Everyone gathered around the boy who kneeled on the fireproof carpet. Everyone except for the old Nicolas Flamel, who decided he should better be sitting, minding his own back. The egg shook another time and suddenly Harry's mind was blank. He looked around, fear in his eyes, staring at the people.

"W-What do I do now?" He asked with a high pitched fearful voice. He knew he had read the chapter about this and it wasn't the memory charm, it was just his mind going blank. He was so afraid of doing something wrong. What if he dropped the little one. He quickly pulled off the shirt, not minding his own bare upper body. Still, Sirius winced a little when he saw his godson's back. Harry had a few nasty scars on his back, which he was adamant not to discuss. When Sirius had stuck the egg to the boy's chest, he had seen the white lines on his back and he had asked him with a quivering voice. A boy his age shouldn't have these sort of scars but Harry had stared at him with wide eyes and then said not to worry about it was old ones. Somehow Sirius just knew the Dursleys were a reason for that.

It didn't look like his own back, not what his mother had done with curses and whips to him when he had been a child but still, it was disturbing. There was a scar on his lower back, in the vague shape of a triangle that looked a little like an iron. Other smaller scars were there, looking rather unhealthy. The rims were jagged like these had been wounds not treated well. Harry had covered up the scars quickly back then. He had been ashamed for Sirius to see these scars. Also, he was scared what his godfather would do if he told him he got them at the Dursleys. The iron form was from the incident he had fallen next to Aunt Petunia, tripping her board over and making the hot iron fall on his back. That was in a time when he had been too young to iron the clothes of the family yet so he had helped folding it. It had only landed there for half a second but he had cried and screamed and his aunt had brought him to a doctor, fixing it up. It had been an accident and the only time he could remember his aunt had really soothed him. The other scars were more shameful to him, it was when he had done magic and Uncle Vernon had taken his belt to him. He had always sent his Aunt and cousin out to go to McDonald's, much to Dudley's delight and then he had punished Harry. Harry wasn't sure his aunt knew but she had to know right? Three times he had bleeding wounds on his back, causing the scars. His uncle had been very clear not to tell anyone about it, not even his aunt, told him not to cry or it would get worse for a freak like him. But she had to know. Or did she not even care enough to notice? She had never said anything about it.

Remus, a man familiar with scars flinched at the sight as well as Dumbledore and Narcissa, but no one said a word. This wasn't the time or the place to talk about it but Remus shot his best friend a worried look. Sirius didn't notice, he patted Harry slightly on the back.

"Don't you worry Prongslet, just remember what was in the book." Harry sniffed a little but shook his head.

"It...It's like my head is empty right now." All stopped when they heard Dumbledore and Flamel chuckle a little. They turned to the older wizards.

"Young Albus here had been exactly the same when he got Fawkes. Calm down young boy, this is normal. We will help you through it." The old man smiled at Harry, calming him ever so slightly. Harry nodded a shaking nod. Why was he so afraid? He remembered the book said nothing was to be worried about but still he was so nervous. What if he did something wrong? What if he did her harm? What did he know about caring for anyone? His example had left him with scars on his back and no love. What if he was the same? Then he looked again into the ageless eyes of the undying alchemist and just saw understanding. The man knew what he thought at this moment, giving him a smile.

"Now young man, the best is to kneel down and put the bowl in your lap. Also lean forward just a little bit you don't want the egg yolk run down your chest trust me. Finally, hold your hands to the underside of the egg, so when it breaks she falls not too far. The yolk will spill on your hands, brace yourself, that can be a little...unpleasant and painful."

Sirius' head swirls around staring at the oldest man in the room with worry and a little fear.

"Painful?" He asked with a little bit of raised voice. Harry hadn't allowed him to read the part about the hatching stating it was red ink but now he had a feeling the boy was lying, not wanting to tell him that it was hurtful. He glanced at his nervous godson and knew he was right.

Flamel nodded a little gravely.

"Yes. You see the yolk of a phoenix egg is quite hot so when gets on your skin it is quite painful. Also, the cracking shell sends out sparks. Phoenix's are creatures of fire born in it and living with it."

Sirius squeezed the shoulder of his godson, shaking a little.

"How painful? How hot? I don't want him to lose his hands." At that Dumbledore stepped closer, patting his shoulder, he showed his own hand. "Don't worry too much Sirius my boy. Harry will not lose his hands. Look at mine. It feels like boiling water, but only two spoons full."

Now Narcissa snapped a little, stemming her hands to her hips, while Harry was following the talk. His hands cradled the egg, while not really looking up. He knew all of this already, his panic calming down far enough for him to remember everything.

"Boiling water? Sirius get the dragon-hide gloves, quick. I don't believe you!" She pointed at Dumbledore in an angry matter. The old man raised his hands, trying to defend himself, while you could feel Sirius' Magic flare-up. The only one keeping back was Remus, who rather watched the boy in question. Harry shook his head now joining the conversation.

"I must catch her with my bare hands, instantly. It's important. Padfoot! Moony! Narcissa! I know you are worried, but I'm fine! I have been bitten by a Basilisk, all the bones in my left arm had to regrow once and more! It is fine! I can take this! I want this, so please just calm down. I'm nervous enough for all of us okay?" He had taken Sirius hand, firm and with determination. Sirius looked for a moment, ready to yell at his godson for lying to him, but then his resolve melted away. He sighed.

"Okay Harry, later." Then he mumbled. "Now we know what the potions are for. Thought they were for the bird." Harry chuckled only to be interrupted by Fawkes who spread his wings and flew over, landing on his knee. His beak came close to the egg but did not touch it. Then a cracking sound was to be heard.

"Here we go!" Harry called out, his eyes fixed on the shaking, trembling egg on his chest. It was shivering, again a cracking sound was to be heard. Everyone learned a little closer, with the exception of Nicolas Flamel, who had seen it a few times now and was just happy to be here. Then everyone jerked back when a louder crack sounded and sparks flew from the eggshell. A second cracking was heard and more sparks and Harry yelped out.

"There is a crack!" He was right, on the top side of the small object a split had appeared. He leaned forward, even more, his eyes trailing along with the split. It was short and straight, and then the boy flinched when the crack got longer and sparks hit Harry right in the face. But he kept his head close, his hands firm under the egg. He didn't want to miss any of this.

More sparks and cracks and suddenly an ever so small part of the egg got loose falling down and landing on Harry's wrist. It was burning hot, but he kept unmoving because the tiny peek of a beak appeared in the gap that had been opened. It was small but ebony black in colour. The beak pushed and turned, nibbling on the edges of the crack, pulling and tearing. More sparking and more splits appeared around the small gap, running down the sides of the object. With a louder breaking sound and a shower of flares, a small head pushed out of the hole into life and Harry felt love wash through his whole body.

The small head was pitch black, but unlike normal birds, there were already feathers on it. They were covered in liquid and pressed against the small creature's skin but it was feathers. The eyes of the newborn were closed but it raised her head anyway towards the boy cradling her like she felt where he was. Harry raised one hand and brushed his index finger over her small head, brushing the liquid off in an affectionate and loving manner. While it burned like hell, like the liquid was boiling hot, he couldn't stop himself from smiling. The delight in his mind came like a tidal wave and all the worries from before they just vanished and disappeared. He felt the bond that he had sensed all these days had been like a small candle and now there was a wildfire in his chest. He petted over the head once more.

"Hey, there little one." He smiled, resulting in a high pitched cooing sound from the small bird. It wasn't the most pleasant sound in the world, far from the beautiful song of a grown Phoenix but to Harry, it sounded like the most beautiful sonnet he had ever heard. He grinned a little, then the head under him turned and twitched, and he pulled his hand back. His baby wanted to be free from her imprisonment and he wouldn't stop her. The small beak opened again and with more vigour the tiny bird ripped on the edges of her eggshell, tearing part after part away. She was struggling a little, the egg didn't want to let her go so easily. But the small bird wouldn't give up and nipped, pulled and pushed against the shell. Suddenly the little creature twisted one more and the egg broke in half, making her roll into Harry's waiting hands in a tumble, him holding her safe. Also, Harry flinched and hissed through his teeth at the pain. The burning egg yolk had spilt over his hands and like Mr Flamel said it burned like hell. Even in his lovestruck moment, Harry felt the burning pain on his fingers and forearms. Sirius jumped forward.

"Harry!" The boy only barely heard him, smiling at the small creature in his hands, while trying his best to stop them from shaking. The small bird tilted her head, cooing again with her small beak while nuzzling into his hands. That made him wince again but it was bittersweet. All this pain was so worth it. Nicolas Flamel rose from his couch, stepped over and with a wave of his wand the egg yolk disappeared from Harry's hands and the baby creature. Another high pitched coo came from her. For the first time, they could see her full beauty. The small female bird had pitch-black feathers, while her inner wings and stomach was flaming red-orange. She looked like a piece of coal gleaming from the inside. She slowly opened her eyes to look around for the first time and they were large and golden, with a soft outlook. She turned her head, to look at Harry and again cooed at him. He smiled tickling her under the beak, right where the orange and the black feathers met. The small bird closed her eyes in delight.

"She is beautiful, Harry." Narcissa whispered, kneeling down on Harrys one side, while Sirius slumped to his knees on the other one. Both of their eyes were glued to the small bird, that tilted her head, looking around the room in interest. Harry smiled, gliding his finger over her tiny head. At that the little bird ruffled her feathers, shuffling a little in his hand, to nuzzle closer. Then she tilted her head back and opened her beak, holding it open. The gesture was clear. Sirius reached out, opening the jar and holding it to Harry. The boy picked one of the embers up and held it to the bird's beak. With a snap, the tiny creature plucked it from his fingers and they repeated the process three more times and gave her a little water too. Then the bird ruffled her feathers and sunk her head to her chest, closing her eyes.

Nicolas leaned down smiling, his hands folded in front of himself.

"Ah yes. Hatching is stressful for the little ones. Expect her to sleep for quite a lot at first." Harry nodded, raising his head, grin across the face. He felt so so happy and everybody could see it. Proud beyond belief.

Everyone smiled back at him and Remus handed him the warming blanket, in which the small creature was wrapped so she didn't get cold. Like a baby, Harry held her to his chest when sitting down in an armchair. "I guess I am a phoenix dad now." Sirius chuckled, ruffling through his hair.

"And here I was ready to give you the talk. The fear of every godfather, a teenage dad in their home. Still, this little cutie will guarantee you the attention of so many girls out there. Good job Prongslet." The light tone took off the edge but Harry's face burned anyway from embarrassment about what he had seen last night and also in pride.

"S-Sirius after last night would you maybe..." Harry wasn't sure how to say this but when he saw his own godfather turn bright red and staring away to the ceiling rather quick making him chuckle a little. Narcissa smiled, sitting down next to Harry, handing him the pain relief and scarring potions, while her grey eyes were still fixated on the wonderful newborn in Harry's arms.

"Here Harry, you need to take these." With that, the boy noticed the pain again and it was rather unpleasant so he wrangled his hands-free, trying to handle the creature and the bottle. At last, he sighed, holding the blanket package to Sirius. He didn't want to hand her off but he needed both hands for this.

"Could you hold her, while I drink these?"

Dumbledore and Flamel watched from the other couch, while the old headmaster petted Fawkes. The tall red bird stared at the tiny black one, no surprise it had been his ash that formed her and he was part her parent. His head tilted slightly. Flamel smiled, this reminded him of the scene when Albus got him. He had the same delight on his face, the same bright smile the boy had. The utter delight in his heart was written very clearly in his face.

"You sure? W-What if I drop her?" Sirius asked worryingly only to have the bundle just placed in his arms like it had happened when Harry had been born. He stared down at it. It wasn't the same feeling as with Harry, not that strong, but he felt a wave of warmth around his chest. It was a cute bird.

"You haven't dropped me, you will not drop her Padfoot." Sirius smiled nodding and Harry turned to the potions Narcissa was handing him. The pain in his wrists and hands had gotten worse and he now needed this really. It was quite a few to drink and if he had learned anything from the years in Snape's dungeon, it was that potions tasted nasty. He heard his godfather whisper.

"Hello, you." He looked over, saw him rocking the bundle and smiled at the cooing his 'cool and badass' godfather did around the small creature. Narcissa chuckled next to him.

"Ahh he wasn't wrong, the girls will love you. We have a thing for cute animals and fatherly behaviour." Harry smiled and then almost dropped the pitcher when Flamel called out.

"Mr Black stop!" Harry turned back and forth, staring at the frozen old man and the equally frozen Lord Black, his finger only inches away from nuzzling the bird's beak.

"What? What is wrong? I thought, since Harry..." He trailed of pulling his hand back. Nicolas Flamel shook his head.

"It's nothing wrong but I didn't want something happening Harry didn't want. You see, while the bonding is strongest while being in an egg, for the first twenty fours a newborn is still sensitive to it. So if you would touch her in that time directly, it would bond to you as well. Not nearly as strong as with Harry or when you would have touched the egg, but it is still a bonding. So I thought it would be best just in case Harry didn't want that."

Silence followed the sentence and everyone stared at the old man. Harry found his words first.

"T-Touching the egg forms a bond?" Flamel nodded looking at him with a little confusion.

"Well yes, of course, Albus probably told you that." Silence followed the words and then Flamel's face twitched a little.

"Albus my boy, didn't you tell young Harry about the bonding of a hatchling?" He asked, frowning and staring at his apprentice. The man shook his head, looking at Flamel bewildered.

"You never told me that either. Remember we were the only once when I got mine, I was secluded at that time and you never touched Fawkes egg." Albus Dumbledore looked a little lost, staring between Nicolas and Harry, with an occasional glance at the small sleeping bird. Harry took the bundle quickly from Sirius, nuzzling his finger against the warm dark feathers. The small phoenix stirred little scooting closer to his finger but didn't wake up.

"I-Is this bad? Her bonding with others?" His mind was rushing. Would that weaken their bond? Did they do something wrong? Was she hurt? Wouldn't she bee his familiar? Would she leave, taking someone else? He felt already tears come to his eyes, while his finger brushed through the smooth feathers.

Flamel shook his head, folding his hands in his lap.

"Not really no. It doesn't affect your bond to her. You carried her, you showered her with affection and nursed her at your chest with your magic. She is bound to you and you are bound to her. The bond of people who touch the egg is different. She will tend to those who were deemed worthy to touch her at her most vulnerable. That is the reason only nesting dragons deemed more dangerous than nesting phoenixes because they normally don't want their hatchlings to bond to someone. She will trust those that touched her at these times, will seek their proximity, but she will never choose them over you as you would never choose another phoenix over her I would think."

Harry only nodded. Even the thought of another phoenix being more important than his little girl revolted to him. Flamel saw the look, the look of a bound familiar. He smiled, there was no mistake about it.

"Still this bond is precious and you shouldn't spread it freely. Being bound to a phoenix, even in a small bond is something important and can have consequences. For one, the people who bind to a phoenix start longing for them ever so slightly. There is a pull in the bond. It's not like an addiction but they tend to return to the Phoenix they bind to. Also, they will never be able to bind to their own phoenix. It is speculated there is more but what these are I don't know but it was made clear to me not to spread the bond freely."

"Is there something we can do about it?" He asked the old man carefully. He shook his head.

"No did some people touch the egg?" Harry nodded, he turned his head to the left and the right.

"Sirius and Narcissa, Hermione and...oh and Daphne Greengrass." Nicolas Flamel thought about it, then he nodded.

"It shouldn't be too bad but I inquire you to write these two girls about this, they should know. Also, I must advise you not to let anyone else touch her until noon tomorrow. I will look into this a little more maybe I find something in my Library."

Harry bowed his head, smiling at the old friendly man.

"Thank you, Mr Flamel." The man chuckled and nodded back at him when he heard these words.

"No problem young Harry. And it was Nicolas wasn't it?"

The tension broke in Harry's mind and he laughed, rocking the small girl once more around, while the rest of the room chuckled. Then Nicolas raised an eyebrow.

"There is only one thing left for me to do. Actually two."

Harry tilted his head, watching the man brush his long white hair out of his face. He was a strange mix of very very old and energetic.

"What is that...Nicolas?"

The white perfect teeth of the alchemist appeared and he bowed his head in return at the young boy and his family.

"For one, congratulations." He started clapping slightly and soon Dumbledore, Remus, Narcissa and Sirius joined him. Harry blushed a little, hugging the bundle closer, even bringing it up to his face and nuzzling her with his nose. She was so warm and soft and wonderful, Harry's heart could burst.

After a short while, the applause died down, and Harry smiled widely at the gathered people.

"Thank you very much. What was the second thing?"

Flamels eyes lit up a little and he leaned forward eagerness in these blue orbs of ancient wisdom, the wish to learn even the smallest details of this world.

"What will be her name?"

Harry nodded, looking down. The small bird opened her eyes a slit, showing her golden pupil and cooed softly at him before she closed it again and slept on. He was the proudest phoenix dad of the entire world.

"Please everyone, meet Dawn."

AN

So Harry's phoenix has hatched. I hope I get the idea over that she is a little cutie. Her name Dawn comes actually from my other fanfic out of Life is Strange where it is the second name of a character whose last name is Amber. Since Ember is the mother phoenix, I felt Dawn was fitting.

So yeah that is for hatching. I sometimes have the feeling I forget people in scenes. This time Remus came up a little bit short I think, what do you say?