Chapter 5: Packed and Ready to Go!

"Okay, have you finished packing?" Paige asked, entering Phoenix's room. "It looks like a demon came through here." She looked around the room, clothes and art supplies thrown everywhere, before landing on Phoenix, sitting on her trunk, broom across her lap, backpack on and Cali's cage next to her.

"I think so," Phoenix answered, looking around.

"Okay, well, let's go downstairs so you can say goodbye before we orb off."

Phoenix nodded and hopped off her trunk, following her mom down the stairs. Henry was on the couch, little Henry on the floor, both playing a video game. Phoenix's brother's tongue was sticking out, not noticing or to focus to care she was there.

When Henry noticed the two, he paused the game, leaning over to tell little Herny something.

"But I was winning!"

Phoenix smiled at her brother's whining before rushing over giving him a bear hug. Paige looked around, noticing someone was missing. "Where is Katie?"

Henry looked at her and shrugged. "I thought she was helping Phoenix packing."

Phoenix shook her head. "I haven't seen her since breakfast." She got up after punching her brother lightly on his shoulder. He scowled, sticking his tongue out. She rolled her eyes, then hopped onto the couch to give her dad a hug.

"Maybe she is in her room?" Henry suggested, returning the hug.

Paige shook her head. "I peeked before getting Phoenix and didn't see her. It's not like her leaving without telling one of us."

Before anymore was said, small blue and white orbs appeared shaping into the subject they were talking about.

"Good, I didn't miss you!" Katie ran towards the couch, giving her sister a bear hug. "I left something in your bag," Katie whispered. Phoenix nodded, confused, but returned the long hug.

Paige placed her hands on hips. "And where have you been?"

Katie looked at her mom sheepishly. "I was at Magic School."

"For two hours?" Paige looked at her, ready for her to continue.

Katie looked at her dad, then back at her mom. "I was researching something in the library. Something for Nix and me…. a sisterly thing." Katie shrugged, still holding onto her twin.

Paige eyed her before dropping her hands. "Fine, but please tell someone or leave a note. You had us concerned."

"Sorry mom."

Paige looked at her watch. They were running late. She wanted to be there before six. "Phoenix, we need to go. We don't want to show up later than we need to."

Phoenix sighed and unraveled herself from her twin. She gave everyone one last hug before going over to her mother.

"I know this will be hard for you but be good at school." Henry smiled, receiving a smirk from Phoenix.

"Ready?" Paige asked.

Phoenix nodded. The two waved and orbed out, leaving the occupants staring at a blank spot in the room.

Paige orbed them a little outside of the address Hermione's mom gave them. Paige didn't sense anyone but still wanted to check around before heading towards the Grangers' home. "Stay here." She told Phoenix before walking out towards the road.

Phoenix sighed before sitting on her trunk, watching her mom until she was out of eyesight. She looked around, taking in the atmosphere. It was cloudy, wet, and it felt like someone was watching her. Phoenix looked to see if her mom was returning. She didn't see her. She sighed. Maybe her mom should place a protection barrier before she left. Phoenix looked again. 'What was taking her so long?' she thought. She looked at her things. 'Maybe she should orb these to Hermione.' She waved her hand. "Hermione's room."

Paige walked back to Phoenix right as her trunk, broom, and Cali orbed out. "Phoenix! What if someone saw you?"

"I made sure no one was around! Plus, wouldn't the neighbors think it's odd seeing us come out of nowhere and with a trunk and broom?"

Paige sighed, "Come on, the house looks to be around the corner, and they seem to be home."

Phoenix nodded, adjusted her bag, and took a quick look behind her. Paige followed her eye of sight. Not seeing anything. "Everything okay?" she whispered.

Phoenix looked at her mom and shrugged. "I don't know." She looked back behind her. "But would it be okay if you put a protection barrier around their home?"

Paige looked at Phoenix, worried. "I did." Phoenix looked at her mom in surprise. "That was what was taking so long. Your aunts blessed the crystals too." Paige smiled. "The Grangers will have the power of four protection."

Phoenix hugged her mom. "Thank you."

Paige returned the hug. Her smile growing, "Let's get going."

When the two made it to the house, Page walked up to the door and knocked, Phoenix hanging back. "Hermione, can you get that?" Paige heard who she assumed was Hermione's mother. Paige heard footsteps shuffle until the door opened.

"Hey!" Hermione greeted. She opened the door wider, allowing them through. "You made it." She told them, closing the door behind them.

"Hermione darling, who was at the…" a woman came around the corner, stopping when she saw the three in the living room. She looked at Paige, then Hermione, who was standing next to Phoenix. "You must be Hermione's friend, Phoenix." Phoenix nodded in response. Hermione's mother smiled, then looked up at Paige. "And you must be Mrs. Matthews." She held her hand out, which Paige shook.

"Please call me Paige."

Hermione's mom nodded, "then please, call me Rose. I'm glad you made it."

Paige smiled, "thank you, I hope we aren't too late."

Rose waved the statement off. "You are fine. John and I just got home not too long ago." Then she looked at Phoenix, "I'm glad to finally meet you, Phoenix. Hermione told us a lot about you." She looked back at Paige. "And you Paige. It's nice to see a face to the voice."

"Same, it's nice that we can see each other in person." She looked at Hermione, "and it's nice to see you again, Hermione."

"Same to you Mrs. Matthews."

Paige smiled, then looked at Phoenix. "Well, kiddo, I better go. You be good for the Grangers." She walked over to Phoenix and the two hugged their goodbyes. "Rose, if anything happens, you have my number."

"Yes, don't worry, everything will be fine."

"Phoenix has her allowance. If she needs more, let me know and I will transfer some over for her. I believe she has enough in her account for her school supplies and books once she receives her letter."

Rose waved her off. "Don't worry about it. We will be fine."

Paige hugged Phoenix one last time before walking out. Phoenix heard her mother's orbing knowing she was gone. Phoenix looked at Hermione the Rose not sure what she should do next.

"Well, Hermione, why not show Phoenix to her room? We have a while before dinner starts. Phoenix, I hope you are hungry." Phoenix was about to protest when her stomach gave her away. Rose let out a laugh. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll let the two of you know when it's ready."

Phoenix nodded, and Hermione grabbed her hand, pulling her up the stairs. "Your room is next to mine." She said before looking at her. "I already put Cali in there and let her out. But you can grab your trunk and broom you seemed to have orbed into my room." Hermione eyed Phoenix.

Phoenix grinned. "It was convenient."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "My mum was in my room when that happened. She didn't see the orbs, but I had to explain to her why there was now a cat in my room."

"How did she take it? You didn't tell her about…"

Hermione shook her head. "No, I didn't. But what little I said, mum took it okay. They have said nothing, but I think they are taking it one day at a time. My mum seems to be fascinated by it. Dad is still leery."

Phoenix nodded, "understandable." She looked at Hermione. "I don't want to scare you, but I had mom put a protection barrier around the house. Just in case."

Hermione looked shocked. "You think?"

Phoenix shrugged. "Nothing has happened since Hogwarts. But mom had the same thought and had my aunts bless the crystals too."

Hermione's worried face didn't falter. "I'm glad you did, but I hope we don't need it."

"I can show you how to defend yourself if it makes you feel any better? Some basics."

"That would be okay, I guess."

"Have you heard from Harry?" Phoenix asked, wanting to move away from the demon subject.

Hermione shook her head, "I'm worried about him too."

Phoenix sighed. "I convinced mom to go over and visit him. He said he received nothing from us. I told him Ron, you, and I have been writing to him for months, but he claimed he never got them. I believe him. He looked upset. Later, I wrote him another letter but orbed it to him. I haven't heard anything yet."

"Why did you orb the letter?"

"Kaleb and I think that maybe magic is interfering. Or someone magical and powerful enough to intercept."

"That makes sense."

Phoenix nodded and started unpacking some of her things. She lifted some of her clothing when she heard a thunk. Phoenix looked at Hermione confused and looked at the floor. It was a leather book not much smaller than the Book of Shadows, with a white envelope sticking out from the pages.