Author's Note: All right. First let me say that I am incredibly sorry that this has taken so long, but if you'd been through the hell I'm going through right now you'd understand. Let me attempt to explain: I am in med-school, I have two jobs, and my mother is ill. Now, mix that all together along with the normal housework and paying of bills and what do you get? H-E-Double hockey sticks. Yes folks, it's been rough. So forgive me for not writing this out sooner. However, here it is, and hopefully it won't take me so long next time to get the next chapter out, hmm? Enjoy. Also, some of you may note that I have a few ideas that don't run along the conventional. This is true, and I hope it doesn't bother you too much. ;) Please also note that I am looking for a beta reader. Any volunteers?

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I truly wish to own these characters. I am merely borrowing them for a short time so as to bring a side of the story to life that perhaps MIGHT have happened. Maybe. In my own little world. Alas, they all truly belong to J.K. Rowling, the true artist behind what we know and love as Harry Potter.

Steam rose from the small silver teacup that Harry had placed in his mother's hands, and she watched it for a long moment before her gaze shifted up to watch her son. His face held the utmost concentration for the task at hand - making tea - but his eyes were troubled. Filled with worry and concern, but about what she couldn't be certain. A moment later, he'd handed James a cup, and a few moments later sat down across from them, his green eyes steadily on his cup. They had spent the day hearing the stories of his life, and had been appalled, worried, amused, and sad at many different terms. Apparently, he was waiting for an outburst. When one did not come, Harry's gaze lifted to hers and then to his father's.

James had never been one to let his temper control him, unlike Sirius. In his line of work as an Auror, it had been imperative to reign in his temper and keep it steady. Many times it had saved his life. James was staring at Harry, staring at someone he'd never had the chance to really know. Someone who had just told his entire life story to James and expected to be in trouble for it. Someone who had started telling his life story at age eleven and had conveniently left out the rest. Quietly, James decided he'd prod a bit, and feign a bit of stupidity. The moment Sirius had shown up, he'd heard what had happened to Sirius, but whenever James had asked about Harry, Sirius had promptly frowned and simply told James that most of Harry's story was Harry's to tell. Sure, he'd told them about Harry's third through fifth years, but the rest had been conveniently kept quiet, so as to keep James and Lily from worrying over something they couldn't do anything about.

"So, you grew up with Sirius then?" James raised a brow, allowing a bit of a smile to appear on his face. "I imagine he let you get away with everything, eh?"

The response was immediate. Harry's gaze fell, and he shifted uncomfortably. Lily shot her husband a look, telling him that she knew what was going on and that she'd take her newly acquired wand and ram it up his nostril if he caused their son too much discomfort. He gave her a comforting smile and a wink before his expression turned serious again and he raised a brow. After a moment, Harry spoke. The reply was mumbled and quiet, and James mentally sighed.

"Say again? I'm afraid I don't speak mumble," came James calm reply.

After a long moment, Harry lifted his head, and James wished that he would never have to see such a haunted look in Harry's eyes never again. "Didn't he tell you?" came the reply, green eyes tormented and depthless. "I wasn't raised by Sirius. I was raised by the Dursley's..."

Lily felt the blood drain from her face, even as James slowly stood, anger evident in every line of his body. It had been explicitely expressed to Dumbledore that should something ever happen to them, Albus or another of good reputation was to take care of their son. Not her family. She knew that her sister was capable of great cruelty, for Lily had often found herself on the receiving end of it after Petunia had found out that Lily was a witch. Petunia had been devastatingly angry and jealous, and Lily's best friend had melted away into a shrewd girl that was concerned with only taking care of herself, or paying Lily back for something that Petunia had deemed her fault.

James, on the other hand, had always disliked Petunia and her husband, Vernon. While James was not the most intuitive of men at times, he had always gotten a bad vibe about Vernon, and had often kept a close eye on the man whenever he was forced to be in his presence. James had come to distrust the often malicious gleam he found there, though he did enjoy goading Vernon so that he could watch that particularly large vein bulge in his bug-eyed purple face... James mentally shook himself, telling his mischievious streak that it could come out to play later. Finally, he spoke, his entire body tense. "Raised. by. the Dursley's?" came his clipped tones. "Raised by the Dursley's!?"

Harry flinched at the tone, and James forced himself to lower his tone, and calm himself. Releasing a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, he put his teacup down on the nearby table, and went and sat down on the arm of the chair that Harry was sitting in. Reaching out, he placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, squeezing slightly. "Why don't you tell us about it?"

As the words poured from Harry's mouth, as if another dam had burst, Lily and James could only sit and listen with grimness, and anger. Lily vowing her sister would suffer, and James already promising that he and Dumbledore would be having a little chat...

Finally, after a time of sitting numbly in his parents presence, just sitting as Lily wrapped her arms around him and James sat quietly, Harry had stood and left. He had smiled on his way out, bid them goodnight...told them that everything was going to be okay... But even as he had left, Lily had watched her son with worried eyes, her lips pressed in a thin line. As the door clicked shut, James finally looked to his wife, and seeing her face, merely opened his arms. A moment later, Lily's face was buried in her husband's shoulder, even as James traced soothing lines over her shoulders.

He understood her torment. Their son had been subjected to so much, but neither of them knew at the moment how to help him. At the moment, Harry seemed to want to be alone. He was like James in that manner. Always wanting time to think things through after things got difficult. Sighing, James ran his fingers through the silky, flame-like strands of Lily's hair. "We'll help him, Lils, we will. I promise."

Albus, came his anguished thought. How could you do this...to me?

His boots caused a dull thud against the stone floors, the empty corridors echoing the sounds as if they were messages to be sent along. Grey robes dragging at the ground as his posture sagged, Ptah finally wealed his way from under Harry's collar, his tongue snaking out to touch Harry's ear. I ssssshall bite thossseee mean onesss if you ssshould like? When Harry gave no response, a soft hiss-like sigh came from the asp, and he curled ever so slightly tighter around Harry's neck.

Ssssometimes, my masssster, you musssst hurt firssst to heal. Yesssss?

Harry paused in his walk, allowing his eyes to close before he pressed a hand to his forehead. I know, came the quiet reply. And you think I'd be over it by now, huh? But everytime I have to go over thisss with ssssomeone knew, it hurtssss far worsssse than it sssshould.

The snake bobbed his head up and down before responding wisely. Ah, yessss...but thosssee otherssss were not truly the onessss that needed to hear? No? You will heal now, my masssster. And when you do, the Lord of Ssssnakesss ssstandsss no chance againsssst you. No longer will you be divided by yoursssself, but placed back together by thosssseee that know bessssst. Heal, and become what you were meant to be, yessss? That is why you ended up with that blassssted turkey in the firsssst place. Dessssspite my disssslike for him, he wassss not lying when he ssssaid you have the potential to be the sssstrongessssst. And one day, you will accept that the world needssss ssssomeone who can be the ssstrongessst. Do not feel regret, my Harry, do not feel pain. Thosssse that are chossssen are truly blesssed. Ssssomeday, you wil seeee... Yessss, you wil ssssee...

Harry gave a brief, sorrowful smile. I hope you're right, Ptah. I hope you're right...

The next morning had Harry rolling out of bed, with his wand in his hand before he was fully awake. A loud blast resounded through his rooms, shaking Harry's ear drums and rattling his teeth. It took Harry a long moment of his chest heaving and his heart pounding before Harry realized what had finally happened. He supposed he should be used to it by now, but Harry never got used to Niyat and his explosions. Especially on 'burning day'. Turning, he reached for his glasses and placed them on his face, his hair in a long, wild, almost wind-blown fashion from his constant thrashing during the night. Testing the spells he usually placed on his rooms, he sighed. As usual, Niyat's blast had killed any spells he'd placed in his quarters, including silencing spells to keep his nightly, nightmare screams quiet. They would have to be replaced. Taking a sip of a potion on the nightstand by his bed, so that his voice told nothing of his tell-tale nights, Harry began searching the ground for a large pile of dirt. At hearing an angry hiss, Harry turned to find Ptah rearing up at him, the black, beady eyes almost seeming to flash angrily.

That horrid abomination! And you rolled right over me! Again!

Harry gave Ptah a sheepish look. Sssssorry, Ptah, you know I don't mean too.

At Harry's sheepish words, the snake seemed to deflate, backing down and grumbling, each grumble sounding like a tiny hiss-huff. Very well, my massster. Let'sss go find that big turkey before he getssss himssself into trouble.

Harry snickered as he picked Ptah up. I'm ssssurprisssseed he hasssssn't eaten you yet for calling him that.

If the snake could've snorted, it would have. Instead, it gave a hiss of exasperation. If he can call me a black eel, I can certainly get away with calling him a turkey!

Cautiously, Harry stepped out and glanced around his living area. Spotting the pile of dirt on the floor, he moved over to it and dug around in it until he found the small, very perturbed Niyat. One day, you will buy me a burning perch, yes? I'll bet there's a scorch mark on the floor... came the grumbling voice in Harry's head. Harry simply laughed and conjured up a burning perch, placing several anchoring and binding spells on it to keep it in that shape. Placing some of the dirt into it, he settled Niyat into burning bowl.

"Sorry," Harry chuckled. "This'll have to do for now."

I'm so glad we grow quickly...

It was true. Storm phoenix's grew very quickly. Unlike fire phoenix's which took a span of a week to grow back into their normal form, storm phoenix's grew at an alarming rate. By tomorrow, Niyat would be back to his beautiful self, and the grumpiness that had been so present for nearly a week would fade. As Harry brushed the dirt from his hands, a loud pounding was heard on his door, and he could hear several frantic voices crying out.

"Harry, mate, are you all right?" Ron.

"Harry, open up please! Let us know you're okay?!" Hermione.

"Harry?!" Mom.

"Harry? What's going on in there?" Dad. Figures.

Quite frankly, Harry had forgotten how much of Niyat's blast could be heard. When he'd blown up in Cairo, it had caused a panic in the town for days. Something about the sky falling. Frankly, Harry had been quite uninterested in the whole thing and had let the Egyptian Ministry's Care of Magical Creature Department and Obliviation Squad take care of it all. Apparently, it was normal for storm phoenix's to choose Cairo as a good place to sit and wait for burning day. Much to Harry's relief. Frowning, Harry moved over to the door, wrenching it open and scowling at the lot of them.

While he didn't mind care and concern, overreacting was a different matter. He sighed as the concerned and alarmed faces greeted him, and opened his mouth to speak. That was, until a blur of red came rushing at him and Harry found himself with an armful of Ginny. "You're okay! It sounded like someone was getting blown up in there?" Harry blinked, and upon hearing Ptah's hissing laugh, Harry began to laugh himself. Shaking his head, he wrapped his arms around Ginny, hugging her gently.

"I'm okay, Gin," came the reply, marked with a grin, his hand smoothing over red frazzled hair. Apparently, Ginny had been asleep when she'd been awakened by Niyat's blast. She'd managed to pull on slippers and a housecoat as well. Harry was quite impressed. Finally, Ginny released him and he shook his head. "Someone did blow up, but it's nothing serious. It's Niyat's burning day."

As he turned his gaze to his parents, Lily had a knowing smile on her face, while James had his brow raised in an inquiry about the small red-haired girl in front of them. A grin was tugging at his lips as well. Harry blushed slightly and reached up to rub at the back of his neck. "Ah...Gin, Ron, 'Mione, these are my parents. James and Lily Potter."

Ginny's mouth opened in an "O" of surprise and she whirled around, patting down her hair before reaching out to shake their hands. "Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it's so good to finally meet you!" Hermione, who'd already been awake and was properly dressed in robes shook their hands in turn, as well as Ron, who had managed to do as Ginny had and throw on a housecoat of his own, minus the slippers. Harry stepped back away from the door, summoned his own housecoat and slipped it on. It was hardly proper to stand there in his boxers and t-shirt anyway.

He motioned them inside. "I might as well explain Niyat to you, so you can pass the word along and so that none of you come pounded on my door again. I swear, it's Hogwarts. It isn't as if Voldemort is going to come crawling through the Honeyduke's cellar..."

The group frowned at Harry's comment, but as he was quite right, there was little they could say. Harry couldn't blame them for being worried. He'd been missing for two years - of his own accord, of course - but it was one thing to be worried, and another to be overly jumpy. He wasn't about to leave again, and he wasn't going anywhere without his friends or family again.

And how can they possibly know that, if you don't tell them, Harry?

Harry sighed, and motioned for them all to sit, ignoring Niyat for the moment. He'd forgotten the damned bird could read his thoughts. "Let me explain a little about Niyat. But first, breakfast..."

Harry managed to call for Dobby, much to Hermione's distaste - though she kept her silence - and shortly breakfast appeared. After everyone had helped themselves, and Harry had declined - he wasn't feeling particularly hungry today - he began explaining. "Now, Niyat is a storm phoenix--"

"But those are mythical legends, Harry!" Hermione broke in. "They're not supposed to exist."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Merlin save us from bookworms. Yes, 'Mione. I know they're not supposed to exist, but they do. Do you want to hear this or not?"

When Hermione pressed her lips together and maintained her silence, Harry continued. "Niyat is a storm phoenix. Storm phoenix's currently inhabit Egypt, although it was not always so. From what Niyat has told me, storm phoenixes have been alive since the time of Merlin, and were, in fact, one of Merlin's experiments. Merline wanted to create a phoenix so volatile that it could be used to turn the tide in a war. They were supposed to be used to fight battles, bond with warriors...however, when Merlin discovered their precocious and often highly mischievious nature, and their tendency to not do as they're told, he banished them. Storm phoenixes, like fire phoenixes, have a strong will and they bond only to those they think need them the most. As Niyat put it, "I will bond with you and stay with you my Harry, and take care of you because you cannot seem to take care of yourself." Even with their bonded, storm phoenixes can be very volatile, which is why Niyat and I have a very healthy respect for each other.

When storm phoenixes reach their burning day, they explode, rather than burn. Instead of rising from ashes they rise from dirt. This is said to be because storm phoenixes are the link between the earth and the sky. They come from the earth, but they rule the sky, therefore keeping it a healthy balance. They can control the weather to a certain point. For example, when we were living in Cairo, Niyat began to brood over something. To this day he refuses to tell me, but it stormed in Cairo for a week. That isn't normal. Still, it only happened in the city we were living in. So, yes, they can control the weather, but on a very small scale, or only in the are they inhabit. Also, when storm phoenixes explode on their burning days, they remove all trace of magic from the area where they explode. Anything in my rooms that was enchanted will have to be reenchanted. This will probably go for the rooms next to, above, and below my own."

Hermione's eyes were lit up at the amount of new knowledge she'd recieved. As she practically bounced with energy, Harry was surprised to turn and see the same look on his mother's face. Blinking, Harry tilted his head to the side. "Okay, you two. You're practically bursting with questions. Go ahead, ask."

"How quickly do they regenerate?"

"How did you meet Niyat?"

"Are there other phoenixes other than the storm and fire phoenixes?"

"What happens when they're angry?"

"How long have they resided in Egypt?"

"What climates do they prefer--"

Harry finally held up his hands, laughing, and the others joined in with their laughter as well. Once everyone had calmed, Harry spoke. "Sheesh, maybe next time we'll let you both ask one at a time," he grinned, his smile taking the sting out of his comment as his eyes danced with laughter. While Lily and Hermione blushed in their enthusiasm, they will still eager to know the answers to their questions.

"Well," Harry began, scratching at his chin. "Niyat usually regenerates in a span of a day and a half, while it usually takes Fawkes a week. There are many different types of phoenixes, each one rare and unique. Often someone with one phoenix has the ability to end up with more, unless one phoenix is enough to see to its...well, master's needs. I hate using that word with phoenixes because phoenixes voluntarily take masters. It's very odd."

Harry scratched at the back of his head. "As for how Niyat and I met...I was out searching for the Veil in the middle of the desert. That's what. He found me, took one look at my appearance, scorched my soul with that unique talent of his and suddenly he was mine and I belonged to him."

"Talent, Harry?" Ginny asked curiously.

"He did...something. I can't understand...it was like, he searched my soul. Not my memories, but my soul. I guess I found what he was looking for..." Harry sighed, and everyone was quiet for a moment. Finally, Harry pressed on. "When Niyat's angry, little sparks of energy dance across his wings, and if he's really angry with you, you might get zapped."

A low hissed sigh was finally heard, and Ptah raised himself up from where he'd been curled under Harry's housecoat. You've talked about that turkey long enough...how about talking about the glory of ME?

The moment Harry translated, everyone burst into laughter, and the morning was spent so merrily, that Harry almost forgot about the night before...

Almost.

"Nagini..." came the quiet, whispered breath, falling foul-like from almost non-existent lips. Quietly, the cobra reared her head, lifting it to show her master that she was listening. "I smell...the power of a great light on the wind."

A deep, rattling breath was heard, before it was hissed out. "I do not like what the wind brings me. The Potter boy is up to no good...something far worse than picking off a few of my servants. I dislike not having the advantage..."

Despite the fire roaring in front of his cloaked figure, he still shuddered, the chill seeping in to his over-sensitive body. "I believe it is time to give the Potter boy something to scream about. Let's show them where dear Percival has gone yes? We can wrap up the package nicely...and we can send Mr. Thomas along as well..."

Nagini hissed in pleasure and agreement, even as the Dark Lord's spindly fingers reached out to rub along her crest. Indeed, the tide of the war was turned to his advantage. Just a little longer and he would go in for the kill...

---

Okay, so this chapter is almost 800 words shy of my 4300 mark. I am SO SORRY. I promise to add an extra 800 onto the next chapter, but this chapter was so hard for me to write that I cried through half of it. It was the worst writer's block I've ever been through. I finally sat down and forced myself to write this chapter. Well, anyway, I can't promise to update on a schedule, but fear not! This story will get written! Now, time to thank some reviewers:

Svana - Don't feel bad. Most of my favorite characters are also characters that are dead. Go figure. Fear not, however, as the notorious Mr. Black will be appearing in the next chapter! I heart Sirius. -happy sigh- ;)

Tabs89 - I was not planning on putting an explanation of the storm phoenix in this chapter, but it just sort of happened. After your review I went and had to create a history for them, so I hope it doesn't sound too corny. Also, your review helped me very much and gave me some beautiful ideas! Thank you so much! As for Molly's brothers, well, we'll just have to see... ;) Oh, and yes, this fic will span many different relationships, which is why it will be so difficult to write. The chapter that I'm planning for nearly Remus and Tonks alone is massive. And sadly, it could take me a very long time to finish it when I get through with it, but never fear, it might actually end up being nearly 12,000 words when I get done with that chapter hides face. Anyway, shortly, this fic will get off the ground instead of just hovering. I promise.

Master Lupin 117 - Yeah. I rather thought that if I met my kid for the first time and he could talked to snakes I'd be jealous because I couldn't do it too. ;) It'd be wicked cool.

CaptainJackandSiriusBlack - Thank you so much:D And yes, even if it may not be my books, I feel that it's rather ridiculous not to have a counterpart to the veil, but that's just me.

Child of the Dawn - Fear not, Minerva and Albus will be reappearing, but not in the next chapter. The next chapter we'll get to see the lovely, illustrious messieurs Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape. G :D I'm glad you enjoy my silliness. Sorry for my lack of it in this chapter, but this thing was HORRIBLE for me to complete this time around, so very little silliness. Thanks for your review. :)

Last but not least, JadePrincess2098 - You should congratulate yourself and give yourself a pat on the back. It wasn't until I got your reviews that I forced myself to finish this chapter, though I had half of it already written. I'd gotten so frustrated I was about to quit and give up, but when I received your reviews I rather thought I'd best continue. Especially when you left me two!! Bless you so much!! Thank you!

Also, I AM looking for a beta-reader, as my first beta has two jobs and sadly I don't see her much anymore. I don't want to put any extra burden on her, and so I'm looking for another beta-reader, though I love her to death:- So, any volunteers? Please? Pretty, pretty, pretty please? Someone who's not afraid to toss around ideas with me? Thanks guys, I heart you all!