A Phoenix if my memory doesn't fail me." Said Flitwick thinking.
"A Rainbow one." Said Dumbledore with a broad smile.
"A Rainbow Phoenix? I thought that they have been extinct for 600 years!" Exclaimed in disbelief Remus.
"Friegs is the last one of her species." Said Dumbledore petting Fawkes and giving him some food.
"Who will be her Master now? I mean Flamel died a few months ago." Asked Linda Sprout, the Herbology's teacher, to the Headmaster.
"If I'm not wrong, her new Master will be Harry." Said Albus with a smile.
"Potter with a Phoenix? That's something hard to believe!" Snorted Severus Snape, the Potions' teacher.
"We'll know it soon. But I'm sure they will get on very well together." Said Dumbledore before he returned to his attention to the breakfast once more.
****
Harry didn't show up till lunch. When he appeared at the Hall, he had a tired look and looked like he was going to fall asleep at any moment. He sat at the table and started to eat silently, rubbing his eyes from time to time. His friends noticed his tiredness and decided to leave him alone and don't disturb him.
"What do we have now?" Asked, with a new and huge yawn, Harry to Ron when they left the Hall for classes a while later.
"Ancient Runes. Did you study for today's exam?" Asked Ron nervous about the exam. The teacher of that class, Angelica Qurte, had informed that day she would take a test to see how much they had learnt.
"Yes, it will be easy." Said Harry taking his seat at the classroom. Ron nodded and sat next to him meanwhile the teacher entered and began to give the parchments with the runes to translate it.
Like he thought, the exam was really easy and half hour after the beginning of it, he had finished. Harry gave his exam to the teacher and sat again waiting the end of the class. He used the time to sleep a little more and get more rest that the one that he had that night.
He woke up when the bell rang and went with Ron and Hermione to Charms, his last Class of that day. That day Flitwick began with the chameleon charms that helped to the people to confuse someone if they were chased. Harry didn't have any problem with them and earned 50 points in that class for his work.
"Mr. Potter, can I speak with you a moment please?" Called Flitwick when the students were leaving the classroom to go to dinner.
"Did something happen, Professor Flitwick?" Asked Harry surprised by the call.
"How is Friegs? Albus told the staff that she's with you now." Said the little Professor to the student.
"She's fine. The last time I saw her, she was sleeping in her perch. I'll follow her in that very soon, believe me. The night at the Forest tired me more than I had thought." Said Harry with a yawn.
"I can see that." Said amused the Head of Ravenclaw. When both of them were leaving the Classroom, Flitwick told Harry: "Take care of her. She's unique and a great pet for anyone."
"I'll take the advice. If you don't mind, I'll go to dinner. Till next class, Professor." Said Harry and began to run to the Great Hall. When Harry reached to the Hall he sat next to the MNG and began to eat his dinner.
"Did you change the Password too?" Asked Hermione in a whisper.
"Yes, till new a new notice, the room will be closed for the four of you. I need time to do a few things and we have a new inhabitant that must be kept in secret. I'll show her to you when everything returns back to the normality." Said Harry seriously and in a whisper to his friends.
"A girl? Did you leave Hermione?" Asked Fred teasing Harry.
"Maybe." Said Harry jokingly and kissing his girlfriend when she looked at him strangely.
"Who is she?" Asked interested George.
"She's a what." Said Harry mysteriously. With a new yawn, Harry stood and said: "See you tomorrow, I want to sleep with despair." Then he left the Hall and went to the room without waiting any answer from his friends.
When he entered, he saw that Friegs was still sleeping in her perch. Harry took off his robes and went to the bed. He fell asleep in less than five minutes.