I am back from the dead! I have risen from the writers block that consumed me! I will never abandon my best story. The Dark Phoniex has recived so much positive reviews that it really is a shock for me. I don't expect it to be as good as many Harry x Daphne fanfics I have read such as Angry Harry and the Seven, Thanks to a Snake and Paid in Blood. Those fan fictions are amazing and inspired me to write this story. So for my lack of writing was not losing interest in the story or abandoning it, it was mostly because I had writers block for this story I was also afraid I would eventually mess up and ruin your expectations thus disappoint you. I have also been busy with school, work and also holidays. I merely updated on smaller stories that I made that unlike this one are not as popular but it doesn't matter its fan fiction and I had to get that into my head. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and the ones to come as I promise you a nice supply of chapters to come. DISCLAIMER! I don't own Harry Potter nor the fan fictions mentioned above, JK owns Harry Potter and the respectful owners of the fan fictions mentioned above own those.
Chapter 9: Learning and Dragon Clue
The hall was getting tired as this was shown by the yawns and tired looking faces of the people in the hall. Daphne's eyes were heavy but she focused and stayed awake eager to hear the next chapter before going to sleep. Daphne *after coming to the realization that she had a crush on Harry* was staring at him more and more taking in his appearance. He was rather handsome she had to admit with her emerald green eyes and messy black hair that practically called for her to run her hand through.
Harry himself had noticed Daphne's now obvious staring but he found himself not minding and in fact took the time to look at her as well. Daphne was really beautiful with her long blonde hair and amazing sapphire blue eyes. She was a very very smart witch and was competition for Hermione and her brain. Harry felt her hand brush against his laying on the bed and he felt a jolt of emotion from the touch.
However the young wizard and witch's attention was soon brought to the front when Professor Flitwick soon began to read once again.
Chapter 8: Survival Training and Egg's Clue
Harry awoke the next morning feeling quit energized. He got out of his bed and soon went into the chambers wash room. After cleaning himself up he walked over to his desk and sat down in the high royal chair and stared at the biggest thing on his desk…the Golden Egg.
"I wonder what the clue is?" asked a random Hufflepuff.
"Be quite and we might learn what it is." said Hannah Abott.
The screech that the egg admitted from inside made him cringe just thinking about it. As he was paying attention to the egg he didn't notice Hedwig fly down towards him a letter in her claws until she literally had to start pecking him to get him to notice.
The hall chuckled at that while many of the girls of Gryffindor who knew about Hedwig cooed about the beautiful owl.
"Hedwig is sooooo pretty." said Pravati Patil
Her best friend Lavender Brown giggled and replied. "And her owner is not that that bad of a looker now that I think about it." she said with a giggle.
Daphne over heard this and she growled on the inside at the girls words.
"Sorry Hedwig lost in thought…what you got for me girl?" Harry asked his beloved owl who crooned at Harry's petting and handed him the letter. When Harry opened the letter he was a little shocked but pleased with its contents.
Dear Lord Potter-Peverell-Gryffindor-Slytherin-Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff-Gaunt and Heir Black
This is Sharptooth your accounts manager. I would like to inform you that the key that Mrs. Molly Weasley has is now void and unable to access the vaults. We have created a new key for you which is included in this letter. Congratulations on your victory in the First Task it was a impressive feat. Now on to the real reason for this letter, the goblin search crew have been having problems locating the Gaunt family ring which is surprising as the goblin team sent was one of are best. Director Ragnok himself has gotten involved in the search but he fears we may have to cancel the deal for the ring may have been destroyed or lost as such we wouldn't be able to find it. If it comes to this we will return half of the money given to us as appeasement but will keep half for the time spent trying. Thank you for your time.
May your gold always flow - Gringotts Account Manager Sharptooth
"Why can't they find it?" asked Ravenclaw Cho Chang.
"Goblins are experts at finding magical items especially family rings. This is very unlike the goblins to fail." said Flitwick.
Harry frowned from his bedside. Something didnt seem right to him. He could FEEL the ring calling to him but it felt…blocked like someone or something put a barrier between him and the ring.
Continuing to discuss the ring issue Flitwick eventually continued to read on.
Harry frowned at the letter. He liked the goblins they were a race he respected but he didn't like how they mentioned that the ring was destroyed. Some how Harry knew that it wasn't destroyed. His magic could feel the faint pull of the ring but he couldn't locate it…like there was a barrier between them.
"How interesting. That is a first that anyone ever felt a pull from the rings." said Dumbledore with a look of thought on his face.
Harry eventually left the letter in his letter pile before feeding Hedwig and leaving into the main area of the Chamber.
"Well well well look who decided to wake up." said a amused voice.
Harry turned around to see Godric smirking at him along with Helga and Salazar.
Harry smiled at his ancestors.
"Young Harry due to your victory over the First Task we have decided to work on more physical and survival tactics than spell work for now. May you please head to the Hall of Honor." said Salazar.
Ron Weasley frowned at this.
But not only did Ron Weasley frown but another boy in Gryffindor a boy in 5th year felt anger towards Harry.
'I am the true heir of Gryffindor…my family is decended from him…now a stupid cheating SNAKE will claim that title.'
"Ok but I need to also eat and also focus on the stupid egg." said Harry.
Helga smiled at Harry at that. "Don't worry dear me and Rowena are already working on that egg and the sound that it admitted. So don't worry about that we will tell you if we need your help." she said with smile.
Harry thanked Hegla who then walked off most likely to join Rowena.
Salazar turned towards Harry and Godric.
"I will stay in here…I never could stand your bright colors Godric." said Salazar with a small smirk.
"I never did like your dark and depressing choice of style either Salazar." said Godric with a eye roll.
The hall chuckled at the friendly banter between the two Founders who were said to be arch enemies.
Dumbledore had liked this interaction between the two Founders and looked at both sets of tables which held both Gryffindors and Slytherins.
'Maybe this will help heal the rivalry with each other.' he thought.
"Very well then Salazar. I will see you in the Hall after I eat breakfast Godric." Harry said to the Founders.
The Founders just waved him off getting into another banter about their beards. Harry walked off exiting the Chamber and left towards the Great Hall. Once in the hall he took notice of Neville sitting by himself far from the other Gryffindors currently there.
When Harry began walking towards the Gryffindor table he took notice of Cedric Diggory watching him with a smile. Harry nodded his head towards Cedric with a small smile before sitting down next to Neville.
Cedric and Harry shared tired smiles at each other.
"Morning Nev your up early." said Harry.
Neville jumped in surprise not noticing Harry sit down.
The hall chuckled at that and said boy began to blush.
"H..hey Harry…good…good. ." said Neville with a small stutter.
Harry had been helping Neville with his stuttering and also with is new found power to feel certain magic he noticed that there was always a good chunk of magic that looked like Nevilles but was different than his…and it came from his wand.
Nevilles eyes widened at that. He knew what Harry was talking about. While the rest of the hall looked confused Neville looked down at the wand in his hands.
'Maybe…maybe its not because I am a untalented wizard but…because of my wand.' he thought with a small frown.
Harry knew something was off but didn't want to upset his friend with his words.
'I talk to him about it later.' he thought to himself.
Harry and Neville began a pleasant and friendly conversation over the discovery of Harry and Neville replied back with fierce determination that surprised Harry.
"House Longbottom has always had House Potters back since long as I can remember. I will stand by your side." said Neville.
Everyone smiled and some even clapped for the small boy and his grandmother smiled with pride in her eyes which made Neville blush even harder. *AN: Just pretend that Nevilles grandmother had always been there*
Harry smiled and pat Neville on the back but when he noticed more and more people coming into the Great Hall he then noticed the rest of Gryffindor standing not far behind him…with Hermione and Ron in the front.
"Oh boy not again." said Susan Bones.
"Harry." Hermione said in a worried unsure voice.
Harry turned towards Hermione with a cold but neutral gaze.
"Yes Hermione?" he replied.
Fred and George Weasley *who never openly where the terrible badges nor did they insult Harry but ignored him* stood forward.
"Ickle Harrykins we would like to say sorry…we were just jealous and a little embarrassed that a Ickle Forth Year managed to enter his name in the Goblet." said Fred.
"We believed you later on before the First Task began that you didn't put your name in but…we were scared that you wouldn't forgive us." replied George.
Harry gave a small smile at the twins. He knew that they did have a right to be angry at Harry but he was glad that they were just scared of him rejecting him and not because they believed he did it.
"Same for me Harry." said Collin Creevy.
Harry remained unfazed but his eyes seemed less cold towards those who spoke.
When no one else said a word the Chaser Trio of Angelina Johnson, Alica Spinnet and Katie Bell spoke.
"We are truly sorry Harry…we didn't believe you when you said you didn't put your name in but…we never meant to hurt you." said Katie with sincere regret in her voice.
"Yeah we are sorry…its just…we felt cheated you know its like we were looking forward to getting a chance and suddenly you get to. It doesn't seem so fair." said Alica with a small voice.
"I was jealous Harry…you know that I entered my name…and I felt really angry that it decided to spit out your name instead of mine." said Angelina.
All the people mentioned were looking nervous and scared. They could understand if Harry doesn't forgive them but they wouldn't want him against them…he had plenty of power to make them vanish.
One by one people of Gryffindor apologized except for a few people. Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Dean, Cormac McLaggan and a unknown 5th year boy who Harry did not recognize were left.
"Oh boy…this is not going to end well." said Remus towards Sirius.
Sirius grinned a mad looking grin…he was in Askaban for a while after all.
"Harry…please we are sorry…please I just…I just want things to be the way they used to be." said Hermione who looked really nervous.
Ron didn't say anything but nodded his head while Seamus and Dean along with Cormac and the unknown boy just wanted to get it over with so they wouldn't be punished by the rest of the house. "Yeah yeah yeah sorry and all that crap." said Seamus followed by Dean and Cormac and the unknown boy and they just walked over to eat.
Harry sneered at them before turing back towards Hermione and Ron.
"I told you before Hermione Ronald and I's friendship is over. You have a chance to salvage your friendship with me but I may never trust you the same way again." he said to them.
Hermione began to cry while Ron grew red in the face. "You think your so good huh? Hanging out with a squib? Next you know your going to be all buddy buddy with a filthily rotten SNAKE!" Ron cried out in anger.
"Oh…shit." said Terry Boot.
Ron was growling in real life for telling it to Harry but he was surprised his future self hit the nail on the head with the snake comment.
However he soon felt fear grip him when he noticed Harry in the bed staring at him with a stare that promised pain, suffering and death.
Daphne *as much as she wanted him to* couldn't let Harry kill Ron. She squeezed his hand and he slowly calmed down by staring into her bright eyes.
After a few minutes his anger was gone. Flitwick continued to read on *tho he felt annoyance at the young Weasley*.
Harry noticed Neville flinch at that comment and Hermione stared at Ron in shock.
Harry felt rage consume him. This fool had not only insulted him but also Neville and Daphne. Neville who was the only Gryffindor who stood by him and was a close ally to House Potter and Daphne the Slytherin Ice Queen and ally to Harry had not only wormed her way into his heart but also made him a bit protective of her.
Neville smiled at Harry who gave him a weak thumbs up.
Daphne smiled while blushing pink a bit. 'How does he make me blush so easily!' she wondered.
Harry was about to reply to Ron when suddenly out of no where Ron was sent flying through the air via a Expelliarmus.
Harry turned around to see Neville holding his wand out with a look of anger on his face.
The hall cheered at that.
"GO NEVILLE!" many cried.
Neville was blushing so bad he could have been a tomato.
Ron looked shocked and angry.
'Neville the Squib Longbottom beat me…with one fucking spell!' he thought in anger.
The people in the hall laughed and the Gryffindors looked at Neville with wide eyes while Harry was beaming with pride.
"Nice one Neville saved me the trouble of having to do it myself." Harry said to Neville.
However Harry turned back to the ones who had not apologized.
Seamus, Dean, Cormac McLaggen and the unknown 5th year just brushed on by him to sit down while Harry stared at Hermione with raised eyebrows.
Hermione looked conflicted. She turned towards the groaning Ron on the floor and the standing Harry. She made her choice.
"I am so so so sorry Harry. Please forgive me. I promise you I won't turn my back on you again!" she said with tears forming in her eyes.
Hermione ignored the look of betrayal and anger on Rons face and focused on Harry. She squeezed his left hand tightly.
Harry looked at Hermione for a few moments before giving her a small smile. "Thank you Hermione." he said.
Hermione sighed grateful that she was forgiven. She knew much like this Harry that in the book she would have to earn back his trust but she promised herself that she will try her hardest to gain it again.
Hermiones face soon got a small smile on her face and she slowly walked towards Harry until she was right in front of him.
The hall held their breath wondering what would happen.
Hermione rolled her eyes at their actions. Harry was more of a big brother or best friend.
Hermione opened her arms and then hugged Harry.
Harry returned the hug.
The hall let out their breaths some in disappointment or hope…one of those was Daphne.
"Thank you Harry…I hope one day you will be able to a at least forgive Ronald but I understand if you don't want to be friends with him anymore." she said with a small smile.
Harry had a impassive face but deep down he was actually very happy about he and Hermiones relationship being back.
"Remember Hermione we may be friends again…but you don't have my full trust anymore…you have to earn it back." said Harry.
Hermione looked a little upset at that but soon her faced became determined. "Then I will work on it Harry…I am glad that you are my friend again." she said with one more hug.
Daphne frowned at that statement much to her mothers amusement.
However when Harry noticed the time he turned to Neville.
"I got to go Nev. I will see you later and I think I have a good theory that may help you." Harry said to the boy who was quickly becoming a trusted friend of Harrys.
"I..I…I …Harry..I hope..y..y..you…do…well." said the stuttering boy still surprised of how he beat Ron.
"Harry if your studying for the tournament perhaps I can help you?" asked Hermione eager to repair the trust that she broke.
Harry gave her a small smile. "I am working on the clue but maybe after I figure it out I will need your help." Harry said.
Hermione frowned at Harry but she realized that he may want some privacy from such a hard confrontation with Ron.
Harry was walking out of the Great Hall when he noticed Daphne walking in front of him. He ran up towards her and noticed a nearby broom closet and quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her in. He turned around to face her after lighting the place only to be punched in the face by Daphne.
The tired hall bursted out with laughs or chuckles for the most tired. Sirius was banging his hand on the table and Harry was blushing along with a smirking Daphne.
"OW!" Harry cried rubbing his face. Daphne's look of anger and surprise quickly turned to a smirk of amusement.
"Aw did I hurt the little baby's face?" she asked in a mocking tone.
"You have one hell of a punch Daphne." Harry said after fixing his glasses.
"Darn right I do Potter." she said with a friendly punch to the shoulder.
He smiled at her and her stomach flipped.
Harry noticed her smirking face and his thoughts got the better of him. 'She does look rather pretty with her sapphire blue eyes and WHOA THERE BRAIN TURN IT AROUND!' he thought in his mind.
The hall chuckled but many *Ginny, the Veela's, Fan Girls and even Fan Guys* glared at Daphne.
Daphne was blushing up a storm and not looking at Harry who was also looking away with a blush.
Hermione smiled, Astrioa was smirking, Cyrus and Sirius were exchanging coins, Isabel and Remus were smiling at the blushing pair and Dumbledore himself gave a small smile. 'Ah young love…it may not be who I wished it to be with but…if young Harry is happy with her…I guess it can't be too bad.' he thought.
Harry shook his head and got those thoughts out of his head before turning to his Slytherin friend.
"Well well Mr. Potter kidnapping a lady? How rude." she said with a pretend glare.
"Well Ms. Greengrass I am sure kidnapping a man is not real ladylike is it?" he said with a returned glare.
The two stared at each other before Harry started to chuckle and so did Daphne.
"So Harry what do you need?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Harry smiled at her and replied back. "Well Daphne I just so happen to want to ask you something."
Daphne raised her brow a little higher. "Whats the question?" she asked.
"Say someone is using a wand. A wand that was not the right match for them would that hinder the magical ability and output of that wizard?" asked Harry.
Nevilles eyes widened when he realized Harry was asking about his wand.
Madam Longbottom looked at her grandson with a suspicious look.
Daphne frowned but remembered the earlier conversation between Harry and Neville.
"Yes that would hinder the magic of the user. Why anyone would do that though is beyond me. Why you'd ask?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I have a theory about a friend of mine. You may have just solved that theory I thank you." he said with a smile.
Daphne's stomach flipped and she swallowed. She then smiled at Harry. "No problem Harry. Remember to let me know when you figure out that egg clue or if you need help." she said with a small smile.
Once again the two young teens blushed at Daphnes words.
"Don't worry I will. Thank you Daphne." he said before pulling her into their first ever hug.
Daphne froze but then slowly hugged him back.
The hall *except those jealous* all said "Awww" together.
Daphne and Harry both blushed and looked away from each other.
Daphne's cheeks had some red on them luckily the place they were in was not lit as well and Harry couldn't see it.
"Anytime Harry." she said with a smile.
"Alright I got to go train I will see you later." said Harry.
Both left the closet and went their separate ways.
Soon enough Harry made it back to the Chamber. He was walking through the main hall of it heading towards the secret path that lead to the Hall of Honor when he heard screaming.
"SNAKES ARE BETTER THAN LIONS!" roared Salazar.
"YOUR BEARD LOOKS LIKE A ICICLE!" Godric yelled back.
"WELL YOUR-
"SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU!" cried Harry who walked into his room.
Sirius whistled and then spoke "Damn pup you got some guts standing up to the Founders…even in painting form." said Sirius.
The Gryffindors and Slytherins looked at how childish their founders sounded when fighting.
This got them thinking about their own rivalry with each other. Some of the older years saw the childish and broken feud and how it was started on rumor and gossip alone…and no one knew the better.
"I am ready to start training Godric." said Harry.
Godric immediately forgot about his argument with Salazar and brightened up significantly.
"Well then my boy lets head on over to the Hall meet me in the armory." said Godric.
Harry nodded his and was about to go before Rowena and Helga came running into the painting.
"Harry dear wait." Helga said out of breath.
"Do you think they figured out the clue?" asked Susan.
"Most likely they are super smart." said Hannah.
"What it is Rowena and Helga?" asked Harry.
Godric and Salazar also turned to look at the two ladies.
"We figured out the eggs clue!" Rowena said with glee.
"I knew it." said Susan as the hall started to whisper and get excited.
"Really thats great! Whats the clue?" asked Harry.
Helga stepped in at this one. "Harry dear we don't know the clue but we know how to learn the clue." she said.
Harry frowned but still listened.
"You have to listen to the egg underwater because that screech was the sound of the Mer people of the lake!" said Rowena.
"Oh of course I should have known!" said Hermione with a groan.
Harry chuckled at that and Daphne herself felt a bit dumb for not thinking of it.
"Well now at least I know." said Harry.
Harry looked super happy at that but soon enough Godric interrupted.
"Well then young Harry now that we know how the to get the clue lets go over to the hall and begin are lessons." he said.
Harry nodded his head and made his way to the Hall of Honor.
Harry went into the armory area of the Hall like Godric asked and Gondor was sleeping in the corner right under Godrics portrait.
"Well my boy lets begin with how strong and fit you are." said Godric.
"Hah Potter is basically a twig compared to me." said Ron with a sneer.
Harry felt a little self concuss about being small. His dad was scrawny he was told but he was unnaturally scrawny due to the Durselys abuse of him.
"WHAT!" cried most in the hall.
Harry cringed greatly at that.
"Harry did they…abuse you?" asked Remus with a shake in his voice.
"…..Yes….." said Harry in a little voice.
"What was that Harry?" said a growling Sirius.
"I SAID YES OK!" Harry said and his magic blasted its essence all over the place.
He started to cry from letting it out.
"Why did they do it?" asked Remus with a growl.
"They never loved me hell they didn't think I was worth anything they only cared about my suffering…they wanted to "stamp" the magic out of me." Harry said in a small voice.
Remus was actually growling along with Sirius.
Many of the students who actually liked Harry were grumbling and muttering angrily.
Snape was sneering at the treatment of Harry and was reminded of his own childhood…and was secretly planning on killing Petunia.
The Weasley twins planned on pranking the shit out of them.
Hermione wanted to call the cops and put them in jail.
Daphne wanted to destroy them.
McGonagall was about to turn and rant to Dumbledore about the boys placement but stopped dead when she noticed the Headmaster.
The whole hall went silent when they noticed the Headmaster.
Dumbledore had his fists clenched and his magical aura around him was sparking blue sparks and his twinkle in his eyes were gone replaced with a cold look. He had tears running down his face and wind started to blow from inside. His aura spread around the room it was radiating anger, sadness and regret. Everyone even Harry was scared of the powerful Headmaster. Suddenly sparks started getting violent. They started shooting out at the ground and the blue aura surrounded Dumbledore like a tornado of magical energy.
However before it could get even worse *and it was pretty bad and it was just a medium anger* Dumbledore suddenly raised his hands with a look of determination in his eyes and all the aura began to fade back into the Headmaster. The whirlwind stopped and soon the hall was as it was…except very quite.
Dumbledore took a breath before continuing to speak. "My apologies I was upset at the situation that young Harry had to go through." said Dumbledore.
Everyone seemed to except this but all still felt bad for the abused boy. Sirius and Remus kept muttering death threats to the Dursleys while Daphne and Hermione each held a hand.
Flitwick *after getting his anger out* continued to read.
"Well then my boy seeing as you are able to use my own sword pretty well I suggest you summon it." said Godric.
Harry looked puzzled. "Summon it sir?" he asked Godric.
"Correct my sword has a enchantment that will allow it to come out of my hat for those in times of need or directly to my heir." said Godric.
"Wow thats cool." said Collin Creevy.
"Just raise out your hand and call for the sword." said Godric.
Harry did just that and raised his hand. Suddenly the sword appeared into Harry's hand. "Wicked." said Harry.
The one unknown 5th year growled at that. 'He must have used dark magic to summon that sword. He is fooling Godric and manipulating the paintings to get along with Slytherin…we all know he was completely EVIL!' unknown teen thought.
Godric and Harry began working on sword techniques and also a daily physical workout schedule. "Even a wizard needs a back up weapon and no heir of mine is not going to not use my sword." said Godric.
After a few more hours of grizzling training a sweaty and tired Harry Potter headed to the Chamber.
After saying good night to Sarota and Salazar Harry took the egg and went into the wash room.
Everyone in the hall was excited. They were going to learn the CLUE!
Harry got into the tub that was inside it and washed up before grabbing the egg opening it up and putting his head under. When he went down he heard it. A beautiful melody playing from the egg with voices coming from it.
The hall leaned forward eager to here what the clue was.
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching ponder this;
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour, the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
The hall was filled with murmurs and questions.
"What does it mean?" asked Cho Chang.
"I don't know apparently there is going to be something each Champion will miss somewhere." said Roger Davis.
Soon enough everyone let Flitwick continue reading.
Harry closed the egg and brought it back up. Quickly drying off and putting on some night clothes he rushed over to his desk. He grabbed some parchment and got a quill and quickly wrote down what the egg said.
"Thats smart." said Cedric with a nod.
After that Harry put the Golden Egg by his desk and soon enough laid down into bed closed his eyes and went to sleep.
"Thats the end of the chapter." said Flitwick who closed the book.
The hall all yawned and Dumbledore chuckled before announcing that everyone must head back to their dorms and they would continue reading tomorrow.
Harry was rolled back down to the Hospital Wing and after one by one each of those who came to say good night left until it was just Harry and Daphne.
Daphne rubbed Harry's hand gentle and Harry gave a tired smile.
"Good night Daphne." Harry said before his eyes closed and soon fell asleep.
Daphne giggled quietly before taking a risk like a Gryffindor leaned over and kissed Harry's forehead before whispering "Good night Harry."
She leaned back up with a blush on her cheeks before running off to catch up with her family.
Unknown to Daphne when she kissed his forehead Harry Potter smiled.
DONE! Hoped you liked it. I will work on the next one right away. Don't worry guys I will try my hardest to work on this story as much as I can. Thank you all for your reviews and offers to adopt the story. I find it flattering that some would offer to continue my story for me. Despite this however I am a man who likes to try and finish things through *that includes High School* and thus don't plan on giving up on this story anytime soon. Hope you all enjoyed it!