In the Phoenix's Eyes
On a quick note: I got my new computer I've been badgering my parents for all year and so I'm in the process of re-uploading everything. I don't have Microsoft Word on it, so I'm using Word Perfect (which seems to be almost the exact same thing) So this is just to apologize ahead of time if the formatting sucks. Which, does anyone know how to save this as an html document on Word Perfect? 'Cos I haven't the slightest notion. Help would be appreciated! Hopefully the fic won't be worse than the formatting, though.
(Reviews are at the bottom again. I like it like that. -nods- And this chapter's title is referring to the song by Chicane. My favorite is the re-mixed version by The Thrillseekers. Check it out!)
–-Autumn Tactics–-
Xander felt rather stupid standing in the Quidditch Pitch tower over a broomstick, which lay motionlessly at his feet. It was Sunday morning and although Hermione had at first insisted that Harry and Ron catch up on their homework, Harry explained about Xander's extended visit and she reluctantly agreed. Autumn was still in the air and the sun was high in the sky as they had all just gotten out of lunch and it streaked the lush green grounds with golden light.
Harry and Ron stood in front of Xander grinning with Hermione seated in the stands half watching half doing work. Ron dropped his broom back down to the ground. "Up."
The broom flew back into his hand and he looked at Xander expectantly. "Try it."
"Try what?" Xander looked accusingly at the broomstick, which still lay on the ground. To him, the broomstick did not at all look like it wanted to move. To all intents and purposes, the broomstick looked like if it could have laughed at him, that's what it would be doing at the moment.
Harry hid a smile. "Put your hand above the broom and say, 'up.' It really isn't that difficult."
Xander shrugged. "Up."
The broom didn't do anything. It might have twitched but nothing else.
"Look, "he began. "I really don't think this broom thing is going to work. I'm not a wizard, remember?"
Harry waved that off. "Nonsense. You can see the castle without promptly being told you have an urgent appointment at the doctor's office and you can be in Hogsmeade. You must have some sort of magic."
"I really don't. I'm sure that the only reason why I don't have a doctor's appointment is because-"
Ron laughed. "Sorry, mate. Harry didn't explain. Hogwarts has wards around it. At least that's what Hermione told me a couple of years ago. If any muggle sees it, they would only see a broken down castle and if they decided to further investigate, they'd suddenly remember about some urgent appointment they had. But you know, Harry is right. You must have some sort of magic if you're not going insane or anything."
"Actually I think it's because I've lived in Sunnydale my whole life and spent my time directly above the hellmouth for three of those years." Xander scooped the broom off the ground with a grin. "It's okay. I'm actually rather fond of the ground."
Just then Ron's expression darkened. Harry looked from his friend to the direction where Ron was staring at and Xander followed. Seven green-robed dots were headed towards them all holding broomsticks. The dot that took his place at the front of the group was obviously Draco as the sun glinted off of his obnoxiously bright hair. Xander tilted his head slightly and muttered mostly to himself, "How does that guy sleep at night? His hair looks practically radioactive. I'd bet it glowed in the dark or something."
Ron heard that and snickered. Harry, however, glowered. "Malfoy, what are you doing? There's no Quidditch practice on Sunday."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "We can have practice whenever we like, Potter, as long as we are signed up or get permission...and have a team."
Hermione, who had come down from the stands when she saw the Slytherin team, walked over to Harry's side. "What are you talking about, Malfoy?"
The blonde boy smirked and handed Harry a piece of folded parchment from his pocket. Ron looked suspiciously from the parchment in his best friend's hand to a still smirking Draco, who rolled his eyes. "I haven't cursed it, you overgrown lummox. It's an order by the High Inquisitor."
Harry read the note and a look of disgust passed over his face. He glared at Malfoy, then set off to the broom shed followed by Hermione and Ron. Xander glanced at Draco, who sent him a look of pure dislike. "I thought that Dumbledore could sink no lower that letting in mudbloods like Granger into the school but I've been proven wrong," he looked at his team and moved closer to Xander lowering his voice as to not have anyone hear. "Letting muggles stay here is a bit far. Letting American muggles stay here is even more of a disgrace. Imagine what the founders would say."
Xander looked thoughtful for a moment. "I doubt the founders would have much to say. From what I know, they lived a thousand years ago. America hasn't been a country for five hundred years, let alone a thousand. Besides, we originated from the British. So if we Americans are such morons...I mean, it has to be an inheriting trait, right? So you all must be downright idiots." Draco looked murderous. He paused for a second too long and Xander cut him off before he could utter a single word. "Look, Drac. You don't like Harry and his friends and obviously you have a dislike for me, too. Fine. I just hope you treat your sister better. Maybe you're adopted or something. I mean, it can't be possible for her brother to be such a little prick."
Having said that Xander walked off. He threw his broomstick into the broom shed then headed towards the lake and a large beech tree where the trio was sitting and waiting for him. He dropped down next to Harry and looked out over the lake. It sparkled from the sunlight that bounced off of it and tentacle-like things kept popping out every few minutes.
Xander turned to his cousin. "So what was on the sheet of really thick paper? You didn't look all that pleased."
Ron, who had been reading it threw it to Xander, who looked down. After a few minutes he threw it back to the red-head. "Does that include the little Defense Against Evil Club or whatever?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "Do you guys think Umbridge found out about it?"
Ron's eyes narrowed. "I bet it's that Michael Corner guy. Looked kind of shifty."
"No, it can't be him. We'd know, "Hermione shook her head. "I put a jinx on that parchment that everybody signed. It..." she bit her lip and looked at Xander.
Harry shook his head. "No, Hermione. Xander didn't say a word."
Hermione sighed. "I know, but it's a bit dodgy that this happens now. What are we going to do?"
Xander looked around as if making sure that no one was watching them and focused on the trio. "You guys have to do it. I mean, I didn't honestly listen to every single thing that was said back in that...bar-type place but it seems important. I haven't met Umbridge yet but from what you all keep telling me she's campaigning for Bitch of the Year Award. If you think it's a good cause, I say go for it. I mean, I'm not Mr. Wizard guy here but I'll help with whatever it is you want me to help with."
They all fell silent. Harry was thinking over what Xander had just said. Ron looked nervous about the decision that would be made and Hermione picked up her knitting needles and wool. Xander watched the girl knit what looked like (if he squinted and tilted his head to a 47 degree angle) a scarf...or possibly a dinosaur.
Angelina Johnson suddenly burst through the school doors. She paused on the steps then ran across the grounds to where they all sat. Xander noted she had a rather desperate look on her face. "Harry! Ron!"
Ron glanced at Harry, who nodded. "We're still doing it," he grinned at Xander, who was grinning back.
Angelina swooped down upon them. "Did you see the notices that were posted?!" she looked livid. "Did you?! We need permission to re-form the Gryffindor Quidditch Team! That- that-"
"Bitca?" Xander supplied innocently.
Angelina considered him for a moment. She seemed appreciative before her fury took over again. "She's-"
Ron's eyes were wide. "It's Quidditch and- but- Malfoy's team has the pitch and they're obviously-"
The Quidditch Captain's smile was bittersweet. "She already approved them. We have a game coming up and you know that the hag will try to find any reason not to let us play. Harry...please please don't lose your temper anywhere near Umbridge."
"I'll behave, "Harry confirmed.
Angelina half-heartedly smiled and with a small wave, ran back up to the castle.
Hermione turned to Harry, "That Umbridge is an awful lady."
Ron looked amazed. "Did you just realize that, Hermione?" he sighed. "She'll probably be in History of Magic tomorrow morning."
"Xander, when are you leaving?" Hermione asked as she set down her wool next to her.
"Tomorrow evening," Xander replied. "I was talking to Albus at breakfast and he explained that the train would be a couple hours late. Anya told him it was alright and I had no say. Although I would've stayed as well. Ron, this place really is as good as you were saying back at Hogsmeade."
Ron nodded. "So what did you say to Malfoy? We were too far away to hear."
"Oh not much. I just pointed out to him that history obviously isn't his best subject."
Hermione laughed. "He looked rather angry."
"Good." Xander smiled. "He seems to be one of those people that deserve to be smacked upside the head with a Teflon pan."
"Teflon?" Hermione asked, still laughing. (It'd be good to mention that Harry was also snickering. Ron on the other hand looked completely baffled.)
Xander shrugged. "Yeah. It seems appropriate."
/=/=
"Bear in mind," Professor McGonagall said quickly and quietly, her eyes on the scroll in Harry's hands, "that channels of communication in and out of Hogwarts may be being watched, won't you?"
Before Harry could answer a flood of students rushing out of class enveloped him and he was swept into the courtyard. By the time students had dispersed around him making it easier to move of his own will, he opened the note.
"Love note?" Xander asked with joking tone as he appeared beside Harry.
"No. It's from my godfather."
Xander's face fell ever so slightly. "That's no fun."
The two cousins walked side by side when suddenly Hermione and Ron appeared in front of them. They both looked anxious and started asking questions. Harry half listened but answered what he thought they had asked him. "I took her to Grubbly-
Plank. She'll be fine. I also ran into McGonagall and she said that owls 'may be watched,' which I guess could also mean, 'they're being watched so be discreet.'"
Xander seemed to be thinking. He shared a look with Hermione. "I'm pretty sure that Hermione and Ron thought of this and you too but...well can an owl be intercepted?"
"I was just telling that to Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "Owls can be intercepted and Hedwig has never been hurt before..."
Ron interrupted. "Who is it from?"
"Snuffles."
Xander raised an eyebrow. "That's actually a really bad name...as names go. My middle one isn't the best either but it's my middle name so it's not like anyone goes around calling me it."
Harry cracked a grin. "His name is Sirius, actually."
"Sirius Black." Xander's eyes clouded. "He's that crazy murderer guy, right?"
Hermione frowned. "You know him?"
"Of him. My Dad used to tell me all sorts of stories about some wacko murderer guy. I think they were just to scare me 'cos at the end he mentioned that if I wasn't good, he would come and kill me."
Harry couldn't help but imagine a lean version of Vernon Dursley as Xander's father. He had trouble accepting that James' brother could be such a cruel...moron. "Erm, no. Sirius isn't a crazy mass murder. He didn't kill anyone."
"And he was obviously your Dad's best bud." Xander smiled. "Hey, if he's not evil and you trust him...go for it."
Hermione turned to Harry. "What did the note say?"
"Today, same time, same place, " they fell silent but after a moment Harry looked at his cousin with a grin and sparkling eyes. "I have an idea."
"Oh no...you have that look that Will always got when she had an idea. Should I be scared?"
Hermione and Ron looked unsure. They were used to Harry and his ideas, which weren't honestly that bad a lot of the time.
Xander tilted his head. "Alright, Harry. Speak."
"I was thinking...do you maybe want to meet Sirius?" Harry asked. He was still grinning like some maniac and looked a bit too excited about the prospect that his cousin could meet his godfather.
Xander's face was blank. He thought about it for a moment and truthfully he did want to meet Sirius Black, but maybe surprising a suspected murderer with grand news that his godson has more family than he originally thought wasn't the best idea. Xander was a movie fanatic and on occasion, when he found the time between slay-sessions, would read some Star Wars fanfiction. He knew from those fanfics (as well as the soap-operas Spike used to always watch) that when a long lost relation appears out of virtually nowhere, chances are things wouldn't be all happy and shiny as he would like.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry. I would but I'm leaving right after dinner with An. The train'll be here at 7"
"I'm sure DUmbledore wouldn't mind if you stayed for one more night. You could then meet him and leave on the next train out tomorrow morning." Harry protested.
Xander knew Harry was right that DUmbledore probably would not mind at all. Him and Anya seemed to be having a grand old time talking about the older days. "I can't. I need to get back to London tonight."
Harry looked annoyed. "The Hogwarts Express takes about six or seven hours to travel from King's Cross and vice-versa. You won't get there until tomorrow morning, and then you'll be tired."
Hermione looked intrigued. "I read about this! Only the students' journey takes that long and only two times a year, September 1st, and of course the last day. Every other day, the train travels at a faster speed and can go from Hogsmeade Station to King's Cross in roughly 43 minutes."
"Well that's not fair at all!" Ron exclaimed. "We lose a whole day of our life for nothing!"
Xander sighed. "Harry, I don't think you get it-"
Harry may not have understood clearly what his cousin was talking about but Hermione caught on quickly. She watched Xander and Harry arguing in a brother-like fashion that she had seen between the Weasleys (excluding Percy, who had no time for such childish things as arguing.) She could see both of their sides to the argument but if she were forced to agree, she would side with Xander.
Hermione had nothing against Xander in any way. She could see that he wanted nothing bad to happen to her best friend and even if she had not had the pocket sneakoscope in her pocket, she would have trusted him.
She agreed with him that perhaps meeting Sirius out of the blue without him having a heads up would not be the brightest idea anyone could have come up with. Although she wasn't quite as close to Sirius as Harry was, she knew him enough to know that he was very over protective of Harry. After all, Harry was his best friend's son and a mad evil overlord was always on the run and waiting to kill him. Sirius had good reason not be a tiny bit paranoid about his godson's safety. If Xander showed up unannounced, she wouldn't surprised if he was instantly cursed by the other man. Xander seemed to understand that as well and was doing all he possibly could to reason with his cousin about why he couldn't stay.
Harry, meanwhile, seemed completely oblivious to what Xander was saying and remained looking at Xander in an undefeated way. "If you're there, it'll probably make Sirius not stray off topic about why I never knew my Dad had a brother."
"Swell, but first he'll hex me or something," Xander argued. "No, Harry. I'm leaving tonight. Albus said I can come whenever I want so trust me, I'll be around whenever you want."
"And why should I trust you?" Harry asked.
Xander looked hurt for a moment but shook it off a second later. "Believe what you want. I'll see you guys later."
"Xan-" Haryy didn't get to finish as Xander disappeared into the crowds of students that were running to and from classes still.
Hermione turned on Harry. "I won't even point out how obnoxious and rude and untrue that was. You trusted Xander before we all did, and he obviously cares that nothing happens to you! What point were you trying to make with questioning his trust?"
Harry shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Oi! We have Potions in four minutes!" Ron jumped up looking alarmed. "I nearly forgot! Come on!"
/=/=
In reality, Xander really didn't have anything he had to do. Anya had told him that morning that she was spending the day in Hogsmeade to buy things so that she could look pretty. He had told her that she already looked pretty and didn't need to spend lots of money on it. She laughed, gave him a kiss, and disappeared. (Apparently into Hogsmeade.)
So he found himself now wandering the halls of the amazing and obnoxiously large school. He stopped and had a few talking with some portraits while passing by and then as soon as he turned into one hallway not only did the horrible smell of burnt rubber overtake him, but suddenly a frightening vision of blue, and purple with silver hairs appear in front of him. He choked out an 'ack!' and stepped back grabbing the closest object as a weapon (in this case a deadly looking double head axe from the nearby suit of armor that Xander now imagined had actually handed the axe to him as soon as he put his hand out)
"Mr. Harris, your fiancé has explained dot me your fascination with touching everything you see, but I must ask you to give that suit of armor back it's weapon as it looks like it may possibly wack you at any moment." Dumbledore's pleasant voice floated across the hall. Xander snorted and handed the weapon back to the suit of armor (which grabbed it back roughly).
"Sorry, Dumbledore. I wasn't looking where I was going and your robe reminded me of one of the demons Buffy once killed." Xander explained
The headmaster smiled kindly. "It is quite alright. I was actually looking for you, Xander."
Xan raised an eyebrow.
Dumbledore waved a hand and muttered a few words then continued. "I assume you know of the Order?"
"Yeah. Harry mentioned it."
"I feel I have to caution you not to speak of it. Right now there is a protective barrier and no one can hear us. I would normally speak of such things only in my office, but classes are ending in a few minutes and I assume that you are here waiting for Harry to come out of Potions. You are aware of the battle that is rising between the light and dark side. It is not yet a war, but I fear that it is inevitable in the end. I daresay you are familiar with war, as I am informed you have been fighting the same good versus evil battle for quite some time now."
Xander nodded. "Yeah, I know a bit about good and evil. What is this about?"
The wizard gave a small tired sigh. "In war there are casualties. No one can accomplish anything alone and Harry is not above that contrary to what the prophecy states."
"What?" Xander looked up at Dumbledore. "There's a prophecy about Harry?"
"Yes."
"Does Harry know?"
"No."
Xander looked serious now. "He should know. I don't want to sound unappreciative or anything but...you should know that prophecies are not what they seem. They are what you make them to be. I mean, you're a bit older than me and so you probably know, but prophecies are open to interpretation and they aren't always right. I understand that I just defied the whole point of a prophecy, but that's how it is. Being best friends with the Slayer for a handful of years will teach you a few things, apparently."
Dumbledore smiled softly. "Yes, I do realize what you have said is true. Prophecies may be compared to the meaning of life. One cannot ponder the meaning of life because it chances all the time and one will only truly understand what it is after it is already over and by that time, it will be significant to only the one that lived it."
Xander laughed. "I'm usually not big on talking philosophies."
Dumbledore turned serious once more. "As I said before, there are casualties in war. I do not wish to think it, but the people closest to Harry are more likely to be victims than those that are not. He cannot defeat the Dark Lord without those whom he trusts above all else," he paused and turned grave eyes on Xander. "Do you understand what I am asking of you?"
Definetely not one of my favorite chapters. It's too moody and shadowed and stuff. The fact that I've been writing it for a week now doesn't help, either. I actually started and finished last Saturday and by noon I was ready to post. Then out of nowhere, it didn't save. It was a good chapter and 17 bloody pages as well, then POOF! no more chapter! I was annoyed so I said screw it and left it at that. FInally today I sat down and decided to update. Eh, maybe my review answers'll be more interesting than the chapter itself. Can't say I would be surprised.
GoddessEris: Nope. Xander is two-eyed in this one! Hey, ti's be, Xander adorer...how could I not have his second eye in my fic? Lol. I'm flattered that you enjoyed my last chapter so much! ANd yes, Crabbe is an imbecile. Gotta love it. The "I used my spine ot break our fall" thing is actually a stolen quote from Blackadder (which I simply adore). I meant to give credit but it completely slipped out of my mind. I'll do that soemtime when I get the chance.
russle: LOL! You enjoyed "cute" Draco? Yeah. I found that amusing as well. I just love it when siblings embarass the other. (My brother and I do it all the time, it's a favorite past-time of mine) Thanks for the review!
Teri: Yeah! Lol. I stretched it out logn enough and FINALLY they met. Glad you liked it!
Chocolate Kitten: Here ya go! Hope you didn't completely hate this one. Thanks for the review!
ScruffyWes: We-ell...I actually agree with you about Draco. Now, here's the thing and my philosophy on the boy: He acts in specific ways depending on who he's around. That's what I seem to notice. When he's aroudn his father he's all toned down enough as to not piss Lucius off, when he's around the Slytherins, he's the Prince, ya know? SO I figure since Tara is tryign to make amends with him...he's giving her a shot. Besides, it's his big sister, of course he's not going to completely flip and start giving money to the muggles, but he'll be toned down a bit in a very reluctant like way. If you catch Draco completely off anywhere let me know! Just keep in mind that I base him on his surroundings. Oh, the storyline isn't interesting yet. It will when we get closer to the end, the climax is going to be fun. Stay tuned!
sacred-soul: Lol. I actually had to move this fic fro ma G rating to PG-13 with that whole strip club thing...if I got any worse than that (which I actually had Xander and his adventures with the broom written out) it'd be R, which I won't do 'cos it's not that bad and tryign to keep this open to all ages. -shrugs- Hope you made it to school on-time and glad you liked the last chapter!
Now click the review button and tell me what's the what!