Author's Notes: Last time, Harri and Draco woke up in a strange castle with no idea where they were. Ron talked with an overly curious Hagrid, and Narcissa came to Dumbledore with information. Could there be hope in Mrs. Malfoy yet? I have no idea what is up with the weird spacing of the chapters. When I type it out it looks normal, but as soon as I upload… As promised—more Severus, Remus, and Sirius. Also, lease review. It'd be nice to know someone's reading; otherwise I won't get off my lazy bum. I mean what's the point in writing something if no one reviews. I don't want to waste my time. Thanks to the following people for reviewing: katrina (got it in one), Deborah, T.L. Maraudett, kiwi93089, Anarane Anwamane, and Lyonsroar!
Disclaimer: Once again, I claim no ownership of Harry Potter©.
More Than You Think You Are
Chapter Fifteen: Give all that's within you—be my savior and I'll be your downfall...
Uncomfortable silence greeted Remus as he entered the London branch of Gringotts bank. Ignored by the goblins that roamed through the branch, he went to a teller's desk. Remus J. Lupin had always been the more reserved of his four friends. He had been the most reasonable, level headed, and was known to have been a great listener, who would never divulge the secrets of his friends. Many things had happened since the year before last when Harri had been accused of somehow being apart of Cedric Diggory's death. Dumbledore had reoffered the DADA position again which, coupled with keeping Sirius out of trouble had made his life rather difficult. Walking with purpose, he handed the letter that had been sent to him, waiting patiently in the foyer. Taking a seat in the tiny stiff chairs he frowned slightly.
"I suppose they don't want anyone dilly dallying. A customer should either be banking, or leaving."
Remus mumbled softly.
"That is exactly what we like, Mr. Lupin."
A gritty voice called out from behind. Remus turned, lowering his head, to face the goblin, Griphook. Extending his hand, he shook Griphook's leathery palm. He stood, walking behind him patiently. Taking a seat in the comfortable seats of the Gringotts' bank, he waited for an explanation.
"Mr. Lupin, on the date of August 22, 1981, Mr. James Potter came to our bank and deposited in one of our safe boxes, various documents which were to be made available to you, this first week of November. Mr. Potter didn't specify a date, but we felt it best to notify you immediately the day said documents would be available. They are for your eyes only, and can only be accessed by others at your request. Not even Ms. Harriet Potter will be privy to such information, well not until she is eighteen years old anyway."
Remus was shocked to say the least. Why was he of all people chosen to have such personal documents? His face remained stony, but in his mind millions of thoughts were racing. He tried to listen to the rest of what Griphook was saying, all the while trying to figure out what could be going on.
"These are the keys to the safe box. Feel free to access from them at any time. Please be aware however, that if you lose the keys, we do have a 3% interest charge for replacement which will be deducted from your loss-of-bank-information account."
Remus nodded numbly, taking the keys from Griphook, and heading downstairs to the safety deposit boxes. He opened the dusty box, and placing the keys quickly in his pockets, he left the bank, apparating to Grimmauld Place. Not bothering to listen to the barrage of insults Mrs. Black had called him, went upstairs to his bedchambers. He briefly wondered where Sirius could be, then realized that he was probably still at the school. Taking the documents out of the leather folder, put on his reading glasses, and began to read. So far in his rummaging, he found only will, and other financial documents. Finally, he found a letter addressed to him.
Dear Remus,
I apologize for having broken our promise by dying young and first. I suppose in our group I always figured you'd be the first to croak. As it were however, I am the first to pass. Lily has finally told me that you know about her prescient abilities. I write this letter to you now old friend to let you know that I am aware of Harriet's true parentage. I suppose that you should as well by now. Remy, I must admit that it feels very awkward writing to you, when I saw you not two days ago. Lily says that we must do this, and that you are the best candidate. I apologize for ever doubting your nature towards Lily and myself. I know that you would never, ever, abandon the bond that we signed. We are all brothers, and if I am to die soon, than I will die knowing that I have true friends that I can count on.
Lily says that she knows we will die. I asked her to tell me, and she admitted it. I am not angry nor do I begrudge her. I just wish I had more time to spend with mind friends. I wrote a letter to Sirius as well, it's somewhere in all these documents I've kept. The reason I am writing to you is because I want to tell you a few things that due to hiding from Voldemort, prohibits me from saying person. First off, I love Harriet as if she were my own. Legally, I have adopted her, but should Severus finally decide that his family means more than servitude to the Dark Lord, she is his to have. We have performed the glamour charm for obvious reasons.
Anyway, I know that you've always had hard times, but as my brother, I leave for you half of the Potter's wealth to you and Sirius. Should our pact be broken by any of you, the offer will be rescinded. (Yes, I am aware of the one that betrays us) Then again, you don't need me to tell you that, because I know you would never be betray me. The other half, including the estates, and other properties should be turned over to Harriet on her day of graduation from Hogwarts. Now that we have the formalities out of the way, I just want to say what an honor it is to have known, and befriended you. Should I pass on to the Great beyond in the next few days, weeks, or even months, I know that one day all of us, will reunite again.
I know that in the future Severus will change, Sirius will undergo rough times, and that you will be lonely. Lily wouldn't tell me Peter's fate, but I understand what he will do. I also realize that our deaths will not be in vain. I have informed Dumbledore that while Lily shall return I will be unable to. I want you to know now, because according to our calculations Lily should be arriving soon enough. (I have no idea how exactly, and neither does she.) I ask that you manage what is left of our assets combined. (Lily has left a few things in her another safe box. I left the keys inside the one of the folder pockets.) Normally Sirius would have been responsible for such a task, but we both know how much Sirius hates being responsible.
Also, should the need arise, (Lily and I believe it will) please use my signed affidavit, as well as Lily's attesting to our knowledge of Severus Snape being the biological father of Harriet. It has already been signed with both my own blood, and Lily's verifying that our statements were both truthful and accurate. There are also two more affidavits, stating that we have used Peter as our Secret Keeper. All of these statements have been notarized. I know you wondering why in the hell I would still choose to die, despite all of what I have written to you. All I can say is that you will find out eventually.
Sincerely, your friend and brother,
-James Henry Potter
P.S. I know you'll hate me for saying it, but use the money and live a little why don't you!
Remus placed the letter back down, wiping the tears from his eyes. Lily's clairvoyance could have saved both of their lives, but obviously they both knew something that no one in the future knew. Why did James have to be so noble? Would events have played out so terribly that, life as they knew it would have dramatically changed for the worse? Pinching the bridge of his nose, Remus could feel a migraine begin to pound in his head. Sipping a bit of a home brewed headache potion, he continued reading the other documents James had left. Inside were letters to both Harriet, and Sirius. Coincidentally, he had left Peter no way of knowing that he knew Peter would become their traitor. He vowed then, to do his best to capture Peter. James had done such a noble thing, choosing to die even when he knew his traitor's identity. There was so much to be said about a man that could put aside his own life, for the good of the world. Remus would do his bets to avenge his friend's death. Taking the documents with him, he apparated to the gates of the school.
**********
To begin with, Draco was an unwilling animagus. He could neither control, nor harness the full powers of his soul animal's powers yet. When he had felt the calling in his blood, an unwelcome but sinfully delicious hunger crept into him. He wanted to feast on the flesh of his enemies, and he couldn't control himself. As he had been fighting, he felt justified with his violence. It felt righteous to bring his opponent to its knees even if it had been an animal. When they had been in the past, he practiced diligently on his animal, but there had been a very distinct problem. He didn't have an animal, he had many animals. While he could morph into every single breed of dragon in existence, when he had changed while fighting the wyvern that threatened himself, and Potter, he changed into a creature that did not exist. Rather, he believed he transformed into a dragon that himself could be the only possible breed of. Lucius Malfoy had christened him Draco, Latin for Dragon. When he had been a little boy, he learned about the creatures he was named for. Draco researched every breed of Dragon he could find, until he was knowledgeable in all variations of the creature.
Draco had been ecstatic to learn about the dangerous, man-eating, omnivores, and even the rare herbivore breed of dragon that had gone extinct in the late 14th century. He had seen himself through the mirrors that surrounded the hallways and the entrance to the Great Hall. He resembled no form of dragon that he had ever researched. Could he actually will himself to turn into his own strain? The idea was so intriguing, but with the glimpses he had been able to see before the fighting had actually begun, were simply amazing. He had changed into a very large, silver dragon, with ivory horns resting atop his head. His scales, he learned were not impenetrable, but they were very hard. His eyes retained their silver hue, although know they were very long and sleek. Aside from his body physically changing, when he reverted back to his normal human state, he retained most of the senses that a dragon would have. His sight, hearing, and reflexes had greatly improved despite his apathetic view towards transforming. In truth, he had been afraid to change the first time because he had heard the horror stories of those that had tried learning the craft of self transfiguration, but ending up becoming half animal. It was now, when the darkness surrounded him, comforting him while he could figuratively licked his wounds he pondered his predicament. There were many things about himself that he had discovered, yet he hadn't been given ample time to adjust, or to fully understand what he could become.
Potter would want answers, but he would not give them. He had been keeping very important information from Harri—about her, and himself. He knew now that Fawkes had sent them to the past because they surely couldn't learn the things that they had learned in the present. Not with his father around, or the Ministry, or even Dumbledore himself. Draco hated that he couldn't control what was going on in his life. He had never believed in fate or destiny, but both concepts had bitten him on the bum. Not only would Potter probably be genuinely frightened by his appearance, but there was little he could do about that. He hadn't wanted her to find out this way, in fact, he'd rather she knew nothing of his unusual predicament. He could smell her inside the room, her scent was a mixture of fear, and disgust all rolled into one. Even unconscious, he could hear her approaching. Though she was walking very quietly, in the emptiness of the hall, combined with his own immaculate hearing, he could hear her advance easily. He noted how she walked with a strained walk, almost as if she herself had been harmed. He knew that was false however, because he had made sure he protected her. Potter walked with such reserve because she was scared—of him, and the wyvern he had battled.
Draco willed his eyes to open, but they would not acquiesce. Instead, he was forced to lie beaten and bruised, unable to speak or see. He felt broken, and used. What would happen when he let the animal instincts control him? Would he be able to fend off the urge to maim, and destroy? There had to be an explanation for his behavior. No animal, no matter how brutal would remain so violent all the time. Every creature could be sated—he just needed to find out how to prevent such outbursts of power from happening again. Briefly he wondered how Harri had fared with her own transformation. Did she have more than one soul animal like himself, or only one? Draco would have contemplated more, but the he could feel the pull of Potter's magic. She was very close to him, probably leaning over his body. He wished he could make some sign of coherence, like blinking his eyes, or coughing. He tried his hardest to open them, but his body refused. He would have to depend on Potter bring him out of the void he found himself trapped in.
As Harri walked inside the Great Hall the first thing she noticed was that the blood that was splattered everywhere. She could make see chunks of flesh and hair lying everywhere—staining the windows, and dripping from the curtains that adorned the walls. Smoke invaded her longs, and she knew then that whatever creature Draco had been fighting was some sort of fire breathing serpent. He knee high boots trudged through bloodied scales that had been literally torn off of an animal's flesh. Her eyes began to tear, while she searched for Draco. She wished she had gas masks that she had seen firemen using on the television at the Dursleys home. She found him, despite her unsuccessful attempts to use magic to rid herself of the smoke. For someone reason, she could think of no spell to clear the air. Her mind was focused on more important matters, such as finding Draco alive. She would never be able to forgive herself if he died. Although he had forced her out of the building, she should have stayed inside and risked facing whatever 'bloodlust' that Draco had.
Draco, to put it plainly, looked terrible. They had already had cuts and bruises upon their reentry back home, but the way he looked now, was disgusting. His clothes were now ragged, attributing to his near nakedness. She didn't dare charm any clothes on him yet, because he had so many wounds that needed attending. Harri was no Madam Pomfrey, but she would try her best to heal him. Thankfully, she had paid attention in her muggle health classes. The first thing she needed to do was get them both to a secure place. They had no floo powder, which did no good anyway. He was neither conscious, nor physically able to call out any fireplace address. Brooms were out of the question because once again, Draco was in no condition to fly around. They couldn't apparate because neither knew how. Perhaps, as far fetched as it might be, she could use a port key? Surely in this bizarro Hogwarts she could use a portkey to get to them to safety.
Harri frowned at the thought of using anything in this house of hell. Obviously this place was dangerous, and she couldn't afford to use an object that was inside this castle. For all she knew, she would end up taking them directly to Voldemort. Yet, why would anything in this castle take her to Voldemort. If he was controlling this castle, they would have already been dead upon being spotted. Draco moaned, jarring her from her thoughts. Come on Potter! Harri owed Draco her life three times over now. She owed it to them both, to get them out of there safely. Knowing that she would have to wake Draco, forcing him to feel the pain of injuries, she was left with no other option. Cradling him in her arms, Harri looked around cautiously for any other signs of danger.
"Enervate!"
She commanded, pointing her wand at his forehead. Immediately, Draco's eyes opened. He looked into her eyes, squinting as if he could directly make out who she was. Harri smiled at him, wiping the blood that dribbled from the corners of his mouth. He lay as comfortably as possible in her arms, as Harri stroked his Harri hoping he would remain conscious.
"Draco, you're hurt pretty badly. I don't know if you can hear me, but we have to get out of here now. Whatever you were fighting has friends, who will no doubt be here soon, with the stench of blood in the air. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes. P-potter—"
He spoke, coughing up a bit of blood. Harri grimaced, ashamed that she was disgusted. It wasn't Draco's fault that he was bleeding so badly. She would just have to suck it up, and get over the sight of so much blood, his blood. Harri wiped the blood that had fell against her wrist, noticing that she was wearing a watch, and it was actually working? What could this possibly mean? Staring at the hands at they ticked away, she was transfixed by the watches ticking. At least they had made it through to the morning. According to her watch, the time was 8:22 a.m. She shook her head, upset that she allowed her mind to wander yet again. She half dragged, half carried him to the doors of the Great Hall.
"Shush. Don't even try to talk Draco. As long as you can understand what I am saying that's all that matters. Now we're going to have to use a portkey to get out of here. We're going to use your wand as a portkey and get to us back to Hogwarts, okay?"
"B-but…"
"What have I told you about speaking Draco? You've been hurt badly. You took care of me before, now let me take care of you. I'm not trying to feel you up or anything, but I need to get your wand, so excuse me while I feel around."
She said good-naturedly. She wanted to draw his attention away from his pain. His wand was buried deep in the back pocket of his robes, which surprisingly hadn't been as tattered as the rest of his clothes. Taking her wand she murmured a load lightening spell. That was probably because while he had been fighting he kept his back from facing his opponent. She yanked it from under him, wincing when she heard him moan. Harri pulled Draco's body as gently as possible so that it rested on top of hers. She was now holding him piggy backed style over her back. Though he was still a bit heavy, she had no choice but to carry him this way. Wherever they ended up, she wanted to make sure that they were together. He wrapped his arms round her neck, as she held his legs. He grunted at the obvious pain in which he was being held, but said nothing more.
"Sorry Draco, I'll try to be careful."
"Portus!"
Harri said as she pointed her wand at his wand quickly saying the portkey activation spell. Draco's wand began to glow a healthy orange for a moment, before fading. Without hesitation, Draco grabbed Harri's hands, making sure that both of their hands were intertwined as they gripped both her wand, and his own. He gave her a weak smile as they felt the odd pulling sensation against their navels. With a bright flash of light they were gone. When she opened her eyes, she found herself to be—was it possible? Were they in the Great Hall? Amidst the shocked stares of her classmates, and teachers, Harri immediately drew her wand, all the while grateful that Draco hadn't loosened his old on her, although his legs dangled. Harri's heart leapt when she saw her people that looked very much like her classmates. Circling around, to get a view of everyone in the hall she never let her eyes wander from any of the people inside.
"Where am I? What year is this? Is this Hogwarts?!"
She demanded while watching the excited chatter of the students and teachers. When her speaking did nothing but encourage the talk, she began to get angry. Draco slipped into unconsciousness yet again, although he maintained his iron grip around her neck. Ron, or at least who she thought was Ron stepped forward along with Hermione. She hoped to god she hadn't screwed up and ended up somewhere else in time. She prayed that the two people before her were really her best friends.
"H-Harri? Is it really you?"
He walked closer, to her but Harri thrust her wand out, keeping him at bay. Raising his hands in a pacifying manner, Ron slowly backed away from her. Harri groaned from the pressure, of Draco's weight. She couldn't fend off hundreds of people, and hold Draco. Harri crouched down, allowing Draco to slide off of her. She stood before him defensively.
"Expelliarmus!"
Harri shouted, disarming Ron instantly. His wand flew out of his pockets, and into her hand. She glared at him, pocketing his wand. Wiping the sweat and blood that trickled from her arms, Harri staggered to her feet. She knew she couldn't last much longer, but if these people weren't her friends she try her hardest to go down fighting. Harri knew she was straining her muscles. When they had been inside the fake Hogwarts, she didn't even bother fixing her wounds. While they weren't fatal like Draco's, her injuries hurt like hell. Draco's condition was worsening, and she needed to get him medical attention, but first she needed to prove that these people were who she thought they were.
"Stop right there. Answer my questions. What year is this? Is this Hogwarts?"
Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape, who had heard of the ruckus in the great Hall through the house elves, entered through the side doors. They rushed over immediately, armed with questions. Harri moved her wand from Ron, to the new arrivals. She locked gazes briefly with her father's eyes, but they soon hardened. All of this could be a trap. She thought to herself.
"Don't move! Like I told the Ron and Hermione doppelgangers, stay away from us. I demand to know what year this is right now!"
Harri commanded as she arched her back daringly. She grimaced in pain as she felt her bruises stretch. Dumbledore, who had all but lost the twinkle in his eye when Harri and Draco left, was smiling brightly now. McGonagall looked reasonably shocked. Harri didn't dare glance at her father again. Dumbledore stepped forward slightly, placing his wand on the ground. He motioned for the rest of the group to do the same. One by one, everyone in the closest vicinity to her dropped their wands.
"Don't you know us mate? It's me your best friend. Don't you remember?"
Harri's eyes cut to him, softening slightly before they glared once more.
"I know who you look like. If you are who you say you are than tell me something only you would know."
Harri asked Hermione, who had chosen to step a bit closer to her. Hermione held her hands up as if she were doing some sort of a peace-making gesture. Hermione closed her eyes, hoping that Harri would forgive her for what she was about to divulge. Opening her eyes, she smiled at her long time friend.
"In your second year, you had a crush on Justin Finch-Fletchly."
Harri's could feel her cheeks redden slightly, but shrugged it off. Her eyes cut to the Hufflepuff table momentarily where Justin sat. A few Hufflepuffs were giving him a congratulatory pat on the back for catching the eye of the girl who lived, even if it was momentarily. She wanted to laugh at their stupidity. Harri scowled, causing all talk to among them to cease. Turning back to Hermione, she smirked. At least Draco wasn't awake to hear that last bit of information.
"So what, that was three years ago, and anyone could have found that information out, if they tried hard enough."
Harri exclaimed, emphasizing the words 'three years' while she glared at Justin. She couldn't believe that she had ever liked Justin. He was nothing but a stuck up git. He probably thought he was so great just because at one point she thought he was cute. After the whole Heir of Slytherin fiasco, her feelings for him had drastically changed.
"Now for the last fucking time, what year is this?!"
She cursed angrily, ignoring the stunned expressions of her teachers, and classmates. Her invisible magical signature suddenly flared to life, causing her to glow a warm yellow. She neither realized nor cared how she looked, but that did nothing to stop the wondrous stares she received from her professors and peers. Professor McGonagall, who was usually calm and collected, watched with her mouth agape. A magical signature, while invisible, was never meant to be seen. Harri erected a barrier surrounding herself, and Draco, still pointing her wand at the group. Unconsciously the group stepped back, scowling from the heat her body was giving off. There were many strange and peculiar things that had happened before in the school, but few, (if any) never figured that they would actually see Harri's power.
"The year is 1996, Ms. Potter. You are home once again."
"H-How do I know this is the year 1996? This could be another one of Voldemort's tricks!"
She countered, and then her eyes sparkled when she remembered the one way she could know the truth. Looking towards the ceiling, she trilled loudly, causing everyone excluding Draco (for he was unconscious) to cover their ears. Suddenly Fawkes the phoenix flew into the room, landing on Dumbledore's shoulder. She glared at the bird, recalling all they had gone through to finally get back to what she hoped was home.
"Are we really home Fawkes?"
Everyone in the hall watched as if Harri was insane for talking to the phoenix. What was even more confounding was that Fawkes was responding to her questions. He trilled back in his beautiful voice, as they talked animatedly. How could she understand what a bird was saying? Even the Slytherins who as a majority despised Harri were listening with heightened interest to Harri's one sided conversation. As the discussion wore on, Harri's face began to darken more and more with each trill the bird gave. Suddenly, she began to yell at the bird angrily.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU FAWKES?! DRACO COULD DIE BECAUSE OF YOU! HAVE YOU GONE MAD?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH? WHAT AM I SAYING? OF COURSE YOU DO, IT WAS YOUR FAULT WE WENT TO THE PAST IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
Harri said, yelling the last part at him furiously, getting into his face. Fawkes ruffled his feathers, obviously upset with her behavior towards him. His song became somewhat angrier as they continued chatting. The crowd watched mesmerized as the girl and bird had a rather harsh exchange. Fawkes flew off of Dumbledore's shoulder, and flew wildly in front of Harri's face. He began to sing again, this time slightly softer. Harri crossed her arms, tapping her wand against her hip heatedly. She tapped her foot like an impatient parent waiting to her child's silly excuses.
"What do you mean it was for our own good? We could have all worked together, but you decided to take the situation into your own hands—um claws! We could have died in that false Hogwarts! Look at what your great idea did to him—to us! Heal him immediately! I swear, if you weren't an immortal creature, I'd kill you myself!"
She said feeling her face burn at the cunning bird's audacity. Fawkes stopped squawking, and flew over to the comatose boy, letting his tears fall all over Draco's body. The younger students peered over their chairs watching as his tears began to her the cuts, bruises, and other wounds Draco had. Few had ever witnessed a phoenix heal someone, and were very eager to see the spectacle. Lifting a claw, Fawkes opened Draco's mouth slightly, allowing him to swallow a few tears, to cure his internal wounds. When he had finished he flew back to his perch upon Draco, to continue his conversation with Harri. The students, especially the Slytherins were genuinely shocked by the way that Harri was treating Draco. She huddled over him, checking to make sure Fawkes hadn't missed any wounds. Fawkes trilled indignantly behind her, back on as his familiar's shoulder.
"What do you mean why am I rechecking his wounds? Well you certainly proved how reliable you are, haven't you?! After all that we went through, I'm going to make sure we don't suffer from your decisions again. You could have told us why we had to go to the past before you sent us there!"
She said leaning up to Dumbledore's shoulder so that they were eye to eye. Fawkes said nothing, instead choosing this time to speak directly into her mind. The audience watched curiously as Harri tilted her head slightly, ceasing her conversation.
"Stay out of my head Fawkes."
She chastised the bird, for speaking into her mind.
"You want me to be quiet? Why should I? After what you did to the both of us, I oughta—"
Harri immediately stopped her barrage, when she realized everyone was looking at her, and she would be giving away information that was definitely for short list of people. Looking around her, she blushed at the attention she was now receiving. Standing up straight, trying to fix her disheveled appearance somewhat, she turned to face her friends. Running into Ron's arms she hugged her best friend. She turned to face Hermione. They hugged, crying into each other's arms. Finally after a few moments she pulled back.
"I really missed you all. We have much to discuss, but first…"
She trailed off turning to back to face Draco.
"Mobilicorpus!"
Harri said, pointing her wand at Draco's body as he as lifted off the ground.
"Sir, Draco needs taken to the hospital wing immediately."
She kept him floating in front of her, all the while watching the group. Hermione chose this time to ask the question that was on the tips of everyone's tongue.
"Why are you being so nice to him Harri?"
Harri smiled at her bushy haired best friend. She shrugged her shoulders, watching as Madam Pomfrey floated him off. Turning back to face them, a wistful smile crept upon her face.
"Draco and I went through… well we had to face things not even Voldemort would face."
She said, frowning when she heard the familiar fearful shudder from her attentive audience.
"He saved my life, and I have saved his, Hermione. When you are forced place your life in someone else's hands, and ask that they do the same for you, your perspective on many things begins to change. Hell, even getting back to the school was dangerous. If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it right now."
Silence reigned as everyone in the Great Hall digested her words. A queer thought began to seep into their minds. What exactly had they been through if the girl who lived could be so civil to her arch rival? Harri suddenly felt woozy, as if all the energy she had used in getting them back home was now suddenly depleted. She sank to her knees in fatigue, but before her head could hit the ground, she was caught in Ron's arms. She smiled at her friend, reaching to return his wand.
"I'm sorry mate. I had to be sure that you were—"
Ron smiled at his best friend, helping her to her feet. She smiled gratefully at him, and then proceeded to give him a bone crushing bear hug that could rival Molly Weasley's infamous embraces. Ron smirked at the boys that were scowling at him, wishing that they were in his position. She pulled back from him, looking into his bright blue eyes.
"Have I got stories to tell you two."
She said with a Cheshire grin.
"I'm glad that you two are back, but I can't help but wonder… You can't apparate or disapparate into Hogwarts, so how did you two just suddenly appear?"
Harri smirked at Hermione's ever questioning mind. Wrapping her arms about her best friends' shoulders, she walked off to the hospital wing. There was so much to tell them that she didn't even know where to start. Should she tell them everything that had happened in the past? No, she wouldn't do anything until Draco was conscious. She wanted to have a lengthy talk with him about how much they should reveal. Fawkes knew the gist of everything, so he could divulge what they'd rather not say themselves. They exited the dining hall, amid stares, and whispering gossip of the entire hall.
*********
Severus ignored Hermione's questions; instead he stood awkwardly before the girl, wishing he could help her. Her collapse was unexpected, but after carrying a very beaten Draco, there was no surprise in her sudden exhaustion. He watched as walked off with her friends along with Madam Pomfrey in the midst of the energized babble of the students and staff. He didn't know for sure, but he could almost swear that she had winked at him when she walked by. He left the hall immediately, followed by Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hagrid. The other teachers had been asked to keep charge of what some would become gossiping students. He knew classes would surely be cancelled, and Dumbledore would probably want a detailed explanation. The students had already taken out quill and parchment, and he knew within an hour, the school would be swarming with reporters and Ministry officials. It was imperative that they got a firsthand opinion of what happened.
He watched curiously as the three friends ignored the people following them, and instead chatted amicably. He wanted to know exactly what they went through naturally, but he doubted she would even wish to be in the same room with him, let alone tell him anything. The weight of his treatment of her over the years had finally crashed down. He realized that it was rather absurd of him to think that she would welcome him with open arms. He did everything in his power to belittle and demean her to satisfy hatred for a man that was now dead. They entered the hospital wing, trying to be as quiet as possible. He watched as Harri began to talk softly with Madam Pomfrey as the phoenix, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Weasley, Granger, and he watched with interest. Harri sat on a bed, while Pomfrey charmed her into new robes, and cleaned her wounds.
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey. Why don't you go check up on Draco while I stay with everyone else?"
Severus noted with suspicion that she continually called Malfoy by his first name with an almost pleasant familiarity. Since when were those two ever able to talk courteously about one another? As soon as Madam Pomfrey walked out the door, Harri began waving her wand about the room. She was probably using the Quietus, and Silencio spells so that she could talk uninterrupted in the room. She also must have charmed the room, because the walls were a rather healthy shade of green before they returned to their normal hospital grey shade. He wondered if she was aware that everyone could see bits of her magical signature. While no one could determine how powerful she was (obviously) it was easy to see that she had loads of power, which literally radiated off of her in waves. Before she could continue, suddenly a large black dog appeared through one of the portraits in the room. It looked around carefully, before turning into Sirius.
"Sirius!"
She cried out, racing into the arms of godfather. Tears fell from her eyes, as she hugged her father figure. She smiled up at him, before breaking away. She gestured for him to take a seat with the rest of her small audience. Straight away she remembered her father was present and had just witnessed the exchange. Harri hoped that he wasn't angered by the display, but Sirius had been the closest semblance of a father that she had ever had in her life. While she had grown close to her father in the past, she still loved Sirius very much.
"I can talk to you all separately, but what I have to say now is for all of you to hear. I have placed silencing and locking charms on this room. No one can hear what I will tell you, and I trust all of you to keep what I have to say private. Aside from you five, Remus and Hagrid are the only people that can know."
Severus mumbled his agreement, trying to look like his formidable self, but he knew couldn't incite fear into the girl. He had never been able to scare her, but they hadn't had a chance to talk privately, and it was imperative that they kept up appearances. She seemed slightly nervous about talking with them, and knew whatever it was she going to share obviously made her uncomfortable. He took a seat in one of few available chairs looking at her impatiently. Why was she taking so long to tell them everything? Didn't she know the campus grounds would be swarming with reporters soon enough?!
"Fawkes is responsible for sending Draco and I to the past. We were sent to the past to learn 'how to work together' according to Fawkes exact words. Right?"
She asked looking at the colorful bird for assurance. The beautiful bird nodded its agreement.
"While in the past, we were training rather harshly by a Brutus Chaffin, Fawkes human manifestation. While there we learned both muggle and wizard combat. Most of our training was spent together alone in either the forbidden forest or inside an unused classroom. It took us a month to learn that our instructor Brutus Chaffin was really Fawkes, and that we went to the past to learn how to become animagi. Our soul animals or our bestia animus chose us."
Just when Hermione was about to ask a question, Harri raised her hand to her own mouth as if she were wiping something. Immediately Hermione discovered she was unable to speak. Harri smiled cheekily at her friend, before repeating the gesture. She knew the girl was about to burst with questions.
"I know you all are pretty anxious to know how I can talk to Fawkes, but probably more concerned with how in the hell—"
"Harri!"
Sirius interjected ready to chastise her for her language, although he was smiling himself. She smiled repentantly at her godfather.
"Sorry Sirius, excuse my language. Anyway, we also trained alone the last few weeks of our stay so that we could spend time with our parents. I have an idea of what type of animagus Draco is, but I am not certain. My animagus is a secret, and yes Professor McGonagall, I'm aware that you expect me to register, but with Voldemort's scheming, that's not going to happen. There are too many loose tongues in the ministry."
"As most of you know, there is a legend known as the Seventh, the divine number. I personally learned that Fawkes sent me in particular to the past because I must learn how to harness powers that have soon awakened in me. You all probably noticed that I can do a bit of wandless magic, and that when I use magic my magical signature is shown. Apparently, Fawkes and his brethren thought it was best that I learn in an environment where I would be safe from Voldemort, but where I could be supervised."
"They also wanted me to meet my future parents and receive a few significant gifts which will supposedly aid in the fight against Voldemort. My abilities as a Seventh include healing, creation and destruction. As it turns out, we learned of a prophecy between to opposing animagi. According to the prophecy, Draco has the abilities of the opposing animagi. Whatever animagus that he is, he is an enemy of mine. However, Draco is also an important ally in the war against Voldemort, but I'm not exactly sure what role he plays."
She stopped, allowing her words to be digested. The shock evident on the group's face was priceless. When she first heard of the prophecy she thought it was absurd, but she had more time to accept everything. Her father, had only looked truly flabbergasted briefly, but soon his nonplussed look return, yet he remained silent.
"I can imagine what you all must be thinking. I mean it is Draco. When he first told me the story, I didn't believe one bit of it, but then things that weren't making sense before, started to become clearer. There is a war coming, it's stewing, and soon it will hit our world full swing. We have to be prepared, because there is no hesitation in warfare."
Harri finished her speech, prepared to answer their questions as best she could. Suddenly, they all began talking animatedly at once, even Dumbledore who usually knew the answers to whatever concerns everyone had. Before she had the chance to answer anyone of their inquiries, Fawkes began to sing. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and watched as Fawkes began to morph into something else. The adults drew their wands, surrounding Harri, Hermione, and Ron in a protective circle. Fawkes began to grow bigger, changing shape and turning into a tall, lean, pleasant faced man. Harri pushed her way through them to stand before him.
"So that's how you did it! Professor Chaffin wasn't a manifestation of you—you were Professor Chaffin all along. You taught us in the past, and you obliviated our parents, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall!"
Her eyes widened, as realization crept into her green orbs. She put her hands over mouth, pointing a soft finger at the transfigured man.
"Yet, you couldn't have obliviated our parents and the teachers because I know for a fact that Professor Chaffin wasn't in the room with us when we left. U-unless you obliviated them in your bird form, but how is that possible? Also, if you were the one who taught us in the past, than who was the bird that hung around Professor Dumbledore?"
Fawkes, now in Brutus Chaffin form, began speaking. He no longer resembled the same harsh teacher that had been so cruel to her in the beginning. His face was warm, and welcoming. She would bet that his voice was just as soothing when he was in true form.
"Right again Ms. Potter, or should I say Jayda Snape?"
He said with a bright smile. Harri surprisingly smiled in spite of herself, ignoring the incredulous look her father had given her.
"You were always a bright girl. I knew you would be going to the past, because I am prescient creature. Do you know how long my brethren and I have waited for your arrival? You and your mother were the only phoenixes to have died willingly. Do you know why that is?"
Fawkes walked about the room smiling at the young people before him. Of course, compared to him, they were all young.
"When your mother chose to leave our plane of existence, so that you could take her place becoming the Sixth, she didn't realize that you were really the Seventh and would always be the seventh. Back then, none of knew the choice that you would make. We never knew that your mother Lily would ever return to the world of the living, but she will. We may be ancient, intelligent, wise creatures, but we are not all-knowing. But I'm going off track. To understand why I did what I did, you must understand your own heritage, and history."
"A few of you are already aware of that in the beginning, before humans could use magic there were twelve phoenixes. We were young then, and unaware that there were creatures that would soon possess the same powers that we held. There were six females, and six males. Your mother was the sixth phoenix, but she soon laid the egg that would become you. There may not be an uneven amount of phoenixes in our coven, so she chose to banish herself to the human world, to be reborn again at a later time."
"Thousands of years past before she had ever shown her face again. Finally, when she was reborn, she met and became the mother of you with Severus. I know that you are all aware of that, so I'll move on. Severus, if any of you may or may not know, is the seventh son, of the seventh son. What makes you so special is because you stem from a line of powerful magical people."
"You have gone through life unknowingly blessed, but slowly your power will unfold. Do you wish to know why you are so sought after by Voldemort? He wants your power. Many are watching to see whether you will choose the path of good or evil, because either way, whichever you choose the world will change because of your choices. Among your abilities are creation and destruction as you said, but also good fortune. You have a special purpose in life, Harri."
"Your mother died because like you, she had prophetic dreams which were remnants of the powers she held when she was a phoenix. She would return to the world again, as a human incarnation of what she once was. She meant to die for you the first time so that you could be reborn in human form. Of course to be reborn in human form, a phoenix must die. Do you wish to know why you chose to take the same path your mother had taken?"
Harri nodded, almost afraid of the answers she would hear. During his speech, she had moved from her place on the bed, to stand next to her father. Instinctively, she gripped his hand tightly, waiting to hear him drop an informational bomb. While Fawkes was talking, a queer thought fluttered in her mind. Why would she choose to die as well?
"You left our way of life because you saw the humans, and you felt sorry for them. You were angered that your mother had chosen your life over hers, and allowed herself to live among such a hateful group. Human beings had very few saving graces in the old days. Of course back then, humanity was young, unaware that they were being watched. So you left as well, to be reborn to your mother as a human like she was. You sacrificed your immortality, to save this world. You knew what you would be giving up, but did the right thing anyway. When we prophesized that humanity could end due to the cold reign of a wizard known as Voldemort, you were sent."
"That's why you're so special Harri. Our world is in danger of being destroyed, and you—the zenith of two families that resulted in so much strength are our only hope. Voldemort has an immense source of magic, but he has nothing on the magical power that resides in your blood Harri. Inside you there is the ability to create and destroy humanity's very existence. Voldemort wants your powers, and he is willing to kill you to get them."
"I hope you can understand why I sent you to the past now. You needed to receive a few things from your mother, you needed to bond with your father, and you needed to know your history. I wish I could have let you stay in the future, but your volatile relationship with Severus, and the absence of your mother would have prevented you from learning the full extent of your abilities."
"B-but Draco as well? Why him?"
Hermione asked eager to hear the rest of the story.
"Young Mr. Malfoy plays a great part in the story as well. Like Harri his abilities are impressive, but he is to be her protector. Draco has saved Harri's life many times while they were in the past. His animagus protects her intrinsically from danger, and Draco literally has no control over his transformation if there is an immediate threat in their vicinity. Whether any of you like it or not, he is an important ally to have. Besides, if Harri is someone swayed to follow the path of darkness, only he can bring her back."
Jaws dropped as the group heard the last bit of Fawkes monologue. Draco Malfoy would save the Girl Who Lived, the very epitome of good, from turning to the dark side? This was the same Draco Malfoy, whose father is a Death Eater, and for years proclaimed to despise her with unmatched malice? They had been rivals, enemies, and even antagonists, towards one another, but no expected to hear that he was he protector, or that he would actually aid the Light's side. Just when Fawkes was about to be asked a barrage of questions, a knock on the door prevented them from continuing. Remus entered the room with shocking news of his own, but he was not given the chance to speak. Professor McGonagall and Sirius yanked him in, and bolted the door shut once more. He looked at Harri happy to see she was back from the past unscathed.
"Did I miss something?"
Everyone, even Severus rolled their eyes at his innocent question, but made space for him in the small hospital room as Fawkes began his speech once more. Footsteps could be heard as Ministry officials, and reporters struggled to reach the hospital wing first. Their footsteps were like an ominous warning of the dangers yet to come.
Footnotes: Thanks for reading! Look, I got two updates in one month! Bow down before me, for I have succeeded in beating the laziness monster! No previews for the next chapter this time, but hey, at least this chappie was long. Whatcha think of the story so far? Any good? Anyway, please review because reviews are like addictive candies that I can't get enough of! You don't want me to starve from no reviews do you? I'm trying to move along quickly. I will say there will be more Sirius/Harri, Severus/Harri interaction. Only a few more chapters until Lily's triumphant return! Okay, that's all for now. Peace!! Oh yeah, one more thing… Please review!
-Shanni