Black Phoenix

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Time for Chapter Ten! Sorry for the lateness, I've had a cold for the past few days so I lost my inspiration and my will to stay awake for a long period of time. When I visited the Doc I didn't test positive for strep, nor do I have the Flu, so I think it's just a common cold. (looks at the tissue box) Curses! I need another box of tissues!

Just because I'm bored, I'm going to put the replies at the beginning this time:

DawnRising: Sorry for the last paragraph, I wasn't too happy with it myself... Oh well, I hope this chappie was quick enough for you!

Dracosballduster: (blink, blink) Oooookay. I'm not seeing how Pokemon fits in to all this. Gosh, I haven't seen that show in forever. I got bored around the second season. Write in my own language? I already write in my own language. But, ok, if you insist: (turns into fire-breathing alter ego who hates flames, roars like a dragon and breaths fire upon you, then turns back into her normal self) There you are! (skips off happily then starts hacking and coughing again from her cold)

Griffer: Don't forget the sneezing! (hears three sneezes in the back ground)

Chapter Ten: Back to the Beginning

The Group spent as little time as possible on rest stops. The journey was long and they wanted to complete it in as little time as possible. The afternoon sun in the desert was awful, as was the sand that blew into their eyes. Hermione produced the Impervious charm, hoping it would repel the sand. It worked pretty well, until the sandstorm it. It grounded the group for half a day.

9;"It this keeps up, we'll never make it back to Hogwarts," Ron said as they all huddled under the makeshift tent created by Asad and Rune.

9;"Keep hope, we'll make it no matter what," Asad replied, clapping Ron on the shoulder. When the sandstorm finally let up, the stars were shining brightly. According the position of the moon, it was around midnight. The night was spent on the air currents. Strong wings beat out a constant rhythm against the night's cool air. In the cool of the night and the serenity of the scene was soothing. Harry found it hard to stay awake and alert in the small breeze. No teacher can ever teach what flying in the moonlight feels like, no poet or bard has ever invented words to say what it was like. Magical wasn't the right term, musical would have been closer. In three days they were resting in Germany in the Black Forest. Erklings there greeted them warmly by the orders of Erik. They fed them and allowed them to rest among their dwellings. Griffer, Death, and Michal had all tried not to complain about their wings aching but the rest was doing them some real good. Harry stood with Rune one night, looking to the North.

9;"The nights are too cold here, I don't like it," Rune said, growling slightly like a dog.

9;"Well, we're further north here, so it's only natural that it's cooler," Harry replied. No matter how far he got in his wizard training, he would never forget the lessons he learned during elementary school. Geography was becoming ever important. The more time Rune spent with Harry, the more things he seemed to remember. He couldn't put names to the faces he saw nor recall the name he used to belong to, but all that would come in time.

9;The group set out again after three days of rest. Their packs were certainly fuller with food and warmer clothing for the winter months were setting in quickly now. Harry could hardly believe that it had been half a month since he met Griffer and began learning about things that the Ministry thought inappropriate and had banned long ago. Half the stuff he was learning from Griffer, Jamal, and Crystalin was more useful than everything he had learned so far at Hogwarts. IT was certainly a lot better than sitting in the dungeons with Snape or having his death predicted by Trewlany every few days. The learning experiences were much better as well, in half a month he had learned to properly swordfight, overcome his fear of flying on a Mythological Creature, and learn the interworkings of political science. Of course, when Harry reflected back on this point in the journey to save Hogwarts, it was one of the most deadly and dangerous.

9;They finally arrived a few hours before the main army. They were awaiting the signal of Harry's Patronus to begin their attack. The signal would be shot once Harry, Hermione, Ron, Vanessa, Talon, and Griffer had gotten the students into the dungeons, where they would be much safer during the battle. When they did arrive, Hogwarts grounds were swarming with lackeys, cronies, and mythological creatures. They watched silently from the Forbidden forest, looking on as the occasional Manticore got into a fight with a Chimera. When everything settled down they had already been delayed a day.

9;"We shall create a diversion for you," Rune said. Asad, Death, and Michal were all smiling deviously as the gathered up a small amount of pine cones for an unknown reason. The two dragons took off and soared almost lazily out of the canopy of the Forbidden Forest. Their leathery wings slapped in the wind as they flew to the corner of the grounds the farthest from the exit of the concealed passage. As they did, they shot fire down onto the ranks. Their Dragon Fire was greeted by Maticore Barbs and spells. Rune and Asad nodded to one another and set off, carrying the pine cones.

9;"Ok, we go now while they're distracted," Griffer said. Hermione led the way, her wand out in front of her. They reached the passage without complications and were able to get inside of it without trouble from any of Voldermort's army. The passage was longer than Hermione and Ron remembered it. Probably because they were dreading the end of the tunnel so their mind made the journey longer. All three Hogwarts students had used the Lumos spell and Harry and Hermione had their hands on their swords. Vanessa had an arrow nocked in her bow, seeing as she had both hands free. Griffer had his natural weapons as he brought up the rear. The group finally reached the entrance to the tunnel and carefully pushed it open. Several Gryffindors and members of the Order of the Phoenix swarmed around them. They all stepped back as Griffer emerged.

9;"It's ok, he's here to help," Harry said in a reassuring tone. He kept his hand on Griffer's mane to keep the Griffin from storming the double doors of the Great Hall and attacking whatever lay beyond.

9;"Harry, Ron and I will handle getting the students out of here. You, Griffer, and Vanessa must make sure the entrance hall is safe and let Crystallin's army know that the battle can start without delay," Hermione said quickly as she sought out the other prefects.

9;"You heard what she said," Harry said, letting go of Griffer. He and Vanessa tailed the powerful griffin as it bounded through the room. In his wake were several startled students and plenty of screams. It was worse than if a lion escaped from the zoo. Hermione and Ron had managed to get some form of crowd control and they were shouting orders. Griffer leapt at the doors as he reached them and quickly dispatched the death eaters guarding the door. Harry and Vanessa performed a quick batch of spell work at some of those who came at Griffer while the Griffin was dispatching other wizards. When that task was completed the students ran as a collective body towards the dungeons, Ron leading while Hermione saw the Great Hall empty, she went last.

9;"It's all up to you now, Harry," Hermione said as she ran after the students. Vanessa kissed Harry on the cheek.

9;"For luck," she said simply as they took on a fresh wave of new wizards. Neither of them noticed as Adrian walked down the stairs from the Headmaster's office. He was smiling as he clutched his dangerous looking dark elf blade. He licked his lips slowly as he watched the unique trio fight. He remembered the event sixteen years ago that caused his downfall from the council. IT wasn't because he had leaked information, he defied an ancient code and was banished from his post at the council. Yet he stared at the product before him. The air was thick with screeches, spells, bow string twangs, and sword clashes. Adrian had forgotten what battle had been like; it had been far too long since he had fought in any battle. Soon, Harry, Griffer, and Vanessa had dispatched the group of wizards. Harry wiped the blood off of his sword as he caught his breath. Adrian was clapping.

9;"Bravo, you're one step closer to your demise," He said with a smile.

9;"That's a Dark Elf, Harry, very cunning and dangerous," Griffer whispered. Vanessa gripped the blade she had brought with her as she put her bow away. Quickly she drew her sword and stood in front of the Griffin and the wizard she had come to love.

9;"Go Harry, the students are safe so Crystalin can begin the attack, this Dark Elf is mine," Vanessa said quickly. It was barely above a whisper but Harry and Griffer caught every word clearly.

9;"I won't leave you alone to fight him," Harry replied, laying a hand on her shoulder. Vanessa turned to face him.

9;"As long as you and I are riders together, we are never apart," She said as she lifted Harry's hand off her shoulder. He heard Adrian laugh.

9;"I was wondering when you would come to fight me. It seems so long ago that I last saw you, daughter," Adrian said, smiling evilly as she crossed the entrance hall.

9;"Daughter?" Harry asked.

CLIFF! (cackles insanely) Sorry for the shortness of this chappie but skill is with my health at the moment. I've gotten a cold and I'm trying to design the costumes of my school's production of "A Midsummer's Night Dream". I've done Theseus, Titania, Oberon, Cobweb, and Moth so far. Wish me luck. Well, see you all next chapter! (sings along with the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack)

Coming Soon! Chapter Eleven: Confrontation of the Heart and Soul