Chapter Seven

The next morning, Harry was awake as early as five in the morning. Ruffled with anticipation and excitement, he took a shower, checked his bags several times and then sat down to read some more on Potion Making. He had barely turned the first page when he jumped up suddenly.

"The present!" he exclaimed. He had been so caught up with saving Sirius that he had not even opened the present that the founders had given him the previous day. Now, he went to the corner of his room where he had deposited the parcel the previous day and retrieved it from its storage place. He then took it to his bed and placed it there.

The parcel was bulky but rather light. Harry unwrapped it eagerly in anticipation but what he found far exceeded anything he had ever expected. Inside the parcel was a wooded birdhouse fitted with a golden perch. On the perch was a tiny phoenix. Harry was overwhelmed. The phoenix must have only rose from the ashes two days ago. It was still a baby but its beautiful gold and red plumage gave it a magnificent, handsome look.

Harry stared at the phoenix in wonder. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was a real live phoenix and his very own. Harry felt deeply honoured that the founders had even thought him to be worthy of such a present. Phoenixes were rare and could not be kept as pets as per a wizard's will. The phoenix had to be equally willing to belong to the wizard.

And this phoenix was evidently more than happy to belong to Harry. It looked up at Harry and stroked its tiny head on Harry's outstretched palms. Hedwig, who was perched on the table nearby, hooted in apparent disapproval. Laughing at the owl's jealousy, Harry stretched out his other hand and laughed in pleasure as the faithful but sullen owl flew to him.

"Come on, Hedwig! We can all be friends. What shall we call her? Hmm..", Harry trailed off wondering what would be a suitable name for a phoenix. "Arielle. That would be a lovely name for you. How do you like it?" The phoenix nuzzled its head against Harry's in response, indicating its approval of the name.

"Wotcher, Harry! That's not a phoenix, is it?" Harry heard Tonk's astonished voice and turned to see three of the Order members behind him. Remus Lupin, Tinks and Snape. "How did Snape ever get talked into this?" Harry wondered idly to himself. He had already decided that he was not going to put up with Snape again. He was neither going to provoke Snape nor be provoked by him. He was simple going to ignore him.

"Hi, Tonks, Professors!" Harry acknowledged the three Order members. He did not have to ask anybody about Sirius. One look at Professor Lupin's tired, worn-out face told him that Sirius condition had not changed since his he had arrived at Privet Drive. "What was so urgent that you wanted us to come immediately? Not all of us are on holiday, Potter. We were in the midst of doing some important work", Snape snapped at him as usual.

Harry opened his mouth to retort something back but thought better of it. "The way to get back at Snape would be to ignore him", he reminded himself firmly. So, Harry turned to Professor Lupin and asked quietly, "How are you, Professor?" Lupin smiled wanly at the question. "I'm fine, Harry. Sirius.. Well, Sirius is still the same. Come on, Harry. Let's get to Headquarters. We can talk more there." Lupin finished the conversation abruptly, indicating his frustration and worry over Sirius. Harry felt very sorry for him. Sirius was the last of Professor Lupin's friends. He knew that the professor probably had had a difficult time these past years, with his loneliness and lack of employability. Sirius' return had increased both the man's companionship and his standard of living. He knew that Sirius had forced Lupin to accept his offer of a house and a monthly allowance. It was an offer that Lupin had accepted with the greatest reluctance. Harry did not know what had actually made Lupin accept but he did know that Sirius had thrown a royal tantrum. He had sulked for days and threatened to relinquish his own wealth that he stood to inherit as the only living male Black.

The Blacks, it appeared, had been a shrewd family inclined to survive in all circumstances. Generations ago, they had seen to it that the Black family fortune would be protected under all circumstances and would only pass to a Black. A male Black, if one was available. Sirius' condition was thus a frustration to many others as well for very different reasons. Both Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy were eager to get their hands on the wealth, courtesy of their husbands. It was no wonder that Lucius Malfoy had increased the pressure on the Ministry to intensify the hunt for Sirius and give him the Kiss. Whoever Sirius chose as his heir stood to be a powerful figure in the wizarding community.

Harry, who knew all this, was determined not to let the wealth fall to the wrong hands. Sirius was young enough to get a heir later. What was important was that he survived and proved his innocence. Harry gulped audibly. Would he succeed in this task? "Harry, Harry! Are you alright?" Professor Lupin sounded worried now. Harry shook himself out of his thoughts and assured the professor that he was fine, suggesting that they had better get going.

With a stiff farewell to his ant and uncle, he followed Tonks into the Portkey, which would bring them to Number 12, Grimmauld Place.