Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.

Hi all,

This is the first of two chapters I'm releasing today. Newt tries to diagnose Fawkes, and Harry meets a Siren.

Chapter 58

The idyllic beginning of his time on the island was shattered when Harry discovered that the situation with Fawkes was more urgent than he had previously believed. Newt appeared unusually serious, but when he realised Harry was about to panic, he softened his statement slightly.

"He's not in critical condition yet, but I need to examine him to see why his immortal flame has been affected. I believe he still has a few weeks before it burns out."

"Immortal flame?" Harry questioned.

Newt poked Fawkes in the chest. "Every phoenix possesses an immortal flame, which serves as both a source of life force and magic. A phoenix, unlike a wizard, cannot regenerate magic and therefore has a limited supply. However, because of the flame's tremendous power, it takes a long time to burn out."

"Like the sun!" Hermione exclaimed.

Newt nodded. "The power of the flame is a double-edged sword, as it gradually consumes the phoenix's body over time. Contrary to popular belief, their bodies are not completely fire-resistant. It eventually reaches the point where their bodies can no longer hold the flame within them. The phoenix bursts into flames, reducing their bodies to ash. They are reborn, their bodies revitalised once more to bear the burden of the immortal flame. This cyclical process of reincarnation occurs multiple times during their lifetime."

"I never imagined that a phoenix's burning day could have such profound significance," Gabrielle exclaimed, intrigued. "What happens if a phoenix dies prematurely from another cause? Does this have any impact on their flame when they are reborn?

"What an excellent question!" Newt clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing back and forth while explaining. "It affects the lifespan of a phoenix. Their longevity is determined by how many times they have been reborn, not how many years have passed. When a phoenix has a burning day, it expends a large amount of magic, which affects its immortal flame. I'm not sure who coined the term "immortal flame," but it's completely inaccurate."

"But it sounds cool," Gabrielle said with a grin.

Newt's message was clear to Harry. "Each death and rebirth that a phoenix experiences shortens the life of its immortal flame. So, if a phoenix is repeatedly killed outside of its burning days, it will die much sooner for the final time."

"Here, I thought phoenixes were fortunate to be able to be reborn," Blaise snorted. "But it would only take one determined wizard holding a grudge against them to significantly shorten their lifespan."

Daphne shot him one of her signature 'Are you stupid' looks. "Phoenixes are capable of flame travel. I don't think they would be stupid enough to stick around if they were being targeted by someone."

That didn't help Fawkes when Dumbledore enslaved him, Harry added silently. He wondered what kind of artifact could constrain such a powerful magical creature.

"It is exceedingly rare for a phoenix not to live a long life, despite its weakness," Newt said, chuckling. "What concerns me about Fawkes is that his plumage has lost much of its vibrancy. Given that their radiance comes from their flame, you can understand why I am troubled by his current condition. The only comparable effect is that of a phoenix's burning day, which you mentioned Fawkes underwent last year."

Harry found himself distracted as Fawkes sent a series of images over their bond, expressing his discontent with all the attention focused on him.

"Fawkes doesn't appear to think anything is amiss," Harry remarked.

"There is certainly something amiss," Newt said, wearing a puzzled expression. "He should be aware of it already. Why he isn't acknowledging it is a mystery."

"I understand that Fawkes needs an examination," Minerva interjected, "but must it be done here? I would like to unpack my belongings and settle into my room."

Newt nodded sheepishly. "Of course, Minerva. I have been remiss in my hosting duties. Let me show you your accommodations, and then I will take Fawkes to my lab for an examination."

The group was shown to their rooms, and they quickly unpacked their belongings. Following that, Newt took the teenagers to the main building, where he had left his suitcase. Gabrielle and Luna were particularly interested in seeing what Newt's magically expanded suitcase looked like on the inside.

"Who owns the island?" Harry asked.

"A Greek witch named Thalia, an old friend of mine," Newt replied. "She has provided a sanctuary for the Siren you will meet later. As she rarely visits, the island usually remains deserted. There are protective wards surrounding the island to prevent Muggles from stumbling upon it."

Newt placed his suitcase on the floor before opening it. The teenagers were taken aback when they discovered an ordinary interior, complete with neatly arranged clothing and a pair of drawers.

"Oops," Newt exclaimed, quickly closing the suitcase and flipping a switch in the front. "I forgot I had set it to Muggle mode."

After toggling a switch, he reopened the suitcase to reveal a ladder leading down into a cluttered room. Tapping his wand on the suitcase, it expanded, allowing them to comfortably climb down into the suitcase. Upon reaching the bottom, they paused to survey the surroundings.

Gabrielle sneezed. "When was the last time this place was cleaned?"

The room appeared to be Newt's workspace, cluttered and emitting a musty odour, suggesting that it had been abandoned for a long time. The surfaces were strewn with old newspapers, plants, robes, magical devices, and books on magical creatures, including multiple copies of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." A cauldron occupied one corner, while a bookcase filled with books stood at the opposite end.

"This is my shed," Newt explained. "It serves as my primary workspace, though I have a better-equipped lab for examining and tending to the magical creatures here."

Hermione was drawn to a book on the table. "Bestiarium Magicum. What is this book? It looks ancient."

Newt hurried over to her. "Please don't touch it. It's a mediaeval tome on magical creatures. It's exceedingly rare and worth a small fortune."

"Can I read it?" Hermione asked eagerly.

Newt rubbed his chin, eyeing her thoughtfully. "I'm not sure if I can entrust you with this precious treasure, Miss Granger."

"That's not the right thing to say to Hermione. She'd probably hex you if you mistreated a book," Susan quipped.

"Very well—" Newt began.

A crash interrupted them, prompting everyone to turn around.

"I've found a Niffler," Luna announced, holding another creature in her arms alongside Cuddles. The Niffler attempted to snatch Luna's necklace, but she seemed unperturbed.

"What an adorable creature!" Astoria exclaimed, petting the Niffler as it curiously sniffed her hand.

"What are you doing here, Teddy?" Newt demanded, exasperated. "No wonder this shed is in disarray, you little troublemaker!"

"Sure, it must have been Teddy," Harry said with a mocking look, eliciting laughter from the group.

Neville raised a question about an unusual plant he had noticed, sparing Newt's dignity. It drew Daphne's interest, and she moved over to join their conversation.

Harry walked around the room, examining everything. His gaze fell upon a photo frame on the bookcase containing a picture of a woman with short, dark hair. Before he could inquire about her identity, Newt ushered them out of the shed.

Under the expansive sky, with the sun shining down and no clouds in sight, Harry was reminded of the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling, which was made to reflect the outside. He had no idea what it would take to accomplish such a feat.

"You can compare this space to a safari park, with some differences," Newt said as they walked down the steps on the hill that housed the shed. "There are a lot of habitats inside here, each inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures. Each of them has its own biome tailored to their needs, which I created with Atmospheric Charms."

"Does it have a day-night cycle?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Newt replied. "I have creatures that are diurnal, nocturnal, or a combination of the two."

"The habitats must be kept separate in some way," Hermione noted. "First, to keep the biomes from clashing with one another. Second, to prevent any conflicts between the magical creatures."

"You are a smart cookie," Newt said, smiling, as they came to a stop at the bottom of the hill. Just off the path was a small stand, which held brooms and rolled-up rugs. "This place is so big that I need help to get around."

A cobblestone path stretched ahead of them into the distance, lined with lampposts for nighttime illumination. On either side of the path were the edges of two vastly different biomes, creating an unusual juxtaposition. On one side was a bamboo forest, and on the other was a grassland with pale grass that reminded Harry of the African savannah.

Newt approached the forest, but stopped before entering. He raised his cane to prod the space in front of him. Surprisingly, it ran into some resistance from something invisible to the naked eye. The group approached to test it, but their hands encountered the same resistance.

"Each habitat is separated by a barrier," Newt informed them. "This protects the magical creatures and avoids accidents with the more ferocious creatures when guests visit. I'm not sure how Teddy keeps escaping his habitat, though. We can explore some of these habitats later, but for now, shall we use broomsticks or the flying carpet to reach my lab?"

Given Hermione and Neville's aversion to riding broomsticks, they chose to ride the carpet. As they flew down the road, Newt provided additional information about his park. There was a road that ran through the entire area, connecting all of the habitats, which totaled over a hundred. Some were so large that they could function as standalone safari parks. Harry was astounded by the enormity of the world that Newt had created in his suitcase. How long would it have taken to build everything?

Newt's lab was near the centre of the park, and it took them more than an hour to get there, despite the flying carpet's high speed. If they had not been attached to the carpet with a Sticking Charm, they would have fallen off already. They passed several different habitats along the way, and Newt informed them of the magical creatures that lived inside them.

"That one houses a Nundu," Newt pointed out as they passed a rainforest habitat.

"Wicked," Gabrielle breathed. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but Harry quickly held a hand over her mouth, anticipating what she was going to say.

"You aren't going to visit the Nundu," Harry hissed. "Do you have a death wish?"

Gabrielle pouted; her disappointment evident.

Newt continued, his tone sombre. "The Nundu has been with me for a long time. Unfortunately, he was crippled, making it difficult for him to return to the wild as he would find it harder to defend himself. Despite their lethality, wizards continue to hunt Nundus because they can be harvested for extremely valuable materials."

Harry shook his head in disapproval. The thought of hunting such a magnificent, magical creature was both cruel and insane.

The lab resembled a small farmstead, with fenced-in areas for animals brought in for research or treatment. A hippogriff stood inside one of the enclosures, turning its head to look at them as they approached.

"You may stay out here and meet Edgar while I examine Fawkes if you like," Newt suggested, pointing to the Hippogriff. "As long as you show him respect, he is a friendly beastie."

Hermione and his girlfriends joined Harry, while the rest went to meet Edgar. Newt led them to the main building, where they entered a room resembling a medical facility, complete with sterile surroundings and a strange looking medical table.

The device was an unusual combination of technology and magic, resembling a large donut-shaped machine with a central tunnel similar to a CT scan machine. What distinguished it were the embedded crystals lining the tunnel walls, which indicated that this was no ordinary piece of technology.

"This is called a magic diagnostic bed," Newt explained, motioning for Harry to place Fawkes on the bed. "It is an American invention that allows a layperson to diagnose many magical diseases, ailments, and oddities without the need of a Healer. I had a friend repurpose it for magical creatures, but I can only use it on smaller-sized creatures."

They examined the machine with interest. Hermione, in particular, was fascinated, considering her interest in merging muggle medicine with magical healing.

"I want to learn engineering even more after seeing this," Harry remarked.

"I was born in the wrong country," Hermione lamented. "Do you think I can persuade my parents to move to America?"

"Let's all go to an American magical school for our third year," Daphne suggested. "Wouldn't that be something?"

"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I believe she was being sarcastic," Susan said, observing Daphne's expression. "Sometimes it's hard to tell with her."

Harry considered the idea, which sounded appealing, but he knew his grandparents would be adamantly opposed. Or would they? He would probably face less danger over there than he did during his first year at Hogwarts.

"Will this help to diagnose Fawkes?" Harry asked, returning to the matter at hand.

"Not on its own," Newt replied, moving over to a computer in the corner and tapping on some keys. The machine beeped once as it started up. "It will take some time to warm up, so why don't you tell me a little about Fawkes' background? Like how you met, and if you encountered any significant events or incidents."

Harry began a detailed account of everything that had happened between him and Fawkes since their initial meeting. He described the unexpected explosion of the wand containing Fawkes' feather at Ollivanders, which severed Dumbledore's control over the Phoenix and resulted in a special bond between the two.

"Dumbledore used an artefact to control Fawkes," Newt pondered. "I would like to know what it was because it could help with my diagnosis. I have never heard of a bond forming in this way before, but wand lore is notoriously unpredictable, so I'm not sure how much I can deduce from it. Is there anything else that occurred?"

"Fawkes has a hard time flame-travelling," Harry shared. "It causes him a lot of pain, especially when he is carrying a passenger."

Newt hummed. "A phoenix derives this ability from their immortal flame, so it may be related."

"Tell him about Fawkes' burning day, Harry," Daphne urged.

"I cannot believe I forgot about it," Harry grumbled, slapping his forehead.

He went on to tell Newt about Fawkes' burning day and how it affected him. It caused him to faint and end up in the hospital, but it also made him feel and look like a different person afterwards.

Newt was silent for a moment before rising from his seat and approaching Harry. Newt grabbed his shoulders and looked down at him, excited. "You're a magical marvel! How about you get up on the machine and let us find out exactly what makes you tick."

"You're freaking me out," Harry said, shaking him off. "How about we find out what's wrong with Fawkes first?"

When the machine was ready, the bed was drawn into the tunnel, and the crystals inside glowed. There were a series of flashes, and Newt explained that he was taking images of Fawke's insides, similar to a CT scan. Except that it captured images that a normal machine could not see, and he hoped to get a picture of Fawke's immortal flame.

After the scans were complete, Newt thoroughly examined them before showing them to the teenagers. One of the images was a black and white photograph of a phoenix-shaped flame, most likely the immortal flame. But there was an anomaly that caught Harry's attention.

"What is that black line running through it?" Harry inquired.

"That's the question," Newt said grimly. "It looks like the flame is splitting in two, which I had no idea was even possible."

Harry grew increasingly concerned. If someone as knowledgeable as Newt Scamander couldn't discern the issue, how could they help Fawkes? His girlfriends surrounded him, offering hugs and comforting words, but his worry persisted. The thought of something happening to Fawkes weighed heavily on his mind. What should he do next?

"May I cast a spell on you, Harry?" Newt asked. "I would like to confirm that the two of you share a bond."

Harry nodded. Newt pointed his wand at Harry, and he felt a tickling sensation near his chest. As he watched, a golden strand appeared between him and Fawkes, joining the two of them together.

"It's beautiful," Susan breathed, reaching out to touch it, though her hand passed through the intangible connection.

Newt examined the golden strand closely. "The bond has some anomalies. There are black spots running through it, indicating it's not complete or that there's something wrong with it."

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked.

"I have to bring in an expert, as this is beyond my expertise," Newt explained. "It may take her a couple of days to arrive, as she is elusive. Don't worry; we will find a solution. I don't believe Fawkes is in immediate danger."

The following day, Newt accompanied Harry to meet the Siren, Nerine, who resided in an inlet on the opposite side of the island. Sirens were known to be reclusive and not particularly fond of humans, so it was decided that Harry would make the journey alone, with only Nagini by his side.

After learning about Fawkes' condition, he was not in the mood to enjoy the island's atmosphere, though he did not mind his friends having fun. Fortunately, he had a distraction today, which could result in some progress on his new project.

As Harry emerged from the forest path, a beautiful scene unfolded in front of him. The tranquil inlet, bathed in sunlight reflecting off the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, presented a serene setting unlike any other. Unlike the other side of the island, this area has not seen any development, with no buildings or signs of human activity visible. A solitary rock protruded from the centre of the inlet and appeared to be large enough to accommodate a few people.

Newt offered a word of caution as they approached the water's edge. "Nerine will likely test you."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "That sounds ominous. Am I in danger of meeting the same fate as many sailors did in the past?"

"Nerine is nice," Newt said, then clarified his statement. "She is nice when compared to the rest of her species. Just make sure you do enough to prove yourself, and you should have a good time with her."

As soon as Newt finished his sentence, a figure emerged from beneath the water, next to the protruding rock.

"Here's Nerine now!" Newt said cheerfully before taking a few not-so-subtle steps back from the water's edge. "Good luck to you, Harry!"

Nerine climbed onto the rock and gave Harry his first good look at her. She was naked from the waist up, revealing a pair of full breasts that were only partially concealed by a curtain of green hair, leaving him momentarily flustered. With a wink and a flick of her fishtail in the water, she beckoned him to join her on the rock. Her beauty was truly captivating, demonstrating why sailors could be drawn to her even before hearing her enchanting song.

"Newt might have given me a heads-up," Harry muttered, trying to avert his gaze from her enchanting form.

Harry removed his t-shirt and dove into the water, swimming towards the rock where she waited. As he approached, Nerine began to sing, her enchanting melody enveloping him in a magical haze. Despite his best efforts to resist, Harry found himself falling victim to the enchantment, the Siren's song clouding his mind.

He quickly deployed his occlumency shields, but they proved ineffective against the enchanting melody. If it hadn't been for his innate magical resistance, he would have sunk beneath the waves. Harry struggled against the seductive pull of Nerine's voice, eventually hauling himself onto the rock, breathless and disoriented. But at least he had managed to shake off her voice for the most part. He hoisted himself onto the rock, trying to avoid looking at her breasts. His girlfriends would be furious if they knew the situation he was in right now.

"Newt did not lie about you," Nerine said, her voice melodious. "You are strong for such a little boy."

Nerine crossed her arms to shield her breasts, allowing him to get a closer look at her. Now that he was looking at her directly, he noticed a ruthless and indifferent expression on her face. Her gaze appeared to pass through him rather than look at him directly. It was so unsettling that if he had seen her face while listening to her siren song, he might have been less affected. I

"Nerine, was the test truly necessary?" Harry inquired, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Not necessary, but a little entertainment never hurts. You have proven yourself, at the very least."

"Yes, seeing someone nearly drown amuses me just as much," Harry muttered. "Should we start?"

Harry started questioning Nerine about her race. Unlike the Veela, Sirens had a genetic memory that allowed them to recall their past in great detail. This is something the Veela lost when they moved from the sea to land. Because they lacked a clear memory of their origins, he wanted to question Nerine about the events that caused the Veela to be driven out of the sea.

"The Veela believe that they were driven out of the sea because they lost their voice," Harry said. "Is that true?"

Nerine took a while to respond to his question. It was as if attempting to recall a memory. Although he wasn't sure how genetic memories worked, he assumed that they had to be actively retrieved rather than being easily accessible.

"Back then, Sirens were scarce, so we banded together to protect ourselves from both seafaring and land-based enemies," Nerine explained. "Some of the Sirens lost their voices, but this was not the reason they were shunned, but rather a side effect of their condition. At the time, we were at odds with some land dwellers who saw us as a prize to be possessed. Their presence introduced a magical disease that infected some of the Sirens. It was extremely contagious, so we separated them to protect the majority. It didn't kill the Sirens, but rather triggered an evolutionary process."

"Did the disease cause them to evolve?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yes," Nerine replied, nodding. "They went through a rapid evolution in front of our eyes in a matter of months. Not only did they lose their voices, but their elemental affinity shifted from water to fire. They also lost their tails and evolved two legs, just like land dwellers. We could see they no longer belonged in the sea, so the only thing we could do was drive them away."

Harry recalled what he read in the Veela Enclave's library. "Is it possible that the magical illness was intentionally created?"

Nerine took a moment to consider. "It's possible. The land dwellers used a lot of magic, but there was no evidence to suggest they infected the Sirens on purpose."

Harry had a terrifying thought. He was aware of the numerous challenges that the first Veela had encountered while settling on land. They were threatened not only by Selkies, but also by humans who sought to exploit the Veela as objects of desire. Could it be that humans used magic to deliberately trigger their evolution to create a human-like race to satisfy their dark desires?

He continued to ask Nerine questions. He was particularly interested in Siren physiology because he wanted to compare the two species after previously researching Veela physiology. What did the Veela gain and lose as they evolved, and how could he apply that knowledge to the design he had for his artifact?

Since visiting the Veela conclave and discovering that their allure was ineffective underwater, he has been experimenting with the water element to create an array that would replicate the phenomenon outside of the water. When he told Nerine about his idea, she had an unexpected reaction.

"Have you considered using the sea essence in your artifact?" Nerine suggested. "Veela are particularly affected by its magic. The Sirens used them to drive the Veela out of the sea. It dampened their allure, especially during the developmental stages."

Harry felt a surge of excitement at the prospect. "What exactly is this sea essence, and how can I acquire it?"

"They are water crystals that have absorbed a great deal of magic from a rift," Nerine explained, taking note of his surprised expression. "The rifts are not limited to the land. Some appear deep in the sea and have an unusual effect on their surroundings. Some Sirens believe they had a hand in our creation."

"Where can I get my hands on this sea essence?"

"What's in it for me?" Nerine asked.

Harry's brows furrowed. He didn't think haggling with a Siren was a good idea, but he needed the sea essence. It may be just what he needed to bring his idea to fruition.

"Is there anything you want?"

"I heard the island has some guests," Nerine said. "Some adult males among them. I would like you to introduce them to me."

Harry shifted his gaze to her tail. She could not have been thinking about sleeping with one of them. How does that even work? "I thought Sirens hated humans?"

Nerine smiled. "I'm not like the rest of my kind. That is why I am an outcast and have sought refuge on this island."

"The only unattached male here is Remus," Harry told her. Surely, it wouldn't harm Remus just to meet her. It's not like he had to do anything. Hell, he might just thank Harry.

"Tell me about him," Nerine demanded, her tail splashing the water in delight.

"Well, he's a werewolf."

She was not put off by this, and in fact, she appeared to be even more excited. "A child of the moon! We have an affinity for each other. Go get him for me."

Harry returned to shore, conflicted about the transaction. If he hadn't been so interested in the sea essence, he wouldn't have agreed to such a deal. Why did he feel like a pimp trying to sell his girl for money? What reaction would Remus have when he told him?

Remus, you have to take one for the team.

August 2nd

The following day found everyone lounging on the beach, basking in the sun and letting their worries drift away. Harry, in particular, found a welcome distraction when his girlfriends requested his help in applying sunscreen to their backs, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.

"I could cast a sunscreen charm for you, you know," Minerva remarked with a slight frown.

"Nothing beats a personal touch," Daphne sighed contentedly as Harry's hands moved smoothly over her back.

"Minnie, don't be such a prude," Sirius chided. "They're teenagers now. They could be doing something much worse."

"Not with this audience," Harry mumbled, eliciting a giggle from Daphne.

"What did you say?" Minerva questioned, her tone indicating she wasn't going to let it slide.

"Nothing," Harry replied quickly, flashing a grin.

They were interrupted by the sight of a familiar figure walking down the beach.

"I hate you, Harry," Remus declared as he approached. His clothes were rumpled, and his hair was dishevelled.

Laughter erupted among the group at his appearance, even eliciting a small smile from his grandmother.

"You lucky dog, Remus!" Sirius exclaimed with a grin.

"I'm a wolf, you mongrel."

"Uh, do I want to know what happened?" Harry asked, trying to suppress his laughter.

"The Siren sucked him—" Gabrielle began but had to duck as Remus threw a towel at her.

"Nothing like that happened," Remus said, annoyed. "Nerine just wanted to talk. "She is lonely on the island by herself."

"Well, I appreciate your sacrifice," Harry said with a smirk. "I'm sure it's the beginning of a beautiful relationship."

"I want a raise," Remus declared. He threw something at Harry, who caught it deftly.

The crystal was about the size of his palm and glowed an iridescent blue. The surface appeared wet, but it felt completely dry to the touch. "Is this the sea essence?"

Remus nodded.

"What is that thing, Harry?" she asked, stepping back. "It's making me feel queasy."

That wasn't good. If he was going to use it as the foundation for his artifact, it couldn't make Veela sick. He would need to experiment with it to get rid of it while maintaining the properties that suppressed their allure.

A burst of flames above him interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and noticed a phoenix flying overhead, but it was not Fawkes. This one was significantly larger and more majestic looking. It circled the air above him twice before settling in front of him. Was this the friend that Newt mentioned?

"He certainly has a lot of friends."

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, their new visitor tries to save Fawkes, and Harry crafts his next artifact.

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