NIGHT OF THE PHOENIX

Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure/ vague mystery
Setting: All over the place, including different dimensions, other planets and vague places that fit nowhere.
Main Characters: Harry, Malfoy

Part 7

Harry read through the slip of parchment. He frowned at it. To tell the truth he felt jealous that Malfoy had discovered such an important piece of evidence to what might have happened to Fawkes. And if the notes he was reading were correct, terror engulfed him. Only a maniac could come up with such an awful plan. His insides felt like ice. Malfoy watched him carefully for a reaction. The notes had disgusted him as well. After his initial amazement, while trying to find a way out of the hill, shock replaced the excitement of finding the whereabouts of Fawkes before Potter had. He hadn’t grasped the idea as fast as Harry had, because he had been too afraid to fall asleep. Yet as it hit him the immensity of the man he had seen below ideas was sickening. Harry shook his head after coming to the end of the parchment.

 

“Have I got this right” he asked slowly. Malfoy’s eyes, which had drifted away from Harry during his recollection, snapped back on him, listening intently to Harry’s interpretation. “This guy, he stole phoenixes in the hope that the phoenix tears would resurrect Voldemort.” a shudder ran through Malfoy at the Dark Lords name. But he was interested that Harry refused to interpret the entire parchment. He nodded, and then recited the rest of the ideas of the man below.

 

“Not just that, he thinks that phoenix tears mixed with the souls of wizards and witches who have been poisoned.” Harry and Malfoy’s eyes met. Neither could bring himself to say the next part. The souls in question were that of the other students at Hogwarts.  But that brought another problem to light. None of the phoenixes below had been Fawkes. The man must have him somewhere. Harry stuffed the parchment in one of his pockets.

 

“We have to go back underground.”

 

 

Malfoy shuddered as he and Harry stood at a hidden entrance at the bottom of the hill. It was covered by long, unkempt grass, hiding a cave entrance from view. A metal door had been fixed, and enchanted with various charms to make the metal look like a part of the hill. Harry had to admit, if Malfoy hadn’t sworn that this was where he had come out, that he would never have believed that this was the right place. Taking a deep breath, Harry muttered Lumos and the tip of his wand lighted up. He then took a few steps forward, pushing the metal door open, and disappearing into the hill. Malfoy immediately hurried after him, not wanting to be alone outside.

 

 

Harry’s wand lit up the walls. There was nothing to spectacular about the underground passage. The walls were built of a smooth, dark metal, that seemed to absorb the light that touched it. The floor was similar, although it had wavy groves running across it. Probably for some kind of grip, Harry supposed, since the floor was so smooth. Harry jumped as something brushed against him. He spun around to see Malfoy, looking paler than normal in the darkness, a look of fear on his face. Harry felt a small shred of sympathy. He could only imagine what it must of felt like coming along this passage alone, with no idea what could be around the next corner. It would be even worse in the dark, as Harry knew Malfoy had been. He steeled himself and continued up the passage. A dim light came into view up ahead. Harry felt Malfoy’s hand on his arm.

 

“That’s the room with the phoenixes.” Harry nodded and they headed up to the room.

 

 

The light grew a little stronger as they neared, and Harry stopped his Lumos spell. They entered the room, and Harry gazed around. There were crates to one side of the room, the same ones Malfoy had hidden behind. Various contraptions littered the place, Harry had no clue what most of them did. To one of the sides was a cage, containing the three phoenixes. Harry gazed at them, double checking that none of the cages contained Fawkes. His heart felt sad and the dull, faded colour of their normally vibrant plumage. He dreaded to think what sort of state Fawkes would be in when they found him. Malfoy walked over to Harry. He pointed to a doorway on the other side of the crates.

 

“That’s where I came from. That doorway over there,” He pointed to the last doorway leading to the room, “Is where the man went.” Harry nodded.

 

“We had better go the way you came form and see if we can find your wand. I have a feeling we may need to fight.” Malfoy nodded and they headed up the passageway.

END OF PART 7