Phoenix Child – Chapter 2

Here is the second chapter – I hope that you enjoy it. Again, I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Recap:

Harry's day just went from OK to terrible. At least his uncle hadn't hit him more. He curled up in a ball on the floor and cried, terrified of what the next day would bring, and sad for himself. He found out today that not every adult was mean like his relatives. Why did he have to be stuck with them? He wished fervently for a fairy godmother, like Professor Homm had read about today, to come save him.

Meanwhile,

Albus Dumbledore had just apparated into Privet Drive when he heard Vernon Dursley yelling at Harry. He frowned and knocked on the door just as Harry was thrown into is cupboard. Albus was furious. Why would they treat any child like this?

"What do you want? I told your kind to stay away from here. Get out!" yelled Vernon, attempting to shut the door in his face.

Albus swung the door open with a wave of his hand. "I came to pick up Harry!" he said, softly, but with an immense amount of emotion, "I told you when I dropped him off that you would be protected. I hope that you won't regret reneging on the deal. Bring me Harry, or I will stop at nothing to get him."

Vernon just laughed at him. "You want the boy? Get the sorry excuse for flesh yourself. He's in his cupboard."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed with a power unseen even in the wizarding world. "You will regret laughing." With that the power reached out and sent Vernon flying into the fireplace (unlit unfortunately). Dumbledore then went over to the cupboard and found a groggy Harry.

"Hi Harry. My name is Albus and I am going to take you away from these awful people. Will you come with me?"

Harry, still partly asleep, replied, "Are you my fairy godfather? I was hoping someone would rescue me. Will you keep me and love me like the other kids have?"

Albus's heart broke, hearing the innocent child wanting love. "Of course I will. I love you Harry, even now. You will always be safe with me."

"OK. Where are we going?" Harry asked, walking up to Albus and grabbing ahold of his robes, hiding himself in them when his Aunt came stomping down the stairs.

"Don't worry my boy, we will be gone in an instant." With that, Albus apparated Harry and himself to Hogsmead village where they could catch the carriages to Hogwarts.

"I wish that we didn't have to take the carriages and boat to Hogwarts, but it is the only way to set the wards to Harry's presence," he thought to himself looking down at the visibly tired boy at his feet. He picked Harry up and hugged him to himself, carrying him to a carriage.

Harry wasn't as sleepy as he looked however. There was something about this place that he couldn't place – energy that wasn't there before. Harry was becoming more energized. "Horsies. Do we get to ride them? I always wanted to ride a horse but I was never allowed. Can I?" Harry asked, being more brave than normal because afterall, he was with his fairy godfather. It took Dumbledore a while to figure out what Harry was talking about, but then he realized that he meant the threshels.

"Harry, those aren't horses, they are a magical animal called a threshel. I don't know how else to say this, but you are a wizard Harry, and magic will be a part of your life from now on. The castle where we are going is the location of a school that teaches magic. We don't have time to play with the threshels now, but we will ride in a carriage pulled by them." It saddened Dumbledore to remember why Harry could see the threshels. It seemed like yesterday when Harry's parents, James and Lily, were killed by Voldemort.

"OK. Can I get to turn a pumpkin into a horse? My professor told us a story about that today," Harry answered.

Albus was a bit taken aback that Harry accepted it that easily, but went with it. "You will be able to do that after you go to school for awhile. It is quite a difficult feat."

Apparently satisfied with that answer, Harry sat quietly until the carriages stopped and Albus transferred him into a boat. "We have a short boat ride left and we will arrive at the castle."

Albus looked down and realized that his young charge wasn't paying any attention to him. Harry looked mesmerized.

"Pretty lights. Red and blue and green and yellow and gold and silver. Pretty," he was mumbling to himself. "Alb..Sir, is all of Hogwa or whatever you called it this pretty? The lights are floating around and blinking."

"You can call me Albus, Harry, and I suppose that yes Hogwarts is that pretty, but I don't know for sure. Yes, I can see them, but not very many people can. It is pure magic, Harry. It is what keep Hogwarts safe from danger, and being a wizard, it is also what runs through your veins."

Albus was taken aback at Harry's ability to see the magic around Hogwarts. Usually only very powerful wizards and witches were able to see the pure magic – and then they needed to be keyed into the wards first. "Harry definitely is unique. And how powerful? What else does he have in store for us?" he thought to himself.

"You mean I can make sparkles like that?" Harry asked, enthralled.

"In a few years maybe. Just remember – you can do whatever you want to Harry, for where there's a will there's a way."

As the boat trip continues, the joy and energy that Harry received from Hogwarts diminishes and he becomes very sleepy. He leans against his "fairy godfather" and drifts to sleep. Not long after that, they arrive at the castle.

"Harry, we are here. I am going to take you up to your room so you can sleep," whispered Albus, trying not to startle the child.

"Albus!" yelled Minerva McGonagall, trying to grab his attention, "we have a ..."

"Shhhhh!" Albus interrupts, pointing to Harry.

"Oh! I didn't realize…" she whispered back, "we have some parents insisting on visiting their children. I told them to wait in your office until you returned."

"Ok. Can you take Harry up for a nap? I need to talk to you afterwards," Albus responded, handing Harry to Minerva and then flying off before she could respond. "Harry? Harry Potter?" she said to herself upon viewing his famous lightning bolt scar and carrying him up to bed, "Well, this should definitely be interesting."