Flame of the Phoenix

Child of the new Dawn

Disclaimer: don't own don't sue

A/N Thanks to all those who reviewed! I'd say there are about 4 more chapters left after this one. Hope you enjoy! Dawn


The Beginning

When Remus entered the Great Hall for dinner that evening, he was immediately drawn towards the large crowd surrounding the Gryffindor table. He smiled as he saw Harry eating in the middle of the throng, answering questions between mouthfuls. Harry grinned at Remus, who was relieved to find him looking much better than when he first arrived.

Harry was happy to be reunited with Ron and Hermione and content just to listen to them and his other housemates talk about what rumors they had heard and to ask him where he had been and what he had been doing. Jaegar had forbidden him from revealing very much information, so in the end Harry left his answers vague, though trying to keep as close to the truth as he could.

Dumbledore had requested, via Fawkes, that he meet him in his office after dinner. Harry had already told Ron and Hermione about this and invited them to come along so they could hear what was going on. He, himself, knew that he would not stay at Hogwarts much longer. Remus had told him that with all of his training, Harry had met the qualifications to take his NEWTS and graduate from Hogwarts and Harry wanted to get them done as soon as possible.

"You've changed a lot, Harry." Hermione said, as they made their way up the revolving staircase, "There's something else to this isn't there? Something you haven't told us."

Harry lowered his head. He hadn't told anyone about the demon wearing Sirius' face yet; he really didn't want to see Remus' reaction.

"Harry-" Ron began, "What-" He was cut off at the door to Dumbledore's office opened abruptly.

"Come in, we don't have much time." Professor McGonagall said grimly.

Jaegar was already there and judging by Remus' pale face, he had already told them everything.

"From what Jaegar has said we do not have time to discuss some matters in full." Dumbledore said slowly, "What is it you need Harry?"

"I have to go to the temple where the shard was." Harry said softly, "From there I'm going to find a way to seal the tree. Voldemort and," he glanced at Jaegar, "Others will have to wait. The tree is my first priority."

He glanced over at Ron and Hermione, who looked as if they were about to insist they come along, "I'm sorry you two, but I really have to do this on my own. Voldemort will no doubt use the tree as a distraction and send Death Eaters after Hogwarts while we are gone. I need you to organize the school in the event that I am not back in time to help. With everything we've been through, we know more about his castle than the deatheaters do. Use that to your advantage along with the marauders' map."

"I'm going with you Harry," Remus said softly, and Harry didn't argue.

Dumbledore nodded grimly when Harry finished speaking, "Very well. You know how to get to the temple?"

Harry nodded, then turned to Remus, "Remus I think it would be best if you get word to Tiernan about what is going on." He smiled slightly and added, "And Ashon too."

Remus raised an eyebrow at the mention of his sire, but nodded his agreement.

Turning back to the headmaster Harry asked, "Sir, I think it would be best if some of the vampires and werewolves were here to help guard the castle."

Dumbledore gave Harry a small smile, "Don't worry about Hogwarts, Harry. You have enough on your plate as it is. Hogwarts has many defenses and I will send word to the Ministry for Aurors. I think it best that you would take the fighters that Tiernan, Ashon, and Lady Kali suggests, if they do not go themselves."

He looked Harry in the eye and Harry could easily see the concern in them, "Harry I caution you not to act rashly and wait until you are ready, but you must keep in mind that every hour the seal grows weaker. If you wait too long it will break completely and no army will be able to stop the evil that is released. Take as few or as many people as you see fit, but chose them wisely or they could be lost to the darkness."

At Harry's final nod, Dumbledore leaned back into his chair, "Very well then. Take whatever it is you need. Do not worry about us; we will be waiting for you to return."


A few hours later

Harry shifted restlessly from one foot to the other as he waited just inside the gate to Hogwarts. The twin daggers Jaegar had given him from the Keep were now at his waist. The silver daggers came smoothly to a deadly point with a long lightning bolt, edged in gold running down the middle. Though simple in design, Harry could feel his magic extending out into the blades as if making an extension of himself. With the daggers on his sides along with Enno, Harry could relax slightly at the comforting weight he had grown used to.

He had said his goodbyes and was waiting, the locket that would transport them to the temple in hand (1), for Remus. To say he was surprised when he was waiting for one man and over twenty people, werewolf and vampire alike, showed up was an understatement.

"Hurry up Ashon! I'm surprised Harry hasn't left yet!" Tiernan yelled over his shoulder.

Ashon made no move to speed up his leisurely pace and said, "He hasn't left because he knows your mutts wouldn't get the job done without me babysitting them."

"Why you-!"

"Sometime today, gentlemen." Remus called, and the two werewolves turned to see that everyone but them was grouped around Harry waiting.

Once everyone was together Harry touched the shard within the necklace and they disappeared in a blur of colors.


They landed in a circular chamber of the temple that Harry vaguely remembered going through. He looked down at the necklace to see the arrow had moved and was pointing towards one of the corridors on the left. Trusting the necklace, Harry followed the arrow, barely listening to the occasional burst of argument from Tiernan and Ashon.

The talking that had begun quieted when Harry stopped abruptly. They were at a dead end. Hesitantly, Harry stepped forward and touched the wall. Green light erupted from the wall and outlined the hieroglyphics carved there.

Harry jumped backwards as the illumination of a woman stepped out of the wall. She stood there, her body made completely out of stone, before the color of flesh bled from the green light still outlining her body. With a burst of light, the green faded and Harry looked into the emerald eyes of the woman he had seen in visions many times before.

She smiled at him and stepped to one side of the hallway and gestured back from the wall where she had just come. The surface had changed from the smooth stone sides to a thick black suspended liquid.

"This is a gateway." The woman said softly, "It will take you to the Breaden tree where you must heal the broken seal. The magic that created the seal will be strong again when the seal is whole."

"How do we fix the seal?" Harry asked.

The woman smiled at him again, "We will help you. As guardian of the shard it is also your responsibility to watch over the balance of power. This temple holds all of the knowledge of the past guardians. With that knowledge, you will know what to do."

She looked over the small crowd of werewolves and vampires that were behind him, "I must ask each of you to do what you can to protect the guardian while he is sealing the Breaden Tree. To ensure his safety, is to ensure the safety of the world."

At their nods and soft agreements, she turned back to Harry and touched her finger to his forehead. A wave of heat followed the touch, and Harry saw flashes of people and places intermixing with each other. He closed his eyes and willed himself to relax and give into the confusion. When the heat finally faded and died, Harry opened his eyes again, eyes that were gleaming with an emerald fire.

Harry took a step forward and felt the liquid with his fingertips. The liquid was cold and thick, regaining its shape after Harry pulled back his hand.

He looked back at the others for a moment and softly said in a voice that was a mixture of many different voices, "Don't be afraid." Then stepped through the thick liquid to face what lay on the other side.


A/N I know that was short, but we are getting to the good part! Next chappie will be up tomorrow or the next day. Please review! Dawn

(1) See chapter 26 of Rebirth of the Phoenix when this was first used