The Dark Phoenix Rises Again

Rubeus Hagrid, (Everyone called him Hagrid) was a big man. He was as tall as a medium height lamppost and as wide as two trash bins placed side by side. He had a wooden peg leg the size of a tree trunk that made him look something like a giant pirate. He had tiny beatly black eyes and a face that was forever smiling. Though he was built like a bear, everyone who knew could tell you he was a very gentle man (minus the etiquette of a real gentleman.). There was a wild silver beard on his craggy wrinkled face that made him look kind of like and ancient biker. Hagrid was busy right now; he was 'tasting the batter to make sure the cakes taste right'. And there were so many cakes he had to try.

"I said taste Hagrid," crackled a plump old woman, "Not devour."

"Molly, how come yer cakes turn ou' so much better than mine?" mused Hagrid.

"Because I don't use actual rocks in my rock cakes dear," she said light heartedly shooing him away. The kitchen was alive with action as everyone prepared for little James Potter's first birthday. Everything was going to be perfect tonight. And if it wasn't those problems would get thoroughly thrashed Molly Weasley. Everyone called her Grandma Weasley being that she was the oldest Weasley woman. Over the years, her cooking had grown only better (and everyone else's waistelines had gotten wider) and she had mellowed quite a bit, no one wanted to get thrashed by Grandma.

"Go get me some extra sugar will you," she told Hagrid as he walked out of the kitchen.

There were signs of preparations everywhere as the Black House was in a very celebratory mood. The Weasley twins had most graciously provided all of the appetizers free of charge, (Whoever made that decision would later be skewered alive by Grandma Weasley), so people were every now and then turning into canaries and other assorted animals.

"Have some tarts," suggested Fred, as they passed by Hagrid.

"I thin; I'll pass," chuckled Hagrid, "I'd rather no; be a hedgehog or wha'ever tha'll turn me inter."

"But you'll be one massive hedgehog," chimed Fred or George. (They were twins) Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, the twins' shop had been an instant success. Although they were making masses of money, they loved their job because they were doing what they did best; make people smile.

"Lupin's been looking for you," said a Fred as they hurried through the corridor, "Something about those Chimaera eggs you were looking for. I'm pretty sure he's in the main entrance."

Hagrid flashed a toothy smile after he heard the news. Hagrid had been looking for a Chimaera for ages. The students would love this one.

Hagrid continued to hobble through the cavernous mansion. His already arthritic legs needed rest but he wasn't about to admit that to himself. Hagrid planned on being Keeper of the Keys, and Grounds at Hogwarts, Care of Magical Creatures Professor and Assistant Headmaster. Still, there was a noticeable limp in his walk; though his body had on the whole held up quite well considering he would be soon turning eighty.

Remus Lupin, the man he was looking for, was chatting idly with Nymphadora Tonks. Like Hagrid, everyone called her by her last name, Tonks. There were rumors that the two were in love, but the fact the two had never gotten married cast doubt on that rumor. But the fact they had never married anyone else kept those rumors alive. Perhaps they would have gotten married if Remus had not been a werewolf. Lycantrophy unfortunately was too contagious. If Remus ever accidentally were to kiss Tonks she would irreversibly become a Werewolf.

Luna was a good twenty years younger than Lupin and a good fifty years younger than Hagrid. She hadn't a shadow of her good looks; she had barely aged over the past twenty years. She still worked in the ministry as an Auror, dark wizard catcher, and was now considered a senior Auror. She was just as clumsy as before and Grandma Weasley had politely requested she stay as far away from the kitchen as possible. Poor Grandma still remembered the time Tonks managed to spill an entire cauldron of Broth on Lily, one of her granddaughters. Luckily, Remus had been near by to prevent any real damage.

Lupin wasn't quite that lucky. While he didn't look particularly old, you couldn't say he looked young either. There were still a few puffs of brown in his hair, but they were fighting a losing battle. He was clean-shaven, though he was considering growing a beard like Dumbledore at one point. In many ways Lupin was like Dumbledore. Both were Headmasters at Hogwarts, both were immensely powerful wizards (Lupin still hadn't quite achieved Dumbledore's level yet but he was closing in), and most importantly both knew how to laugh and smile while carrying the greatest burdens through the darkest of times. Still, Lupin didn't plan on following Dumbledore in dress too.

"'Ello Nymphadora," called Hagrid purposefully irritating her.

"Shut up graybeards," she said in mock anger twisting her face to give her a long Hagridesque beard. She was metamorphmagus and could change her face at will.

"Oh stop it," said Hagrid bending over in laughter, Tonks looked hilarious with her beard.

"So Remus," asked Hagrid, "The twins tol' me yeh go' some Chimaera eggs."

"Oh yes," said Lupin after thinking for a second, "I picked one up from a trader from Burkina Faso a few weeks ago. Thought you'd be interested."

"Have a seat Rubeus," suggested Tonks pulling up a delicate looking chair.

"If you insist," said Hagrid who picked up a nearby sofa and carried to where the chair once was. That wimpy chair would have been destroyed under Hagrid's weight.

"Brenna put it somewhere in this mansion," said Remus, "She owns the place. She should know where it is."

"We were just talking about the catch," said Tonks, "What do you think about it."

Hagrid thought for a second. The last catch was the real reason for the massive party. Though little James's birthday was today, the real celebration was that the last renegade Death Eater had been caught. Even after Harry defeated Lord Voldemort in his last year, Death Eaters still roamed the wizarding world. Many continued to commit acts of horrific violence. Though there was no overall plan to their violence, the Gretchen's, the Smith's and the Longbottom's could all attest to the violence the renegades committed. The Order had remained active afterwards hunting down every last Death Eater. Finally, Bellatrix Lestrange, who had avoided capture for eighteen years was caught. The last supporters of the Dark Lord were put in bars. Still, the order had been slowly fizzling out, although the Death Eater attacks after Voldemort's demise stoked the flames, they failed to ignite the same fervor. The fact that the Order of the Phoenix's would finally be over was to be announced later in the night.

"Time ter celebrate I reckon," said Hagrid, "Bu' we best watch ou' or another Dark Lord'll take Voldy's place,"

"It's nice to know that we'll never have to deal with Death Eater's and their ilk again," said Remus.

The large oak door behind them opened as Neville Longbottom strode proudly into the room. He was the hero of the hour, the man who had caught Bellatrix Lestrange. Everyone got up to shake his hands and congratulate him.

"I promise I'll tell you exactly how I caught her later," announced Neville loudly tired of answering the same questions over and over again. He took the seat Hagrid had thrown aside and sat down next to Lupin, Hagrid and Tonks.

"Good to see you," said Neville flushed with pride. It was fitting that it was Neville Longbottom who caught Lestrange. It was Lestrange who tortured his mother and father to the point to insanity. It was Lestrange who had killed his Fiancé Luna Lovegood.

"Same ter yeh," replied Hagrid.

"Remus," said Neville, "I would like to announce my retirement to you."

There was a sudden moment of quiet. The sound dozens of wizards and witches chatting disspaeared for an intense moment of silence.

"I received your offer of becoming a teacher at Hogwarts," said Neville in a crystal clear voice, "I've fulfilled my duty by hunting down every last Death Eater. Now I think it's time for me to follow my true passion, herbs. Since Professor is retiring, the Headmaster has offered me a position and I most humbly expect."

It took a moment for his speech to sink in, but then Neville received a thunderous round of applause. They weren't just congratulating Neville for his decision but congratulating themselves for defeating the Dark Lord.

The hubbub died down in a few moments and conversations resumed their previous course. Little Rose, the five year old daughter of Fleur and Billy walked up to Hagrid, tugging on his sleeve.

"Hagwid," she said with a lisp because half of her teeth had been knocked out, "Bwenna is calling you."

"All righ'" said Hagrid clasping the girls doll sized hands with his trash lid sized ones, "Lead on," Rose had inherited all of Fleur' charm and good looks. She was simply the cutest little five year old ever. She led Hagrid up a long set of stairs to the main bedroom. She stopped in front of a large oak door with gold trimmed handles. It was the entrance to the master bedroom. She knocked on the door softly at first.

"She isn' gonna hear tha'," chuckled Hagrid, who pounded the doors loudly with his fist. Rose ran off giggling loudly. She had a gaggle of friends and cousins her age to attend to.

Brenna was Sirius Black's daughter. While hiding in Florida he had had a daughter he had no known about. Sirius never told about the love he had and he was never told of his daughter. Only two years ago, they had found Brenna and brought her to the Black Manor after she had completed her education. She had only arrived in England days ago. As last surviving member of that ancient family, she had full proprietary rights to the mansion.

She was stunningly beautiful. She had long dark brown hair and a delicate face. She was lithe and muscular. There was always a lively glint in her deep brown eyes.

"I heard you the first time," said Brenna opening the door for Hagrid, "I could feel the entire room vibrating the second time."

"I wasn' tha' loud, was I?" asked Hagrid merrily.

"Yer goin' deaf," mocked Brenna in perfect a perfect imitation of him. Brenna had turned just nineteen a few weeks earlier and was looked gorgeous in her dress robes.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Wha' do I think of wha'," asked Hagrid confusedly.

"My dress robes numbskull," said Brenna impatiently.

"Wonderful," replied Hagrid twirling his beard impatiently.

"So where's the Chimaera?" asked Hagrid sounding like a six year old boy in a candy shop.

"Oh it's on the bed," said Brenna, "I think it's going to be hatching soon."

There was a large golden egg the size of a watermelon laying on the king sized bed and small cracks were already evident on its golden shell.

"Go get some water now!" barked Hagrid.

Brenna ran out of the door to get a bucket of water.

"You're a witch nitwit," boomed Hagrid.

"Oh yeah," said Brenna sheepishly conjuring a bucket of water in her hands.

One by one, small pieces of the protective casing began to peel of. Suddenly, there was a massive burst of light blinding Hagrid and Brenna.

"Tha' wasn' supposed ter happen," said Hagrid meekly gulping loudly. He had read all about Chimaera hatchings and none of the books mentioned anything like this. The monstrosity that erupted had the three heads. It had the head of a lion cub, the head of a baby goat and the head of a snake. It had the tail of a snake, the abdomen of a goat and the upper body of a lion.

"Pour a lil' water inter its mouth, or it'll ligh' this place on fire," ordered Hagrid. Brenna hastily doused the Chimaera with water and a small wisp of smoke escaped from its mouth.

"It should be 'ungry," said Hagrid picking the Chimaera up gently and thundered loudly down the steps making as much noise as an entire thunderstorm. He ran straight to the kitchen nearly stepping on a House Elf where Grandma Weasley was putting the final touches onto the dinner.

"How long does it take you to get the sugar-," said Grandma Weasley with sparks flying out of her eyes.

"Not important now," said Brenna cutting her tirade off early, "Hagrid's Chimaera needs feeding."

"I think he'll be needin' a ham," suggested Hagrid gingerly afraid of sparking Grandma Weasley's famous anger.

She grabbed a large piece of ham handed it to Hagrid.

"You can keep it but keep that-," said Grandma Weasley shuddering audibly, "monster outside."

"It isn' a monster," complained Hagrid, "Its jus' misunderstood."

"And I'm a Fire Breathing Dragon," said Grandma Weasley, "Just go. And next time remember to get me my sugar. Honestly!"

Hagrid grabbed a bowl and put it into a large bowl. He smashed the ham into a pulp with his bare hands. Brenna nearly puked while watching Hagrid slosh the meat and had to excuse herself.

After feeding the Chimaera its food, Hagrid excused himself to the main hall. They all lay in wait for Harry, Ginny and James silent as they could. A few whispers were heard every now and then but they were hushed almost instantaneously. The clock struck seven and Hagrid's stomach was growling so loud some people thought there was a thunderstorm outside. A big man needed his nourishment.

Nearly everyone invited was there; except for the most important guests of all, Ginny, Harry and of course, little James Potter.

There were over a hundred people invited to the party. The entire Order of the Phoenix was invited, including Severus Snape whose temper had not only worsened over the years. He was a tall thin man with a thin lip and small beady eyes that looked like miniature black holes. That is, his right eye looked like a black hole. Death Eaters had gouged out his left eyes and Snape blamed Harry entirely for his injury. He had had it replaced with a magical eye that was far more enhanced than his normal one but his eyes still stung with discomfort. His other distinguishing feature was his general sliminess. A few patches of black hair defiantly fought his creeping age but it was a pointless battle. Nevertheless, his hair had remained just as oily as it was in his youth. He smiled even less than he did when he was younger and had grown extremely taciturn. Still, he had decided to come to; the hatchet had to buried someday.

Six of the Weasley brothers had already arrived. Their father, Arthur Weasley had died a peaceful death several years ago at home. The only remaining Weasley, Ginny would be arriving with Harry. Bill was with his wife, Fleur and they had two daughters: Rose and Daisy. They lived in France but visited often, Bill worked in the French branch of Gringotts while Fleur had a day job in the French Ministry of Magic. Percy had never married instead focused his entire life to achieving the position of Minister of Magic. He had learned his lessons the hard way and his ambition had become to make the wizarding world a truly better place. Charlie still worked with dragons but moved back to England doing research instead of fieldwork. There was only so much damage his body could take at the age of fifty-two. He instead settled down with a family had children all of whom had already graduated Hogwarts and were present there.

Ron and Hermione had married almost immediately after graduating Hogwarts. They were happily married and had a total of one daughter and six sons. They still lived in the Burrow though they had it enlarged so that there would be plenty of room for everyone.

The clock slowly ticked away and soon everyone's stomach was complaining. "Of course Potter boy is late," said Professor Snape nastily, "He's probably standing outside laughing his pretty little head off at us in his home."

"Shut up now or I'll turn you into a yellow toad," said Ron Weasley through gritted teeth.

Snape kept quiet but the situation was getting tenser. It was already eight thirty and Hermione, who had organized the whole thing, stood up to make an announcement.

"I don't know where Harry could be," she said amplifying her voice magically, "We should probably go find them right now. There probably was a mistake in the invitations."

Just as she spoke, the doors flew open. Surprise screamed everyone at the top of his or her lungs. Thousands of firecrackers straight from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes exploded in a fantastic display of color and light. A massive dragon consisting entirely of red and gold sparks flew into the air and dozens of Catherine wheels hovered dangerously in the sky like flying saucers. The rockets multiplied and combined on intricate designs in a well choreographed pyrotechnics display.

"You can get one hundred and fifty pounds of fireworks for only three hundred Galleons in our latest Prankmaster's Deluxe Version" announced Fred loudly as the pyrotechnics awed even Snape.

But only a harsh gust of wind and a small, frightened owl flew the doors. The owl dropped a small package onto Hermione's lap. She quietly opened the packet and read its contents out loud.

"We are tired of the meddling of the Order of the Phoenix. For too long, your members have hunted down, persecuted and killed those dedicated to the cause of ridding the wizarding world of mudblood filth. Your precious Potters are now rotting dead in the House of the Stag. Though you have defeated us temporarily we are not as gone as you might think. Voldemort was defeated but the cause lives on. The dark Phoenix will rise again more powerful than ever before."