a/n: I've finally finished this story! Sorry to keep you waiting, this ending isn't as big as I had first planned it to be, 5 years ago. But here's what we've got. Enjoy
Harry turned to see Merl standing behind him, unarmed,
"Harry, you don't want to do this. You're outside of Kings Cross station; you're attracting too many muggle attentions."
Harry slowly lowered his wand.
"Let go of the boy Merl, the Dark Lord awaits his presence" said Snape.
"Seriously, Serverus, like this, in broad daylight? You ought to have more common sense than that."
"We know you have the orb, give it to the people who actually know how to use it."
"Don't flatter yourselves, you don't know the first thing about its powers."
All the hooded figures clutched their right forearm in unison. "Looks like your Big Boss is calling for you. Time to apparate off."
"We'll be seeing you two soon," and with that the cloaked figures vanished into smoke. Merl and Harry were left surrounded by a group if curious muggles.
"Nothing to see here folks, just some ah magic tricks. They're good aren't they?" with a weak attempt at a nonchalant laugh, she hurried Harry away from the spot. The Dursley's car was empty, but the Dursley's were nowhere to be seen.
"Oh dear, I think we scared them away. No matter we'll take the bus."
They rode off silently on a muggle bus. Harry's mind was getting more and more confused. "Merl, wouldn't it be safer if we went to Grimmauld place?"
"No Harry. When Grandpa died the spell broke. They'll be waiting for us there."
A few stops later the two of them got off in front of a rental car service.
"We're going to take a car? Why not just apparate?" harry asked confusedly.
"This isn't a car rental, it's the closest safe floo network we can use. Come on now, we don't have a lot of time."
Inside the dingy car rental shop was a simple couch, table, and fireplace. Merl grabbed a handful of floo powder, and said, "Harry get in next to me, hurry." She dropped the powder into the fireplace, grabbed Harry's arm, and yelled "Phoenix-head Castle". Before he knew it, Harry was tumbling out of a lavish looking fireplace in a huge sitting room.
"Welcome Harry, to the Dumbledore household."
Harry gazed around at the antique sitting room. He could tell nobody had lived in it for years. A layer of dust matted the floor and furniture.
"Are you telling me, Dumbledore lived here?"
"Yes, a long time ago. I practically grew up here," replied Merl as she led Harry out of the sitting room, and into a decorated corridor. They walked up a lavish half spiraled staircase, which eventually led to a large study, with ceiling high bookcases.
"Sit" said Merl, pointing to an old fashioned armchair. Harry sank down comfortably.
"I know you have a lot of questions Harry, but I will have to cut to the chase. The phoenix ball I left for you, I know it wasn't the smartest idea to just give you that crystal, but I had to leave for an urgent situation that came up in the Alps. Voldemort had started gathering supporters In Italy, and we couldn't let him add the vampires to his crew. When I got there, it was too late; most of the convenants had already sided with the Death Eaters. But that's not why I brought you here. Dumbledore wanted you to master the power of the phoenix, before you face Voldemort.
"And that has something to do with that orb you left".
"Yes, you have it on you I presume?"
"Yes" said Harry as he pulled out the orangish orb from his jacket pocket.
"Before I begin, I have to tell you a little story. The Order of the Phoenix isn't just some ordinary collection of powerful witches and wizards fighting against evil, the Order was founded many years ago by two people, and back then its purpose was very different. My grandfather and a close friend of his did all kinds of experiments, pushing their limits, and exploring all parts of magic. They were fascinated by the phoenix. As you know, a phoenix has many powers, they're also very loyal creatures. My grandfather and his friend wanted to extract the powers of the phoenix, so they could carry it wherever they went, and make it do their bidding. It's not always possible to carry around a bird, or have it come to you at times of need. So they were able to store the powers in this magical crystal ball. There is a secret to using it, and my grandfather knew it would wreck havoc in our world in the hands of the wrong people. So he created an Order which would carry the secret of this power, and in times of dire need, use it accordingly. I believe that time has come."
Harry was quiet for a moment, letting it all sink in. "How do I use it?"
"Stand up Harry, and drop the ball to the floor close to you."
Harry did as he was told. Once again the ball shattered into pieced and a line of fire lit around the room, and a phoenix emerged. This time Harry was blasted with warm air that buffeted out of the floor.
"Now you step into the phoenix Harry. You must let the powers of the phoenix course through you. When you fight Voldemort, you must focus on why you're fighting him, why you must win. The soul of an ancient phoenix lies here, it will comply to you once it understands the import of your task."
Harry focused on why he needed to defeat Voldemort, he thought of all the people whose lives were on the line. Then, the Wings of the phoenix enclosed Harry completely, he was inside a huge ball of fire, but strangely he didn't burn, it felt pleasantly warm. As suddenly as it had started, the phoenix contracted into Harry's body.
"Good, you'll get this in no time. With this power, you will see yourself heal when you're hurt, and a new force will carry your spells, making them more effective than ever. The phoenix will protect you, and serve you, as long as you have the phoenix tamed. Your task Harry for the next week is to do just that.
"You can't possible expect me to learn all this so fast."
"Don't worry, I know it won't take you long. You can stay here, I have a room made for you upstairs. I couldn't let you practice at school or at your Aunt and Uncle's house, you need complete isolation, and no distractions to master this quickly. Once you're done, I'll take you back to the Dursley's.
Harry set to work the next day. Like so, the next week wizzed by. With Merl's help, Harry was able to master the art of the phoenix power. At the end of the week, Merl came into the study where Harry was practicing.
"I think you've got it Harry, now lets give this a trial run. You have merged with the phoenix, now get ready" Merl raised her wand, "Secaris" A flash of red, and Harry's arm started bleeding from a gash. Before he could yelp, the wound started to heal by itself, as if a phoenix had shed its tears on it.
"Incredible!" said Harry in awe.
"You're ready Harry. Keep this orb safe with you at tall times; you'll know when to use it."
"We'll go back the same route we came, I had all your belongings shipped to the Dursleys, a group of the Order members will be waiting for you there."
"You'll come too won't you?"
"No Harry, I can't be here, I have to continue scouting out more members for the Order. And we have an extensive spy system to uphold."
After arriving at the same rental car shop, they took the bus back to the station. Arthur Weasley greeted them at the station with one of the Ministry's cars. They had a long ride to the Dursleys.
"Merl you never told me why the Death Eaters attacked me that day at the station."
"They are getting bolder Harry, trying to make a statement. They also knew you had the orb, don't ask me how, and they thought you would be vulnerable at that time. So they took their chances."
Before long, they arrived at Privet Drive. Merl walked Harry to the front of the house, before knocking; she turned and said, "Harry, your parents would have been very proud of you. And don't fret about whether they would've wanted you to kill Voldemort or not, believe me, they would want you to defeat him, by any means necessary."
Harry nodded in understanding, and said his good byes, knowing that he will see them all soon.
a/n: Thanks for reading, and don't forget to R&R!