Chapter 13 The Book
It was almost noon when Albus Dumbledore gave the password to enter in the Gryffindor's Common Room. He had a busy morning that December 26th. It had been only a few hours since Markus Likster had tried to rape Mary Molk.
Mary's parents had been at his Office and were bewildered when they heard what had happened to their daughter. Her father had shouted things, like he was irresponsible and he shouldn't be Headmaster. The old wizard knew that those words were said out of the anger he felt and he couldn't blame him for the feelings.
They seemed to calm down when they knew what the fate of the student responsible for the attack. After that they went down to the Hospital Wing to be with Mary. They also had requested if they could see Harry and thank him personally for saving her.
That was why he found himself at Gryffindor Common Room. The place was empty except for a few students from Fourth Year and one or two from Sixth.
"Headmaster, is there any problem?" Asked one of the sixth years, called Dina Lister, who was a Prefect of her year.
She, along the other students were shocked to see him there. It was a very well known fact that their Head of House went there only when an emergency happened. But none of them have ever remembered seeing the Headmaster in their Common Room before this day.
"I'm looking for a student. Has any of you seen Mr. Potter?" Asked the Headmaster of students.
"None of the fifth years have awoken yet, Sir." Answered Collin Creevey who was chatting with Ginny.
"Thank you for the information, Mr. Creevey." Said Dumbledore before he began to walk towards the stairs that went to the boys' dorms.
Before he could start to walk upstairs, the portrait opened once more to reveal the Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. If the students were surprised with Dumbledore's presence, they were now shocked and confused with the presence of their Head of House and the Head Of Ravenclaw's all in the common room.
"Minerva, Filius, what's wrong?" Asked Albus, surprised to see the two of them there.
"Miss Padma Patil and Miss Cho Chang can't be found, Albus." Explained the tiny Professor to the Headmaster.
"Considering that both of them went to the Ball with students of this House, we have come to ask if any of the students know where we may be able to find the two girls." Added Minerva while the three of them started to climb the stairs.
When the three Professors entered in the fifth year boy's dorms, they got a surprise. In one bed, Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown were sleeping; In the next one, was Neville Longbottom and Cho Chang; In the third bed was Seamus Finnigan with one of the Patil twins and Dean Thomas was in the last bed with the other twin.
"I guess that answers the question about where they are, Filius." Chuckled Albus when he realized that Harry wasn't in the room and his bed was empty.
"Where is Harry?" Asked Minerva while the three of them left the room deciding to have a chat with the students later. She too had realized that her Godson was not in his bed or in the dorm.
"Let's go to the girls' dorm. I'm sure that he's there with Hermione." Albus suggested with a smile.
As the Headmaster had predicted, in the girls' dorm were only Harry Potter and his girlfriend Hermione Granger using one of the 3 beds, sleeping peacefully.
"Should we wake them?" Asked Filius with a smile to the other teachers.
At that moment, Harry began to stir and wake up. Without his glasses, he only saw three blurry forms that he didn't recognize. Forgetting where he was, he grabbed his wand and pointed it towards the forms.
"Create a shield!" Exclaimed Albus to the other two Professors when he realized what was going to happen.
"What...?" Began Minerva, but she couldn't finish her sentence because Harry had stared to shoot many different curses towards the adults and a few of them hit her before she could do anything to defend herself.
"How long do you think that Potter will be in detention for this, Albus?" Asked Filius while the Headmaster woke Harry, and he said the counter curses to Minerva.
"Oh shit, I'm in BIG problems!" Groaned Harry when he realized what he had done to his Godmother.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" Shouted McGonagall at the teen in anger.
"Oops, I'm sorry." Said Harry sheepisly while Hermione began to stir at his side.
"Harry, what...?" Began to ask the girl but then she saw the three Professors.
"What can we do for you, Headmaster?" Harry asked to his mentor, while Hermione covered herself with the sheets.
"Mary's parents would like to speak with you in the Hospital Wing as soon as you can." Albus informed to the boy.
"I'll be there in a while." Informed the Prefect.
"Do you mind if we can change alone and in private?" Asked Hermione still trying to cover herself in front of the teachers.
"Mr. Potter when you are finished at the Infirmary, I would like to have a chat with you in my office." Said Minerva to Harry, with an angry and stern look directed towards her Godson while she, Albus and Filius started to leave the dorm.
"I'll be there as soon as I can, Professor." Said Harry with a gulp.
"We'll let you change your clothes." Said Minerva closing the door.
"She'll kill me for this one!" Said Harry while he and his girlfriend changed from pajamas into black robes.
"What did you do this time?" Asked Hermione confused.
"I cursed her." Answered the boy as he left the dorm in direction to the Infirmary.
When he entered, Harry saw Mary talking with a woman who was in her late thirties, Harry guessed that was her mother. In another part of the wing, Madame Pomfrey talked with a man who should be her father.
"Hey, Mary, how are you feeling?" Asked the Prefect going towards her bed.
"Hi, Harry." Said the girl before she introduced him to her mother: "Mom, this is Harry Potter, the boy who found me. Harry, this is my mom."
"Pleased to meet you, Madam." Said Harry with a polite smile towards the woman.
"Thanks for saving my daughter, Mr. Potter." Said the woman hugging him.
"Anytime." Answered Harry before he added: "Please call me Harry. The Mr. Potter is for my teachers."
"As you wish, Harry." Said the woman with a smile.
"I see that Michael put a good use to my creations." Said Harry noticing one of his teddies next to the girl's bed.
"It's lovely. Thanks for doing it." Said Mary taking the teddy and hugging it tightly.
"Did you make it?" Asked Mary's father, going to the group and shaking Harry's hand and thanking him for saving his daughter.
"It's my little business. I created one in class and so many students asked me to create others. So I create them and sell them." Said Harry while he took a piece of parchment and said to Mary: "Choose an animal."
"A wolf." Said the girl remembering the animal that found her.
"You want a wolf, you get a wolf." Said Harry before he took his wand and started to create a new teddy.
First he transformed the parchment in a little wolf, and then he changed it in a flower, a fairy. He stopped to think in his next transformation and then he did it in a heart's drawing with the words "Get Better Soon" written on it.
"Let's finish it." Said Harry to the 3 persons who were watching him with interest and curiousity.
He flicked his wand once more and the teddy was done. On the bed now, was a teddy wolf with black and gray fur, in his hands he had the heart with the message written. The heart was made of a soft cloth and was red with the words in white. He had a flower over his ear and in his back were fairy's wings.
"For you." Said Harry with a smile giving his creation to Mary.
"Thanks!" Said the girl with a wide smile.
"You are welcome." Said Harry before he added: "now, I have to go. I have to face an angry Head of House and don't want to make her wait for me."
"Harry could you do me a favor?" Asked Mary when the Prefect was about to leaving.
"If I can, of course I will." Said the Prefect with the door open.
"Could you ask Michael to pay me a visit? I would like to see him." Asked Mary with a plea.
"When I see him, I'll deliver him your message. You have the word of a Gryffindor." Promised Harry before he closed the door and left the Hospital Wing, going in direction of his Godmother's office.
When he arrived there, he was surprised to see his year mates, with Padma and Cho there. Besides the students and his Head of House, there also were the Headmaster and Flitwick.
"Come in, Mr. Potter. This matter also involves you." Said Minerva when he knocked the door.
"What's the problem, Professors?" Asked Cho when Harry took seat next to his girlfriend.
"This morning we found a little situation that was unexpected. Can any of you guess what that situation was?" Asked Dumbledore.
"All of us sleeping in the boys' dorm, and Harry sleeping with Hermione, in her dorm, right?" Said Ron blushing a little pointing to the diffrent boys and the girls.
"Exactly, Mr. Weasley." Said Minerva.
"Although, we don't have many problems with your... arrangement of last night, the problem was that Miss Chang and Miss Padma Patil left their Tower without telling anyone." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"What's the problem with that?" Asked Cho, confused.
"Last night during the Ball, a student tried to rape a younger one." Informed the Deputy Headmistress with a very serious tone of voice.
"Is this a joke?" Asked Lavender completely shocked with the news. The others, except Harry, Ron and Hermione, who knew about this situation, were also shocked by the news.
"No, Lavender, it isn't. We looked for her." Said Hermione, with the same tone that her Head of House had used when she said it, while Ron and Harry nodded on agreement.
"When both girls weren't found this morning in their dorms, we were scared that another situation of this kind, could have happened. As all of you surely know, two Head of Houses and the Headmaster don't usually visit the dorms." Said Flitwick while the students tried to process all the new information.
"It wasn't our intention to scare or worry anyone, Professor." Said Cho with in a sheepishly tone of voice.
"We know, Miss Chang. Next time you decide to do this, we would appreciate if you tell it to someone." Said Dumbledore.
"Yes, Professor." Said all of the students at the same time with a nod of their heads.
"I have a question: did something happened last night besides a snog?" Asked Flitwick with a curious smile.
"No!" Shouted all of them at the same time.
"Mr. Potter, stay here because we have something to discuss. The rest of you may return to your Towers." Instructed McGonagall to the students.
"Tell Michael that Mary wants him to go see him." Said Harry to Hermione, while everyone began to leave the Office. The girl nodded and left her boyfriend to face the three teachers alone.
"Can you explain what happened this morning?" Asked Minerva to the teen with an angry tone of voice.
"My senses were very alert and I didn't recognize you at that moment." Said Harry sheepishly.
"Could you elaborate that answer?" Asked Albus with a smile.
"I'm sure that you remember that when I returned from the summer, I always pointed my wand when someone took me by surprise, right?" Asked the teen to the adults.
"Yes, we do." Answered the teachers with a nod.
"Well, I still always have my senses alert. After what happened last night, they were at red alert. This morning, when I woke up, I saw three blurry forms in my dorm. At that moment, I wasn't wearing my glasses and you know that I'm almost blind without them. So, when I saw the three forms and didn't recognize them, my senses took control and what happened, happened." Explained Harry.
"If you look at it that way, he's right. I would react the same way, if I were in his position this morning." Said Flitwick when Harry finished his story.
"If I knew that it was you there, I wouldn't have shot the curses, Professor." Harry added, trying defending himself.
"I guess that it was our fault, in some ways too, Minerva." Said Albus, understanding the reasons behind the teen's actions.
"Next time, be more careful before you attack someone." Said Minerva agreeing with her colleague's words.
"I will." Said Harry thanking his lucky stars for his luck in this matter.
"Leave my Office before I decide to punish you." Said Minerva with a serious tone of voice.
"Actually, I have a proposition for the three of you." Said Harry seriously to the Professors.
"Which one?" Asked Dumbledore interested in his words.
"As all of us know, Lockhart was the worst teacher in the last 5 years here. But he did two good thing when he was here." Started Harry.
"Which ones were those things?" Asked Minerva confused.
"The first one was start a Dueling club." Said Harry with serious tone.
"The other one.?" Asked Filius confused.
"Losing his memory." Said the Prefect laughing. The three teachers laughed with his answer.
"What does it have to do with your proposition?" Asked the Headmaster when the four of them calmed down.
"Taking in consideration of all the attacks that has happened recently and the one that me and the others suffered before Halloween, I thought that it would be a good thing if the School starts another Dueling Club." Explained Harry.
"It's a good idea." Said the Head of Ravenclaw thinking in his words.
"The students could choose if they want to join it or not." Added Harry.
"What is the reason behind this?" Asked Dumbledore to the student.
"Excuse me?" Asked Harry with his most innocent smile.
"I know you very well, Harry. There is something behind this as always that you suggest something. What is it?" Asked Albus seriously. Although he didn't care the reasons behind this, because he agreed with the idea, he wanted to know them. He was sure that Harry was planning something big and the Club was just a part of it.
"I guess that nothing scrapes to you, Headmaster. Yes there is something behind this idea, but I won't tell it yet." Said the Prefect with a serious tone of voice.
"Why doesn't it surprise me?" Asked Minerva with sarcasm.
"Although I would like to know those reasons, and I know that you won't tell them, I agree with your idea." Said Dumbledore to the student.
"We'll have to decide who will be the teacher of the Club." Said Filius after thinking a few minutes.
"When and where will be the meetings."? Added Minerva.
"It will be decided on the next Order's meeting." Said Albus before he added: "If you excuse me, I have some things to do."
"I have to ask you a favor, Headmaster." Said Harry when Dumbledore was nears the door.
"We'll talk at my Office." Said Albus wondering what kind of favours the teen would need this time.
"See you soon." Said Harry to McGonagall and Flitwick leaving the Office with his mentor.
"What do you think that Potter is planning this time?" Asked Filius to his calleague when both of them were valone.
"With Harry, you can expect everything." Said Minerva.
****
"What do you need from me this time, Harry?" Asked Albus when he and the teen were sat at his Office.
"A few books about Phoenix." Answered the teen.
"Why do you need them?" Asked the Headmaster confused with the request.
"I'm making a personal research about them." Answered Harry with a smile.
"Why do I feel that that little research is something important?" Asked Albus going and taking a few and fat books from the shelves.
"It is." Said Harry taking the books and leaving the Office and a confused Headmaster on it.
"One of these days, this boy will cause me a heart attack with his surprises!" Exclaimed Dumbledore to no one in special.
****
When Harry entered at the Common Room levitating the books, he saw that everyone was rounding Ron and Hermione. By what he heard, the students wanted to know about the attack of the previous night.
"A new chaos at Gryffindor, eh Katie?" Asked Harry sitting next to the Head Girl putting the books near him.
"They have been like that since Ron and the others returned from McGongall's Office." Informed Katie pointing to the students of fifth year before she asked: "Why do you need the books?"
"Personal research." Said Harry simply before he asked: "Did you see Michael?"
"He is at the Hospital Wing, I guess." Said the Chaser before she began to read a book of Potions.
"Harry, did you write to any of my brothers again?" Asked Fred through the link.
"Yeah, Charlie promised to send me a few books about Dragons. Why?" Asked Harry opening one of the books that Dumbledore had given him.
"Errol has landed in the room." Said the twin.
"Tell me when you, George and the girls leave the room." Said the Prefect ending the chat.
"Everyday we have a new hell here!" Exclaimed Ron sitting next to Harry, while Hermione sat at his other side.
"What did you expect after what happened last night?" Asked Katie with sarcasm without looking up from the book.
"Does any of you know something about the girl?" Asked Hermione.
"I visited her a while ago. She looked fine." Said Harry continuing with his reading.
"Why do you need books about Phoenixes, Harry?" Asked Ron curious looking the books.
"I'll tell it if you don't reveal it to anyone." Said Harry with a misterious tone.
"We won't." Said the 3 of them at the same time.
"I'm planning to write a book about Phoenixes and Dragons. Errol has just arrived brining the books of Dragons that I asked to Charlie yesterday." Informed Harry to his friends with a smile.
"Are you serious?" Asked Katie surprised with his words.
"Yes, I am. Please don't tell it to anyone. I want to keep it as a secret for a while at least." Pleaded Harry to his friends.
"Can we help you?" Asked the 3 at the same time interested in the idea.
"Ok. Katie and Hermione will work on the Phoenixes. I will work with Ron with the Dragons." Said Harry after thinking on it for a while.
"Got it!" Said Katie and Hermione beginning to read the books that Harry had brought a while ago.
"Before I forget, it won't be signed with our true names. If I write under the name of Harry Potter, I'm afraid that the people will buy it because I wrote it and no by the subject." Explained Harry while he saw the twins and the Chasers entering at the Common Room.
"So, me and Hermione will sign under our nicks, right?" Asked Ron.
"Yes. Katie you will need to choose a nick." Informed Harry while he and Ron left the Common Room and went to the MNG Room.
"You know, I would have never thought about writing a book." Said Ron while he put Errol to rest after he and Harry took the books and went to the Common Room to join the girls at their work.
"Thanks God I did it, right?" Asked Harry laughing when he and Ron put their books near the girls' and started on their part of the work.
****
For the next days, the 4 teens spent most of their times with making research for their book. Harry and Ron used the MNG's room while Katie and Hermione did it on the Head Girl's own Common Room. Katie decided to write under the nick "Unicorn" as her Patronus.
The book, that they decided to call it "Dragons and Phoenixes: Creatures of the Fire", was about those animals: the kinds of them, feed, procreation, place of living, differences among the different kinds and more things.
They got all the information needed from the books that Charlie and Dumbledore had given to them. Of course, both adults ignored the reasons behind their request.
The work was finished 2 days before the end of the break. Remembering that Dumbledore had written prologues for 2 books, they decided to ask him if he could write one for their book. They hoped that he didn't have any kind of problems with this.
"After all, it's written by four of the students of his School." Said Harry while the 4 writers were waiting for him at the Office the day before the end of the break.
When the Headmaster entered in his Office with Minerva, they were surprised to see the students. Soon the surprise changed in worry, considering that the 4 of them were Prefects of a House, though one was the Head Girl of the School.
"Is there any problem?" Asked Albus to the teens sitting in his chair while McGonagall sat in another.
"We have a special request for you, Headmaster." Said Harry seriously.
"I'm all ears." Said Dumbledore with a smile.
"We were wondering if you could write a prologue for a book." Said Hermione.
"Our book." Added Katie, showing the Headmaster and their Head of House the book.
"I now see why you asked me for the books about Phoenixes, Harry." Said Albus with a smile when he read the title of it.
"I told you, it was for a personal research." Said Harry returning the Headmasters smile.
"Where did you get from the information about Dragons?" Asked Minerva looking the book with interest and curiosity.
"Where else? Charlie!" Said Ron, as if it was the most obvious answer of the world.
"So can you do it, Professor?" Asked Katie to the Headmaster, after he and Minerva read a little of the book.
"It will be my pleasure." Albus replied with a smile.
"When you finish it, we'll send it to the Book's company so they'll decided if the book is published. We hope that they do." Said Harry with a hopeful tone of voice while the 4 students went to the door to leave the Office.
"I'll have it done in 2 days." Assured Dumbledore when the students were leaving. Harry nodded in thanks and left the Office closing the door behind them.
"Incredible. A book written by students." Said Minerva.
"There are books written by teachers, why not by students?" Asked Albus with a chuckle towards the Head of Gryffindor.
"I guess that they'll want to keep this quiet." Said Minerva reading the nicknames that the four had used to write the book.
"Can you blame them? They are afraid that people will buy the book because it was written by Harry and his friends, and not because the subject. I guess I would do the same in their place." Said Dumbledore while he put the books that Harry had returned him in their shelves once more.
****
As he had promised, Dumbledore gave the prologue to the students two days after their talk. With that added to the rest, the four Gryffindor's sent the folder using Hedwig. They hoped that the publishing company liked it, and they would publish the book soon.
"The only thing we can do now, is wait." Said Harry to the others as they went to the Great Hall for breakfast, shortly after sending Hedwig with the book,
Before any of them could answer, Dumbledore stood up at the High Table, and the whole Hall fell silent in order to hear him.
"Along with the teachers, it has been decided that a Dueling Club will be opened for all the students above fourth year. The club is optional and all the students who would like to join must write their name on the list that Professor Figg will give put in class next week."
"The Club will be taught by Professor Lupin, who was the DADA Teacher two years ago, along with Sirius Black. The sessions will be held every Saturday, starting in 3 weeks, in the third floor Corridor." Explained Dumbledore before he sat down again.
"A good news at least." Said Harry to himself before the table collected their things and went to classes. The trio had Potions as first class that morning.
****
Almost a week after they sent the manuscript for their book, the four Gryffindor's received an answer to. During breakfast, Hedwig returned with a letter. When Hedwig spotted the trio, landing on her master's shoulder, showing the letter tied to her leg. Harry untied it and gave her some food, before he opened it and began to read it aloud to his friends.
"Dear Messer's Blaze, Gryffin, Unicorn and Feather,
We send this letter to answer your about the subject of the book
"Dragons and Phoenixes: Creatures of the Fire." It has been
decided to publish the book. But we would like to have a meeting
with the 4 of you to take care of some matters.
We would appreciate to receive an answer from you suggesting a
date and place for this meeting as soon as possible.
For this meeting it will be needed an adult considering that the
4 of you are still students and under aged wizards.
Expecting your answer soon,
Yours sincerely,
David Billeri,
Vice President of Magical Books for the Wizarding World Inc."
"Yes!!!!!" Shouted the four students at the same time, after reading the letter.
"What's going on?" Asked Fred, confused with their shouts.
"This!" Exclaimed Harry, handing the letter to the twin and kissing his girlfriend.
"Is this real?" Asked Alicia after reading it a few times with the other players.
"Yes, we sent it a week ago. We got the answer today." Explained Katie who had a wide smile on her face.
"What was the answer?" Asked Dumbledore, curious after listening their chat and guessing what was it about.
"Read it yourself, Headmaster." Said Ron giving him the letter.
"Congratulations." Said Albus with a smile after reading it.
"Thanks for your help with the books and the Prologue, Professor." Said Harry while everyone was standing up, heading to his or her classes.
****
After the classes, the four teens sat in the Common Room. They had to decide when they would meet the man from the Book Company and who would be the adult that would accompany them.
"When is the next trip to Hogsmeade?" Asked Katie when they began to discuss the first matter.
"This Saturday." Said Hermione, checking the calendar.
"We have the date, now who will go with us?" Asked Ron when they agreed to have the meeting during the visit.
"Sirius won't be here for another 2 weeks, so he can't be the person." Said Harry, remembering that his Godfather was in a mission for the Order and wouldn't return until a week before the start of the Dueling Club.
"My Parents are under the Fidelius, so they can't come." Said Hermione. Her parents had gone under the charm the same day that the break had finished. No one knew who their Secret Keeper was, though Harry suspected that Dumbledore himself was acting as the Grangers' Secret Keeper.
"My parents are in France, on a business trip so they can't be here." Said Katie.
"So it's so either your parents, or one of your brothers, Ron." Said Harry, turning to his best friend.
"Forget my parents. Dad is busy with the Ministry, and I don't want mom involved with this yet." Said Ron thinking for a few minutes.
"So, it's either Percy, Bill or Charlie." Said Katie thinking on the redhead's eldest siblings.
"How bout Charlie? He was the one who gave us part of the information for the book. He at least deserves to be there." Suggested Harry.
"Ok. Let's talk with him the next time that we see him." Said Ron, agreeing with his best friend's words.
"Will you see him before Saturday though? Today is Wednesday." Reminded the Head Girl to the trio.
"Professor, will there be a meeting this Friday?" Harry asked his mentor through the link.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Dumbledore replied, slightly confused with the question.
"Nothing, don't worry." Assured Harry before he finished the chat and told his friends: "Yes, we'll see him this Friday."
"Ok. Tell me what he says." Said Katie while Hermione began to write an answer to Davis, telling him the place, time and date for their meeting.
****
"Charlie! Just the person that we were looking for!" Said Ron, going to his brother with Harry and Hermione, when the Order's meeting finished Friday night.
"What is it, Guys?" Asked Charlie, not sure if he wanted the answer.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Asked Hermione.
"Yes. Why?" Said the redhead looking at the trio curiously.
"Charlie, do you remember when you gave me your books a few weeks ago?" Asked Harry.
"Yeah, you told me that you needed them for research." Answered Charlie, remembering the chat that he had had with the teen during Christmas lunch in the MNG's Headquarters'.
"You'll see. That research was done with the idea of writing a book. Which we did and now we need your help." Explained Harry pointing to his friends.
"Wait a minute the three of you! You are going too fast for my like! You wrote a book using the information from the ones that I gave to Harry?" Asked Charlie, who was both confused and shocked at their words.
"Yes." Answered the trio at the same time.
"Wow." Was all that Charlie could say.
"Now we need your help for another thing." Said Harry after a few seconds while Charlie tried to recover from the shock.
"What do you need from me?" Asked Charlie deciding to help them as much as possible.
"We sent the book to a publishing company, and have accepted their offer to publish it. Now, they want to have a meeting with Katie, and us, who also worked on the book too. But we have to go with an adult. Here is where we had a problem. Hermione's parents are under the Fidelius Charm, Sirius is working for the Order and won't return for another 2 weeks, and Katie's parents are away on a business trip. So we had to choose among our parents, you, Percy and Bill." Explained Ron to his older brother.
"And considering that you gave us half the information for the book, we decided to ask you, if you would be willing to come to the meeting." Finished Harry while Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement with Harry's words.
"Half of the information?" Asked Charlie confused.
"Yeah, the book is about Dragons and Phoenixes. Dumbledore gave us the books about Phoenixes." Explained Hermione.
"And he also wrote the Prologue for the book." Added Harry.
"So can you?" Pleaded Ron.
"When and where do I have to be?" Asked Charlie with a smile.
"Tomorrow at The 3 Broomsticks. The meeting will start at 3:30 p.m." Said Hermione before the three teens stood up from their respective chairs and headed towards the exit.
"Don't tell Mom. It's a surprise." Added Ron, before the three friends, along the twins, left the Office to go back to the Tower,
"They convinced you to be at the meeting, didn't they?" Asked Dumbledore to the redhead when only the adults were at the Office.
"They asked me if I could. How could I say no to them, when they used my books for the research?" Asked Charlie laughing before he turned and started to talk with his eldest brother, Bill.
****
At 3:25 the four teens and Charlie found themselves waiting at The 3 Broomsticks for David so they could start their meeting. Charlie was calm, but the younger ones were anxious and nervous about it.
At 3:30 sharp, a young man entered the bar. He looked to be about the age as Charlie. He was wearing informal robes, had brown hair, wore glasses and had his hair tied back into a ponytail.
"David?" Asked Charlie recognizing the man.
"Charlie!" Exclaimed the other man hugging him.
"Do you know each other?" Asked Harry.
"We went to School and played Quidditch together. He played on the team as a Chaser." Said Charlie while Rosmerta brought drinks over for the 5 of them.
"What are you doing here?" Asked David to his old schoolmate.
"I came with them. They have a meeting with someone from a book company and had to bring an adult with them. So, here I am." Explained Charlie.
"Messer's Unicorn, Feather, Blaze and Gryffin?" Asked David turning to the teens.
"I'm Blaze." Said Harry.
"Feather." Said Hermione.
"Gryffin." Added Ron.
"Unicorn." Said Katie.
"David Billeri pleased to meet you." Said the man shaking their hands.
"We say the same." Assured Harry with a smile.
"Let's go to business then, if you don't mind." Suggested David.
"That's why we are here, right?" Asked Harry with a chuckle.
"This is a contract that gives us the right to re-edit, and if you decide to publish more books, we have the priority to do it." Said the man giving them a piece parchment.
"By publishing, you will receive 20,000 Galleons that will be divided four ways. If the book is eventually added to Hogwarts' booklist, you will then receive another 10,000 Galleons, and another 500, each time the book is re- edited.
The money will be deposited at Gringotts. If any of you don't have a vault already opened at Gringotts, or you don't wish to have the money placed into your family's vault, the company can open you an account, and send you the information about vault to you by mail." David finished his explanation, while the teens began to read the contract.
"Everything looks to be in order here." Said Katie when she finished reading the contract.
"Where do we have to sign?" Asked Hermione, agreeing with Katie, while Harry, Ron and Charlie did the same after reading it.
"Here." Said David pointing a place at the end of the parchment.
"Does anyone have a quill?" Asked Ron to the others.
"Here you go." Said David taking one from his robes and giving it to the teens, who took turns signing the parchment.
"How do you want to go about receiving payment? Do you have a vault already or would you like us to open one up for you?" Asked David when the four of them had signed the contract and giving them a copy of the same.
"I have my own." Said Harry, giving the number to the man.
"Open one for me, please." Said Katie while Ron and Hermione nodded to this.
"It will be done easily." Assured the man after writing something in a parchment.
"Is there any chance that we could have some copies for ourselves? We have some people that we would like to give one to before anyone else can get there hands on one." Said Katie while her friends nodded to this request.
"You will receive 30 copies before it's published." Said David with a smile before he stood and left, after arranging with Charlie a future meeting to remember their days at School.
"We did it." Said Hermione with a wide smile while the five went back to the School a while later.
"Congratulations." Said Charlie with a smile towards the teens.
"Wait till Mom hears this!" Said Ron laughing.
"I would love to see Percy's face when he knows it!" Laughed Charlie sending the group in a fit of laughter.
When they arrived back at the School, both Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall were waiting for them. Obviously they wanted to hear about their meeting. The teen's happy face told the teachers that it went very well.
"How was it?" Asked Minerva when the four students and the three adults were in the Headmaster's Office.
"It went really well." Said Harry, before he retold them everything that David had said, and showed them the contract.
"I want a copy of the book as soon as it's published." Said Dumbledore when he and Minerva finished reading the contract and, as the teens, didn't find anything wrong on it.
"Do you want it with or without our autographs?" Asked Harry laughing, sending everyone in the Office into a new fit of laughter.
****
Two weeks later, Harry and the others were having breakfast when they saw that Sirius and Remus had returned to the School, and joined the teachers at the high table for the meal.
"Welcome back, Snuffles." Said Harry to his Godfather through the link.
"Hey, Harry. How is everything going?" Asked Sirius while he started to eat some cereals.
Before Harry could answer him, the owl post arrived to the Hall. Everyone turned his or her attention to the 3 owls that were carrying a large package between them. The 3 animals landed at the Gryffindor Table near Harry and the others. A few moments later, a fourth owl joined the others.
"It seems that the copies have arrived." Said Ron while he, Harry and Hermione untied the package and Katie untied the letter from the last one.
"Messer's Blaze, Gryffin, Unicorn and Feather.
As I promised during our last meeting, here are the copies for
you. As said there are 30 copies that you can give freely to
everyone that you wish.
The money of the publishing has been deposited at the vaults in
Gringotts. The vault 1125 has been opened for Hermione Granger
(Feather), 1126 for Katie Bell (Unicorn) and the 1127 for Ronald
Weasley (Gryffin). The part of the money for Harry Potter
(Blaze) has been deposited on his own vault as he wished. The
keys for said vaults are in the envelope that comes with this
letter.
Wishing to receive more books of your own writing,
Yours Sincerely
David Billeri.
Vice President of Magical Books for the Wizarding World Inc."
"Now we have to choose the people that will get one of these copies." Said Harry while Katie gave the vault keys out to Hermione and Ron.
"We'll decide in the Common Room tonight after dinner." Said Hermione while everyone began to go to classes and Harry took the books and went to leave them at the secret room.
****
"Okay, let's start with the list." Said Harry when the 4 writers sat at a corner of the Common Room far of everyone and the noise.
"Dumbledore and McGonagall." Said Ron while Hermione started to write the names at a parchment.
"Sirius and Remus." Added Harry.
"My parents and my grandmother." Said Hermione.
"Not your Uncle Ken and his family?" Asked Harry with a mocking tone using the link.
"Never ever!" Exclaimed Hermione who felt hate towards them after what had happened with her boyfriend at her Grandmother's house.
"My parents, my brothers, Penelope and Fleur." Said Ron thinking on his family.
"My parents and my older sister." Said Katie.
"We have already 20." Said Hermione counting the names of the list.
"Hagrid." Said Harry thinking in the Half Giant and his love of Dragons.
"Angelina, Alicia and Lee." Said Katie after thinking for a few minutes.
"The 4 of us!" Said Ron suddenly.
"I was forgetting about us!" Laughed Harry.
"Me too." Said Katie and Hermione joining their friends' laughter.
"The School's library." Said Hermione.
"We still have one more left." Said Ron reading the list.
"We'll decide who gets it later. Now let's give the copies to those who are now present in the Common Room." Suggested Harry taking copies for Ginny, the twins, the other 2 Chasers and Lee.
"What is this?" Asked Alicia when she received the book.
"Our book." Said Katie giving one to Lee.
"Thanks and congratulations about it." Said Ginny hugging them when her brother gave her the copy.
"You are welcome." Said Hermione.
"Don't tell Mom. The only member of the family, who knows this besides us, is Charlie. We want to give the others a surprise." Pleaded Ron to his siblings.
"I wish I could see her face when she hears about this!" Said Fred with a wide smile.
"I would like to see Percy's!" Said George bursting out in laughter along the others.
"It would be something priceless!" Said Ginny between the laughter of the group.
****
"Here is your copy, Professor." Said Harry to the Headmaster, before the start of the next Order's meeting, giving one of the books to his mentor.
"Weren't you going to autograph it?" Asked Albus chuckling putting the book on his desk to read it later.
"Professor." Warned Harry with a threatening look towards the Headmaster.
"Don't worry, I don't want to face your wrath. I still remember very well what happened to Messer's Fred and George Weasley when they crossed you." Said Dumbledore with a smile.
"I hope so. Because my revenge on you would be much worse than what happened to them." Said Harry with an evil grin while the other members started to enter the Office and sit in their usual seats.
The meeting wasn't interesting, though Harry, Ron and the twins could find it deathly boring a better description for it. For nearly 2 hours they discussed subjects, which they had previously discussed in prior meetings. By the end of the meeting, Harry noticed that the twins were almost sleeping in their chairs.
"Finally it's over!" Exclaimed Ron when the meeting was over.
"Fred, George, did you have a nice nap?" Asked Albus to the twins with a chuckle.
"It was better than the meeting. Today's was the most boring one of all the ones that we have had." Said Fred while George nodded with a big yawn.
"I agree with that!" Said his brothers, Harry and the Marauders at the same time.
"Guys." Said Arthur with a serious tone of voice.
"Let's give them the book before we fall asleep here, guys." Suggested Hermione to Harry and Ron avoiding a yawn.
"What book?" Asked Arthur, Bill, Fleur and the Marauders.
"Was it published?" Asked Charlie while the 3 teens went to look for them.
"We received our copies for a few days ago." Said Harry while he, Ron and his girlfriend gave the copies to the adults.
"What is this?" Asked Arthur confused.
"A book that the trio, plus Miss Katie Bell, wrote and published." Explained Minerva with a smile while he looked her copy.
"Is this a joke?" Asked Sirius completely shocked by her words.
"Read the writers' names. Katie is Unicorn." Said Ron before they all left the Office and went to their respective beds.
"Wait till Molly hears this." Said the Minister when he realized who the writers were.
"Take a picture when Percy finds out. I want a copy of that picture." Said Charlie before he left the Office with his copy under his arm.
"It will be an interesting book to read." Said Fleur before she too left, with Bill by her side.
"Did you know about this?" Asked Remus to Albus and Minerva when the 4 of them and Arthur Weasley were left alone in the Office.
"They got the books about Phoenixes from me, and I wrote their Prologue. Although, I didn't have any idea about this until they asked me." nswered Dumbledore.
"Please Arthur, get a copy of the picture of Percy's face when he knows this. It will be something... interesting to see." Chuckled Minerva while the adults was leaving the Office.
"I agree with that, it will be something very interesting!" Laughed the Minister heading towards the spot where you could Apparate or Dissaparate safely, with his sons and daughter-in-law. With him, he had copies for his wife, his other son Percy, and his girlfriend Penelope.
****
Hermione sent a copy to her grandmother using Athena while she asked Dumbledore if he could give it to her parents. She never asked who was their Keeper. She hoped that this time the charm worked and she knew that not knowing who was their Keeper was the best thing that she could do.
"Don't worry, Miss Granger, they'll receive it." Promised the Headmaster when the Prefect asked him that favor.
"Thanks, Professor." Said Hermione before he went to eat the breakfast at the Hall as usual.
When the mail arrived, the Weasleys instantly recognized Errol, heading towards them. The old owl landed not to gracefully, crashing intp a few plates of toast and cereal in the process of reaching them.
"When is you mom's birthday, Ron?" Asked Harry while he checked the owl's state.
"June 24th, why?" Asked Ron confused.
"She'll get an early gift this year. Errol has just died." Said Harry while the Weasley's checked the owl to see if their friend's words were true.
"Do we bury or burn him?" Asked Fred to his siblings.
"Throw him to the lake!" Suggested George.
"Bury him!" Exclaimed Ron and Ginny at the same time, looking at George with a murderous glare.
"I agree. We bury him." Said Fred before he contacted his family and told them the bad news.
"What did your dad say?" Asked Harry to Fred.
"He suggested to bury him at home. And that we need a new owl too." Said Fred with a solemn tone of voice standing and leaving the Hall with the owl at his hands. Soon, the other Weasley's followed him.
"He was old." Said Hermione while she and her boyfriend went on eating.
"I agree." Said Harry putting the letter in his pocket.
Both teens went on with their breakfast until the 4 redheads returned and sat with them.
"We used a School owl to send him to mom." Fred informed them, while they went on with their breakfast.
"Your poor Mum! She's going to receive an owl from the School and when she opens the package, she's going to find the body of Errol." Said Hermione.
"What did Mom say in her letter?" Asked Ron remembering the letter tied to the owl's leg.
"Let's read it in the room." Said Harry standing form his chair and leaving the Hall along his friends.
When they opened the envelope, a picture fell out onto the table. It was Percy's face looking a book. His eyes were wide open and his jaw was completely open. It took them a few moments to realize that it was taken when he was told just who had written the book. They laughed, watching the photo for 10 minutes before they calmed down and opened the letter from Molly:
"Dear Ron and company,
Dad has just given me, and Percy a copy of your book. You can
see your brother's expression by yourself when we were told who
had written it.
I must say that I'm proud of the work and I congratulate you for
the work done. I'm sure that the book will be very interesting.
A kiss from all of us,
Mom."
"Short letter." Said Harry with a chuckle when they finished reading it.
"Wait, there is a P.S." Said Ron looking the end of the letter.
"P. S.: Percy is still trying to recover from the shock. He had
kept that expression up for almost 2 hours."
Molly's last words sent the 5 students into another fit of laughter. It took them almost 20 minutes before they could calm down again and start their usual Saturday activities.
****
By Sunday, the whole School had heard the news about the book and who were the writers. Many of them seemed impressed; other didn't give it too much importance. And some suggested that the book had been published because 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' and his friends had written it.
The 4 Gryffindor's ignored these comments and were happy with their success. For them, it was all they needed, and that people could think what they wanted, because they wouldn't bother them. The book published; that was enough for them.
When the surprise of the book's publication had subsided, Harry took a few minutes to read the Prologue alone. He knew most of the information written and that was the only thing that he hadn't read yet.
"Prologue written by Professor Albus Dumbledore.
I have known the four writers of this book since they entered the Great Hall for their sorting a few years ago. They share many things together: their House at the School, their love for Quidditch, the wish to help others, and their thirst for knowledge are just a few of the things that I can say to describe them.
When Blaze asked me for a few books about Phoenixes, that would eventually be used to help write this book, the last thing I expected was this. I was surprised when the four of them came, and asked me to write this Prologue. When I sat down to write this, I began remember all of their adventures together, they're growth as friends, as well as seeing them in classes and other things.
This book has been written from their hearts and I'm sure that they have done a great job with it. The four have seen both creatures that have been used as subject matter many times and one of them is actually the master of a Phoenix.
These creatures, magnificent as few other, represent the strength, the wish of life, the immortality in the Phoenix's case, the idea of fighting against every problem they face and live to see, and fight another one.
Creatures loved and hated by many, venerated by some, hunted by others, seen as Gods and Evils equally, the Dragons and the Phoenixes are creatures that have been in our history and myths for many years and will continue to do so as long as the human race exist.
Many things, truths and lies equally, have been said about them. I'm sure that the writers of this book want to show the truth about them and I'm sure that the readers will never see either creature the same way again after reading this book.
Enjoy it!"
Harry just smiled when he finished reading his mentor's words. No one could have written a better prologue than Dumbledore for this type of book. Harry than drifted off to sleep, leaving the book next to his bed.
It was almost noon when Albus Dumbledore gave the password to enter in the Gryffindor's Common Room. He had a busy morning that December 26th. It had been only a few hours since Markus Likster had tried to rape Mary Molk.
Mary's parents had been at his Office and were bewildered when they heard what had happened to their daughter. Her father had shouted things, like he was irresponsible and he shouldn't be Headmaster. The old wizard knew that those words were said out of the anger he felt and he couldn't blame him for the feelings.
They seemed to calm down when they knew what the fate of the student responsible for the attack. After that they went down to the Hospital Wing to be with Mary. They also had requested if they could see Harry and thank him personally for saving her.
That was why he found himself at Gryffindor Common Room. The place was empty except for a few students from Fourth Year and one or two from Sixth.
"Headmaster, is there any problem?" Asked one of the sixth years, called Dina Lister, who was a Prefect of her year.
She, along the other students were shocked to see him there. It was a very well known fact that their Head of House went there only when an emergency happened. But none of them have ever remembered seeing the Headmaster in their Common Room before this day.
"I'm looking for a student. Has any of you seen Mr. Potter?" Asked the Headmaster of students.
"None of the fifth years have awoken yet, Sir." Answered Collin Creevey who was chatting with Ginny.
"Thank you for the information, Mr. Creevey." Said Dumbledore before he began to walk towards the stairs that went to the boys' dorms.
Before he could start to walk upstairs, the portrait opened once more to reveal the Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. If the students were surprised with Dumbledore's presence, they were now shocked and confused with the presence of their Head of House and the Head Of Ravenclaw's all in the common room.
"Minerva, Filius, what's wrong?" Asked Albus, surprised to see the two of them there.
"Miss Padma Patil and Miss Cho Chang can't be found, Albus." Explained the tiny Professor to the Headmaster.
"Considering that both of them went to the Ball with students of this House, we have come to ask if any of the students know where we may be able to find the two girls." Added Minerva while the three of them started to climb the stairs.
When the three Professors entered in the fifth year boy's dorms, they got a surprise. In one bed, Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown were sleeping; In the next one, was Neville Longbottom and Cho Chang; In the third bed was Seamus Finnigan with one of the Patil twins and Dean Thomas was in the last bed with the other twin.
"I guess that answers the question about where they are, Filius." Chuckled Albus when he realized that Harry wasn't in the room and his bed was empty.
"Where is Harry?" Asked Minerva while the three of them left the room deciding to have a chat with the students later. She too had realized that her Godson was not in his bed or in the dorm.
"Let's go to the girls' dorm. I'm sure that he's there with Hermione." Albus suggested with a smile.
As the Headmaster had predicted, in the girls' dorm were only Harry Potter and his girlfriend Hermione Granger using one of the 3 beds, sleeping peacefully.
"Should we wake them?" Asked Filius with a smile to the other teachers.
At that moment, Harry began to stir and wake up. Without his glasses, he only saw three blurry forms that he didn't recognize. Forgetting where he was, he grabbed his wand and pointed it towards the forms.
"Create a shield!" Exclaimed Albus to the other two Professors when he realized what was going to happen.
"What...?" Began Minerva, but she couldn't finish her sentence because Harry had stared to shoot many different curses towards the adults and a few of them hit her before she could do anything to defend herself.
"How long do you think that Potter will be in detention for this, Albus?" Asked Filius while the Headmaster woke Harry, and he said the counter curses to Minerva.
"Oh shit, I'm in BIG problems!" Groaned Harry when he realized what he had done to his Godmother.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" Shouted McGonagall at the teen in anger.
"Oops, I'm sorry." Said Harry sheepisly while Hermione began to stir at his side.
"Harry, what...?" Began to ask the girl but then she saw the three Professors.
"What can we do for you, Headmaster?" Harry asked to his mentor, while Hermione covered herself with the sheets.
"Mary's parents would like to speak with you in the Hospital Wing as soon as you can." Albus informed to the boy.
"I'll be there in a while." Informed the Prefect.
"Do you mind if we can change alone and in private?" Asked Hermione still trying to cover herself in front of the teachers.
"Mr. Potter when you are finished at the Infirmary, I would like to have a chat with you in my office." Said Minerva to Harry, with an angry and stern look directed towards her Godson while she, Albus and Filius started to leave the dorm.
"I'll be there as soon as I can, Professor." Said Harry with a gulp.
"We'll let you change your clothes." Said Minerva closing the door.
"She'll kill me for this one!" Said Harry while he and his girlfriend changed from pajamas into black robes.
"What did you do this time?" Asked Hermione confused.
"I cursed her." Answered the boy as he left the dorm in direction to the Infirmary.
When he entered, Harry saw Mary talking with a woman who was in her late thirties, Harry guessed that was her mother. In another part of the wing, Madame Pomfrey talked with a man who should be her father.
"Hey, Mary, how are you feeling?" Asked the Prefect going towards her bed.
"Hi, Harry." Said the girl before she introduced him to her mother: "Mom, this is Harry Potter, the boy who found me. Harry, this is my mom."
"Pleased to meet you, Madam." Said Harry with a polite smile towards the woman.
"Thanks for saving my daughter, Mr. Potter." Said the woman hugging him.
"Anytime." Answered Harry before he added: "Please call me Harry. The Mr. Potter is for my teachers."
"As you wish, Harry." Said the woman with a smile.
"I see that Michael put a good use to my creations." Said Harry noticing one of his teddies next to the girl's bed.
"It's lovely. Thanks for doing it." Said Mary taking the teddy and hugging it tightly.
"Did you make it?" Asked Mary's father, going to the group and shaking Harry's hand and thanking him for saving his daughter.
"It's my little business. I created one in class and so many students asked me to create others. So I create them and sell them." Said Harry while he took a piece of parchment and said to Mary: "Choose an animal."
"A wolf." Said the girl remembering the animal that found her.
"You want a wolf, you get a wolf." Said Harry before he took his wand and started to create a new teddy.
First he transformed the parchment in a little wolf, and then he changed it in a flower, a fairy. He stopped to think in his next transformation and then he did it in a heart's drawing with the words "Get Better Soon" written on it.
"Let's finish it." Said Harry to the 3 persons who were watching him with interest and curiousity.
He flicked his wand once more and the teddy was done. On the bed now, was a teddy wolf with black and gray fur, in his hands he had the heart with the message written. The heart was made of a soft cloth and was red with the words in white. He had a flower over his ear and in his back were fairy's wings.
"For you." Said Harry with a smile giving his creation to Mary.
"Thanks!" Said the girl with a wide smile.
"You are welcome." Said Harry before he added: "now, I have to go. I have to face an angry Head of House and don't want to make her wait for me."
"Harry could you do me a favor?" Asked Mary when the Prefect was about to leaving.
"If I can, of course I will." Said the Prefect with the door open.
"Could you ask Michael to pay me a visit? I would like to see him." Asked Mary with a plea.
"When I see him, I'll deliver him your message. You have the word of a Gryffindor." Promised Harry before he closed the door and left the Hospital Wing, going in direction of his Godmother's office.
When he arrived there, he was surprised to see his year mates, with Padma and Cho there. Besides the students and his Head of House, there also were the Headmaster and Flitwick.
"Come in, Mr. Potter. This matter also involves you." Said Minerva when he knocked the door.
"What's the problem, Professors?" Asked Cho when Harry took seat next to his girlfriend.
"This morning we found a little situation that was unexpected. Can any of you guess what that situation was?" Asked Dumbledore.
"All of us sleeping in the boys' dorm, and Harry sleeping with Hermione, in her dorm, right?" Said Ron blushing a little pointing to the diffrent boys and the girls.
"Exactly, Mr. Weasley." Said Minerva.
"Although, we don't have many problems with your... arrangement of last night, the problem was that Miss Chang and Miss Padma Patil left their Tower without telling anyone." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"What's the problem with that?" Asked Cho, confused.
"Last night during the Ball, a student tried to rape a younger one." Informed the Deputy Headmistress with a very serious tone of voice.
"Is this a joke?" Asked Lavender completely shocked with the news. The others, except Harry, Ron and Hermione, who knew about this situation, were also shocked by the news.
"No, Lavender, it isn't. We looked for her." Said Hermione, with the same tone that her Head of House had used when she said it, while Ron and Harry nodded on agreement.
"When both girls weren't found this morning in their dorms, we were scared that another situation of this kind, could have happened. As all of you surely know, two Head of Houses and the Headmaster don't usually visit the dorms." Said Flitwick while the students tried to process all the new information.
"It wasn't our intention to scare or worry anyone, Professor." Said Cho with in a sheepishly tone of voice.
"We know, Miss Chang. Next time you decide to do this, we would appreciate if you tell it to someone." Said Dumbledore.
"Yes, Professor." Said all of the students at the same time with a nod of their heads.
"I have a question: did something happened last night besides a snog?" Asked Flitwick with a curious smile.
"No!" Shouted all of them at the same time.
"Mr. Potter, stay here because we have something to discuss. The rest of you may return to your Towers." Instructed McGonagall to the students.
"Tell Michael that Mary wants him to go see him." Said Harry to Hermione, while everyone began to leave the Office. The girl nodded and left her boyfriend to face the three teachers alone.
"Can you explain what happened this morning?" Asked Minerva to the teen with an angry tone of voice.
"My senses were very alert and I didn't recognize you at that moment." Said Harry sheepishly.
"Could you elaborate that answer?" Asked Albus with a smile.
"I'm sure that you remember that when I returned from the summer, I always pointed my wand when someone took me by surprise, right?" Asked the teen to the adults.
"Yes, we do." Answered the teachers with a nod.
"Well, I still always have my senses alert. After what happened last night, they were at red alert. This morning, when I woke up, I saw three blurry forms in my dorm. At that moment, I wasn't wearing my glasses and you know that I'm almost blind without them. So, when I saw the three forms and didn't recognize them, my senses took control and what happened, happened." Explained Harry.
"If you look at it that way, he's right. I would react the same way, if I were in his position this morning." Said Flitwick when Harry finished his story.
"If I knew that it was you there, I wouldn't have shot the curses, Professor." Harry added, trying defending himself.
"I guess that it was our fault, in some ways too, Minerva." Said Albus, understanding the reasons behind the teen's actions.
"Next time, be more careful before you attack someone." Said Minerva agreeing with her colleague's words.
"I will." Said Harry thanking his lucky stars for his luck in this matter.
"Leave my Office before I decide to punish you." Said Minerva with a serious tone of voice.
"Actually, I have a proposition for the three of you." Said Harry seriously to the Professors.
"Which one?" Asked Dumbledore interested in his words.
"As all of us know, Lockhart was the worst teacher in the last 5 years here. But he did two good thing when he was here." Started Harry.
"Which ones were those things?" Asked Minerva confused.
"The first one was start a Dueling club." Said Harry with serious tone.
"The other one.?" Asked Filius confused.
"Losing his memory." Said the Prefect laughing. The three teachers laughed with his answer.
"What does it have to do with your proposition?" Asked the Headmaster when the four of them calmed down.
"Taking in consideration of all the attacks that has happened recently and the one that me and the others suffered before Halloween, I thought that it would be a good thing if the School starts another Dueling Club." Explained Harry.
"It's a good idea." Said the Head of Ravenclaw thinking in his words.
"The students could choose if they want to join it or not." Added Harry.
"What is the reason behind this?" Asked Dumbledore to the student.
"Excuse me?" Asked Harry with his most innocent smile.
"I know you very well, Harry. There is something behind this as always that you suggest something. What is it?" Asked Albus seriously. Although he didn't care the reasons behind this, because he agreed with the idea, he wanted to know them. He was sure that Harry was planning something big and the Club was just a part of it.
"I guess that nothing scrapes to you, Headmaster. Yes there is something behind this idea, but I won't tell it yet." Said the Prefect with a serious tone of voice.
"Why doesn't it surprise me?" Asked Minerva with sarcasm.
"Although I would like to know those reasons, and I know that you won't tell them, I agree with your idea." Said Dumbledore to the student.
"We'll have to decide who will be the teacher of the Club." Said Filius after thinking a few minutes.
"When and where will be the meetings."? Added Minerva.
"It will be decided on the next Order's meeting." Said Albus before he added: "If you excuse me, I have some things to do."
"I have to ask you a favor, Headmaster." Said Harry when Dumbledore was nears the door.
"We'll talk at my Office." Said Albus wondering what kind of favours the teen would need this time.
"See you soon." Said Harry to McGonagall and Flitwick leaving the Office with his mentor.
"What do you think that Potter is planning this time?" Asked Filius to his calleague when both of them were valone.
"With Harry, you can expect everything." Said Minerva.
****
"What do you need from me this time, Harry?" Asked Albus when he and the teen were sat at his Office.
"A few books about Phoenix." Answered the teen.
"Why do you need them?" Asked the Headmaster confused with the request.
"I'm making a personal research about them." Answered Harry with a smile.
"Why do I feel that that little research is something important?" Asked Albus going and taking a few and fat books from the shelves.
"It is." Said Harry taking the books and leaving the Office and a confused Headmaster on it.
"One of these days, this boy will cause me a heart attack with his surprises!" Exclaimed Dumbledore to no one in special.
****
When Harry entered at the Common Room levitating the books, he saw that everyone was rounding Ron and Hermione. By what he heard, the students wanted to know about the attack of the previous night.
"A new chaos at Gryffindor, eh Katie?" Asked Harry sitting next to the Head Girl putting the books near him.
"They have been like that since Ron and the others returned from McGongall's Office." Informed Katie pointing to the students of fifth year before she asked: "Why do you need the books?"
"Personal research." Said Harry simply before he asked: "Did you see Michael?"
"He is at the Hospital Wing, I guess." Said the Chaser before she began to read a book of Potions.
"Harry, did you write to any of my brothers again?" Asked Fred through the link.
"Yeah, Charlie promised to send me a few books about Dragons. Why?" Asked Harry opening one of the books that Dumbledore had given him.
"Errol has landed in the room." Said the twin.
"Tell me when you, George and the girls leave the room." Said the Prefect ending the chat.
"Everyday we have a new hell here!" Exclaimed Ron sitting next to Harry, while Hermione sat at his other side.
"What did you expect after what happened last night?" Asked Katie with sarcasm without looking up from the book.
"Does any of you know something about the girl?" Asked Hermione.
"I visited her a while ago. She looked fine." Said Harry continuing with his reading.
"Why do you need books about Phoenixes, Harry?" Asked Ron curious looking the books.
"I'll tell it if you don't reveal it to anyone." Said Harry with a misterious tone.
"We won't." Said the 3 of them at the same time.
"I'm planning to write a book about Phoenixes and Dragons. Errol has just arrived brining the books of Dragons that I asked to Charlie yesterday." Informed Harry to his friends with a smile.
"Are you serious?" Asked Katie surprised with his words.
"Yes, I am. Please don't tell it to anyone. I want to keep it as a secret for a while at least." Pleaded Harry to his friends.
"Can we help you?" Asked the 3 at the same time interested in the idea.
"Ok. Katie and Hermione will work on the Phoenixes. I will work with Ron with the Dragons." Said Harry after thinking on it for a while.
"Got it!" Said Katie and Hermione beginning to read the books that Harry had brought a while ago.
"Before I forget, it won't be signed with our true names. If I write under the name of Harry Potter, I'm afraid that the people will buy it because I wrote it and no by the subject." Explained Harry while he saw the twins and the Chasers entering at the Common Room.
"So, me and Hermione will sign under our nicks, right?" Asked Ron.
"Yes. Katie you will need to choose a nick." Informed Harry while he and Ron left the Common Room and went to the MNG Room.
"You know, I would have never thought about writing a book." Said Ron while he put Errol to rest after he and Harry took the books and went to the Common Room to join the girls at their work.
"Thanks God I did it, right?" Asked Harry laughing when he and Ron put their books near the girls' and started on their part of the work.
****
For the next days, the 4 teens spent most of their times with making research for their book. Harry and Ron used the MNG's room while Katie and Hermione did it on the Head Girl's own Common Room. Katie decided to write under the nick "Unicorn" as her Patronus.
The book, that they decided to call it "Dragons and Phoenixes: Creatures of the Fire", was about those animals: the kinds of them, feed, procreation, place of living, differences among the different kinds and more things.
They got all the information needed from the books that Charlie and Dumbledore had given to them. Of course, both adults ignored the reasons behind their request.
The work was finished 2 days before the end of the break. Remembering that Dumbledore had written prologues for 2 books, they decided to ask him if he could write one for their book. They hoped that he didn't have any kind of problems with this.
"After all, it's written by four of the students of his School." Said Harry while the 4 writers were waiting for him at the Office the day before the end of the break.
When the Headmaster entered in his Office with Minerva, they were surprised to see the students. Soon the surprise changed in worry, considering that the 4 of them were Prefects of a House, though one was the Head Girl of the School.
"Is there any problem?" Asked Albus to the teens sitting in his chair while McGonagall sat in another.
"We have a special request for you, Headmaster." Said Harry seriously.
"I'm all ears." Said Dumbledore with a smile.
"We were wondering if you could write a prologue for a book." Said Hermione.
"Our book." Added Katie, showing the Headmaster and their Head of House the book.
"I now see why you asked me for the books about Phoenixes, Harry." Said Albus with a smile when he read the title of it.
"I told you, it was for a personal research." Said Harry returning the Headmasters smile.
"Where did you get from the information about Dragons?" Asked Minerva looking the book with interest and curiosity.
"Where else? Charlie!" Said Ron, as if it was the most obvious answer of the world.
"So can you do it, Professor?" Asked Katie to the Headmaster, after he and Minerva read a little of the book.
"It will be my pleasure." Albus replied with a smile.
"When you finish it, we'll send it to the Book's company so they'll decided if the book is published. We hope that they do." Said Harry with a hopeful tone of voice while the 4 students went to the door to leave the Office.
"I'll have it done in 2 days." Assured Dumbledore when the students were leaving. Harry nodded in thanks and left the Office closing the door behind them.
"Incredible. A book written by students." Said Minerva.
"There are books written by teachers, why not by students?" Asked Albus with a chuckle towards the Head of Gryffindor.
"I guess that they'll want to keep this quiet." Said Minerva reading the nicknames that the four had used to write the book.
"Can you blame them? They are afraid that people will buy the book because it was written by Harry and his friends, and not because the subject. I guess I would do the same in their place." Said Dumbledore while he put the books that Harry had returned him in their shelves once more.
****
As he had promised, Dumbledore gave the prologue to the students two days after their talk. With that added to the rest, the four Gryffindor's sent the folder using Hedwig. They hoped that the publishing company liked it, and they would publish the book soon.
"The only thing we can do now, is wait." Said Harry to the others as they went to the Great Hall for breakfast, shortly after sending Hedwig with the book,
Before any of them could answer, Dumbledore stood up at the High Table, and the whole Hall fell silent in order to hear him.
"Along with the teachers, it has been decided that a Dueling Club will be opened for all the students above fourth year. The club is optional and all the students who would like to join must write their name on the list that Professor Figg will give put in class next week."
"The Club will be taught by Professor Lupin, who was the DADA Teacher two years ago, along with Sirius Black. The sessions will be held every Saturday, starting in 3 weeks, in the third floor Corridor." Explained Dumbledore before he sat down again.
"A good news at least." Said Harry to himself before the table collected their things and went to classes. The trio had Potions as first class that morning.
****
Almost a week after they sent the manuscript for their book, the four Gryffindor's received an answer to. During breakfast, Hedwig returned with a letter. When Hedwig spotted the trio, landing on her master's shoulder, showing the letter tied to her leg. Harry untied it and gave her some food, before he opened it and began to read it aloud to his friends.
"Dear Messer's Blaze, Gryffin, Unicorn and Feather,
We send this letter to answer your about the subject of the book
"Dragons and Phoenixes: Creatures of the Fire." It has been
decided to publish the book. But we would like to have a meeting
with the 4 of you to take care of some matters.
We would appreciate to receive an answer from you suggesting a
date and place for this meeting as soon as possible.
For this meeting it will be needed an adult considering that the
4 of you are still students and under aged wizards.
Expecting your answer soon,
Yours sincerely,
David Billeri,
Vice President of Magical Books for the Wizarding World Inc."
"Yes!!!!!" Shouted the four students at the same time, after reading the letter.
"What's going on?" Asked Fred, confused with their shouts.
"This!" Exclaimed Harry, handing the letter to the twin and kissing his girlfriend.
"Is this real?" Asked Alicia after reading it a few times with the other players.
"Yes, we sent it a week ago. We got the answer today." Explained Katie who had a wide smile on her face.
"What was the answer?" Asked Dumbledore, curious after listening their chat and guessing what was it about.
"Read it yourself, Headmaster." Said Ron giving him the letter.
"Congratulations." Said Albus with a smile after reading it.
"Thanks for your help with the books and the Prologue, Professor." Said Harry while everyone was standing up, heading to his or her classes.
****
After the classes, the four teens sat in the Common Room. They had to decide when they would meet the man from the Book Company and who would be the adult that would accompany them.
"When is the next trip to Hogsmeade?" Asked Katie when they began to discuss the first matter.
"This Saturday." Said Hermione, checking the calendar.
"We have the date, now who will go with us?" Asked Ron when they agreed to have the meeting during the visit.
"Sirius won't be here for another 2 weeks, so he can't be the person." Said Harry, remembering that his Godfather was in a mission for the Order and wouldn't return until a week before the start of the Dueling Club.
"My Parents are under the Fidelius, so they can't come." Said Hermione. Her parents had gone under the charm the same day that the break had finished. No one knew who their Secret Keeper was, though Harry suspected that Dumbledore himself was acting as the Grangers' Secret Keeper.
"My parents are in France, on a business trip so they can't be here." Said Katie.
"So it's so either your parents, or one of your brothers, Ron." Said Harry, turning to his best friend.
"Forget my parents. Dad is busy with the Ministry, and I don't want mom involved with this yet." Said Ron thinking for a few minutes.
"So, it's either Percy, Bill or Charlie." Said Katie thinking on the redhead's eldest siblings.
"How bout Charlie? He was the one who gave us part of the information for the book. He at least deserves to be there." Suggested Harry.
"Ok. Let's talk with him the next time that we see him." Said Ron, agreeing with his best friend's words.
"Will you see him before Saturday though? Today is Wednesday." Reminded the Head Girl to the trio.
"Professor, will there be a meeting this Friday?" Harry asked his mentor through the link.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Dumbledore replied, slightly confused with the question.
"Nothing, don't worry." Assured Harry before he finished the chat and told his friends: "Yes, we'll see him this Friday."
"Ok. Tell me what he says." Said Katie while Hermione began to write an answer to Davis, telling him the place, time and date for their meeting.
****
"Charlie! Just the person that we were looking for!" Said Ron, going to his brother with Harry and Hermione, when the Order's meeting finished Friday night.
"What is it, Guys?" Asked Charlie, not sure if he wanted the answer.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Asked Hermione.
"Yes. Why?" Said the redhead looking at the trio curiously.
"Charlie, do you remember when you gave me your books a few weeks ago?" Asked Harry.
"Yeah, you told me that you needed them for research." Answered Charlie, remembering the chat that he had had with the teen during Christmas lunch in the MNG's Headquarters'.
"You'll see. That research was done with the idea of writing a book. Which we did and now we need your help." Explained Harry pointing to his friends.
"Wait a minute the three of you! You are going too fast for my like! You wrote a book using the information from the ones that I gave to Harry?" Asked Charlie, who was both confused and shocked at their words.
"Yes." Answered the trio at the same time.
"Wow." Was all that Charlie could say.
"Now we need your help for another thing." Said Harry after a few seconds while Charlie tried to recover from the shock.
"What do you need from me?" Asked Charlie deciding to help them as much as possible.
"We sent the book to a publishing company, and have accepted their offer to publish it. Now, they want to have a meeting with Katie, and us, who also worked on the book too. But we have to go with an adult. Here is where we had a problem. Hermione's parents are under the Fidelius Charm, Sirius is working for the Order and won't return for another 2 weeks, and Katie's parents are away on a business trip. So we had to choose among our parents, you, Percy and Bill." Explained Ron to his older brother.
"And considering that you gave us half the information for the book, we decided to ask you, if you would be willing to come to the meeting." Finished Harry while Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement with Harry's words.
"Half of the information?" Asked Charlie confused.
"Yeah, the book is about Dragons and Phoenixes. Dumbledore gave us the books about Phoenixes." Explained Hermione.
"And he also wrote the Prologue for the book." Added Harry.
"So can you?" Pleaded Ron.
"When and where do I have to be?" Asked Charlie with a smile.
"Tomorrow at The 3 Broomsticks. The meeting will start at 3:30 p.m." Said Hermione before the three teens stood up from their respective chairs and headed towards the exit.
"Don't tell Mom. It's a surprise." Added Ron, before the three friends, along the twins, left the Office to go back to the Tower,
"They convinced you to be at the meeting, didn't they?" Asked Dumbledore to the redhead when only the adults were at the Office.
"They asked me if I could. How could I say no to them, when they used my books for the research?" Asked Charlie laughing before he turned and started to talk with his eldest brother, Bill.
****
At 3:25 the four teens and Charlie found themselves waiting at The 3 Broomsticks for David so they could start their meeting. Charlie was calm, but the younger ones were anxious and nervous about it.
At 3:30 sharp, a young man entered the bar. He looked to be about the age as Charlie. He was wearing informal robes, had brown hair, wore glasses and had his hair tied back into a ponytail.
"David?" Asked Charlie recognizing the man.
"Charlie!" Exclaimed the other man hugging him.
"Do you know each other?" Asked Harry.
"We went to School and played Quidditch together. He played on the team as a Chaser." Said Charlie while Rosmerta brought drinks over for the 5 of them.
"What are you doing here?" Asked David to his old schoolmate.
"I came with them. They have a meeting with someone from a book company and had to bring an adult with them. So, here I am." Explained Charlie.
"Messer's Unicorn, Feather, Blaze and Gryffin?" Asked David turning to the teens.
"I'm Blaze." Said Harry.
"Feather." Said Hermione.
"Gryffin." Added Ron.
"Unicorn." Said Katie.
"David Billeri pleased to meet you." Said the man shaking their hands.
"We say the same." Assured Harry with a smile.
"Let's go to business then, if you don't mind." Suggested David.
"That's why we are here, right?" Asked Harry with a chuckle.
"This is a contract that gives us the right to re-edit, and if you decide to publish more books, we have the priority to do it." Said the man giving them a piece parchment.
"By publishing, you will receive 20,000 Galleons that will be divided four ways. If the book is eventually added to Hogwarts' booklist, you will then receive another 10,000 Galleons, and another 500, each time the book is re- edited.
The money will be deposited at Gringotts. If any of you don't have a vault already opened at Gringotts, or you don't wish to have the money placed into your family's vault, the company can open you an account, and send you the information about vault to you by mail." David finished his explanation, while the teens began to read the contract.
"Everything looks to be in order here." Said Katie when she finished reading the contract.
"Where do we have to sign?" Asked Hermione, agreeing with Katie, while Harry, Ron and Charlie did the same after reading it.
"Here." Said David pointing a place at the end of the parchment.
"Does anyone have a quill?" Asked Ron to the others.
"Here you go." Said David taking one from his robes and giving it to the teens, who took turns signing the parchment.
"How do you want to go about receiving payment? Do you have a vault already or would you like us to open one up for you?" Asked David when the four of them had signed the contract and giving them a copy of the same.
"I have my own." Said Harry, giving the number to the man.
"Open one for me, please." Said Katie while Ron and Hermione nodded to this.
"It will be done easily." Assured the man after writing something in a parchment.
"Is there any chance that we could have some copies for ourselves? We have some people that we would like to give one to before anyone else can get there hands on one." Said Katie while her friends nodded to this request.
"You will receive 30 copies before it's published." Said David with a smile before he stood and left, after arranging with Charlie a future meeting to remember their days at School.
"We did it." Said Hermione with a wide smile while the five went back to the School a while later.
"Congratulations." Said Charlie with a smile towards the teens.
"Wait till Mom hears this!" Said Ron laughing.
"I would love to see Percy's face when he knows it!" Laughed Charlie sending the group in a fit of laughter.
When they arrived back at the School, both Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall were waiting for them. Obviously they wanted to hear about their meeting. The teen's happy face told the teachers that it went very well.
"How was it?" Asked Minerva when the four students and the three adults were in the Headmaster's Office.
"It went really well." Said Harry, before he retold them everything that David had said, and showed them the contract.
"I want a copy of the book as soon as it's published." Said Dumbledore when he and Minerva finished reading the contract and, as the teens, didn't find anything wrong on it.
"Do you want it with or without our autographs?" Asked Harry laughing, sending everyone in the Office into a new fit of laughter.
****
Two weeks later, Harry and the others were having breakfast when they saw that Sirius and Remus had returned to the School, and joined the teachers at the high table for the meal.
"Welcome back, Snuffles." Said Harry to his Godfather through the link.
"Hey, Harry. How is everything going?" Asked Sirius while he started to eat some cereals.
Before Harry could answer him, the owl post arrived to the Hall. Everyone turned his or her attention to the 3 owls that were carrying a large package between them. The 3 animals landed at the Gryffindor Table near Harry and the others. A few moments later, a fourth owl joined the others.
"It seems that the copies have arrived." Said Ron while he, Harry and Hermione untied the package and Katie untied the letter from the last one.
"Messer's Blaze, Gryffin, Unicorn and Feather.
As I promised during our last meeting, here are the copies for
you. As said there are 30 copies that you can give freely to
everyone that you wish.
The money of the publishing has been deposited at the vaults in
Gringotts. The vault 1125 has been opened for Hermione Granger
(Feather), 1126 for Katie Bell (Unicorn) and the 1127 for Ronald
Weasley (Gryffin). The part of the money for Harry Potter
(Blaze) has been deposited on his own vault as he wished. The
keys for said vaults are in the envelope that comes with this
letter.
Wishing to receive more books of your own writing,
Yours Sincerely
David Billeri.
Vice President of Magical Books for the Wizarding World Inc."
"Now we have to choose the people that will get one of these copies." Said Harry while Katie gave the vault keys out to Hermione and Ron.
"We'll decide in the Common Room tonight after dinner." Said Hermione while everyone began to go to classes and Harry took the books and went to leave them at the secret room.
****
"Okay, let's start with the list." Said Harry when the 4 writers sat at a corner of the Common Room far of everyone and the noise.
"Dumbledore and McGonagall." Said Ron while Hermione started to write the names at a parchment.
"Sirius and Remus." Added Harry.
"My parents and my grandmother." Said Hermione.
"Not your Uncle Ken and his family?" Asked Harry with a mocking tone using the link.
"Never ever!" Exclaimed Hermione who felt hate towards them after what had happened with her boyfriend at her Grandmother's house.
"My parents, my brothers, Penelope and Fleur." Said Ron thinking on his family.
"My parents and my older sister." Said Katie.
"We have already 20." Said Hermione counting the names of the list.
"Hagrid." Said Harry thinking in the Half Giant and his love of Dragons.
"Angelina, Alicia and Lee." Said Katie after thinking for a few minutes.
"The 4 of us!" Said Ron suddenly.
"I was forgetting about us!" Laughed Harry.
"Me too." Said Katie and Hermione joining their friends' laughter.
"The School's library." Said Hermione.
"We still have one more left." Said Ron reading the list.
"We'll decide who gets it later. Now let's give the copies to those who are now present in the Common Room." Suggested Harry taking copies for Ginny, the twins, the other 2 Chasers and Lee.
"What is this?" Asked Alicia when she received the book.
"Our book." Said Katie giving one to Lee.
"Thanks and congratulations about it." Said Ginny hugging them when her brother gave her the copy.
"You are welcome." Said Hermione.
"Don't tell Mom. The only member of the family, who knows this besides us, is Charlie. We want to give the others a surprise." Pleaded Ron to his siblings.
"I wish I could see her face when she hears about this!" Said Fred with a wide smile.
"I would like to see Percy's!" Said George bursting out in laughter along the others.
"It would be something priceless!" Said Ginny between the laughter of the group.
****
"Here is your copy, Professor." Said Harry to the Headmaster, before the start of the next Order's meeting, giving one of the books to his mentor.
"Weren't you going to autograph it?" Asked Albus chuckling putting the book on his desk to read it later.
"Professor." Warned Harry with a threatening look towards the Headmaster.
"Don't worry, I don't want to face your wrath. I still remember very well what happened to Messer's Fred and George Weasley when they crossed you." Said Dumbledore with a smile.
"I hope so. Because my revenge on you would be much worse than what happened to them." Said Harry with an evil grin while the other members started to enter the Office and sit in their usual seats.
The meeting wasn't interesting, though Harry, Ron and the twins could find it deathly boring a better description for it. For nearly 2 hours they discussed subjects, which they had previously discussed in prior meetings. By the end of the meeting, Harry noticed that the twins were almost sleeping in their chairs.
"Finally it's over!" Exclaimed Ron when the meeting was over.
"Fred, George, did you have a nice nap?" Asked Albus to the twins with a chuckle.
"It was better than the meeting. Today's was the most boring one of all the ones that we have had." Said Fred while George nodded with a big yawn.
"I agree with that!" Said his brothers, Harry and the Marauders at the same time.
"Guys." Said Arthur with a serious tone of voice.
"Let's give them the book before we fall asleep here, guys." Suggested Hermione to Harry and Ron avoiding a yawn.
"What book?" Asked Arthur, Bill, Fleur and the Marauders.
"Was it published?" Asked Charlie while the 3 teens went to look for them.
"We received our copies for a few days ago." Said Harry while he, Ron and his girlfriend gave the copies to the adults.
"What is this?" Asked Arthur confused.
"A book that the trio, plus Miss Katie Bell, wrote and published." Explained Minerva with a smile while he looked her copy.
"Is this a joke?" Asked Sirius completely shocked by her words.
"Read the writers' names. Katie is Unicorn." Said Ron before they all left the Office and went to their respective beds.
"Wait till Molly hears this." Said the Minister when he realized who the writers were.
"Take a picture when Percy finds out. I want a copy of that picture." Said Charlie before he left the Office with his copy under his arm.
"It will be an interesting book to read." Said Fleur before she too left, with Bill by her side.
"Did you know about this?" Asked Remus to Albus and Minerva when the 4 of them and Arthur Weasley were left alone in the Office.
"They got the books about Phoenixes from me, and I wrote their Prologue. Although, I didn't have any idea about this until they asked me." nswered Dumbledore.
"Please Arthur, get a copy of the picture of Percy's face when he knows this. It will be something... interesting to see." Chuckled Minerva while the adults was leaving the Office.
"I agree with that, it will be something very interesting!" Laughed the Minister heading towards the spot where you could Apparate or Dissaparate safely, with his sons and daughter-in-law. With him, he had copies for his wife, his other son Percy, and his girlfriend Penelope.
****
Hermione sent a copy to her grandmother using Athena while she asked Dumbledore if he could give it to her parents. She never asked who was their Keeper. She hoped that this time the charm worked and she knew that not knowing who was their Keeper was the best thing that she could do.
"Don't worry, Miss Granger, they'll receive it." Promised the Headmaster when the Prefect asked him that favor.
"Thanks, Professor." Said Hermione before he went to eat the breakfast at the Hall as usual.
When the mail arrived, the Weasleys instantly recognized Errol, heading towards them. The old owl landed not to gracefully, crashing intp a few plates of toast and cereal in the process of reaching them.
"When is you mom's birthday, Ron?" Asked Harry while he checked the owl's state.
"June 24th, why?" Asked Ron confused.
"She'll get an early gift this year. Errol has just died." Said Harry while the Weasley's checked the owl to see if their friend's words were true.
"Do we bury or burn him?" Asked Fred to his siblings.
"Throw him to the lake!" Suggested George.
"Bury him!" Exclaimed Ron and Ginny at the same time, looking at George with a murderous glare.
"I agree. We bury him." Said Fred before he contacted his family and told them the bad news.
"What did your dad say?" Asked Harry to Fred.
"He suggested to bury him at home. And that we need a new owl too." Said Fred with a solemn tone of voice standing and leaving the Hall with the owl at his hands. Soon, the other Weasley's followed him.
"He was old." Said Hermione while she and her boyfriend went on eating.
"I agree." Said Harry putting the letter in his pocket.
Both teens went on with their breakfast until the 4 redheads returned and sat with them.
"We used a School owl to send him to mom." Fred informed them, while they went on with their breakfast.
"Your poor Mum! She's going to receive an owl from the School and when she opens the package, she's going to find the body of Errol." Said Hermione.
"What did Mom say in her letter?" Asked Ron remembering the letter tied to the owl's leg.
"Let's read it in the room." Said Harry standing form his chair and leaving the Hall along his friends.
When they opened the envelope, a picture fell out onto the table. It was Percy's face looking a book. His eyes were wide open and his jaw was completely open. It took them a few moments to realize that it was taken when he was told just who had written the book. They laughed, watching the photo for 10 minutes before they calmed down and opened the letter from Molly:
"Dear Ron and company,
Dad has just given me, and Percy a copy of your book. You can
see your brother's expression by yourself when we were told who
had written it.
I must say that I'm proud of the work and I congratulate you for
the work done. I'm sure that the book will be very interesting.
A kiss from all of us,
Mom."
"Short letter." Said Harry with a chuckle when they finished reading it.
"Wait, there is a P.S." Said Ron looking the end of the letter.
"P. S.: Percy is still trying to recover from the shock. He had
kept that expression up for almost 2 hours."
Molly's last words sent the 5 students into another fit of laughter. It took them almost 20 minutes before they could calm down again and start their usual Saturday activities.
****
By Sunday, the whole School had heard the news about the book and who were the writers. Many of them seemed impressed; other didn't give it too much importance. And some suggested that the book had been published because 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' and his friends had written it.
The 4 Gryffindor's ignored these comments and were happy with their success. For them, it was all they needed, and that people could think what they wanted, because they wouldn't bother them. The book published; that was enough for them.
When the surprise of the book's publication had subsided, Harry took a few minutes to read the Prologue alone. He knew most of the information written and that was the only thing that he hadn't read yet.
"Prologue written by Professor Albus Dumbledore.
I have known the four writers of this book since they entered the Great Hall for their sorting a few years ago. They share many things together: their House at the School, their love for Quidditch, the wish to help others, and their thirst for knowledge are just a few of the things that I can say to describe them.
When Blaze asked me for a few books about Phoenixes, that would eventually be used to help write this book, the last thing I expected was this. I was surprised when the four of them came, and asked me to write this Prologue. When I sat down to write this, I began remember all of their adventures together, they're growth as friends, as well as seeing them in classes and other things.
This book has been written from their hearts and I'm sure that they have done a great job with it. The four have seen both creatures that have been used as subject matter many times and one of them is actually the master of a Phoenix.
These creatures, magnificent as few other, represent the strength, the wish of life, the immortality in the Phoenix's case, the idea of fighting against every problem they face and live to see, and fight another one.
Creatures loved and hated by many, venerated by some, hunted by others, seen as Gods and Evils equally, the Dragons and the Phoenixes are creatures that have been in our history and myths for many years and will continue to do so as long as the human race exist.
Many things, truths and lies equally, have been said about them. I'm sure that the writers of this book want to show the truth about them and I'm sure that the readers will never see either creature the same way again after reading this book.
Enjoy it!"
Harry just smiled when he finished reading his mentor's words. No one could have written a better prologue than Dumbledore for this type of book. Harry than drifted off to sleep, leaving the book next to his bed.