Chapter 92: It is Not too Late

After dinner, Phoenix, Katie, and Angelina were in the common room in deep conversation about quidditch and muggle sports. After several questions and practices later, they learned they had much in common and the three became quick friends.

Phoenix didn't realize how empty the common room became until Katie and Angelina headed to bed.

"Better get the cloak," Ron whispered once Lee Jorden and the girls left.

Phoenix watched Harry leave and moved next to Hermione. "Do you think you can handle your invisibility?" Hermione whispered.

Phoenix nodded. "I've been practicing and feel confident enough for this." Hermione nodded and the three looked up, hearing someone coming down the stairs.

"We'd better put the cloak on here and make sure it covers at least three of us. How are you two coming on with that invisibility enchantment?" Harry looked at the girls while handling the cloak.

"We cast it." Phoenix held out a bracelet and placed it on, then took it off, showing Harry.

Hermione nodded. "We feel confident about it."

"Good, because if Filch spots one of our feet wandering along on its own..."

"What are you doing?" said a voice from the corner of the room. Phoenix realized it was Neville who appeared from behind an armchair, clutching Trevor.

"Nothing, Neville, nothing," said Harry, hurriedly putting the cloak behind his back.

Phoenix looked down at the floor when Neville stared at their guilty faces. "You're going out again," he said.

"No, no, no," said Hermione. "No, we're not. Why don't you go to bed, Neville?"

"Yeah, we were just wanting to work on something." Phoenix supplied. She looked over at Harry, who was looking at the grandfather clock by the door.

"You can't go out," she heard Neville say. "You'll be caught again. Gryffindor will be in even more trouble."

"He has a point," Phoenix whispered to Hermione.

"You don't understand," said Harry, "this is important."

"I won't let you do it," he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. "I'll-I'll fight you!"

Phoenix closed her eyes in frustration. She could use her powers and push him out of their way but knew Hermione would scrutinize her, and she didn't feel like explaining things to Harry and Ron at the moment if they noticed her.

"Neville," Ron exploded, making Phoenix jump, "get away from that hole and don't be an idiot."

"Ron!" Phoenix hissed, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Don't you call me an idiot!" said Neville. "I don't think you should be breaking any more rules! And you were the one who told me to stand up to people!"

"That you did, Ron." Phoenix agreed.

"Yes, but not to us," said Ron in exasperation. "Neville, you don't know what you're doing." He took a step forward, and Neville dropped Trevor. Phoenix watched the poor toad leap out of their way.

"Go on then, try and hit me!" said Neville, raising his fists. "I'm ready!"

"Oh Neville," Phoenix stated. She looked over at Hermione and Harry.

"Do something," he said desperately.

Phoenix sighed, and she and Hermione stepped forward.

"Neville," Phoenix started.

"We're really really sorry about this." Hermione stated raising her wand. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Phoenix swung her right hand slightly, pushing Neville away as his arms snapped to his sides and legs sprang together. His whole-body rigid, he swayed where he stood and then fell flat on his face, stiff as a board. Phoenix looked at Hermione in a surprise and ran over to him, helping Hermione turn him over. His jaws pinned together so he couldn't speak. Only his eyes were moving, looking at them in horror.

"Remind me to never get you angry!" Phoenix stated.

"What've you done to him?" Harry whispered.

"It's the full body bind," said Hermione miserably. "Oh, Neville, I'm so sorry."

"We had to, Neville, no tome to explain," said Harry.

"I'm proud of you for being brave." Phoenix commented.

"You'll understand later, Neville," said Ron as they stepped over him one by one.

Once the portrait closed, the four of them looked at each other and sighed. Phoenix didn't like leaving Neville motionless on the floor. It felt like a bad omen. She looked at Harry and watched him grab the cloak and placed it around Hermione, Ron, and himself. Phoenix nodded, letting Harry know they were covered, then placed the bracelet on her right hand while triggering her power. She looked in front of her and saw a flying thumbs up, telling her she was invisible.

Phoenix walked cautiously down the halls. Even though she was used to them, Hogwarts felt different at night. She was more in tuned and felt the weight of magic throughout.

At the foot of the first set of stairs, Phoenix saw Mrs. Norris skulking near the top. She heard the slight shuffling of Harry's robes and she cautiously followed, keeping her eyes on Mrs. Norris, who turned her lamp eyes on them but did nothing. Phoenix released a quiet sigh and continued on.

Phoenix kept quiet, listening and watching for anyone and everything. She kept track of Harry by listening to the shuffle of feet, ruffling of his cloak or comments when someone stepped on a foot. Other than the four of them, they didn't meet anyone else until they reached the staircase up to the third floor. Peeves was bobbing halfway up, loosening the carpet so that people would trip.

"Who's there?" he said suddenly as Phoenix climbed toward him. He narrowed his wicked black eyes. "Know you're there, even if I can't see you. Are you ghoulie or ghostie or wee student beastie?"

He rose in the air and floated there, squinting. "Should I call Filch, I should, if something's creeping around unseen."

Phoenix held her breath. She didn't know where the others were and wasn't sure what to do until she heard a faint whisper.

"Peeves," Phoenix realized it was Harry and listened intently, trying to figure out where he was while watching Peeves' reaction at the same time. "The Bloody Baron has his own reasons for being invisible."

Peeves almost fell out of the air in shock. He caught himself in time and hovered about a foot off the stairs. "So sorry, your bloodiness, Mr. Baron sir," he said greasily. "My mistake, my mistake. I didn't see you- of course I didn't, you invisible- forgive old Peeves his little joke, sir."

Phoenix couldn't help but giggle. She liked Peeves and got along with him relatively okay, but the look on his face was priceless.

"I have business here, Peeves," croaked Harry. "Stay away from this place tonight."

"I will, sir, I most certainly will," said Peeves rising up in the air again. "Hope your business goes well, Baron, I'll not bother you." And he scooted off.

Phoenix watched him leave, then felt a breeze go by her. Harry was off again.

A few seconds later, they were there, outside the third-floor corridor- and the door was already a jar.

"Well, there you are," Harry whispered. "Snape's already got past Fluffy."

"Or Quirrell."

Phoenix could feel the eye rolls from Ron and Harry.

Seeing the open door, Phoenix let out another heavy breath. This was where things get real. None of them knew what or who they will face.

"If you want to go back, I won't blame you," Harry stated. Phoenix knew he was talking to the three of them and cautiously walked toward his voice, then stopped when he spoke again. "You can take the cloak or Phoenix and Hermione could say the invisibility enchantment."

"Don't be stupid," said Ron.

"We're coming," said Hermione.

"Whether you want us or not," Phoenix added.