The Phoenix, The Sword, and the Tunnel
By: bigo4190
Disclaimer: I do not own this. All the differing events and other changes are mine, but the original ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and C.S. Lewis
Speaking: "Blah"
Thinking: 'Blah'
Original Book Scene Quoted: Blah
Chapter 3
The two had traveled for several days now, and slowly the dusty expanse of desert was thinning as they progressed further east; giving way to rocky crags, that, if the bleached bones of many creatures, both human and non, to be found littering the bottoms of these parts, mostly out of sight, were any indication, this was the terrible obstacle that Miraz, the boy they had met in the desert, had told them about.
"I can see what Miraz meant by treacherous. But this is where Fawkes wanted us to go; see, there he is, flying back towards us over the rocks, almost as if he was looking over them, making sure the path he though was there actually went where he thought it did." Harry was looking out, watching Fawkes progress towards them as he said this to Ginny.
"I admit he's a smart bird Harry, and he does seem to be leading us, but I still do wonder if you're giving him too much credit." By this time Fawkes had drawn closer to the two, and, as though he had heard Ginny's comment, seemed to give her a slightly disappointed look. "Though, maybe I'm the one who seems to have the wrong of it here; sorry for not believing you Fawkes." The bird studied her intently for a few more moments, before nodding firmly. "We're always told that Phoenixes are smart creatures, but Fawkes is exceptional, the stories don't give the birds credit, or both."
Fawkes, looking quite appeased by Ginny's praise, circles once over them, then giving a small shriek, begins to fly back towards the maze of rock. "Best follow him then, Ginny." Without another word, the two continued on after the bird.
They quickly discovered that the path they were being led along, though passable, was still a dangerous path. The two found themselves being helped over another dangerous spot by the other, only to have to help them past the next spot in return. The awkwardness between them was mostly gone now, and the constant help the both required in these passes helped smooth away the rest of it. Ginny was finally losing her crush, something remained that attracted her to him, but she now stood beside him as a friend first. Harry as a result found himself identifying with Ginny more easily now; with her ability to talk around him now, the days began to pass in jovial banter and laughter, rather than the awkward silences of earlier.
After several days of passing through the harsh crags, Fawkes led them to a place that was almost suitable for camping; they stopped to rest, watching Fawkes disappear once more.
"He must be checking further ahead. Seeing what else is waiting for us."
"You're probably right Ginny. I've been thinking about everything that has happened since the Chamber, and I believe that Fawkes is leading us to…something. Slytherin said in that note that some great need would drive us to the Vault, and Fawkes is the one that led us in, so now he must be leading us to where we are needed."
It had been several weeks since they had enter the maze of rock, perhaps a month since they left the Chamber when they finally passed out from the maze once more, to find themselves at the foot of imposing snow-capped mountains. With just a single glance at them, Harry feels an intense dread take hold of him. "Why do I have the feeling that the easy part of the journey is over? Fawkes responds with a slow trill, one that sounds affirmative, but consoling.
They settled down to camp earlier that day, since it would not be good to attempt any of the mountain paths after sundown. As they settled down around the campfire, Ginny took a deep breath and turned to Harry. "Hey, Harry…Thanks."
"For what, Ginny?"
"For just being here; for putting up with me. I must have been a real pain earlier, what with my crush. But I can say now that you're my best friend. If you weren't here, I think I'd have gone crazy by now."
"That mean a lot to me, Ginny. And to tell the truth, If it had been Ron or Hermione that came with me, I think I would have gone mad by now. Don't get me wrong, they're great friends, but we're different enough that we would've driven each other spare by now." The two stopped talking now, no more words were needed. A a little later they drifted off to sleep.
About a week later, the two wayfarers had established themselves in the mountain passes, however impassable most of them seemed. They even began to think they had some idea where they were going; the path Fawkes had led them on led due east, terrain permitting. So, though they were dismayed when it happened, it was little shock to them when Fawkes once more disappeared.
"It seems we have to make our own way for now. Onward then, to the East."