Disclaimer: All charcters and world concepts are property of J. .

Disclaimer: This is not the work of CNG25 but that of Lilausty, originally published on .

Chapter 3: Hello, I-I'm Harry

Thump.

Harry landed on his rear end as Fawkes finished the fire travel. He could hear the bubble of laughter that was coming from the bird, but didn't say anything, as his attention was captured immediately by the magnificent gates that he was in front of.

They were nearly 20ft tall and covered with gold, large rubies encrusting the handles and emeralds filling the eyes of the creatures that adorned the pillars.

"Harry? Were you going to open the gates for us? Or were you just planning on standing out here gawking at the craftsmanship?"

He flashed an amused smile at the magnificent bird before taking the beautiful key that Rom had bestowed upon him, and plunged it into the lock. Immediately, he felt a warmth creep up his arm and the gates swung open revealing the beauty within.

The castle was, for lack of a better word, huge.

While it was not quite as big as Hogwarts, Harry could easily see that it was far more lavish, with the gardens in pristine condition.

They started forward slowly, admiring all of the beautiful statues that littered the grounds until they reached the doors of the castle. Surprisingly they were wide open, as if welcoming him home finally.

"You certainly have a beautiful home Harry. It has been some time since I have been here."

Harry turned startled eyes to the phoenix, "You have been here before?"

"Indeed, many centuries ago. I once was bound to one of your ancestors in the Potter line. Things haven't changed much it would seem."

Entering the castle Harry could only stare in gobsmacked astonishment. Suddenly several cracks split the air, and Harry, crying out in shock, whirled out his wand pointing it wildly at the beings that had just appeared in front of him.

Four house elves ducked for cover as one squeaked out, "Master Harry Potter! Please sir, we mean you no harm!"

Lowering his wand and placing a hand over his heart to calm his beating heat he eyed the small beings that came back into view looking at him with large eyes. Finally he smiled at them, "Sorry for that, you kinda startled me."

"We is sorry sir! We is not expecting you here." The largest of the elves said still looking quite nervous.

"Um, well, hi I-I am Harry, it is nice to meet you. What are your names and what are you doing here?" He said, looking at each in turn.

"We is the Potter Castle's house elves Master, we live to serve the honourable house of Potter. I is Nodsy, and these are Saringa, her sister Naringa and the little one on the end is Dinglebat, but you can call him Dingle for short." He replied.

Harry raised an amused eyebrow, "Dinglebat?"

The elf gave a small smile, "Your grandfather gave me the name as a joke many years ago when I was born."

Harry looked at him in astonishment, "You knew my Grandfather? I-I would have thought you would be too young to know him."

"Ah sir, we house elves live longer than our masters." Nodsy said, 'But perhaps you is wanting to see your home sir? We is taking your trunk to your room if you want sir?'

'Oh, thank you. Hang on, I have another trunk that has been shrunk in my pocket.' He rifled through them pulling out the tiny trunk. He passed it to the eagerly awaiting elves who took it carefully and immediately un-shrunk it.

Harry gave a thoughtful look before asking, 'Is there any chance that I will be able to do magic here without anyone knowing? I mean, since I am underage I know that I am not allowed to technically, but I was just wondering?'

'Master Harry Potter sir, the castle is undetectable by the ministry or anyone else sir! You is doing magic here and not get in trouble sir!' One of the sisters spoke up, Naringa he thought.

He gave a grin, 'Well then, my time here should be most profitable.' He started to look around the hall curiously, obviously wanting to start exploring.

'Sir is wanting to see his house now Naringa, we should go get some breakfast ready!' Saringa said, and immediately the two sisters disappeared.

'Master Harry Potter sir, did you want Dingle or Nodsy to accompany you around your home sir?' Nodsy asked.

Harry shook his head, 'No thank you that's fine. And please, you don't have to call me Master, just Harry is fine.'

Nodsy shook his head violently, 'Sir tis very disrespectful for a house elf to call his master by his first name sir!'

'Please? I don't like being anyone's master, it makes me feel to much like Voldemort.' Harry said, without thinking.

The two little elves clapped their hands over their ears and squeaked, Dingle exclaiming, 'Sir said the Dark Lord's name!'

'Sorry.' He said hastily, 'but still, please don't call me master. I would be very happy for you to call me Harry.'

After giving each other nervous looks, Nodsy finally nodded reluctantly, 'Very well Harry Potter sir we will do as you command. But you is still our master and we is honoured to serve the noble house of Potter.'

Harry sighed, 'Well, I guess I can live with that. Oh and one more thing, no punishing yourselves EVER! I had a friend called Dobby, who was bound to a horrible family and I was appalled by what he was put through.'

They nodded sadly, 'We knows Dobby sir! From when he was very young. He is a strange elf sir, but kindly. Last we heard he was freed and was having trouble finding work sir!'

Harry frowned, 'I saw him just this week, he is working at Hogwarts now.'

The little elves gave each other nervous glances again before Dingle quickly said, 'Dobby works there no longer sir.'

'WHAT? Why? And why didn't he tell me?' Harry exploded.

'Dobby was relieved of his position when a decree was made that no free house elf could work. They must be bound and Dobby refused, saying that he likes freedom. Very strange sir.' Dingle explained.

Sighing, Harry conferred with Fawkes quickly before yelling, 'DOBBY!'

Immediately there was a crack and the small elf appeared, smiling brightly at Harry, 'Harry Potter is calling Dobby? Dobby answers sir!' The elf then took notice of where he was and the other house elves near him and began to twitch nervously.

'No, no Dobby don't worry, we are among friends.' Harry hastened to assure him, 'I-I just heard that you lost your job at Hogwarts? Why didn't you tell me?'

'Sir, because sir, there was nothing you could have done about it. Even the great Harry Potter cannot overthrow the ministry yet sir!' Dobby replied, his ears flattening slightly in sadness.

'Well, I personally have no regard for the ministry, and I have been assured that this castle is completely protected, so if you wish, you can live here, be free and still work for me. Does that sound ok to you?'

Harry suddenly took two steps back and grunted as the little house elf threw himself into him and wrapped his arms around his middle sobbing loudly. The other two elves gave snorts of amusement before disappearing, leaving them together.

'Master Harry Potter sir is the greatest wizard in the world! Dobby would be honoured to work for him. Dobby would even be happy to be bound to Master Harry Potter, if sir wishes?' The elf was obviously a little bit dubious about making this last offer, but he was genuine.

Harry shook his head, 'No Dobby, I know how much freedom means to you. You do not have to bind yourself to me, just work for me and that is enough. And please, do not call me Master, just Harry is fine.'

The little elf sobbed again, 'M-Harry Potter is so gracious and wonderful. Dobby is honoured to work for such a wizard.'

Fawkes suddenly spoke in Harry's head, 'Aren't you going to introduce me?' there was a strong undercurrent of amusement to his voice.

Harry shook his head in silent laughter before looking back at the elf in front of him, 'Dobby, this is Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's uh…' he turned to the bird, 'What do I call you? You weren't exactly a pet considering you are sentient.'

Fawkes laughed, a beautiful trilling sound, 'Pet is fine young Harry, it is how I have been known for nearly 2000 years. Familiar has been used but usually only dark wizards have them, that title got frowned on. Also young Harry, I am no longer Professor Dumbledore's, I am yours. Do not think you are dishonouring his memory by saying so. I would be very pleased that we are together!'

Harry gave a sad little nod before turning back to the elf, who was watching the exchange with wide eyes, 'Yes, this is Fawkes, my uh, pet, though he really isn't since he is sentient.' There was a snort of amusement from the phoenix but he didn't say anything.

'Dobby is honoured to meet the legendary phoenix Fawkes!' the elf said, bowing deeply to the red phoenix, 'Stories have been passed down through the generations of you sir!'

Harry turned astonished eyes to the phoenix who let out another laugh saying, 'Don't look so surprised Harry. After all, I have lived for 2000 years! I was bound to do something extraordinary during that time!'

Harry gave a small grin, 'Not the least saving my life twice in one day back in second year.' The bird gave a nod of agreement. Turning back to Dobby Harry said, 'um, I am going to explore the castle now, if you wanted you could see what the other elves are doing and, see what you can do to help?'

The elf smiled, 'I is going right away sir! I is knowing what I can do to help sir!' with that he clicked his fingers and disappeared with a crack.

Harry sighed, loving the silence for a moment before turning to the bird on his shoulder, 'Did you want to come with me? Or did you want to go somewhere else?'

Beautiful sunset eyes blinked at him before Fawkes answered, 'I will leave you to explore yourself young Harry. This is something you need to do for yourself, and I also believe that you will wish to have some peace and quiet before the letters start arriving.'

'Letters?'

There was a chuckle, 'You just left the Order hanging out to dry. Do not think that they plan on letting you get away so quickly. This castle allows owls in and out, so you can receive messages. I would expect them to start arriving within the next couple of hours. We travelled much quicker then they do, and I would imagine that the Order is re-grouping now.'

Harry nodded in understanding, and the red phoenix took off, disappearing in a flash, leaving Harry alone.

A wave of sudden excitement bubbled up, and like a little child, Harry bounded off, eager to explore the massive castle that was now his home. The castle was similar to Hogwarts in many ways, as it was magical. The staircases moved, but they only moved to help him along, never to trick him and make him stumble. After 53 Harry lost count of the number of rooms that he entered, but he reckoned it would be in the hundreds.

There were countless painting frames that lined the walls, but they were all empty. Harry assumed that the occupants must have other portraits and were there instead. An excited thought passed through his head, perhaps one of the portraits would be of his immediate family!

Opening another ornate door, much like all the others, Harry stopped and stared in awe. It was a library, but not like any of the other libraries in the castle. This one put Howgarts' to shame; it was gigantic, magnificent and, to Harry, overwhelming.

He couldn't help but smile as he imagined Hermione's reaction if she ever saw the number of books that were there.

Realising that he was actually quite tired and hungry, he sat down behind the magnificent desk, pulling open draw next to him. Inside were many papers, some obviously very old, and he carefully pulled them out, looking at them curiously.

Just then, Naringa popped in, 'Does Master Harry Potter wish to have his lunch now?'
Harry looked up startled, 'But I didn't even eat breakfast!'

Naringa bowed, 'Yes sir, but it is now after midday sir, so Naringa prepared another meal that is more suited to the time sir!'

Harry started to apologise but the little elf hastily held up her hands, 'Sir it is not a problem! Your grandfather was much the same, eating at odd intervals. Did sir want his lunch now?'

Harry nodded weakly, his stomach rumbling loudly. Instantly, a huge feast was laid out before him, and he smiled happily, tucking into the various sorts of food that appeared. Pausing slightly, he offered some to Naringa who was patiently waiting to the side.

She was surprised at first and smiled kindly at him before thanking him profusely and taking the offered food. Harry was pleased, thinking that his family had obviously been kind to these elves, unlike the Malfoy's and their treatment of Dobby.

As soon as he had finished, elf and plates disappeared and he once again returned to the papers that were sitting in front of him.

However, just as he was about to read them, 5 owls swooped into the study, all hooting impatiently. He sighed, 'time to face the music I suppose.' He reached over, and then winced, momentarily forgetting his injuries.

They had been getting better, but his ribs were still sore and his shoulders hurt if he over extended himself. The largest of the owls hopped forward importantly and stuck its leg out waiting for the letter to be removed. The other owls all lined up neatly behind him, waiting their turn. Harry smirked in amusement just as Fawkes flashed in.

'Ah, it would appear that the unwanted cavalry is in huh?' he said, blinking amused eyes at the owls. 'So, I take it you are going to read what they have to say?' Harry nodded and he continued, 'Just remember young Harry, they do not own you! You are a man, even if you haven't reached the age of independence yet. No matter what they say, this is your war, and your life and YOU make the decisions regarding both.'

Harry smiled gratefully at the phoenix and then opened the first letter. As he expected it was from Professor McGonagall and she was not impressed.

Mr Potter
What do you think you are doing? Do you not realise how worried we all are? Travelling to Diagon Alley by yourself was most foolish. If you wished to leave why didn't you just say so? We would have gotten you out in a few days and you would have been back here with the rest of us!

Professor Dumbledore left your safety to us and this is how you repay him and us? You dishonour his memory to run off like this, and I think he would have been very disappointed in you. We are doing our best to keep you safe, as well as stop You-Know-Who's movements, but you are making our jobs very difficult.

Tell us where you are and wait for us to pick you up. DO NOT attempt to come here by yourself, we will send a guard.

Respond as soon as you get this letter

Minerva McGonagall
Head of the Order of the Phoenix

As soon as Harry finished reading the letter, he crumpled it into the smallest ball he could and hurled it at the wall. He was shaking with anger, and he glared at the owl that was expectantly waiting for a reply. 'You can go now! I am not replying so clear off!' he snarled. The owl looked extremely affronted, and took off abruptly, whacking Harry over the head.

After a moment of silence Harry burst out, 'How dare she? She was the one who left me with those, those MONSTERS! I DID ask for her to come and get me and she ignored me! If I had stayed there for any longer, they probably would have killed me! Then she tries and makes me feel guilty for running away, by using Dumbledore as a bargaining chip! Well she can go to hell as far as I am concerned.'

He paused for breath before reading the last line and sputtering, 'S-she just assumed the title of Head of the Order of the Phoenix? The audacity of her! I mean that title belongs to Professor Dumbledore and always will!'

'Actually Harry, that is not true' Fawkes interrupted softly.

Harry looked at him confused, 'Huh? What do you mean?'

'The head of the Order is now YOU.'

Harry's jaw dropped, 'I-I don't understand.'

The phoenix trilled softly, 'The order is much older then Dumbledore my young friend. In fact it is a little under 2000 years old.'

Harry's eyes widened, 'You-you are the founder?'

The beautiful bird inclined his head, 'Sort of, it was actually my first carer, but the magic of the order was tied to me. It was ordained that whoever I was bound to at the time, would be the head of the Order.'

Harry shook his head, 'So what happened if you weren't bound to anyone at the time? Or has that never happened?'

'Oh there have been periods when I have been without a carer. But whenever evil has risen its head, I have made sure to be bound to a strong, good wizard that would resurrect the Order. Now that Dumbledore is dead, YOU are now the leader of the Order. I think this was one of the reasons why McGonagall didn't want you to hear the will without her. You see, she could have pressured you into transferring the headship over to her.'

'But if you have to be bound to…'

'No you misunderstand, whoever is the head of the Order can make the rules. As it has stood, no wizard has wanted to change the rules as they all realised the wisdom of the first. But I feel the McGonagall felt that having a teenager as the head of the organisation was foolish, since she believes it requires strength and experience.'

Harry sighed, 'she might be right in that respect.'

Fawkes flapped his wings, 'As she has said that she is the head of the Order, that organisation is no longer the true order of the phoenix. It is merely a shadow, and now you have the chance to build up a new Order up from scratch. One that can be brought back to what it was meant to be at the beginning.'

Harry's head was spinning, but after a moment he nodded, 'I suppose I can do that. I mean it won't be any different to the DA will it?'

The phoenix gave a full laugh, the music of his voice filling the room, 'Exactly youngster, that organisation was actually what made Dumbledore believe that you were his best replacement. The loyalty of your followers was obvious, and they were all pure of heart. I think he would be honoured to know that you were planning on turning his namesake into the new Order.'

Harry nodded finally smiling and gesturing for the next owl to come forward. It did so, slightly apprehensively seeing what the reaction had been to the last letter. Harry opened it and saw the writing of Mrs Weasley and he automatically winced.

Harry,
My dear, what are you doing? Please I beg you, come home! The children are all in a flap, believing that something must have happened to make you run away. Whatever it is, I promise we can help you with it! Dumbledore entrusted us to help you and protect you, so please, let us!

You are my son Harry, in every way that counts and I do not wish to see you hurt. Please, come home and we can help you get through whatever is bothering you.

With all a mother's love
Molly Weasley

To say that Harry was surprised would be understating it fact. He had assumed that Mrs Weasley's letter would be one of anger and reprimand, but instead it was full of love, understanding and pleading.

His resolve to not respond to anyone was strongly tested, but he knew that if he wrote to Mrs Wealsey the rest of the Order would find out, and that was something he couldn't allow. Not yet.

Laying the letter flat, he smiled at the owl that was nervously eyeing him, 'Thank you for delivering that, I am sorry but I can't give you a reply. If you can convey my thanks somehow other than words then do so.' The owl hooted comfortingly and took off.

The other three owls all hopped forward simultaneously, and Harry laughed, immediately knowing who these three were from. Taking them all, he said, 'You can all leave now if you wish. If I want to respond to these, I will send my own ok?' they bobbed their heads and took off.

The first one, was from Ron.

Hey mate, I hope you know how much trouble you are in! and not just with the Order! Hermione I think is ready to lynch you, she thinks you have gone off on your quest all by yourself. I hope that is not the case mate, since I was wanting to come with you.

And HOW BLOODY DARE YOU LEAVE ME BY MYSELF IN A HOUSE FULL OF WOMEN! I swear mate I am going crazy here!

Please write back, and if you don't want me to tell anyone about your response, you only need say so!

Ron

Harry laughed slightly, Ron always could make him smile. He could almost hear his friend speaking from the page. However, it was with consternation that he opened the next letter, which was from Hermione.

HARRY JAMES POTTER WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING! YOU COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW! THERE IS NO WAY THAT I AM LETTING YOU GO OFF ON YOUR OWN, HOW DARE YOU TRY AND SNEAK AWAY WITHOUT ME!

I promised that I would help you, and you said that you would accept it, why then have you gone? You are sending the Order members around the bend! You had said that you would stay at the Dursley's because it was what Dumbledore wanted, why then did you leave? Did you suddenly not care what his wishes were?

Please write back Harry, I don't want to lose you!

Love from an irate Hermione!

The desperation in the letter was obvious, and Harry couldn't help but feel bad.

However Fawkes immediately said, 'If the Order were supposed to be keeping you safe, and watching you, then why were they not aware of the treatment of your family? Sounds to me like a bit of a double standard. You are under NO obligation to them Harry, no matter how much they try and make you feel guilty. I knew Dumbledore probably better than anyone, and I know that if he was alive, he would have had you out of there so fast you wouldn't have had time to blink!'

Harry nodded in agreement and placed Hermione's letter on top of Ron's and reaching for the last. Of all the letters, this was the one he was the most reluctantly to open. Not because he expected to be reprimanded (though he thought that there was a fair chance of that happening), but because of the eyes that he could almost see, staring out at him from the page.

Sighing he opened it and drank in the words:

Harry,

I know you probably don't want to hear from me, after all, you did break up with me only a month ago. But I want you to know, that I am here for you in every sense of the word. Everyone has been so angry about the fact that you have run away, that they haven't stopped to consider why.

I know Hermione suspects something was wrong, but she trusts the Order to much to question them. I however, know you better, and I want to know: WHAT HAPPENED? You had been determined to stay there until your 17th and then you abruptly left.

Harry please I beg you, do not shut me out! I can help you with whatever it is you are doing. Even if you do not wish to tell me everything, I am an ear that you can unload everything, especially those things that you can't tell Ron or Hermione.

Harry, I love you and that will never change. Please, let me help you

With all my love
Ginny

Without thinking, Harry picked up a piece of parchment and a quill that were on the desk and started scribbling furiously.

Dear Gin,
I cannot tell you how much your letter meant to me. I am grateful that you do not hate me for how I treated you. I can't tell you what happened exactly as there is a chance that this letter will be read by someone else..

However, suffice to say that the Order broke my trust in every way possible. And I would have to say, that they would have broken Professor Dumbledore's as well. I refuse to work with them, and their so-called leader, and if she asks, you can tell her I said that!

I am perfectly hidden, and no one will be able to get to me without me saying so, so please do not fear for my safety. If you wish to continue to write to me, please do, as I will receive your letters. But do not hate me when I do not reply!

Gin, I know this is probably the last thing you wish to know, but I do love you still, but reasons for breaking up with you were sound. I will return to Grimmauld Place on my birthday, and then will go to Hogwarts to finish my schooling.

Farewell until then
Harry Before Harry had even finished writing the letter, Fawkes had hopped onto the desk and was patiently holding his leg out. Harry attached it gently, 'Thank you Fawkes'

'Not at all Harry, I enjoy flashing as I do flying. Delivering letters, especially those which contain meaningful messages are what I live for!' with that, he was gone in a flash of fire leaving Harry alone.

Getting up and stretching his legs, Harry started walking around the library, pulling books off at random before putting them back. Passing bookshelf, Harry stopped and doubled back staring curiously at a beautiful statue that had caught his eye.

It was the head of a dragon, but unlike any that he had every seen. It was almost pure black, with rubies for the eyes. Each scale was intricately carved, the detail making him gasp in amazement. He went to lift it up, but as soon as his hand passed before it, the entire bookshelf disappeared, exposing a small hallway.

Grinning in excitement to himself, he walked into the hallway, and at once the doorway was blocked off, plunging him in darkness. Touching the hallways, he felt his way along, until he came to a brightly lit room.

The walls were intricately decorated, but there was no furniture within the room. At first Harry was confused, until he walked up to one of the walls.

He blinked.

He gasped.

He stumbled backwards and fell on his ass.

Getting up slowly, he inched his way towards and placed his hand gently on it, tears welling in his eyes.

Sirius Black

The name of Harry's dear godfather stared back at him glowing silver. Harry realised that his room was a giant family tree. Unlike the one at the Black family mansion, this one encompassed all pure-blood magical families stretching back through the ages. Consequently all of the names were tiny and he could barely read them.

Sensing a flash of fire behind him, he felt the comforting weight of Fawkes land on his shoulder, 'Harry? I felt your distress, what is wrong?' there was true concern in the phoenix's voice.

'Its ok Fawkes, I-I just found a family tree of everyone though.'

'Oh yes, I had forgotten about this. It really is ingenious and I congratulate you on finding your way in here.'

'I can barely read anyone's name on here. I found Sirius' purely by accident, how is anyone supposed to find anything with this?'

There was a gurgle of laughter, something that Harry realised was going to be happening quite frequently with the phoenix, 'Harry, there is such a thing as magic remember! Simply tell the wall, who you are searching for, and it will zoom in on the person as well as their direct heritage. You can ask it to be specific to a certain number of generations as well. Go on, have a go!'

Clearing his voice Harry faced the wall again and said, 'Um, can I please see Harry James Potter, to whatever generation this thing goes to?'

Immediately, one of the walls cleared, and a complete family tree appeared, all of the names readable, with Harry's right down the bottom. Walking over, he was astonished to see how many families had mingled with the Potter's over the years.

As he looked upwards, scanning through the various generations he froze, unsure if what he read was true.

'There must be some mistake!' he muttered to himself, tracing the names of several people that were staring back at him.

Fawkes stared at what he was referring to before giving a bright trill, 'Ah young Harry, the tree does not make mistakes. It is true, you are descendants of them.'

'All of them?'

'Indeed so it seems.' Inclining his head towards one of the names he said, 'I was bound to her when she was alive.'

Harry smiled, 'I truly have a remarkable heritage don't I?'

'You do indeed young Harry, you do indeed.'

Harry once again traced the four names that were written slightly above his head.

Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff.