Black Phoenix

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, and all related names, places, and characters, aren't mine. All original characters, names, and Fantastic Beasts belong to me.

A/N: I didn't like the ending of the Fifth Harry Potter, especially when Sirius died. This is my remedy for that ending and what happens when all of your friends are captured and your only hope is a group of misfit elves, dragons, griffins, and wizards.

Chapter One: When All Seems Lost

If there was one thing that a certain griffin knew, it was that life outside the Forbidden Forest was strange. On one hand were the wizards and their eternal power struggle, and on the other were the Muggle Community and their eternal struggle for domination of nature and all things that they didn't understand. But what was also known was that not everything was as it seems. This griffin had all the time in the world to learn of the two communities. His large wings allowed him to soar lazily over the Hogwarts grounds. As he did so, he noticed a student being chased by a Nundu. That was strange, the Nundu was native to Africa not Europe. The griffin pulled himself into a dive and attacked the Nundu on the face, going mostly for the eyes. The student stared on in awe of the beast's power. It hacked with its curved beak, swiped with powerful lion claws. The Nundu left quickly when it had the chance. The griffin snorted as it turned to face the student. It stared directly into the emerald green eyes of Harry Potter.

At first the sixteen year old didn't know what to make of this creature. It had the head, hind legs, and wings of an eagle, but the body, mane, front legs, and tail of a lion. Standing at six foot two it was an awesome sight. Molten gold fur and feather melted evenly together and made the beast look impressive and royal. Its eyes were the most interesting part of it, though. They were two, deep set, amber pools of pure intelligence. Round, black pupils became the focus of Harry's attention. That was, until the creature spoke.

"What are you doing out here with Nundus runnin around?" The Griffin asked with its amber eyes full of concern. Its voice was like that of a street-wise young man, around Eighteen or Nineteen.

"Voldermort's supporters have taken over the castle. I was only lucky enough to escape," Harry said. He wanted, for some odd reason, to tell this creature everything he knew.

"If that's true then you aren't safe here. Follow me, Harry Potter," The griffin said as it began walking towards the Forbidden Forest. Harry had not choice but to follow his unique guide.

"Hang on, how do you know who I am? I've never seen you before," Harry said, trying to keep up with the griffin's large strides.

"Mr. Potter, everyone knows who you are. But, if you really must know, the centaurs told me so. They really are handy for a quick chat now and again," The griffin replied. His stride never slowed or became broken by a fallen log or stone. Harry had a hard time keeping up with a creature that could cover more than half of the distance he could in an hour.

"But that doesn't tell me who you are," Harry said. That made the griffin stop and turn. They were in a small clearing, way off the beaten path made by Hagrid.

"I have many names. Every new age and culture I greet gives me a name. The name I most prefer is Griffer. Does that clear up our problem?" He asked as he shuffled his wings.

"Yeah, but I always thought your kind would just as quickly eat a person as look at them," Harry said. He still kept his distance from Griffer though. The powerful talons and beak he saw back on the grounds was more than enough for him. A sound told Harry that the griffin was possibly about to hurt him. It took him a moment to realize that Griffer was laughing. It was as close to a laugh as a bird-cat could get without becoming human. After a moment, Griffer clamed down enough to look at Harry with a straight face.

"Some of us are like that, Harry Potter." Griffer said as he closed the gap between them, "But, I could kill you, yes." Griffer swiped the air in front of him, razor sharp claws almost piercing Harry's chest. "But you must ask yourself this question: Were you set to die this day?" The griffin turned and began walking again. Harry thought for a moment then followed the golden beast. It wasn't long before they were both deep into the forest. In this part of the Forbidden Forest the canopy was thick to where not a single stream of sunlight could get through. Griffer became tense and quiet. He looked around him with nervous eyes.

"What is it?" Harry asked looking around as well. The griffin's cat ears went back as it caught some scent.

"Hush! I can't hear properly when you're talking to me," Griffer replied. Harry listened to the griffin and became very quiet and still. Just in case, Harry pulled out his wand. Without warning, a green blur attacked Griffer. The griffin swiped the blur off and it landed in the small stream, twittering and chattering. It shook its small fist at the griffin. Griffer simply laughed at it.

"What is that thing?" Harry asked as it came and began trying to 'stomp' on Griffer's lion paw and gnawed on Griffer's tail.

"He's just a rare green Imp. He's harmless against humans, only mischievous," Griffer said as the Imp snarled at him. The creature slinked off to the shadows. Griffer leapt over the stream and gave a look at Harry to follow.

"Rare?" Harry asked as he sloppily leapt over the stream. Griffer nodded and continued.

"Yep, he's a river guardian for my Pride and our allies," Griffer said as he moved aside a branch with his beak and there stood a mountain. Harry was amazed by the height.

"I've never noticed this before," Harry said as he stared at it.

"That's because you never looked in the right direction," Griffer said smugly. The griffin knelt and let Harry mount on his back. Harry mounted like he had done three years ago with Buckbeak. Thinking of the Hippogriff was painful because it brought back the memory of Sirius. "Hold on tightly, Harry," Griffer added as he opened his eagle wings. The griffin began running as fast as he could and leapt off of a rock, flapping hard. The rhythmic wing beats were like a heartbeat against the wind. Harry held on very tight and shut his eyes.

"Are we going to land soon?" Harry asked scared. The griffin rolled over and Harry held on tighter. Griffer's laughter filled the sky.

"Afraid of being flied about by a beast?" Griffer asked as Harry slowly gained his confidence back to loosen his grip.

"No, creatures aren't just as reliable as a broom," Harry said, remembering his thoughts from his ride on Buckbeak. Harry was relieved when they were in sight of a small town in the mountains. A central campfire hurled smoke into the air. Griffer landed back feet first and settled down with his front. Griffer knelt once again and Harry got off the griffin and nearly kissed the ground. Griffer laughed again as a tall man stepped out of a stone building. Harry stared at him. He had to be at least six foot. Griffer nodded at the man.

"Harry Potter, please meet Jamal," Griffer said as his lion tail flicked. Jamal nodded as he moved to Harry. He stretched out a hand with long, slender fingers to shake Harry's own.

"Harry Potter, we meet at last," Jamal said. He had a musical voice that could persuade a cat out of its skin or a fish out of the water. Harry could do nothing but gawk at the man.

"Jamal ain't exactly a man. He's a Light Elf," Griffer said, his eyes smiling mischievously. The green imp from before appeared suddenly on the griffin's shoulders.

"A light elf?" Harry asked, his eyes widening. Jamal gave a puckish half-smile and bowed his head lightly.

"Guilty as charged. I am a Light Elf, one of the last of my kind. Not many of us are among you humans any more, we prefer the quite woods and mountains to busy cities anyways," Jamal said, looking off to the Forbidden Forest.

"Hey, Jamal, Hogwarts is in hot water. Volderbutt has taken over and he's got African help," Griffer said as the imp rubbed his wings muscles and shoulders.

"FB's from Africa? I didn't think his influence was that wide," Jamal said, cupping his chin in his hand.

"You'd be surprised," Harry replied. Jamal and Griffer went to a high point on the rocks and looked out to Hogwarts; a thick fog had rolled in and was covering the grounds. Overhead, the sky clouded up and lightning flashed in the once sunny sky.

"If this is so, you're going to need a lot of wizard help and some Fantastic Beasts too," Jamal said as the wind that started to blow ruffled his long, golden hair. Griffer's tail swished and the imp climbed to the griffin's head for a better look at the castle. It shivered in the wind and curled up underneath one of Griffer's wings.

"If Hogwarts isn't safe anymore, where can I go to be safe?" Harry asked. He didn't mean to ask that question aloud, it slipped.

"Don't worry, all is not lost, Harry Potter. You still have friends here. We'll do all in our power to keep you safe," Jamal said. Griffer nodded his agreement and the four new friends looked on as the weather became steadily worse and worse as Voldermort took his place of power. Harry put a hand on Griffer's wing for comfort and the griffin took only small notice of the touch. Soon they were forced inside by the rain.

Three of the four sat around Jamal's simple wooden table. Griffer had preferred a place on the floor.

"So, what's our plan of action?" Harry asked. Griffer and Jamal had been in hot discussion before in a strange tongue.

"We plan to go to the Council. Your Ministry of Magic isn't very reliable. Especially for our kind. Last time I tried to file a complaint, I was promptly ignored," Jamal said with a cross look on his face.

"The Council and the Ministry once worked together but, after some time, they separated into two different governments. The Council handles all of the Fantastic Beats and their kin while the Ministry only believes it controls us. In truth, we function much better when the Ministry isn't involved," Griffer said with his head on his paws.

"When do we leave?" Harry asked, impatient.

"At sundown. We'll use the cover of darkness to escape across the mountains," Jamal said as he went to get a map of Hogwarts and the surrounding area. He smoothed it out on the table and Griffer came up. He put his front paws on the table and hoisted himself up to where he could see it.

"That route there will take us straight out, under the lake, and to Hogsmead village," Jamal said, pointing to a traced red line.

"No, Hogsmead is full of Death Eaters, I saw myself," Came a new voice. Harry and Jamal twisted around to the doorway. There stood a wizard with light brown hair. He was carefully inspecting his wand.

"Joshua, I thought you had left for Hogsmead to buy supplies," Jamal said. The nineteen year old wizard slightly snorted.

"I was, then I saw the Death Eaters attack. Immediately I rushed back here before they could find me and remember, I prefer Josh, okay?" Joshua said, twirling his wand in his hand.

"So, almighty Josh. What road should we take?" Jamal asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Josh shrugged and went into the back rooms.

"That pass there, what about it?" Griffer asked, motioning to a mountain pass marked on the map.

"It's probably closed off by snows, at that high of elevation," Jamal said quietly. Josh nodded in agreement.

"Not if you fly," Griffer said with a smug smile. Harry looked horrified at the thought of flying on Griffer again. That evening they ran under the cover of darkness over the silent streets of the village. Griffer carried some meager supplies to keep them going that night. Silently they ran across small rocks. Griffer leapt across some of the larger ones. Harry was tempted to light his wand with the 'Lumos' spell but Jamal had forbidden lights. Because he wasn't familiar with the territory, Harry stumbled on the larger rocks. Silently they reached a grove of scrub trees.

"From here on out we must climb. I have a secondary retreat higher on this mountain. We must reach it before moonrise," Jamal said silently. Josh shrugged off the rope that he had been carrying. He pulled an arrow out of the quiver he wore on his back and fixed it onto his bow. Quickly he pulled the string back and aimed high. After a moment he let loose the string and watched with satisfaction as the rope trailed up. With a satisfied thud it landed in the rocks above. Jamal tugged the rope sharply and harshly. It didn't budge and Jamal motioned for Griffer to come and tug on it. The griffin took the bottom of the rope in his beak and tugged with all his might and the rope didn't move.

"Ok, go Harry," Josh said, happy with his handiwork. Harry began to climb up the rope. It was a long climb. Jamal went next when Harry had finished. Josh was the last to go. Griffer slammed his lion claws into the stone face of the mountain and climbed up quickly. When they were all on the ledge they rested. Josh pulled the arrow out of the rock face and shot it again. It landed with a thud.

"We have to climb more?" Harry asked, his eyes bulging in shock. Jamal nodded quickly. Griffer tugged the rope again and it still remained in place. Harry went first again, followed by Jamal, and Josh brought up the rear. Griffer did his trick with his claws again. They all reached a ledge. It was covered with many trees and Jamal led the way. They all reached a hut in the middle of the clearing.

"My retreat. We can see enemies coming for miles. At daybreak, we'll get going again. This time we'll recruit some Hippogriffs," Jamal said as they entered the hut. Harry yawned as Josh threw him some type of blanket and Harry made himself a net-like bed. Griffer snuggled down next to Harry for warmth. The young wizard and griffin were fast asleep in two minutes.

The next morning was brightly lit and Harry groaned. He had slept that night on a pallet of blankets, fur, and feathers. Griffer's body had been to the right of him but now the griffin wasn't anywhere to be seen. Harry stretched and noticed the imp gently snoring. He was asleep over Harry's feet. Harry moved carefully and entered the kitchen. Jamal sat at the table with a cup of steaming liquid in his hands.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter. Josh and Griffer have gone to enlist the help of a pair of Hippogriffs. Tea? Breakfast?" Jamal asked cheerfully. Harry sat across from the elf.

"Some breakfast would be nice," Harry said. Jamal smiled happily and went to the stove. Bacon was frying in an iron skillet and eggs were frying next to the slices. Toast was browning in another skillet. Jamal took two slices of bacon, an egg, and some toast. He placed them all on a plate and set it in front of Harry. Harry ate gratefully, seeing as he didn't have anything to eat last night. Jamal continued to drink as Griffer and Josh burst in the door.

"Fire Dancer and Black Tip have agreed to come," Griffer said as he leapt up upon a stool. It swayed beneath him. Josh sat silently and ate an apple in silence.

"We should gather up everything we need beforehand. What time will they be here?" Jamal asked between sips.

"In one hour," Griffer said happily. Jamal stood and picked up all dishes that needed to be cleaned. Harry finished and handed his plate to Jamal. The light elf cleaned them as Josh got up and went to an oak chest. The man opened it and pulled out three saddlebags. Quickly he put in some food wrapped in cloth and some heavy blankets and cloaks. Griffer slowly slid off the stool and ruffled his wings.

That last hour passed swiftly. In the time Harry was given a heavy cloak to replace his robes and the Hippogriffs were waiting. One was midnight black and the other was handsome chestnut. They both paced impatiently. Jamal bowed low to the black one, who was larger, and it bent its knees. Jamal placed his saddle bag on its hind quarters. Josh bowed to the Chestnut and it bowed back slowly. Josh did the same as he mounted. Griffer knelt as Harry got on. Harry's saddle bag had been placed on Griffer's hind quarters by Jamal. The two Hippogriffs ran at great speed, flapping their wings. They leapt off of well placed rocks and into the sky they went. Griffer followed as Harry held onto the griffin's neck. Up into the sky they were, wings flapping in time. Jamal and Josh had placed saddles on the three beasts as well as harnesses. Harry gripped the harness and placed his feet into the stirrups. He found he could sat upright and let the wind flow through his hair. Griffer soared wide after a moment of flapping. The Hippogriffs were still ahead of them by a considerable amount.

"Is it better than without a saddle?" Griffer asked as they flew on. Harry nodded and patted Griffer's neck and he flew faster. Streaking past the Hippogriffs. Jamal and Josh laughed as the imp crawled out of Harry's saddlebag. The creature quickly traveled to Griffer's head and entwined his short hands into Griffer's feathered head. The griffin took little notice and continued. Shortly before sundown the three arrived in a small village and landed. The village was home to many wizards and muggles who were friendly with wizards. The three went to an inn on their mounts. The door opened and a boy no older than thirteen stepped out, smiling.

"Welcome to Drake's Inn. I am Drago jr and I will be pleased to take your mounts to our accommodations for Fantastic Beasts," he said cheerfully. Jamal dismounted and took the saddle bags off his hippogriff. Drago jr. petted the Hippogriff's beak. Josh did the same. Griffer knelt once again and Harry slid off. He grabbed the saddlebags and followed Jamal and Josh into the Inn. Griffer and the hippogriffs were led away by Drago Jr. The three travelers, plus the imp, entered the inn. Drago Sr. was wiping down the bar. He looked up and smiled as they entered.

"Hello. Jamal, I was wondering when you'd be back. Is there a council meeting close at hand?" Drago Sr asked.

"Not this time. I'm here on the business of the utmost urgency. Where can I find Three of the Council?" Jamal asked in a low tone.

"He's in the back. But, I'm afraid you're wasting your time with him. He won't see anyone besides other council members or me for food and drink," Drago Sr. said.

"He will see me, I can tell you that," Jamal said with his puckish smile returning. Harry suddenly became very worried. Who were they talking about?

A/N: A Nundu is actually a creature created by J.K. Rowling. I found it in the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" book. It's supposed to be a gigantic leopard whose breath can cause disease that can wipe out whole villages. Light Elves are an ancient Norse creation and they are supposed to be "more fairer than the sun", so thus Jamal is as his name says "handsome". Anyways, I'll see ya next chapter! Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Coming Soon: Chapter Two: Plaza of the Heroes!