Black Phoenix

by

Draco's Daughter

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Ok, ok, I knew the last chapter was a tad too short; I'll try to make it up to all of you. I just wasn't feeling very good. I am happy to report that I am feeling much better and will strive once again for a better chapter. Ok, this is the second to the last chapter so get in your titles for the contest. The judging will be next week before the final chapter is released. There will also be a special "preview" of the sequel witch will likely come out in the next month or so.

In other news, I'm officially the tallest female in my immediate family! My mom, sis, and Grandma are all about 5'-5'2" and I'm 5'4"! YAY! GO ME! My dad and bro are really tall because of my Grandfather on my dad's side. Now I am to!

Griffer: Forgive her for the random height moment (RHM)

"Do you know what it's like to have a pole shoved up your butt for three years!"- Colin Mockery

"Will the real hero please stand up?"

Last time-

"I was wondering when you would come to fight me. It seems so long ago that I saw you, daughter,"- Adrian.

-

Chapter Eleven: Confrontation of the Heart and Soul

"It's true Harry, he is my father. I'll explain later, Crystalin needs you," Vanessa said as she clutched her sword. Harry nodded and exited through the front doors with Griffer in front of him. The griffin charged down the wizards before them so Harry could cast his spell. Adrian flipped off his cloak and drew his long, deadly blade. It resembled a scimitar but looked as if its hilt had been made of human bones. Adrian slowly descended the steps and brandished his blade in front of him. Vanessa took in a deep breath as she watched Adrian's movements. They began to circle each other, slowly. Adrian casually attempted to land a few blows but Vanessa blocked each one.

"Good, good, you've been taught well," Adrian commented.

"It's also because of heredity, your blood gives me quick reflexes and some strength," Vanessa replied coolly. Adrian began to attack her quicker. Each blow was carefully parried. The fight was becoming more intense. Vanessa was mostly on the defensive but slowly she began taking the offensive. The clashes sent sparks throughout the hall. They both became locked in a move as Adrian smiled once again.

"Your skills are equal even if your blood is tainted by mortality. If you would only join with me, we could overthrow Voldermort and the Ministry, and return the world back to what it was, ruled over by Dark Elves, of course," He said.

"The only thing I'm going to do once I defeat you is turn you over to the council for a fair trial," Vanessa replied. Adrian looked quite disappointed.

"A fine waste of blood you are. You've no pride in the elf part of you, none at all," Adrian replied. The fight became faster and more intense after their words. It was to be a long, bloody, and fierce fight indeed; the fiercest that Hogwarts's Entrance Hall had ever seen and never will see again.

-

Harry was out on the front steps while the dragons with Rune and Asad had been causing their distraction. Harry put his wand to the sky while he thought of a happy moment, something he hadn't been able to do all summer, and yelled "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" His stag seemed larger than normal while it rocketed into the sky. Crystalin breathed blue flame into the sky, giving the reply that the signal had been received. Griffer ran out as Harry grabbed Griffer's collar. He swung onto the griffin's back.

"Nice trick," the griffin commented. Harry nodded. It had come from years of Quiddich practice. Griffer flapped his powerful wings and rose into the air. They circled around the grounds together while a manticore began to shoot barbs at them. "Hang on!" Griffer shouted over the winds. Harry grabbed Griffer's collar and buried his knees into Griffer's sides. The griffin swerved to avoid the poisonous barbs that could kill if they even slightly scratched you. It would be an agonizing death that lasts a few days at the most. If you had the right antidotes within the first few hours then you would live. Unfortunately, the battlefield wasn't the ultimate place for healers to wander on so any mishap here could cost a warrior his life. Harry and Griffer weren't about to die by barb. If there was any supreme power in the universe, it had to see them through. Ron and Hermione could be seen running out of the Entrance Hall, wands at the ready, to attack the creature. Michal noticed what was going on and went to help out. Griffer and Harry got into the thick of battle at about the same time as Crystalin's forces. The Order of the Phoenix members leapt from behind trees to take on the Death Eaters. Afterwards, when he was writing this down for a book, Harry remembered very little of the battle because a battle is noisy and quick. There's no time to think, no time to let your guard down. It was kill or be killed almost. Griffer's talons flew like quicksilver and his beak was covered in the blood of several manticores and chimeras. Harry's wand claimed just as many victories over the wizards that aided those Manticore and Chimeras. At one point, Harry and Griffer were surrounded by Voldermort's forces, all squawking and jeering, and Sirena used her flute to bring the creatures surrounding them under her control. They then attacked the wizards, letting Harry and Griffer's attention flow onto another group with nothing more than a nod.

Hermione and Ron, as well, could barely recall what had gone on in the thick of the battle. They were just as busy, attacking and defending. Michal and Death were great assets though. Few dared attack a dragon for fear of the painful, fiery death that would follow any spell. Ron and Hermione were just glad they didn't have to battle dragons; otherwise the whole fight would have been hopeless. After a time of fighting on the ground, Ron took to the air on Michal. The elf bow he had been given was quite useful now. He made quick work of one of the frightened Nundus that he had so wanted to get revenge upon. In the years after Ron's death people told stories of how he was the greatest bow-man who ever lived, only second to Robin Hood.

There was something to boast about that day. The battle had gone on for several hours, Crystalin and co in the lead of course, and now the daylight was receding into the west. Crystalin was calling for a retreat back into the woods to regroup and rework the battle plan for the next day. The army retreated into the Forbidden Forest, the one play that Voldermort's forces did not dare to go. It seemed that the Forest itself knew who the enemies were and all of its creatures rose up against their school's foe. Harry and Griffer were both worried about Vanessa. He could still hear the clashes of blades from the Entrance Hall. They both only left when Death said: "Don't worry, she's a big girl, she can handle herself."

The army was camped in a clearing far from the edge of the woods closest to the school grounds. Small fires, provided by the dragons, brought light and warmth to the small bands that sat around them. Some roasted small game, others spent time speculating about the battle to come, and the rest were either asleep or checking their weapons. Harry was leaning against a tree, Griffer was curled up nursing a wound on his left front leg, Hermione was bandaging up Ron's arm, and Michal was sound asleep. Harry couldn't help but worry about Vanessa. She had become a good friend and possibly a new love interest. After Cho, Harry hadn't been looking for a new girlfriend but Vanessa had just jumped right into his life and soon he found someone he could trust without question. Slowly but surely, his feelings had returned with each long look into Vanessa's miss-matched eyes. They were both alluring and captivating at the same time. It seemed as if they had a magical power of their own. Harry had felt her eyes before he ever even met her or learned her name.

"Harry, I wish to speak with you," came the voice of Rune, interrupting Harry's thoughts. Harry got up and walked over to where the guardian was standing. Griffer took a look at Rune as he narrowed the cat eyes that had the ability to cast the all powerful "Griffin Spell". He shot a look at Michal and the dragon peeked open one gleaming, golden eye. Michal's head was resting on his front legs so; the dragon swiped the side of his nose with one claw. Griffer did the same and snuck off to follow Harry and Rune.

The pair were walking along the well-worn forest track, created by the centaurs. They walked side-by-side silently, Rune occasionally looking over his shoulder. Harry felt very awkward, it felt strange walking with someone he barely knew not to far from when Josh had betrayed and attacked him. But, he also somehow trusted Rune somehow. Harry felt like he had known Rune for years, though he couldn't place the feeling. After a time, Rune stopped and faced Harry.

"Harry, could you tell me everything you know about a certain man?" Rune asked, looking pleadingly at Harry.

"Sure, I guess, it really depends on who you want to know about," Harry replied with a shrug. If it was someone from wizarding history he probably couldn't remember anything, but if it was someone he knew then that was a whole different story.

"Tell me about Sirius Black, I vaguely recall him but I need another mind to aid my thoughts. I have heard that he was your godfather," Rune replied. Harry bit his lower lip as he gathered his thoughts. "Sirius was my godfather; he enjoyed a good prank and enjoyed life. He always thirsted for freedom and obtained it four years ago. He had been in Azkaban for 13 years for a murder he didn't even commit. Last year he offered his family's house for the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. He died last June when I made the stupid mistake of believing a dream," Harry said. The memories were painful and hard to spill out to a person he barely knew. He felt Rune's strong hand on his shoulder. He looked back up into shining eyes and saw Rune's face ripple slightly and, in the blink of an eye, Sirius's face replaced Rune's. Harry took one step backwards with a gasp; his eyes became wide and realized that Rune had been Sirius the whole time. Harry should have know it from the moment he looked at him but it had been such a long time since he had seen Sirius.

"Yes Harry, I am your Godfather. Thanks for reminding me of that," Sirius replied. Harry blinked at the man before him and a million questions came flooding to him.

"What happened? Why didn't you tell me who you really were when I first ran into you?" He asked quickly.

"I was given a second chance to do things right this time. When I died there were too many things I left unaccomplished as well as what you were about to go through. The only catch was that someone had to remind me of who I was. You did it Harry, you reminded me of who I was, and for that I am eternally in your dept," Sirius replied. Harry shouldn't help himself. He jumped on Sirius and hugged him. Sirius willingly hugged him back.

"You were pardoned by the minister of magic after you died, Dumbledor was finally trusted again," Harry said, tears coursing down his cheeks.

"I think it would be best if I hanged back in the shadows for a time. You've got challenges ahead, challenges that need information that I need to get for you, it was part of why I was given this second chance, a rare commodity," Sirius replied.

Griffer had been sitting in a tall tree, on a branch that he didn't know would not support him. He had watched the change and the happy reunion. His griffin smile was being worn again. Suddenly, the branch he was sitting on broke and the griffin fell to the forest floor, breaking up the happy scene below him.

"Griffer, so nice of you to drop in," Harry said as he hovered over the griffin. Griffer stood up and shook the leaves off his body. He then returned his griffin smile to its proper place.

"I was afraid for you. After the event with Josh I don't like it when you're alone," The griffin replied. Harry patted the Griffin's head and looked back up towards the castle.

"I hope Vanessa's doing alright," He said, his worries coming back. Griffer and Sirius looked at one another and then back at Harry.

"Harry, Vanessa's an excellent warrior and she can handle herself well against that abomination that calls himself Adrian Tailor. He may not be your everyday villain, but neither is Vanessa your every day girl," Griffer replied. He knew more than he was letting on but he would let Vanessa explain it to Harry when she felt the time was right.

"She's something else, I'll tell you. I don't think I'd want to take her on in a one-on-one fight," Sirius added, suppressing a shudder. He recalled the time he had spent as "Rune". The three went back to camp where Crystalin was awaiting them.

"We await you three, we are planning the next battle and need your assistance," He said. He walked off with Harry, Sirius, and Griffer in tow.

-

Awaiting them at Crystalin's fire were Jamal, Dumbledor, Remus and Magorian. Remus and Sirius had a very fond greeting, like two brothers being reunited after years of being apart. They stopped as Crystalin cleared his throat for silence.

"Tomorrow will be the final battle; we must defeat our enemies in the morning. The centaurs will attack from the ground from the back of the Unicorns, Wizards, and all other grounded myth creatures. Those that have the gift of flight and are willing to carry a wizard into battle will attack the rear of Voldermort's army. If we are swift and cunning we can have this battle over by lunch," Crystalin said. Those around him nodded.

"Just try not to do any damage to the castle, remember that there are still students in there," Dumbledor said.

"If the forest is damaged then it shall pay the price for many years and there are too few elves here to heal the damage," Jamal added. Crystalin nodded to them and looked to the heavens.

"If we do not claim victory here then there shall be no going back, we must succeed," Crystalin replied. Harry could do nothing but nod. It was coming down to a last do-or-die mission and he knew it.

Well, that was fun! Next chapter will likely be the last. YAY! Sirius is back! (boogies) Well, I guess it's time to reveal some things. Rune means secret cuz it's supposed to be a secret that he was Sirius. After this Sirius is going to go spy until the war is over. Is everyone happy today?

Luv to the Reviewers:

DawnRising: I'm glad you like the Vanessa twist. I like my characters to have several levels to them. It could be that they are the offspring of the Villain (such as Luke in Star Wars) or that they're running from something important. How could I leave the cliff there? Simple, I stop writing at that point.

gunsniper-nightmare: I'm happy you like the story. I'm also happy that you have me as a fav author.