Black Phoenix

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: Harry Potter no mine, comprende? All Original Characters belong to me, okay?

Ugh, after keeping my youngest nephew Saturday night I'm practically worn out. You would be to if you had watched Robin Hood, Aladdin, and Pocahontas back to back with barely any break then having to try and coax him to sleep. My mom couldn't do a thing, she was sick and my dad's no help at all. So, if this chapter isn't up to the quality of the others it's because of my lack of sleep.

Chapter Eight: Michal and the Council is at it Again

Ron was walking the silent streets of the Plaza after talking to Harry, Hermione, and Vanessa. He needed some fresh air so he had excused himself soon after Griffer arrived. He was thinking about what had been said earlier about the riders. He yawned and realized it had to be very late. He began walking back to his chambers. He wasn't particularly watching where he was going and accidentally bumped into something. The force knocked him down.

"Sorry," Ron said as he straightened up. He was looking down as he brushed himself on. Something shining in the moonlight caught his eye. He looked up and was face to face with a dull teal dragon. The creature's eyes were half-hooded with shining light blue eyelids. The creature quickly snapped to attention.

"No, it is my fault. I stood in the road to long. I guess I was day dreaming, if one can call it that at this ungodly hour," Came the reply. The accent brought to mind a British man in his Twenties. Ron nearly leapt in surprise.

"Wait, I can actually understand you," Ron said, his eyes widening. Was this dragon his mount? The creature blinked a few times and stared into Ron's eyes. The Dragon's eyes were a deep chocolate brown, nearly black. His gaze seemed to bore straight into Ron's very soul. When he turned away Ron let out a steadying gasp.

"You are the first human besides the one called Vanessa to understand my words in over one thousand years. I had nearly given up hope of the riders ever returning, your soul and destiny have proven my belief wrong," Came his voice. Ron nearly swayed on the spot. The dragon then turned back to him with a smile on his beaked face. "First introductions usually warrant names. I am Michal if that pleases you."

"I'm Ron Wesley," Came the timid reply. One of Michal's eyes swerved back and gave Ron a twinkling gaze that somehow said he knew what Ron's name had been even before they had met.

"Then Ron Wesley, I trust you are not the type that does not enjoy the company of a dragon, surely you are not terrified by one so timid and tame," Michal said. There was a sound of slight chimes and Ron realized the Dragon was chuckling.

"Well, I can't really think that dragons are bad, my brother Charlie works with dragons in Romania," Ron replied, regaining his courage slowly but steadily.

"Ah, so you are related to Charlie Wesley, I might have known. I actually know him quite well. He has been around dragons long enough that he can speak the old tongue. Dragons did not always roar as they do now, we once had a very intricate language. Now only the old houses speak the old language because many now find it bothersome to our new life style. Yes, Ron Wesley, we once upon a time could get along with wizards. Then the Riders were banned and the Dragons found that Roman and French wizards could not be trusted like the elves and the druids. Slowly but surely they began the genocide of our race and now we are reduced to doing anything to scrape by," Michal said with a heavy sigh. Ron hung his head in shame. But he felt a claw gently lift his head up and he looked once again at the twinkling spheres that belonged to the dragon. "Do not be ashamed of your people, Ron, it is unbecoming to your ancestors. Ron Wesley, I would be most joyous to become your mount." The dragon bowed in a respectful manner to Ron. Ron knew enough of dragons to return the bow with one of his own. Both rose at the same time as Michal knelt down. Ron knew that this was an invitation.

'Here goes nothing,' He thought as he clambered onto Michal's back. Ron located were he had to sit. One of the spikes of the ridge on Michal's back slopped forward while the two behind it slopped back creating what was known as the 'saddle hollow'. When wizards rode dragons that was where the saddle was placed. Ron slid into it and held onto the front spike with all his might as Michal's leathery wings opened and the dragon began racing while he flapped with great wing beats. In a moment they had left the ground. Ron closed his eyes and imagined that he was playing Quiddich instead of flying on a dragon's back. As the wind ruffled his hair he found that Michal's heartbeat and wing beat had become one. Ron's heartbeat began to slow and deepen, becoming one with the dragon's. This was known as "heart merging" and was one of the rarest experiences in the world. THe feeling was like a wave of calm. Ron felt his fear melt away and in a moment was practically one with the dragon. He could feel the inner workings of Michal's brain and heart. In a moment their souls would bond and Ron would have knowledge of all Fantastic Beast languages as well as the wealth of dragon knowledge that Michal held within his soul and mind. The feeling was fantastic as well as magical. Finally it ended as Michal's soul, mind, and heart faded away from Ron's. Ron snapped back into full consciousness. He felt older and much wiser. His hair was messier than ever from the wind and his clothing had been ruffled greatly. Ron's only wish now was to sleep. The dragon landed with his back legs on the ground first and then eased onto his front. Michal knelt once again and Ron slid off.

"That was the most amazing thing I've ever felt. How long were we flying?" Ron asked, attempting to flatten his hair.

"Only ten minutes in the air. It doesn't take long when the rider is willing to soul-merge, Ron," Michal replied, he had obtained a sleepy and contented look. It seemed that he was sharing Ron's feelings. Michal willingly escorted Ron back to his quarters and saw the boy into his room before taking off again. Ron watched his dull teal form fly off into the night. Ron yawned and crawled into the bed. He kicked his shoes off and let himself drift off into the kingdom of dreams which held dreams of flying for him this night.

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Hermione had also retired to her chambers after Griffer had returned. The griffin himself had gone off to sleep in his eerie. He was very tired and needed some time to himself as well. Harry and Vanessa had nodded off in each other's arms as Talon had curled up in a dark corner, on Harry's cloak. The day had been trying and tiring for everyone involved. Harry especially welcomed sleep, but was the one that it came slowest to. His mind was alive as the scent of Vanessa's raven hair filled his nose. It was a sweet scent, Honeysuckle, and it was comforting to the soul. Harry found with every breath he was further into Dreamland.

"Can't sleep?" Came Vanessa's question as she looked up at him. Harry only nodded. "Is it the pain of betrayal, the want of justice, or just the after effects of the Crutacious Curse?"

"A guess just a bit of everything. But the scent you carry is welcoming to the soul," Harry replied, running a hand through her hair.

"A gift from my employer. She grows the Honeysuckle in her garden and makes lotions and shampoos out of it. It my 'bonus' for caring for her husband's Fantastic Beasts and her pet Phoenix," Vanessa replied.

"You don't go to school?" Harry asked.

"I want to go but my job prevents me from doing so. My employer has taught me plenty though, hand magic mostly, the kind of magic you don't have to have a wand for. It's difficult but it's all I know. The incantations alone are hard to memorize," Vanessa replied, tucking her head near Harry's chest like a chick. Harry laid his head against the top of hers.

"How were you able to make it to the council then?" Harry asked.

"Time off, I get it sometimes," Vanessa said with a yawn. In a moment she was asleep again. Harry yawned and realized how sleepy he was. Quickly waves of sleep washed over him and he was in the land of dreams.

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The next morning sunlight streamed into the widow of Harry's room. He shut his eyes against it and groaned. Carefully he pulled himself from Vanessa's grip and slid out of the bed. Vanessa shifted onto her back and continued sleeping, oblivious to the daylight. It made sense, she was a dragon rider and probably used to bright lights. Harry stretched and noticed the breakfast tray sitting on the desk. Talon sat near it munching merrily on a walnut. Harry noticed to small bowl of walnuts for the imp and smiled. He pulled off a piece of toast and began eating. His eyes focused on the floor and his mind fully focused on his thoughts. Someone knocked on the door and Harry silently slipped out into the corridor. It was Griffer, his golden tail swishing back and forth. He looked in a better mood than he had been the previous night.

"Griffer, what time is it?" Harry asked stifling a yawn.

"Noon. Crystalin decided to let you, Vanessa, Hermione, and Ron sleep in today after last night's events. Unfortunately, we didn't find Josh. As far as we know he Apparated out of the plaza and into the surrounding wilderness. Rune and Asad are searching the nearby areas and the oasis that Josh might know about," Griffer replied.

"Has the council gotten any farther?" Harry asked. He wanted to know if he had to go and take on Voldermort's army by himself. He was more than willing to though.

"They're in voting right now. I'm not allowed in until it's all finished, though. It's because I was the one who formally asked for help for Hogwarts. Harry, guess who's here," Griffer said, lowering his front legs into a playful stance resembling a dog's.

"Sirius Black," Harry said sarcastically as he borrowed Jamal's Puckish smile.

"Even better, Albus Dumbledor," Griffer replied. "He arrived in time to catch my final speech and formally requested our help."

"Really? Where is he now?" Harry asked, wanting a word with Dumbledor.

"Yep, he's outside the Amphitheater right now. Waiting for the Council's decision. He had a very motivating speech about how if we don't give him help he's going to lead the Order of the Phoenix in a desperate battle to regain control of Hogwarts. I think that even Ravi and Nashashuk will give their support of the movement in Dumbeldor's favor," Griffer replied.

"I guess I should get Vanessa up, she'll probably be angry that she slept right through the council," Harry replied, smiling. Griffer shot his a sideways glance. "Trust me Griffer, nothing went on last night. At least not what you're thinking." The griffin smiled and walked off to see if the voting was done yet. Harry watched him go before slipping back into his chamber. He crossed to the bed and shook Vanessa's shoulder. She slightly moaned and turned over. "Nessa, wake up." Vanessa peeked open her eyes slowly and sat up. Her braid had fallen loose during the night.

"What time is it?" She asked with a yawn.

"Noon, Crystallin allowed us to sleep instead of getting up for the council," Harry explained quickly. Vanessa yawned once again.

"Good decision, I like it, I suppose we should adjourn ourselves and prepare to greet the fate of your school," Vanessa replied with a smile. Harry nodded as he kissed her knuckles. Se pecked him on the cheek and left. Harry stretched and reached for the clothing Lilith had laid out for him. The outfit was the same as the other day, except for a different pattern on the shirt. He dressed quickly and left the room with his head held high. He reached the Amphitheater to run into Griffer, Dumbledor and Lupin. Dumbeldor's silver hair and beard gleamed in the sunlight and his smile was warm towards Harry. Lupin looked as tired as ever and his hair seemed less gray in the sun of the plaza. Harry smiled at them.

"Professor Dumbledor, Professor Lupin. I didn't expect you here," Harry said politely.

"Well, we received an owl from Ginny as well as listening to Professor Dumbeldor's plans to save the school. Dumbledor brought me here," Lupin explained as Crystallin summoned Dumbledor and Griffer back into the Amphitheater. Harry and Lupin looked in and listened to Crystallin's prominent and clear voice.

"Lord Dumbledor, we all have agreed to help your school in any way we can, our army will be the grandest in all the realm to defeat this common foe," Was the final verdict. Lupin and Harry cheered loudest of all.

So, whatcha think? This still isn't all I wanted to write but I love all of you so very much! Oh well, remember when I told you all of my Romeo and Juliet project? We got a 78 on it. I was really disappointed at that as well as the fact I can't find my AOM Titans expansion disk so I can't play it! Curse you Mummy Returns Soundtrack! Recently I've started watchin Inuyasha which is awesome! I'm a Sesshomaru fangirl and I'm planning a fic for Inuyasha as well as the sequals to Black Phoenix and those stories that I haven't updated in months. Heh, I guess I have to much to do right now...

Luv to the Reviewers !

Lady Sienna: Yay! Someone loves me! Oooo, you have one kick arse title there! I love it! hops up and down Yay! The contest has competition!

PBlegacy: What the update soon enough? I try to update every weekend just to let you know. As for your title I'm sorry that I have to disqualify it. It contains the words "Harry Potter and". In the Guidelines I said that those three little words couldn't be in the title. Sorry! (rubs the back of her neck) Besides the riders were never really "lost" just misplaced for a few dozen centuries! ;p

Well, that's everyone! Love ya'll! The contest is still running!

New Title Contest Guidelines

Must be at least Two Words, these words cannot contain: Black or Phoenix. It has to have a connection to either the Riders, the Council, or the Fall of Voldie. It can not contain: "Harry Potter and", because that's been used five million times. So, give me your best! My secret panel of judges will decide and the results will be announced in the last chapter of: Black Phoenix.

A/N to Author Alert People: (does the killer Hobbit puppy-dog pout) Pleeeeeeeeease review! I love you all for taking time to have me on alert but I'd love you all more if you would please review and tell what you think! Pleeeeeeeeease?