Harry thought that Professor Dumbledore was rather lucky to have his job as Headmaster still, which he was able to determine the next morning. In addition to getting himself something to eat, he decided to prepare a small plate for Athis, who told him she would be fine eating some bacon and having some water. It seemed like something Hogwarts would do for him when Harry found a small plate and dish of water next to his own, so he simply went about getting them both something to eat. He heard Athis musical note of thanks, which gave him hope and happiness, and made students point and whisper at him. When he was about half way through eating his breakfast, the students talking around him went silent.
"Good morning, all." Professor Dumbledore said optimistically. "I wish to convey some news, and I shall begin with the best. The creature which was the cause of the deaths of two individuals, and the petrification of two students, a ghost, and Harry Potter's magic, has been killed. There shall be no more threats to the students here at Hogwarts."
The students cheered and clapped at the news, which took a long time to fade, and judging by their position, Harry suspected they were standing, so he did the same.
"Thank you, thank you!" Professor Dumbledore said. "I know many of you have made arrangements to return home, so those who have are still free to do so until the next school year. However, Hogwarts will not be closing, so any who wish to remain are free to do so."
More cheering and clapping followed that statement, then Professor Dumbledore told them they were free to enjoy the rest of their meals. After sitting back down and continuing to eat, Hermione asked, "Are you going to stay, Harry?"
"Yeah." He responded. "If I can. What about you?"
"I already arranged to go back home." Hermione replied.
"So have I." Ron responded. "I don't know about you, mate, but the rest of the school year off early? I'm taking it."
"I suspect they'll be sending packets of work to do, Ron." Hermione said, and Ron sighed.
"Great." He said. "School at home. I always hated that."
"Are you going home, Daphne?" Harry asked.
"No." Daphne responded, her voice oddly quiet and shaking.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"I... I understand a little of what you're going through, Harry... I knew when you first lost Magic. My family threatened to disown me, and they've followed through with it today since I... I refused to stop being friends with you." Daphne said.
Harry didn't quite know what to do. Ron and Hermione apologized, and when they finished, he simply said, "Just let me know if I can do anything. Be there like you were there for me."
"I'd like that." Daphne responded. "Just to talk, or be with a friend, someone who won't leave me."
"Sure." Harry said.
Athis sang a little phoenix song and Daphne spoke, her voice a little stronger.
"Thanks, Athis."
"But of course, there are people who have no choice but to remain in underhanded schools like Hogwarts." Malfoy's drawling voice was headed toward them as he was no doubt speaking to his friends, Crabbe and Goyle. "I, on the other hand, will be going to a school far better than this despicable excuse for a school. It's terrible that some don't even have a family to choose such things for them."
"It's not worth it." Ron said quietly, but Harry guessed he was talking to Daphne.
"And then there are people who choose to become blood traitors, no better than a common Muggle." Malfoy said.
Harry couldn't help but laugh, as he'd been no better than a Muggle who was blind, someone less than common, and he'd still been able to defeat one of the most difficult creatures to live. Although, granted, he'd done so with the help of a phoenix.
"What are you laughing at, Potter?" Malfoy asked. "Squib blind trash like you should be removed from Hogwarts and sent to live in a care home!"
Athis flew above Harry and sang some beautiful notes that echoed through the hall. Malfoy and his friends shouted out and said, "Get that thing away!"
"It's only a phoenix." Harry said.
"Who's song strikes terror into those who are dark." Hermione added. "What's wrong, Malfoy? Aren't you a good person?"
Malfoy ran from the Great Hall with his friends, and Harry felt Athis settle contently on his shoulder again. Her feathers brushed his cheek, and she said in his mind, 'Did that help?'
"Yeah." Harry replied.
'Think at the flame you feel, and I shall hear you.' Athis instructed.
Harry tried to direct his thoughts at the tiny flame of magic within him that burned, just as he had toward Magic. Athis then said, 'It's not words you think to me, but it's very pure. You must have had a great deal of practice before hand.'
Harry then quietly said, "With Magic, yes. She always knew everything about me." The thought, as it always did, made him sad. After Harry finished eating, he said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, then headed to the front of the Great Hall where Professor Dumbledore sat.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore?" Harry said.
"What can I do for you, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"I wondered if I could stay here, until the holidays." Harry responded.
"I believe that can be arranged. Minerva, if you will check into that for me." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Certainly, Albus." Professor McGonagall said. "There is one thing I'd like to do first, however. Mr. Potter, I ought to have listened to yourself and Miss Granger rather than immediately dismiss your evidence. For that, I apologize. It's quite clear to me now that you were both quite thorough in your research."
"Hermione did most of the work. I just got some information from Hagrid, is all." Harry said.
"Nevertheless, my apology still stands." Professor McGonagall said. "If you wish to stay, Mr. Potter, I shall do my best to ensure that you can."
"Thanks." Harry replied, then heard her walking toward the exit to the Great Hall. After a moment, he said, "Professor Dumbledore, I'm glad to know you're going to keep your job as Headmaster."
"That has yet to be determined." Professor Dumbledore responded gravely. "Undoubtedly, should I be removed, the ministry will endeavor to place someone from one of their departments in my place."
"There was something else, too." Harry said. "And maybe we could go somewhere else to talk about it."
"Certainly, Harry. If you will wait for me outside the Great Hall, I shall be along shortly." Professor Dumbledore said.
Harry waited outside the Great Hall, and a few minutes later, Daphne came past and said, "I'll be in the common room Harry. Just... Come whenever."
'Athis, be with her, please.' Harry said.
'Of course I will.' Athis replied in a caring voice, flying from his shoulder.
"Athis will keep you company. I'll come in a bit, I want to ask Professor Dumbledore about something." Harry said.
He heard Athis let out a pure note as Daphne continued to walk off, then moments later, Professor Dumbledore said, "I see Athis is cheering up your friend, Miss Greengrass."
"Yes, sir." Harry replied, following Professor Dumbledore.
"So, Harry. What is it you wish to ask me?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"I'm not satisfied with your answer to me, that me not knowing why Voldemort killed my parents is better now, and that I should know later." Harry said. "You said something last year about the knowledge destroying me, but the only thing that could have even gotten close was me losing Magic, who's the most important thing to me, and now I don't have her. That didn't destroy me, so unless it's worse than some requirement that I put an end to Voldemort because he's trying to do the same to me, and do so without Magic or the use of magic throughout my life, I can take it. I've already thought about that since he tried to kill me last year, so I've already accepted I might have to end his life."
"Perhaps, then, you are ready." Professor Dumbledore responded in a weary tone. "And perhaps I was wrong to keep the knowledge from you."
Professor Dumbledore led him into an empty room on the first floor, then closed the door behind them. A few moments of silence passed before he began to speak.
"You already know, of course, that at the Dursley's dwells the strength of your mother's protection because you live with your aunt Petunia."
"You told me something like that before, didn't you?" Harry asked.
"If memory serves me correctly, I did, though I admit that my memory isn't quite what it used to be." Professor Dumbledore replied. "You see, Harry, a prophecy was made about you by our very own divination teacher, Sibyll Trelawney. You, I'm afraid, are the only one to whom the prophecy can apply."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because this is what it states." Professor Dumbledore responded. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born to those who thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. He shall possess a power unknown and unequaled, and neither can live while the other survives."
"Magic." Harry said after a long few seconds passed. "She's the unknown, unequaled power."
"More accurately, your magic, rather than Magic herself." Professor Dumbledore stated. "To you, magic comes as easily as breathing does to others. Your skill in magic, and Magic herself, both demonstrate that the power you possess is indeed unequaled. You, Harry, possess a power unique to only yourself, a power that not even Lord Voldemort possesses. Aside from your skill in magic, you have a great love and compassion for others, a loyalty to your friends, much as your mother once did."
"Love doesn't do any good, just that alone." Harry said.
"I disagree." Professor Dumbledore responded. "It was love which gave you the courage to perform the great act of sacrifice you made in the Chamber of Secrets the previous night, the knowledge that, in killing the Basilisk, everyone else would be safe from the threat that would no longer roam the halls of Hogwarts. If you didn't care so much for the students and professors here, and cared only for yourself, you likely would have been tempted to ally with Voldemort rather than defeat him once again."
"I just did what was right." Harry said.
"Indeed. But remember, Harry, that what is right is not always what is easy, but it is always best to choose what is right, and not what is easy. There in lies the flaw in my plan to keep you safe, as even the prior school year, you showed you had the strength to handle the knowledge with which I presented you. I wished not to burden you, Harry, and told myself that, because I care for you and your well-being, I would keep such knowledge from you until I determined the time was right for you to learn it." Professor Dumbledore stated.
"So you did what was easy, not what was right." Harry said.
"Perhaps, Harry. Perhaps." Professor Dumbledore replied.
"Thanks for finally telling me, sir." Harry responded, though wasn't surprised or angered by any of the news. Instead, he felt as if he'd been told something he already expected. "And good luck on keeping your Headmaster's job here."
"I am grateful for your support, Harry." Professor Dumbledore stated.
As Harry headed toward Gryffindor tower, Professor McGonagall caught up with him and told him he was free to remain until the summer holidays. Harry was delighted, thanked her, and entered the portrait hole, walking over to where he could hear Athis singing to Daphne.
"Hey." He said, sitting on her right side.
"Hi, Harry." Daphne said with a sigh, putting an arm around him.
Harry did the same, Athis went silent, and a few minutes later, Daphne quietly cried for the loss she was going through. Harry simply sat quietly with her, as she'd done with him, allowing the feeling of his own loss to roll over him. As usual, it brought tears to his eyes, though he felt that he understood Daphne's loss through his own.
Later on that day, Harry went to the hospital wing for his visit to Magic. Athis was with him, and as he spoke to Magic, she curiously flew around her and let out a few notes, which sounded strangely different than most. She even let a few phoenix tears fall on Magic, which did nothing. As always, Harry held one of Magic's cold, stiff hands in his own as he described everything he could about what had happened, leaving out no detail. He could feel the tiny flame within him that was Athis and his bond to her, as she tried to touch the ice cold flame of his magic. When he finished talking with Magic and telling her about everything he'd been through, he heard Athis sing another song, but that of loss, of mourning. It made Harry cry, and somehow, he felt that Athis was also sad.
'When Magic is revived, I shall ensure that she can never be placed in this position again. It's terrible.' Athis said sadly in Harry's mind, but her voice was determined.
It was strange to go throughout classes with very little students, though it left more time for the Professors to work one on one with the few students who had chosen to remain. The tables in the Great Hall had been rearranged as a result, and Harry found himself sitting at a single table with around thirty other students and the Professors. It didn't matter what house they were in, everyone spoke with everybody else, eventually. Harry was glad for the unity, and in such a close environment with others, had gotten to know some of the professors fairly well. Professor Snape, in particular, was a puzzle. He wasn't kind to Harry, though wasn't cruel to him either. Curious as to why, Harry, who was sitting next to him one day, asked, "Professor, why do you treat me the way you do?"
"You remind me of someone I hate and someone I loved a great deal, Potter." Professor Snape responded.
From their earlier conversations, especially those in his first year, Harry concluded that Professor Snape had loved his mother a great deal, and hadn't thought too highly of his father.
With very few students in the potions class, Harry was able to work with Snape more than before, and to his surprise, the man had given him some tips on brewing and how he might improve. While Harry currently needed a sighted partner, Daphne filling the role, there were things he could do like determining exact timing of specific steps, and using the timer that Daphne had helpfully purchased for him his first Christmas at Hogwarts.
Much of Harry's time was filled with studying, which he did by Magic's bedside. He would read her the books out loud as he went through them, and as a result, it would take him longer to finish a specific assignment, though he didn't care. Athis would spend her time near Magic's face, softly singing in her ear. Curious about that, Harry had sent his curiosity and wondering toward the tiny flame that represented his and Athis' bond.
'I don't know if she's aware of us, but it will be comforting to her if she is.' Athis had responded. 'Don't rely on my advice too much, Harry, I won't be around forever.'
"I've read about Phoenix's, you're practically immortal because you can be reborn from the ashes." Harry said.
'There are things about us that wizards don't know, and higher pursuits than keeping you safe in a far less powerful way.' Athis had cryptically responded, though Harry hadn't been able to get an explanation beyond that, and Athis had hinted several times that she wouldn't be staying with him forever.
As a result of his conversations with Athis, Harry prepared for her to eventually leave him as the weeks passed. April came along, bringing warmer spring weather, and the scents of trees and blooming plants. Harry didn't enjoy much time outside, though, only studied next to Magic's bedside and told her everything he could remember about his nights and days. Daphne would join him often times, and the two of them would talk to Magic about many things, or speak with each other in her presence. Harry was glad for her support, just as Daphne was glad for his. As it turned out, she was able to get a guardian in Professor McGonagall, who said she didn't mind taking care of her since her family had disowned her. Harry didn't know quite why that was, though wasn't curious about it, only glad that Daphne had a guardian again. There was a lot of courts, paperwork and procedures behind it that Harry didn't particularly want to know about, and as a result, Daphne Greengrass was now known as Daphne McGonagall.
As usual, when the summer loomed closer, he found himself dreading his return to the Dursley's, but feeling hopeful that Magic would soon be revived. Harry once again took his exams with Anastasia reading him the questions, though he wasn't able to take the practical, magic performing side of them. His Professors knew of his natural use of magic, though, and told him he could take the exams when Magic was revived.
Professor Sprout had been able to harvest the mature Mandrakes, and Professor Snape had brewed a restorative draft only a few days before Harry would be leaving. Harry eagerly anticipated Magic's revival, waiting next to her bedside with anticipation as Madam Pomfrey used the restorative draft.
It apparently worked far quicker than Madam Pomfrey expected it to, as she'd told Harry that it might take a few minutes before Magic could do much. One moment, Harry was feeling the constant companion of the cold, icy, frozen flame within him and an empty void of knowledge, which he had never stopped feeling sad about. The next, his flame was roaring with power, growing, becoming stronger than he'd ever remembered it feeling before. The cold, statistical data from Magic entered his mind, as he'd had the link open in anticipation, and Magic's body and robe grew so she was once again a few inches taller than he was. He felt a deep joy that sent tears streaming down his face, and hardly able to help himself, grabbed her and pulled her unresisting, movable, and unnaturally warm body from the bed. He hugged her tight, laughing and crying from his deep happiness, and Magic's arms wrapped around him in an unemotional embrace that he thought was the best thing in the world. Now able to feel magic again, the world seemed like a brighter, happier place, and he basked in the feeling of Magic's hot, unemotional embrace and the magic all around him.
"I'm here now." Magic stated placidly.
"I've missed you so much... Missed that calm voice of yours, my ability to do magic, feel magic..." He trailed off, unable to speak much after that, though he wasn't the only one rejoicing. Mr. Filch and Mrs. Norris were also reuniting in joy, and Harry understood completely the happiness of Mr. Filch.
"Athis." Magic stated, and through her knowledge, Harry realized she was gazing at the phoenix on his shoulder, who had been a constant companion since he'd been to the Chamber of Secrets.
'It is time now, Harry, for me to take my leave.' Athis said gently in his mind, flying over to rest on Magic's head. 'Step back now, Harry.'
Magic let him go and Harry stepped back, feeling both his much larger and warmer flame of magic, which soothed his grief to nothing as if he'd never had it before, and the flame of Athis, which suddenly roared with more strength than he remembered. He could hear the sound of flames and singing in front of him, and within a few seconds, the two flames had harmoniously combine to become a single flame of magic that was more powerful than his magic had ever been before. Harry gasped at the feel as the flame seemed to rush throughout his body for a moment, making him even more euphoric than he already was despite the loss of the single being known as Athis.
"I know what she knew, you possess the phoenix magic, altered." Magic stated sedately, as if delivering an every day report.
Harry laughed in joy, but also felt a slight pang of sadness as well. Given that he'd prepared for Athis to leave, however, he wasn't as sad as he'd have been if she'd left without hinting at the fact that, at some point, she wouldn't be with Harry any longer. Having Magic back made him feel hole again, which also helped to offset much of the grief he'd felt at Athis combining with Magic. She wasn't really gone, though, Harry thought, as his magic had been altered by her. In a way, she'd always be with him.
"Come on." He said, grabbing Magic's left hand in his right, noticing that it felt a little warmer than he could remember, almost hot. "Let's go!" He left the hospital wing with Magic, and once on the grounds, joyfully ran with her by his side.
Despite not having his magic for most of the school year, Harry hadn't lost the skills of using magic naturally, and easily completed the practical side of all of his exams except potions, as he'd already completed that one. As there weren't many students, the house cup wasn't going to be won by any house that year, and those who had been petrified were exempt from exams. Instead, they had been given packets of work to bring home with them so they'd be caught up for the next year. Harry couldn't stop feeling the joy and euphoria from having Magic back in his life, and often times sank into the feel of his changed flame in his chest, which was hotter, far more powerful, and more calming than it had ever been before. He didn't ask about any of the abilities he might have from Magic and Athis becoming one, as he already had all the statistical knowledge he needed. He could transport like a phoenix if he wanted, though it would be more of a cross between his already existing transport method should he ever teleport, and that of the phoenix. He could cry tears to heal others, though couldn't imagine needing that ability any time soon. Either he or Magic were able to sing like a phoenix, and while Harry had no way to test it, he felt as if he might burn like a phoenix once he reached old age. He hoped not, though, since he didn't want to be immortal, though felt it would be a choice for him to choose.
The train ride back was rather empty, with very little people on board. Daphne, now living with Professor McGonagall, wasn't taking the train back with him, but said she would take it to Hogwarts next school year, so she could talk with him, Ron and Hermione, a prospect Harry was looking forward too. Harry didn't read or do anything except sit next to Magic, conjure and vanish things that he held just to feel them and experience using magic again, and leaned against her, enjoying her very warm body and her physical touch as she put her arm around him. His euphoria was still with him, and when he got off the train and headed for the Dursley's, he felt like nothing could go wrong.
"And just what are you smiling about, boy?" Uncle Vernon asked when he caught sight of Harry.
"Something you'll never experience, Uncle Vernon." Harry said.
"Yeah?" Dudley asked boldly. "Think you're smart, do you?"
"Oh, I do." Harry replied with a grin. "Let's go."
Uncle Vernon led the way to the car, and Harry followed, holding Magic's hand in his, unable and unwilling to get the grin off his face. He was determined to have a great summer, and with Magic back in his life, the future, regardless of what the Dursley's were going to do, was looking much brighter than it ever had before.