Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 11 – Order Of The Phoenix
It was dawn the following morning, the sun was slowly creeping over the magical scenery that surrounded the Hogwarts castle, and there was not a breath of wind or cloud in the sky, and with the sun sending its pink glow sprawling over the schools grounds, things were certainly shaping up to be a beautiful morning. But due to it being a Sunday, and also being the day after a stupendous ball, you were unlikely to find a single soul moving in either castle or grounds, that is all except one Harry Potter.
Harry was up at his usual hour of 5am, he didn't choose to be up at this unearthly hour, it was his damned body clock that had the nerves to wake Harry up from a blissful dream, a dream that centred on him and a certain brown haired beauty. Harry was royally pissed off as he found out quite embarrassingly that he was kissing what he thought was Hermione but only to wake up and find that he was making some very slobbery marks on his pillow. He cursed silently for a few minutes before he got dressed and went down to the quidditch pitch to start his morning training sessions.
He was currently running laps around the pitch whilst going through the conversation that he had with Hermione the night before, she had said yes to being his girlfriend and that was not all, one day she wanted to be known as Mrs Potter, Harry also thought about the ring that he had given Hermione, a ring that gave her the ability to converse with all animals of the Air and also with a certain amount of training would turn her into an Animagus.
Harry started laughing as he remembered his thankyou present that he received off Hermione, he subconsciously raised his left hand and grazed the places where he felt the lingering kisses that he received from his new girlfriend. He was so happy in just reminiscing that he didn't notice the quidditch pole that was quickly closing in on him.
'Ouch' groaned Harry as he rubbed his right eye whilst picking himself off the ground, he then conjured a long scimitar fire sword and sized up the huge pole wondering whether he'd get in trouble if he cut it down, giving the pole a few threatening pokes he decided against this last thought, he then thought that he might go down to the lake and give Lockyer a bit of time to spread her fins, so with that in mind he looked around cautiously and transformed into his wolf form, taking one last swipe at the quidditch post he raced away down towards the great lake, unaware of the two onlookers that were watching the humorous scene from up above in the castle.
Harry was enjoying the feeling of running through the school grounds in his wolf form, he hadn't transformed into any of his others forms since arriving at Hogwarts other than his Unicorn form, but since he had been here for a couple of weeks and there had been no sign of anyone watching or spying on him he thought that he could risk it. He was now at the shores of the wide lake, transforming back into himself he called for his staff and released Lockyer into the vast waters. Then taking a deep breath he jumped in and joined her.
/Ahhh thankyou Harry, this is much better than swimming in the tiny little pond that I am couped up in, in that staff of yours/ said Lockyer gratefully.
/What do you mean, little pond? Where do you and the other guys go when you go back into my staff/ asked Harry.
/Well, when you call us back into the staff, we go to a place that has been built for us by you/ started Lockyer but was interrupted by Harry.
/What are you talking about? I haven't built you a place to live/ Harry said quickly.
/You might not have done it physically Harry, but when you made your staff and found out you had guardians your mind created a place for me and the others to live/ explained the Dolphin.
/Well if that's the case/ started Harry slowly, whilst swimming around the lake thinking. /Could I use my mind and make you a better place to live/
/That's an excellent idea Harry, but might I suggest that you bring the other guys out of your staff before you start/ said Lockyer excitedly.
/Right/ said Harry. He then swam to the edge of the lake, got out and called for his staff once again that morning, the morning that was slowly becoming day, Harry figured that it might be around 7 to 7:30am, and that people might be getting up soon, so with that in mind he quickly called out his other guardians.
/What's going on? Oh, hello Harry/ said Tallis sleepily.
/Hello Harry/ chorused Taipan and Blaze.
/Hey guys, I've got some good news for you, it has come to my attention that when you go back into the staff, your home isn't very big so with your permission I would like to change it, how does that sound/ said Harry.
/That would be great Harry, have you got an idea for what our new homes are going to look like/ asked Blaze.
Harry thought back to his travelling days and of all the places that he visited.
/Yeah don't worry guys I have the perfect place for you all, now Lockyer, do I have to do anything special or can I just think of the place/ asked Harry, turning to the Dolphin still in the water.
/Well the only thing you have to do is hold the tip of your staff to your forehead whilst you think of the place in your mind/ said Locky.
/Okay, thanks Locky, here goes/ Harry then raised his staff and touched the cold gold stone to his forehead, he then thought of Lockyer's home first which was pretty easy considering he just thought of the great lake, if Harry choose to open his eyes he would have seen that the gold stone briefly turned blue, which meant that Lockyer's home was in place.
Now for Taipan, thought Harry.
He pictured the time when he was in Australia and how big Ayers Rock was and the desert surrounding it. Harry decided to make a cave inside the huge red rock so Taipan could have a sanctuary for himself, Harry placed this desert and rock right next to the lake.
Two down, two to go, next… Blaze.
Blaze's home was as easy as Lockyer's, all Harry had to do was remember the vast mountain ranges in Nepal, he then placed these mountains next to the desert.
Last but not least Tallis.
Tallis, for Harry was a bit harder than his other guardians, he thought about the old cliché, King of Jungle, but decided against making a jungle for Tallis, he then remembered a movie that he caught a glimpse of when he was younger at the Dursleys, he thought that it was called, The Lion King, he remembered the place that was called Pride Rock and the Plains that surrounded them, he quickly pictured the imaginary country and placed it next to the mountains and lake, his stone glowed green before turning back to its normal gold. Harry then took one last look at his made up place before opening his eyes and smiled at the anticipating faces of all his guardians.
/Well what are you waiting for, be gone, oh and Blaze do you mind if I call for you later tonight to see if you like your new homes/ asked Harry, hopeful that his friends would enjoy his gift.
/Of course Harry, and thankyou/ Blaze replied and then with his other guardians disappeared.
Harry then thought about walking back to Gryffindor tower when he realised that he could apparate, so with one final swish of his staff he vanished from the lake.
Harry arrived seconds later in the middle of the Gryffindor common room, he let out a sigh of relief as he realised that he was the only one up, or so he thought.
'Why good morning Mr Potter' said a cheeky voice from behind him.
Harry smiled at the voice and turned around slowly.
'Why hello Miss Granger, this is a surprise, what might I ask brings you down to the common room so early this fine Sunday morning?' asked Harry coyly.
'Oh you know, just getting a bit of extra work done' Hermione said, she then noticed Harry's right eye and burst out laughing.
'Hermione what is it? What are you laughing at?' Harry said frantically whilst turning round in circles trying to find the source of Hermione's hysteria.
Hermione stopped laughing for a few seconds only to look at Harry's pouty look then roll around on the floor giggling, which made Harry's pout look change to one of irritation.
'Hermione if you don't tell me what your wetting yourself over I'm afraid your going to have to face the consequences' shouted Harry, trying to be heard over Hermione's constant giggles. But she didn't stop, so Harry made her pay. He threw out his arm and softly called for his staff, so not to attract Hermione's attention, he then pointed it at her and made ice cold water fall from the ceiling down on top of the now shrieking girl. Harry let a satisfied smirk grace his lips.
'I told you if you didn't stop laughing that you would wet yourself Hermione' said Harry smugly.
'HARRY POTTER, WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?' shouted Hermione, whilst picking her sopping wet form of the floor and marching towards Harry.
O that's good, she didn't use my middle name, thought Harry, on the outside he looked calm but on the inside he was scared, really scared.
'Now Hermione I only did it so you would stop and look it worked so no harm done' said Harry cautiously.
'NO HARM DONE, I'M FREEZING COLD YOU TWIT' replied Hermione indignantly, whilst shaking madly.
'Come here' Harry said, he placed his staff next to himself and open his arms offering a hug.
Hermione looked at Harry suspiciously, wondering whether it was another trick, but decided against it and carefully walked into his outstretched arms. Harry then wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, after a few seconds he opened them and Hermione saw that there was now red flames dancing through his green eyes, she then felt her whole body heat up at an alarming rate, she swore she saw flames of every colour swirl around her and Harry. Then it suddenly stopped and Harry let go of her.
'There, that wasn't so bad was it?' said Harry smiling down at Hermione.
'Wh-What did you do?' asked Hermione incredulously, whilst feeling her once again dry clothes and body.
'I made you warm again didn't I?' asked Harry worriedly.
'Yes, it just felt amazing' replied Hermione.
'Oh good, now would you like to tell me why you were laughing' said Harry smirking.
'I'm so sorry it's just that you look so funny Harry' Hermione said whilst walking forward and touching Harry's big black eye.
'Ow, what did you do that for?' Harry said whilst flinching from Hermione's touch.
Hermione then pulled her wand out and conjured a small mirror. She then handed the mirror to Harry.
'Take a look at your right eye Harry, I think that quidditch pole got you good?'
Harry reached out and took the mirror and looked at his eye which was puffy and black with tinges of yellow and purple on the outer edges. Hermione was right that quidditch pole did get me good, HANG ON.
'How did you know that I ran into a quidditch pole?' Harry asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione started to get a little pink in her cheeks.
'Well I woke up and I looked out the window and you were running, so I watched you for a bit…' Hermione said whilst trailing off.
'You were perving on me' said Harry whilst breaking out in his own fit of laughter.
'I was not' replied Hermione quickly, she then thought about retaliating and smiled sweetly, 'who knows Harry, if I was running with you maybe I could of stopped you from running in to a huge pole' her plan worked and she watched her new boyfriend stop laughing abruptly.
'It was your fault I ran into the thing in the first place' mumbled Harry, but Hermione still heard him.
'How is it my fault that you don't watch where you're going?' she asked dangerously.
'Well I was thinking about you wasn't I, about last night when we down at the quidditch pitch' said Harry.
'Oh really, well Mr Potter to help with your clumsiness I shall stay away from you so this type of occurrence does not happen again' Hermione said in mock seriousness, and started walking towards the portrait hole.
'Not so fast Miss Granger' Harry said whilst moving in front of her so that they were now only inches apart. 'I have something else in mind that might take my mind off last night' he said whilst looking down into her eyes.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she looked up into Harry's mystic orbs.
'An-And what would that be' she said breathlessly.
'This' replied Harry, and he moved down and pressed his lips gently against Hermione's, his hands gripped her waist and slowly he moved them up her body, making Hermione shiver from his touch. The kiss continued and Hermione decided to make Harry feel the way that he was making her feel. She started by slipping her tongue through Harry's lips, which brought a shocked gasp from Harry.
That's a good start, thought Hermione. Just when she thought she was winning the battle of pleasure Harry would always retaliate with something more that would make her feel like she had just been hit with a Jelly-Legs Jinx. She finally just let her self go and succumbed to Harry's touch, she didn't know how long they had been at it but she finally pulled away dizzily, due to the fact that she had gone without air for a couple of minutes but also because of the way Harry made her feel. She looked up to see that Harry was smiling goofily.
'I think that might do the trick, shall we continue?' asked Harry.
The answer he got did not come with words, but was answered with a sly smile.
Hermione smiled to show two perfect rows of gleaming white teeth, she then reached out her hands and reached one around Harry's neck pulling him down for another kiss whilst she moved her other hand carefully under Harry's training shirt, when she spread her hand out and came in contact with Harry's six pack she let out a little squeak.
Oh my goodness, he must be hiding rocks under here, she thought hungrily. She was disturbed from her thoughts when amused voices floated down the stairs from the dormitory's.
'Geez Harry, get a room, why don't you.'
'Are you having fun Hermione?'
'By the looks of things I'd say she is.'
These comments were followed up by a couple of giggles.
Hermione gave a loud squeak and looked blushingly up at Ron, Crystal and Ginny, who were all looking down at her and Harry with broad grins. Hermione then squeaked again, turned round and bolted for the portrait hole, after she was through she was chased by Crystal and Ginny who both flashed sneaky grins at Harry as they passed him.
Soon there was only a smiling Ron and a very pissed off Harry left in the common room.
'You GIT, you great bloody GIT' yelled Harry whilst advancing on a cowering Ron.
'Now Har-Harry calm down, you don't want to do anything stupid do you?' pleaded Ron.
'Oh don't worry Ron, I wont do anything Rash' Harry then held out his arm whilst his eyes twinkled evilly.
Harry felt a pleasing sense of satisfaction as he walked through the double doors to the great hall for breakfast. He quickly spotted Hermione, Crystal and Ginny sitting with their heads together half way down the table. So he quietly walked up and stepped behind Hermione, he then lowered his arms and tickled her in the sides of her upper body, his actions were greeted with a high pitch laughter.
Hmm, so Hermione's ticklish, I'll have to remember that, thought Harry as he stopped his torture and sat down opposite the three girls.
'Good morning Harry' chorused Ginny and Crystal in their sweetest voices.
'Good morning girls, you seemed to be in a very deep discussion when I came in, what were you talking about?' Harry asked with raised eyebrows.
'Oh I don't know' started Ginny, and then finished by Crystal, 'why don't you ask Hermione.'
'Hermione?' inquired Harry, smiling at the top of Hermione's bushy hair, she was staring at her cereal with great interest.
'Mmm' replied Hermione, still not looking up.
'Hermione, look at me… please' Harry begged.
Hermione slowly raised her rosy cheeked face and smiled guiltily.
'I told them… I told them that we're going out…' she said nervously.
'Was that it?' asked Harry stupidly.
'Well yes, wait, aren't you angry Harry?' asked Hermione shocked for some reason.
'No I'm anything but angry, I'm hoping that by the end of the day everyone will know' said Harry, whilst piling some scrambled eggs on his plate.
'Why do want everyone to know?' asked Crystal curiously.
'Take a look around ladies, if word gets out that I'm finally taken then that means that maybe all these crazy girls will leave me alone, don't get me wrong, its not that I don't like the attention… but I've only got eyes for one girl' he said fondly whilst looking at a beautiful smiling Hermione.
'I see what you mean' Ginny whispered to Hermione.
'What did you say Gin' asked Harry.
'Nothing' she replied quickly while she shared a smile with Hermione and Crystal but Crystal didn't smile back.
'But Harry what happens if You-Know-Who finds out? Won't he come after Hermione?' asked Crystal worriedly.
They all then shivered as they saw the look from Harry's face fall from happiness to deadly serious in a matter of milliseconds, it was like a curtain was suddenly thrown down over his face, and it was even more unnerving when Harry started talking in a venomous whisper.
'Voldemort will not touch Hermione, I swear that if he even tries, then he will find out the meaning of pain, I will do anything it takes to keep Hermione or even you guys, hell I'll even protect Snape if it comes down to it' another curtain then ran down his face, it looked as though he was back to being happy, but what about the girls didn't know.
'Well if it isn't the man himself' Harry said pointing a person behind them.
'Potter you better change me back before I rip you apart, I don't care how strong you are' said Ron menacingly, or what looked like Ron. The new Ron had long black greasy hair and a hooked nose to match, everyone at the Gryffindor table was now laughing uncontrollably as they looked at Severus Snape look alike who they now realised was Ron Weasley.
'Ron what happened to you?' said Crystal whilst shifting along the table to make room for her new boyfriend.
'Him' said Ron pointing out a finger at Harry, 'that's what happened to me.'
'Harry?' asked Crystal curiously, whilst looking around to see that Harry smiled innocently.
'Why would Harry do this to you Ron?' asked Hermione whilst trying to hold back her laughter.
'He did it because I broke up your little snogging session, that's why' said Ron trying and failing to hide himself in his jumper.
Hermione then blushed crimson and was about to tell Ron that that wasn't the reason, only to look at Harry and see that her boyfriend was nodding his head as if to confirm as in what had just said.
'I'm sure that wasn't… oh, well, umm, is that the time, I'm going to be late for Charms, bye' she then, ran off like the wind, she was nearly out of the doors of the great hall when she felt someone pulling on her hand, she turned round and was met by the smiling face of Harry.
'Hermione you do realise its Sunday today, therefore there's no classes till tomorrow' Harry said amusedly.
'Of course, er, oh Harry I just wanted to get away from Severus Weasley over there' Hermione scowled whilst pointing over at Ron who still trying to hide from the friendly banter from his housemates. Hermione then looked back up at Harry and eyed him suspiciously.
'Home come you made him like that? Was it really because he interrupted us while we were… er… kissing?' she asked shyly.
Harry only nodded vigorously, which made Hermione giggle.
'Was it really that good?' asked Hermione hopefully.
'Well to be honest with you I don't know' said Harry with a far away look in his eyes, Hermione stared back down at her shoes thinking that she was probably the most useless snog Harry had ever had. Harry snapped out of his trance and saw that Hermione had a sad look on her face.
'Hermione' Harry said whilst lifting her head back up so she was looking him in the eye. 'I don't know if it was good because I have nothing to compare it to' Hermione saw that for the first time since Harry had come back he looked embarrassed and she listened closely as Harry continued.
'Hermione I've never kissed anyone before' Harry continued quickly, 'but when we kissed last night… I don't know it's hard to explain, but I think I can say that when I kiss you I lose all sense of thoughts and focus, you put me in a trance that I never want to leave Hermione, that's why I was so annoyed when Ron interrupted us, hence he's new look' he finished with a nervous smile.
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and leaned into Harry for a grateful hug, her head was level with his chest and she turned it so her cheek was now touching his sternum whilst she her eyes were looking back into the great hall. She felt Harry's chin press against the top of her head whilst his arms reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. She was enjoying the feel over Harry's body so close to hers so much that her eye lids were gently closing over, it was like Harry was putting a sleeping spell her. Her eyes fluttered open for what she thought would have been the last time before she fell asleep, when she saw something that woke her up like she had had a bucket of cold water tipped on her.
Padma Patil was walking purposefully towards Harry with a determined look in her eyes.
Oh no you don't you sodding little cow he's mine, thought Hermione.
Harry hadn't seen Padma approaching because he was just enjoying holding Hermione in his arms, he just felt peaceful, but he was disturbed from his peace when he felt Hermione's hands roughly grab the back of his head and then shove him down towards her waiting mouth where their lips met with tremendous ferocity, and now with his eyes wide open in shock he realised the reason for Hermione's attack. He saw Padma with a shocked and angry look on her face, the shock was directed at him and the anger was sent in Hermione's direction, but Hermione was in no state to notice. Harry then turned his head a bit and saw that the whole great hall was watching Hermione and himself go at it, and by the looks of things most of the girls had the same look that Padma was wearing.
Oh well, better make it look good, thought Harry as he closed his eyes and focused his entire body on the task at hand. He brought one hand up and placed it under Hermione hair and rested it on her smooth neck, with his other he let it raise up and rest on her cheek. Now that all his body part was in their respective places, Harry decided to push all emotions that he had for Hermione through the kiss, which caused the instigator of the kiss to gasp in shock as she felt the currents and waves of passion flow over her body, she was about to respond when they were so kindly interrupted.
'Ahem' coughed professor Dumbledore.
Harry and Hermione broke apart slowly, both having dazed looks on their faces.
'Sorry to interrupt children, but it seems that you are blocking the exit' he said with an amused expression in his eyes.
'Oh right sorry professor, I was just having a little talk with MY BOYFRIEND' Hermione said the last part rather loudly and directed it back over the head of her headmaster and towards all of Harry's admirers.
'Of course but do you think that maybe perhaps you could take this little talk with YOUR BOYFRIEND somewhere else' he to repeated his last words like Hermione had said hers, he then flashed them an amused smile, 'oh and Hermione be sure to keep him away from any violent quidditch posts' he added before walking back through the corridors to his office.
Harry could only look shocked at what Dumbledore said. He must have been watching me train to, thought Harry. Geez, how many other people were watching? He was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt someone dragging him away and when he looked up he saw that it was quite true though about what Dumbledore said about blocking the exit, for now that Harry and Hermione had stood aside people started flocking out of the hall to find something to do with their day off.
Whilst Harry and Hermione stood hand in hand at the side of the door, the looks that they received varied from person to person. Girls from 1st, 2nd and 3rd year would smile nervously at the couple and say how cute that looked together while the boys from those same three years would pull faces of disgust at the remarks that the girls in front had just made. But on the other end of the scale, one half of the girls in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th years would scowl, jeer, or make rude gestures to Hermione, whilst the other would send brilliant smiles, flutter their eyelashes or make some very flirtatious gestures of their own towards a shocked Harry. And then the boys from these years would talk about quidditch or homework that they reckon they shouldn't have received all the while taking no notice of the female population's emotions, but there was one male voice that met Harry's ear through the throng of people and that was a rather surly voice saying.
'Dumbledore interrupts him but he doesn't turn him into Snape does he?'
Harry could only laugh at this, he then turned to Hermione who was shooting her own glares back at all the girls.
'Hey Hermione… Hermione, do you want to go for a walk?' asked Harry waving his hands in front of her face.
'What? Oh okay, yeah why not' she replied while still glaring at Padma Patil.
Harry then dragged her out of the entrance hall and out towards the grounds.
'Well' he said after they found solitude underneath a tall oak in the middle of the grounds, 'do you think they know that were a couple now?' Harry asked smiling down at the still scowling form of Hermione.
'They better because I see Padma Patil or anyone try and get friendly with you then I'm going to put them under the meanest Hex I know' huffed Hermione.
'Hmm let me tell you, if I was anyone of these girls then I would be pretty scared considering that you are the smartest which in Hogwarts and with all that knowledge you would have to know a lot of Hexes' Harry said.
This seemed to cheer Hermione up a bit, because she started smiling and moved closer towards Harry. They were lying in each others arms for a few minutes just enjoying each others company when a brown owl came and landed next to them, in its beak it held a small scroll of parchment which it dropped on Harry's chest before flying off.
Harry sat up a bit and read the note.
Harry, Order meeting tonight, meet at my office at 8:00pm
Albus Dumbledore
As soon as Harry finished reading the note it burst into flames.
'Harry, who was that note from?' Hermione asked suspiciously.
'It was from professor Dumbledore, he wants me to meet him tonight' Harry said.
'What for' Hermione probed.
Harry then looked down at her worried face and then looked around to see if anyone was near bye, seeing no one he turned back to Hermione.
'Remember the morning after I came back from the Ministry, when we were in the hospital wing' he continued as he saw Hermione nod, 'well you might not have heard but before Remus left he said I might be seeing a lot more of each other' once again Hermione nodded.
'I heard him say that to, but what does that have to do with Dumbledore?' asked Hermione, who was still worried.
'Well do you remember after him Dumbledore said that he wanted to speak with me? Well when I went to his office the night after I talked to you guys after quidditch practice, he told me about a group that he wanted me to join, its called The Order Of The Phoenix, have you heard of it?' asked Harry.
'Yes' Hermione said in a soft awed voice, 'they are a group who declare themselves against all people who follow the Dark Arts, there's not much else known except for the fact that Dumbledore is the leader and that it's a very secretive Order' finished Hermione.
'How is it that you know everything?' Harry asked just as awed as Hermione, which made Hermione blush and bury her head into Harry's neck, this only made Harry laugh but he continued talking, 'so anyway after that night I was an official member of the Order, the note I just got told me about a meeting that is taking place tonight.'
'What do you do at the meetings?' Hermione asked whilst pulling her head back from Harry's neck.
'Well, to tell you the truth, not much. I mean all we do is talk about Voldemort and his Death Eaters, we have a couple of spies that kind of know what Voldemorts plans are so I guess we talk about how to try and spoil them' Harry said thoughtfully.
'Harry' said Hermione softly, 'are you scared?'
'Of what?' replied Harry dumbly.
'Of Voldemort, of Death Eaters, of fighting… of Dying'
Harry thought long and hard as the silence drew on and he was about to reply when he heard Ron's voice near him.
'Harry, Oi HARRY' shouted Ron, who as standing directly in front of Harry.
Harry woke out of his daze.
'Sorry Ron, what did you want?' Harry asked.
'Are you alright Harry, and why's Hermione crying?' said Ron going pale.
It was then that Harry looked down and Hermione was indeed shedding tears.
'Listen Ron can you give us a minute, we'll be up in the common room in a soon' Harry said and then watched as Ron slowly turned around and skulked back up to the castle. He then turned back to Hermione.
'Hermione, what's wrong?'
Hermione at first didn't want to answer but after a few calming breaths she spoke up.
'I don't want to lose you Harry… I don't want you to die' she said quietly.
'Hermione, I don't want to die either, but I can tell you that I will do everything I can to prevent it, I have trained for a long time Hermione, I had the best mentor anyone could ask for, Merlin taught me a lot, so try not to worry about me… listen, why don't I show you some of my training tonight after the meeting, how does that sound?' asked Harry hopefully.
'How?' was Hermione only response.
'Don't worry, I'll bring something that can help us' he then stood up and offered his hand to Hermione, 'now what do you say we go back to the common room.'
Hermione nodded and took the offered hand and then Harry apparated them back to the common room where they met up with Ron, Crystal, Ginny and Neville and spent the rest of the day talking, playing games and doing homework till it was time for Harry to go off to his meeting with the Order.
'Welcome everybody, now if you would care to quiet down I'm sure the meeting will come to order' spoke the esteemed Leader of the Order of the Phoenix and Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.
As soon as Dumbledore spoke the conversations that were taken place throughout the meeting place came to an abrupt halt, and they all took their seats to begin business.
'Thank you everyone, now I have called this meeting tonight because some very disturbing news has reached my ears, Severus, could you please inform the Order of what you have heard' Dumbledore spoke solemnly to his Potions Master.
Severus stood up with a straight back and head held high and spoke as though he was superior to all around him.
'Thank you Headmaster' he nodded towards Dumbledore, then turned back to the other members, 'the news of which Albus speaks is this… The Dark Lord's forces are growing, a meeting was held last night and every single member of his army was present, from what I could gather… the Dark Lord has his sights set on Hogwarts' at this there were many shocked gasps and high pitched shrieks.
'Thank you Severus' said Dumbledore whilst pushing himself out of his chair at the head of the long table, he then looked up and silenced the wild chattering that was going on with the other members, there was only one member who was silent and he was sitting next to the Headmaster.
'As Severus said, Voldemort is coming, we do not no when or how, but we know, all we can do is prepare ourselves for the upcoming battle' he then turned to his three spies. 'Severus, Andreas and Dante, it is up to you three to find out exactly what is going on in Voldemorts inner circle, but a word of caution, do not harm yourselves, do what you can, that is all' and with that the three spies apparated out of the side chamber of Dumbledore's office, 'if no one has any other questions I think we will adjourn our meeting for tonight, thank you for coming and be careful' he then sat back own and turned to the man opposite him.
'Harry… Harry are you alright?' asked the Headmaster.
'Oh sorry professor, yes I'm alright, I was just thinking.'
'What about, may I ask?'
'Well mostly about Voldemort and the prophecy, I don't know if I can do it professor, I don't know if I can beat him' said Harry, staring down at his entwined hands.
Dumbledore looked at his pupil with sympathy clearly shining through his eyes, he slowly reached out and grabbed Harry's shoulder.
'You will beat him Harry, I am sure of it, all you have to do is believe in yourself. We are all here to help you. Your friends, your professors and even you family' Harry looked up and gave his grandfather figure a grateful smile, 'we will help you through this time, you will live to see the days after this battle Harry, you will see.'
'Thank you professor, I hope you are right… ah well I better be getting back to the common room, I told Hermione to wait up for me' he called for his staff and was about to leave when he remembered something. 'Professor, could I ask a favour of you?'
'Yes Harry, what might it be' he asked curiously.
'You see I promised Hermione I would show her some of my time when I was training and I was just wondering if I could borrow your Pensieve, please?' asked Harry.
Dumbledore only smiled, got up and walked back into his office, motioning for Harry to follow. Once back in the circular office Dumbledore went over to a large mahogany cabinet and pulled out a rustic old looking basin with runes that were carved into it on the outside onto his desk.
'How long do you think you will need this Harry?' asked Dumbledore.
'I would just think the night sir' replied Harry, 'I could bring it by tomorrow morning for you if you like'
'Would that be before or after you run into a quidditch pole?' Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
Once again that day Harry became speechless. So he choose not to answer, but picked up the pensieve and walked away from a chuckling Dumbledore, but just before Harry was out the door he focused his eyes on the still chuckling professor and sent a mini lightning bolt at him, he then quickly turned round and smirked to himself, he was no longer hearing chuckling but instead little yelps of pain that were coming from the most accomplished wizard of the age.
2 Hours Later
'Harry that was amazing' said Hermione breathlessly, it was past midnight but she felt wide awake.
She and Harry had just come out of Dumbledore's pensieve in the Gryffindor common room. Harry had shown Hermione snippets of his training from each of his Elemental areas.
'Australia looked so beautiful, is the desert really like that? It was so huge' she rambled on.
'Would you like to go see it someday?' replied Harry trying to calm her down.
'I would love that Harry, but…' she was thinking about the last memory that Harry had shown her. 'What about the prophecy?'
'We don't have to worry about that, lets just enjoy the time now, who knows maybe on the weekend we could pop down there' replied Harry smiling.
'Are you serious? That would be great Harry, you really know how to make a girl happy' she then moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, she then stood on tip toes and gave Harry a short peck on the lips. She then pulled back and smiled seductively. 'Goodnight Harry, I'll se you tomorrow morning.' She then began to walk to her dormitory steps when Harry called out to her.
'Goodnight Hermione, I'll see you bright and early' he said with an evil glint in his eyes.
Hermione either missed his look or just shrugged it off as Harry being mysterious, she continued her way upstairs.
As soon as Harry heard the dormitory door shut he called for his staff and released his Elemental guardian Blaze. The Phoenix burst fourth from the staff and landed on a chair in front of the now sitting Harry.
/Hello Blaze, did I do alright with your new homes this morning/ asked Harry.
/Yes Harry, I cant begin to tell you how grateful we all are, everyone is having such a good time, Tallis especially, for some reason as soon as he saw his new home he went to the top of the rock and let out a huge roar, he then kept doing this for a while longer, the rest of us thinks his gone mad/
/That's great what about you, Locky and Taipan? How do you like you places/
/Well Lockyer absolutely loves the huge Lake that you have given her and Taipan says he's never seen a cave so big, and I of course love my home, you have made us very, very happy Harry, thank you so much/
/It wasn't a problem Blaze, it the least I can do for a group of animals that keep me alive, well I s'pose I better not keep you any longer, tell the others they are welcome and I'll see them tomorrow morning/ Harry said whilst getting up off the soft chair.
/Alright Harry, goodnight/ Blaze then vanished back into the staff.
Harry then waved his hand and sent it to wherever it went when it was vanished and moved up towards his dorm. He slipped quietly in and changed into his boxers and laid himself down on his comfortable four poster, smiling to himself he thought about what he was going to do to Hermione tomorrow, and with one last chuckle he went to sleep.
Note: Here they come again. Sorry for the wait.
Flyin Eagle