Fire of the Phoenix
Disclaimer: As usual I do not own H.P., or any of the wonderful characters in Jo's world.
Chapter34, The Song of the Phoenix.
Draco Malfoy watched the Gryffindors fly off from a distance. He knew Potter was up to something, expecially since the attack on the ministry. He knew that the muggle lover Weasley was taken. Draco was still appalled by the Weasley's being the blood traitors that they were. But he also learned to accept that. He knew overall the Weasley's were decent people, and didn't deserved what was happening to them. Draco shivered slightly underneath the invisibility cloak. He slightly repositioned himself on his Nimbus 2001. He watched Potter, the mud blood, and the Weasley's fly off towards the direction of Hogsmeade. Draco leaned slightly forward on his broom and silently took off after them. He knew that they were going to go into the Dark Lords' trap. Draco's silver eyes misted over in a raw fury. He had some revenge to repay the Dark Lord, even if it meant his own life. "An eye for an eye," Draco whispered silently to himself. He sped off after the others.
Harry couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being followed. Every time he turned around he saw nothing there. "You're just being paranoid," Harry told himself . Almost too soon the flight was over. They landed by the shrieking shack. Harry got off his broom, and shrunk it down to the size of a toy model. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione all did the same. Harry gave a nervous glance behind him. He couldn't seem to shake the feeling that he was being followed. Harry felt his eyes trek themselves to Ginny's. Her eyes held his resolution in his decision. She nodded to him slightly. Harry understood her completely. He held his wand out, and braced for the Knights bus.
Harry wasn't disappointed, it didn't take long for Stan Shunpike make his appearance. As unusual the bus about knocks them all over. Ron did fall over, earning an exasperating look from Hermione. They silently entered the bus. Stan looked at Harry.
"Where to Neville?"
Harry just sighed, because he still didn't feel like going into detail about him not being Neville.
"Little Hangleton."
"Well that will be twelve sickles per person with the chocolate. Eleven sickles without the chocolate."
Ron gaped at Stan Shunpike. All Stan could manage was a sheepish look and said," you know inflation."
Harry just grabbed a bunch of coins without bothering to count them to, and shoved it at Stan. "Just keep the rest."
Stan Shunpike became over exuberant and dropped the bag of money on the dingy floor of the knights bus. He led them to the back of the bus. Stan looked at Harry like he wanted to say something, but then changed his mind. He walked backed to the front of the bus. He stumbled half way down the aisle like he was pushed. But he gave a dirty look to the hag that was sitting there, and continued walking. "Take them away Ern," was all Harry heard before he felt the bus lurch forward underneath him.
Ron looked at questionably at Harry, but for once he didn't speak his mind. They were all to distracted with the task at hand before them. Harry felt his hand being squeezed. He looked down at Ginny, and saw that she slipped her hand in his while he was so distracted. Ginny gave him and encouraging smile, but her eyes held sadness and hope. Harry put his arm around Ginny. he felt her warmth sink into him. He looked at Ron and Hermione. He saw them holding each other, as to savor eachother every moment they had left together. Whether it was a few hours left or a lifetime. Harry shifted his arm around Ginny, she layed her head against his chest. Harry felt that brilliant warmth that only Ginny could give him. He pressed his lips on the top of her fiery red head. Harry at that moment knew no matter what happened Voldemort could never take the love that Harry felt at this time, this moment away from him. Almost too soon the bus came to a screeching halt. They arrived at Little Hangleton.
Harry got up slowly with dread. He looked at Ginny she looked pale, but Harry saw strength and determination in her eyes. He knew Ginny was ready for whatever was ahead. He looked at Ron and Hermione, and knew that they would stay with him to the end. Harry felt warmed all over at the loyalty of his friends. He seriously doubted if Voldemort had that kind of loyalty ever. Harry walked off the knights bus. He gave them all their broomsticks that was shrunken to the size of the model ones. The knight's bus sped off as soon as they cleared the road. Harry saw a big dark and foreboding house. He recongized from his dreams. Harry shivered as he drew closer to the house. The house seemed to let out a permanent chill in the air. There also seem to be mist that shrouded the house like a blanket. Hermione let out a shaky laugh. "
"Well that's a house used for those horror movies."
Ron gave Hermione a strange look, "what's a horror movie?" Hermione just looked at him with an incredulous look on her face. "If you took muggle studies, then you would know."
Ron looked like he was going to retort, when Ginny grabbed on his arm. "Honestly Ronald now is not the time, we have more important things at task right now!" Ginny turned around angrily at Hermione. "You know Ron is oblivious to muggle things, so why bait him?"
Ron and Hermione looked down sheepishly. Harry gave Ginny a grateful look. He was glad he didn't have to endure another Ron and Hermione's famous rows. Ginny gave him a look back that seemed to say, your welcome anytime.
An explosion seem to rock the sky. Harry broke out to a run to the back of the house. He ran to the graveyard. He saw the dark mark rise up into the sky. He saw Mr. Weasley tied to the same headstone that Harry was tied to two years ago. He had blood matted to the side of his head, and was slumped over. Either he was dead or just barely alive. Harry heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and he saw Ginny, Ron, and Hermione behind him. They all had their wands out. They were ready to expect anything.
"Stupefy" Harry instantly spun around, in time to watch Ron fall to the ground. Harry pointed his wand to Ron, "Eneverte," he mumbled. Ron instantly was awakened. Harry looked to where the source of the stunning spell came from, to only see nothing. An eerie unatural silence seemed to envelop them. "What do you think is comming next?" Hemione couldn't seem to speek higher than a frightened whisper.
"I don't know, but I wish I did though Mione." Ron put his hand on her arm. "My guess is to go get Dad, even though I know it's a trap. The deatheaters are taunting us. I can feel it."
Ginny shivered at Ron's words, "I know I feel it too." Harry felt the air turn to ice. The familiar sound of his mother's screams begin to echo in his ear. Kind of like a badly tuned radio. Harry glanced up to see the arrival of the dementers. "Ok everyone happy thoughts!" Patronuses on the count of three. One, two, three.." Harry searched for the happiest though he could think of. Odlly him snogging Ginny came to mind. He began to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. "Expecto Patronum." Prongs erupted from his wand. He pointed his wand at the dementors. "Go get them Prongs." He whispered as he watched Prongs charge the dementors.
He watched Hermione's otter join Prongs. Ginny's face was almost serene, as she called out, "Expecto Patronum." A large silver unicorn, erupted from her wand, and charge off after the dementors. Soon the coldness in the air began to clear. Harry looked around and saw Ron sitting on the ground with his knees drawn up to his chest. Harry reached out his hand. "Are you all right mate?"
Ron could only nod his head, his teeth was chattering too much to talk. Harry swore, he could kick himself for not thinking to bring chocolate around. Hermione did the next best thing. She started to snog Ron. Harry as he watched Ron perk up, like he had just been hit by a cheering charm. Harry had to smile to himself . He should of thought of the cheering charm earlier. Harry watched Prongs canter back to him. He bowed his head before disapearing.
Harry walked slowly to where Arthur Weasley was. Even though Harry knew it was trap, he felt oddly calm. He felt for his pendants around his neck. He felt them go oddly warm. He was filled with warmth and determination. The song of the Phoenix seemed to oddly echo in the air. Harry felt full of strength and conviction, he was certain that Voldemort will die today...
Ok I know this is more chapters then I last predicted, but I have been having writer's block, and the way I can figure to write this is taken an extra chapter. Please have patience with me. Also don't forget to review! It gives me inspiration to write faster!
Cheers!