Chapter 23

Harry and Neville appeared back in the infirmary with a very manly glow about them not unnoticed by Hermione or Luna.

"Ok what did you do?" Hermione asked

*Flashback*

"What the hell is that?" Harry asked noticing the overly sized cabinet

"Blimey I haven't seen one of those in a very long time. It's a vanishing cabinet" Neville said examining it

"Nev mate this is the part where you explain to me what a vanishing cabinet is and why Malfoy is so obsessed with it"

"Oh right sorry, a vanishing cabinet is something that was used quite a bit back during the first war, it's quite simple really Death eaters come knocking you pop in and disappear for a few years. Although why Malfoy wants it repaired I don't know" Neville explained

"It's broken?" Harry asked not noticing anything wrong with it

"Oh yes the runes have been damaged, Gran showed me the one she used to have after Mum and Dad... Well anyway the runes that are covering it have been worn down so it looks like Malfoy is trying to repair the rune works"

"But that doesn't explain why he would want it at all" Harry observed. Neville adopted a thinking pose that reminded Harry of Hermione in so many ways it was uncanny

"Well there is one theory, some vanishing cabinets are twins, and together if they were both working then it can be used to create a passageway" Neville thought aloud this was immediately picked up on by Harry.

"Of course! Create a pathway that bypasses all of the schools protective enchantments and you give anyone access to Hogwarts, Malfoy is repairing it so the death eaters can enter the school unnoticed!" Harry nearly shouted

"Well even if that were true I think we have a moral obligation to destroy the cabinet the last thing we want is someone like Bellatrix Lestrange cavorting around the school, it would be a blood bath"

*End Flashback*

"That explains it the male pride after destroying an object" Luna observed earning laughs all around

"Least we know one thing for certain" Hermione said after the laughter had calmed down

"When Malfoy finds out what has happened he is going to be seriously pissed" She finished

"Hermione Granger using vulgar language. The incorruptible has become corrupted" Harry joked earning him a swat on the arm

The 4 friends stayed talking for a while longer before Hermione was discharged under strict instructions to take it easy for a few days. The four of them walked back to the Gryffindor common room where they noticed a lot of shouting and yelling. Entering the common room they saw an irate Ron standing with the remains of the little black box that Fred and George gave them.

"You think I wouldn't figure out what you had done?" He shouted as he noticed Harry and Hermione walk in.

"Well yes we knew you would get it eventually but honestly you took a lot longer than what we had originally thought" Harry commented before helping Hermione to sit down

"Oh shut up Potter because I've got you worked out don't think I can't see what you're doing" He replied snidely

Harry stifled a laugh "I doubt you can even begin to comprehend what I'm doing Ron but go on ahead tell me what am I doing?"

"You think you're so special and famous always getting what you want but your life is cursed Potter, you can't keep your own family alive so you try to steal other people's family, and I would recognise Fred and George's work anywhere. Don't think I don't know what you're doing Potter your entire family is dead and so you're trying to steal other peoples"

Everyone that was in the common room was stunned into silence Hermione was about ready to kill Ron. How dare he bring Harry's parents into this! Neville was ready to kill as well and Luna had a look of pure death on her face. Harry was stunned into silence. After a few seconds he took his wand out of his pocket and placed it on Hermione's lap after that he saw red.

Harry rugby tackled Ron's giant form to the ground and began to punch his face constantly each punch causing a grunt from Ron blood began spilling out of Ron's face but he didn't stop Harry wasn't going to stop. Hermione was shouting

"Harry stop!" She tried but he wasn't listening

"Neville Stop him!" She pleaded. Neville threw himself at Harry trying to pull Harry away from Ron Harry was running on adrenaline and didn't respond it was only when Seamus and Dean also helped Neville that they were able to pull Harry off a now unconscious Ron. It was at this point that Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin entered the common room that they saw the commotion. Harry didn't want to stay so grabbing his wand he ran out of the common room he stormed out of the castle and onto the school grounds. Hermione with Luna's help went after him Neville stayed behind to explain the situation.

"What happened Mr Longbottom?" Professor McGonagall asked

"Ron accused Harry of trying to steal his family and saying how Harry couldn't keep his own family alive and Harry must have reached the end of his tether because he did that to Ron without a wand, it took 3 of us to pull him off" Neville explained

Remus was in outrage and was prepared to add on to Harry's assault Professor McGonagall was also in equal anger but had to act in Headmistress mode.

"Someone please take Mr. Weasley down to the Infirmary, Professor Lupin come with me we need to help Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood find Mr. Potter"

Harry was angry No he was beyond angry he was something else entirely. How could Ron use his parents and Sirius against him like that? Harry was walking around but he wasn't feeling any better. He closed his eyes and wished to the heavens that he had his broom so he could fly.

Hermione and Luna made it onto the grounds a few minutes after Harry did.

"Can you see him anywhere?" Hermione asked

"No I can't see anyone out here" Luna said looking around.

"Maybe we need to get some help Luna I can't use my magic yet for at least 12 hours could you do me a favour and call for the Marauders map?" She asked getting worried

Luna did as she was asked and the map appeared within the next few seconds

"How do I use it?" Luna asked

It was then that Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin appeared on the grounds.

"I believe I can help there, I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good" He said pointing his wand at the parchment. Hermione couldn't help but notice that Remus' signed was not his name but was simply 'Moony' She scoured over the map but could not find him

"If it helps Hermione you can ask the map to show you where a certain person is" Lupin instructed.

"Show me the location of Harry Potter son of Prongs" Hermione said to the map

The map turned itself to the Harry's location however he was moving incredibly fast and he was circling the entire castle

"What the hell?" Hermione asked not caring that there were professor's present

It was then that they heard a hawk cry out they all looked up to see a rather large hawk flying over the castle grounds, ever graceful in its flight performing dives and other tricks. The magnificent creature looked like it was in distress.

"Oh my god he did it" Hermione whispered

"What do you mean miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked

"That Hawk isn't just any ordinary bird Professor, It's Harry" She whispered everyone look on it amazement

"We need him to come down Harry won't resolve any of his issues whilst he is by himself, he needs to be with those he cares about even if he won't admit it" Hermione said trying to run but finding she was still feeling tender.

"Hermione I think another special bird has just answered your call" Luna commented as she noticed a rather large red bird flying towards Harry

"Fawkes, I haven't seen him in many months" Professor McGonagall said in amazement

"All we can do is hope that Fawkes can convince him to come down" Remus observed

Harry felt free he felt so alive he was actually flying he had managed to achieve his Animagus transformation! But that didn't stop the pain, the pain of knowing his entire family was dead. He tried to dive and pull up at the last second but nothing would make the pain disappear. It was then that he noticed a rather familiar phoenix approaching him

"Young one you must return to those who care for you" Harry heard in his mind

"Harry your beloved is worried for you and so are the headmistress and the Defence against the Dark art's teacher, a young Ravenclaw now Gryffindor also pleads for you to return"

Harry ignored the fact that he was hearing Fawkes in his mind instead replied

"How can I return when my family are dead because of me?" He thought aloud hoping the phoenix could hear him

"To be family does not mean that you are of flesh and blood. It is true that you have suffered more than what any person should ever have to but it was not your fault young one, They died knowing that they were protecting you. Do not mourn the fact that they died young one, celebrate the fact that they died knowing that they were loved by you" The phoenix then descended and returned to where Professor McGonagall and the others were waiting. Harry turned and slowly flew back to Hermione.

When he landed in front of the group of people he noticed that they all wore smiles and were all flowing deep amounts of love and care in his direction. Harry was faced with another problem. How was he supposed to change back? Luckily there was an Animagus on hand to explain

"If you wish to change back into a human Mr Potter simply imagine yourself as a human again, preferably with clothes on, as sometimes people forget to include clothing" She explained.

Everyone noticed the hawk close its eye and concentrate it was not until a minute later that Harry stood before them again as a human. Tears streaming from his eyes. Hermione threw herself at him enveloping him in a bone crushing hug like no others. Harry stayed there for another 15 minutes letting all of the emotions which he had bottled up over the years come out. After he had calmed down he faced Professor McGonagall

"If you need to expel me for doing what I did Professor I won't hold it against you but whatever you do; please do not ask me to show remorse for what I did" Harry said wiping his eyes.

"Mr. Potter I have no intention of expelling you. However I must condone that your actions though commendable were reckless so I am forced to say that you are to serve a detention and 50 points shall be taken from Gryffindor house" She then smiled

"However you shall serve the detention with Professor Lupin and what he does in his detention is his own knowledge. Miss Granger I award you 25 points for showing courage and compassion for others. Miss Lovegood 20 points for excellent use of them summoning charm and when I see them next I shall award Mr. Longbottom, Mr Thomas and Mr Finnegan 15 points each for stopping fighting in the common rooms" She said before she walked off to find the other three students

"Are you ok cub?" Remus asked

"I will be" He smiled. Harry petted Fawkes and whispered "Thank You" to which the phoenix bowed its head.

Because Harry knew that what Fawkes had said was right, just because there was no flesh and blood did not mean that he had no family; He had family all around him.

Authors Note: Yet another skeleton in Harry's past mended, and I liked the chapter because I have effectively stopped everything from the Half Blood Prince. (Good Times)

Keep the reviews coming guys