PurposeIII

~>~< Purpose III >~<~

~ Chapter 20: The Old and The New ~

Harry had regained his consciousness. The first thing that caught his eyes the moment he woke up was Fenix looking very haggard, and a sympathetic Snape. They were just about to arrive to Hogwarts.

: Please, do not hate me for what I did, : Fenix said desperately. Remus did not answer her as their carriages went into a halt and Snape helped Fenix and Hermione down the carriage. Sirius aided his godson down and signaled to Neville to look after Harry as he handled their luggage. Carrying their trunks, they went up the stairs and proceeded to the Great Hall where the Headmaster was waiting gravely for them. It took a while before all students and staff congregated in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore spoke up, his voice loud and clear.

"I am sure you are all very tired, so it would be unwise if we were to conduct the Sorting Ceremony now. Those feeling unwell, please see Madam Pomfrey. First years, in the meantime you will sleep here in the Great Hall. Mr. Black and company, please come with me. You too, Severus."

"But Professor," Ron spoke up diffidently, "we’re supposed to give the password to the common room."

"Mr. Finnigan," the Headmaster called out and Seamus appeared instantly. "You have to take over Ron’s and Hermione’s duties in the meantime."

"What’s the password?" Harry's roommate asked and Ron whispered Diangelos. "Right." Seamus quickly went off with the other Gryffindors.

"I don’t think I’m supposed to be with you," Neville said skittishly. "Anyway, I’ll go to the Common Room. So see you in the morning." The boy picked up his trunk and hurried over to Seamus and Dean Thomas.

The eight humans plus the two wolves followed the Headmaster as he led them upwards, pausing often when the stairs started to groan and change direction. Harry was feeling a little lethargic and he wondered why they were going up to the top floor. Then he stared at a portrait whose figure kept running around away from the trolls. Wait! We’re going to the Room of Requirement! The Headmaster paused at the door for a moment before turning the knob. They shuffled in tiredly and came into a very large bedroom. Professor Dumbledore left the room without another word, shutting the door quietly.

Dobby and other house-elves suddenly appeared. Some were bringing refreshments; some brought wash water, while some helped in storing their trunks away. The wolves gratefully thanked one of the house-elves and gulped the drinking water greedily. The wolves then curled up in one corner and immediately fell asleep. The humans washed and ate in silence, with Fenix not looking at any of them the whole time.

Should I go to sleep? Harry questioned himself but could not help feeling that the night was not over for them yet. I guess not… let’s wait a while more. The remains of their supper vanished instantly with the table they had used. One by one, the candles went off, leaving one tall candle lit to illuminate the vast bedroom. Fenix stood up suddenly to crawl onto the colossal bed. She sat with her knees tucked in close to her chest with her head bowed. Remus and Sirius silently followed her, and Sirius watched his oathsister tenderly as Remus drew the Fire Master into a comforting embrace. Fenix fought down the grief and sadness but shuddered in defeat as she felt her emotional walls crumbled away. The five other humans crowded on the bed, watching the Fire Master solemnly.

: Try us! : Sirius suddenly exploded and Ginny closed her eyes in pain as Sirius’s mindvoice trumpeted out too loudly for her taste. : Fenix, say what’s on your mind. No more evasions! We’re all a goddamn extended family anyway! So why the hell are you keeping secrets? :

: Is Severus a part of our family then? : Fenix’s mindvoice echoed softly in their minds and Harry and Ron stared at the Potions Master, who was gazing at the curled Fire Master with superb calmness.

: He is, : Harry answered, much to the surprise of his friends. : But it is up to him if he wants to be in it… or not to be. :

: No matter what, we’re here for you. Why are you feeling so sad? And why should I or ‘we’ hate you for what you did back there? It was necessary, wasn’t it? You gave them a second chance but they ignored it, so why are you feeling sad over it? : Remus pressed his cheek against her hair.

Fenix hid her face in Remus’s chest but took Sirius’s hand in silent assurance. Slowly, she spoke not in words, but with images, sensations and feelings to them all, starting with her fears and weakness closer to her heart. The death of her blood kin, Sirius, the people that had came suddenly into her life and loving them, the destruction of the elves, and her greatest fear. The fear of having nothing to love. Ron was blinking his eyes in surprise when she gave them a fraction of her joy when Snape began to unbend ever since he joined in the group. She loves Snape just as she loves Sirius. Dear God! All of us must be going mental now because Snape does feel like one of us. Poor Percy. This will be a shock to him when he finds out.

: I can tolerate loneliness. I have been lonely since the day I came into being. But it was the presence of Life around me that prevented me to will myself out of existence or to return to something I once was, : Fenix murmured, her mindvoice was shaded with a subtle green as she was filled with shame. She began to take them into one of her deeper memories and the intelligence behind those memories seemed to be totally alien.

: I was an alien… I guess… these memories I’m showing you now was from the memories of my original form, : Fenix explained, and showed them the original form of the Phoenix. It was beautiful and purely feminine. : Does this suit your taste more, Remus? : The werewolf shook his head as he chuckled a little. She was no longer weeping and had answered to Remus’s body language by hugging him as he held her.

The human company carefully tried to assess the mental images and the sensations that went with them. : So full of pride, aren’t you, sister? : Sirius said softly. Fenix nodded her head a little.

: I was proud and vain. The mortals feared and worshipped me. But it all changed when a war among the Gods began. Not really among the Gods, of course. The humans at that time were so full of conceit and pride just as I was. I don’t really remember how I started changing; walking the earth as a human. Mingled and insinuated myself in the general population. The other intelligence faded into something much more complicated and distinct as I evolved into something like the humans. It was a morning when I was finally aware that there must be something important in Life. I went searching for the answer. I knew that there was something missing in me. Then He came. He taught me how to bow to love. : Fenix squirmed and maneuvered so that she faced them and pulled Remus’s arms about her waist.

Her courage at telling her worst fears to the children seemed to open a door that had been kept hidden. Ginny began first, not so much telling Fenix what she felt about the current situation than showing her thoughts and fears to the others. This went on for most of the night, with then rest of the six humans taking turns to show and in the process acknowledged their fears. Ginny’s, Hermione’s, and Ron’s fears were simple compared to Harry’s. He showed them his fear closely similar to what Fenix felt and showed them.

: That is my fear. : Harry bowed his head down, fighting with the tension inside him. His injury still affected him, and he leaned against his best friend for support.

: That’s just it, isn’t it? They all seem prepared to lay down their lives for us but forbid us to do the same. That’s just a little silly, right? : Fenix said lightly, and Harry had to smile at her shrewdness. Snape was the last to reveal his true self. Fenix looked at him mysteriously; she was not putting a pleading or an icy expression. It seemed like she was just waiting for something to drop. : Why didn’t they leave, Severus? While they were offered a chance? When they have their own families to look after? : Fenix asked softly.

They could clearly see that the Potions Master was fighting with himself and Harry remembered the fleeting images that he had discovered when he was finally able to resist Snape’s Legilimency with a Shield Charm. Will he reveal himself to us? Or will his pride win over his humanity? Harry breathed deeply. They were all still waiting for Snape to answer the Fire Master’s questions. At last, he answered. His mindvoice sounded a little scratchy, and it sort of tickled their minds a little.

: Because of pride, I believe. Maybe, because of several things. One; they might consider you, a female, inferior, or two; they’re a whole bunch of gits, : Snape answered easily, his expression remained bland as he said that and showed them his past, as a child. He was clearly a victim of child abuse, mainly by his father. He had a normal childhood until his mother contracted a disease that attacked the nervous system and died just as suddenly. His father had expected a lot from him and it grew as Snape received his letter from Hogwarts. Now, Harry and the rest got a chance to find out things from the Potions Master’s point of view. Sirius and Remus blushed with shame as Snape showed them a memory of a younger Potions Master being scoffed mainly by Harry’s father and godfather.

"I know. I know," Sirius said, his face flaming hotly. Something occurred to Harry’s godfather.

: What kind of animal speech did you master? : Sirius asked Snape, as he suddenly realized that the latter had used mindspeech, and not the normal way of speaking, the way, Ginny, Ron and Hermione spoke up to them earlier.

: My goodness. That’s quite a complicated Tongue to master or hear, : Fenix complimented him and Snape indulged her with a mocking bow. Snape continued retelling parts of his life and the reason why he had turned his back on Voldemort.

: Very risky business, Severus, : Remus said as he tried to gain his wits back, severely shocked that Snape was not as cold-hearted as he appeared to be.

: Was that why you were friendly with Mr. Malfoy? To gain information for Professor Dumbledore while you seemingly gave him information about us? : Harry hazarded. Snape nodded in satisfaction, though his eyes gleamed with hatred for a moment when Harry uttered Malfoy.

"I wonder why Dumbledore asked for a huge bed and not bunk beds," Ron muttered inconsequentially.

"Probably because he knows that we needed to be close," Ginny said casually, giving sidelong glances at Remus and her own brother.

"What’s the time?" Fenix’s voice croaked a little. Harry fumbled for his pocket watch in his pants.

"Better get some sleep then," Fenix said as she handed pillows to each of them and pushed Remus down on the bed and curled beside him.

"Welcome to the weird family of assorted magicians, Professor," Ron spoke up with amusement as he lied down at the edge of the bed and Hermione went to him instantly. Ginny and Harry looked at each other in embarrassment and Ginny muttered something under her breath and lied down beside Hermione. Harry, seeing no other choice, curled up beside Ginny. Sirius was already lying down next to Fenix leaving the Potions Master to pick his sleeping site.

Which one? Do I sleep beside Harry, the offspring of my childhood tormentor or do I sleep next to the childhood tormentor? Or do I go for the floor? Snape snarled to himself and took the pillow Sirius offered and placed it next to The Boy who Lived. Fenix sat up and placed the bolster to prevent Remus and Sirius’s feet from accidentally kicking the Potions Master while they slept. It was fifteen minutes later but they were all still awake, staring at the beams in the ceiling.

"Someone blow off that blasted candle," Sirius moaned. Fenix chuckled and Krill volunteered. The room instantly plunged into darkness and they could faintly hear the roaring of thunder. Fenix took the opportunity of the darkness to give her lover one, long and passionate kiss.

: I wish that we were alone right now, : Remus’s mindvoice held a sensation of regret as he said that.

: Welcome to a real family, Professor, : Harry said privately to the Potions Master. Snape remained silent. It was not long before they fell into a dreamless sleep.

"I bloody well don’t believe this! My own kind, had fallen prey to love’s sweetness!"

"I told you that this will happen when it’s time, Salz," a sorceress in a splendid blue evening gown said patiently.

"You should have listened to her," a man in armor nodded his head in agreement.

"Isn’t it wonderful? Healing at last!" A motherly looking woman stared piercingly at the man in green. "Aren’t you happy, Salz?"

"You’re jumping to conclusions again, Helga. Of course I’m happy!" Salz said lazily. "Got knocked off in my own game. And keep your hands off the woman, Ric! Dear gods! After all this centuries, you still treat her the same!"

"Flirting again? You ought to be careful just in case she thinks you’re an incubus. She’s already killed Dementors… I don’t want to know if she can kill ghosts," the sorceress in blue cautioned the knight.

"Why do you say I’m flirting, Wen?" the knight sounded injured. "You know my eyes only see you," he continued sweetly.

"My foot." Helga snorted and she made a face at the knight. "Let’s leave them now. We’ll drop in time and time again to give pointers if they need it. I think they’re doing fine right now. Godric!" the ghost yelled at the ghostly knight, stopping him just in time from kissing the Fire Master. "She’s already got a partner! Salz, take care of him," she instructed firmly.

"With pleasure, Helga darling," Salz drawled and changed into his armor. "Shall we have another go, Ric?"

The ghosts vanished from the Room of Requirement. Fenix blinked her eyes and thought in confusion. Funny… I thought I heard someone saying ‘On guard’… Her thought trailed off and she snuggled closer to Remus and drifted off to sleep.

Fenix woke up suddenly, feeling a change in the air. She blinked her eyes lazily and watched Remus’s calm face and felt his arms about her. She created a dim mage light far back at the end of the bedroom and sat up quietly. She looked at the sleeping Potions Master and smiled tenderly.

: It’s ten-thirty in the morning. You might want to wake them up. The Sorting Ceremony-- I think that’s what it’s called-- is going to start at noon, : her Salamander suggested diffidently.

: What? Oh… you mean about this one? : Krill gave her an image of Remus. : Not really, : the Salamander answered seriously.

: Because we wanted you to get married and maybe get pregnant and we’d get to baby-sit some babies. : Krill quickly vanished before Fenix could react.

: Nothing, brother-mine, : Fenix blushed as she said it. : Better wake up. The Ceremony’s going to start at twelve. We have about less than one-and-a-half hours to get ready, : Fenix informed her oathbrother. Then she turned to Remus and she knew the exact method to wake her lover. She crawled on her knees and gave the werewolf a kiss and as she had expected, he woke up rather instantly. She grinned widely at the man who looked up at her with such tenderness; she felt tingles all over. Bloody hell… just like a teenage girl fawning over a crush… I am disgusted at myself. But hell, doesn’t that feel good!

Remus smiled at her as he sat up and his movement woke both the Potions Master and Sirius’s godson. Harry blinked his eyes at the unfamiliar warmth and felt the heat rising to his face when he met the Potions Master somnolent eyes. Snape sat up slowly and pushed his hair back from his face.

: From the feeling that I’m having… I am sure it is not seven in the morning, : Snape said, removing the bolster to make more room to maneuver around. : And thank you for not kicking me in your sleep, even unintentionally, : he was looking at Sirius as he spoke. : So… what is the time? : He looked at Fenix for an answer.

: Ten-fifty, : Fenix said and brightened the room up by asking her Salamanders to light up the candles.

: Merlin’s Beard! I haven’t overslept that late since I was thirteen! : Snape swore and looked at the place where their trunks had been.

: I believe the house-elves have taken it and placed it where they’re supposed to be, : Wind said helpfully.

"I am so thankful you had braided my hair, Fenix," Hermione said in relief and she was shaking Ron up. Dobby appeared, with Winky approaching the Fire Master.

"Winky’s here to show the Fire Master’s and Mr. Black’s quarters. It is not far from Professor Lupin’s quarters," Winky said with a smile.

"Does my room comes with a bathroom… your name’s Winky, right?" Fenix asked uncertainly.

Winky smiled brightly. "Yes, all teachers’ quarters does." The house-elf held the door open and Snape hurried out first.

"So my room is at the usual place?" Remus asked the female house-elf and sighed with relief when she nodded. Winky led them via the staircases again and the adults and the wolves parted from the students.

: Yeah, see you! : Harry said as cheerfully, as he unconsciously fingered his scar on his arm.

: Harry, don’t scratch, : Fenix rebuked him gently, : otherwise, you’ll get inflammation. :

: Sorry, : Harry said sheepishly, and disappeared as the students headed to the left while the adults kept walking straight. Snape paused over a door that had a written plaque ‘Professor Snape’.

: I’ll see you later, : Snape said, and Winky continued to lead Fenix and Sirius to their office and bedroom. Another house-elf appeared and took charge of Sirius and paused at three doors down. Remus stole a kiss as he went in to his own room.

"This is your quarters, Fire Master," Winky said with a smile. "It’s locked for the moment, though."

"Ordinary lock, Fire Master," Winky said. Fenix nodded solemnly and looked at the door, surveying it carefully. She gave a small smile and placed her palm onto the door, and it unlocked instantly.

"Winky, call me Fenix," she smiled kindly at the house-elf. Winky smiled shyly at the Fire Master before vanishing from sight. Fenix and the wolves entered the room and she closed and locked the door before walking around, going over to the window first. It was raining quite heavily and she stared at the window dreamily. It overlooked a vast forest and remembered distantly that it was called the Forbidden Forest. Her quarter was a suite of sorts, first entering an office. She pursed her lips at the table and remarked to her wolves with an amused look that it probably would not fit her books if she were to do some heavy-duty research.

"Talking to yourself indicates an imbalance mind," a voice spoke out of nowhere and she knew it was not any of her Elementals.

"What do you know!" Fenix almost laughed as she caught sight of a mirror on the wall. "A talking mirror!" She stared at the mirror in perplexity. "Anyway, I know I’m sane enough and I was talking to the wolves." Fenix did not wait to hear the mirror’s reply as she opened the bedroom door, and stared about in pleasure. Her stuff was already unpacked, and a towel was laid out on the bed for her immediate use.

: Wear something warm, : Wind suggested, answering the Fire Master’s question indirectly.

: The sorceress robe that Sirius had bought for you will do nicely. I doubt you have to run about in the first day, : Silver connoted. Fenix nodded her head and the Salamanders automatically opened the wardrobe in search for the Prussian blue gown while she picked the towel and headed straight to the bathroom.

Fenix had already donned her gown and was waiting patiently as her Elementals helped to dry and style her hair, warning them earlier not to do anything extravagant. "Just style it so my hair keeps out of my face."

As she waited, her Ice Dagger suddenly flew off its racket and hovered in front of her. Fenix trailed her fingers on the broom handle and sighed with regret. I know lovely. I miss flying you, but the weather isn’t helping, she thought gently at the broom. It almost seemed to sigh in disappointment and went back to its rack.

: That Ice Dagger is extremely uncanny, if you don’t mind me saying so, : Silver observed.

: It’s almost as if its maker knew he was making this broom for you, : Wind commented.

: Actually, I think he did know. : Then she suddenly sighed when Aelwyn held a mirror for the Fire Master. They had successfully made her look like an Ancient Priestess. "What the hell…" Fenix threw her hands up helplessly, and looked at her pocket watch. It showed twenty minutes to noon. : Better get down then, : she announced gaily and swept from the bedroom and opened the door just as Sirius was about to knock. Her oathbrother grinned widely and gave an appreciative whistle.

: You’ll put my cousin Narcissa to shame, sister. You’re exuding and looking very much like a powerful witch, : Sirius whispered roguishly in her mind.

: You simply take my breath away, lover. : Remus watched her carefully. : I am glad that I don’t have to worry about fawning guys here. :

: You’re cruel. : Fenix pouted but grinned suddenly. The wolves had trotted ahead and joined Professor Snape, who was waiting for them. He eyed Fenix with mild surprise and gave a brief remark.

: You’ve come prepared, I see, : Snape said his mindvoice thick with approval, then turned on his heel and led them all down the stairs towards the Hall.

: Harry? : Sirius sent his thought out to his godson as they waited patiently for the staircase to finish changing before continuing their journey.

: Sirius! We’re all ready at the Great Hall, and everyone is just waiting for the other teachers to turn up, : Harry said, his mindvoice coloring yellow with amusement.

: Nothing… it’s just that yesterday, Seamus-- he’s another friend of ours-- gave Malfoy a punch. He looks rather ‘charming’ with the black eye and what's more, Madam Pomfrey had refused to do anything about it, : Harry told them.

: That is quite unlike her to ignore students’ injuries. : Snape joined in the conversation. Harry gave a start, but recovered himself in time.

: I don’t know if what the other students say is true, but Madam Pomfrey had just given him poultice and warned him not to bother her with more excuses of pain, : Harry reported.

: Maybe she’s just planning her reserves. Like I told you before-- maybe a bit differently, but the principle is similar. There’s not much point in Healing something so trivial, when a very good poultice and a little bit more time is all you need to heal, : Fenix told them after a moment of thought. Unlike last night, Fenix was paying more attention to her surroundings than necessary.

: Just keeping myself in practice, : Fenix replied lightheartedly and they finally came to the entrance of the Great Hall. Professor Snape pulled the door open and Remus went in first, followed by Fenix and her wolves, Sirius and the Potions Master.

Where the students had been murmuring just a while ago, it was now completely silent. The students watch the Fire Master in awe and some of them actually shuddered at her ethereal look. Some nudged their neighbors at the pair of wolves, finally seeing them as they truly were. Harry caught Fenix’s eye and winked and she smiled slightly.

"And here, I would present you your new teachers. Professor Lupin," the Headmaster beckoned and Remus approached the table then turned to face the students, as the Headmaster continued his introduction, "he has been reinstated as the teacher of Defence. Professor Snape as you all know, he is the Potions Master of Hogwarts." Snape and Remus together went up to the teachers’ table and took their seats. "Next, is Mr. Sirius Black, who will be teaching the junior students in Transfiguration."

Sirius had put on his most grave expression and Ron had to pretend he was coughing, rather than to burst out with laughter.

: You’re supposed to sit beside me, : Remus hinted silently, and Sirius made his way up to the teachers’ gracefully. Now the students, and some of the other staff, waiting anxiously for the formal introduction of the Fire Master.

"And this is Miss Fenix Maxwell, assistant to Professor Lupin. She had joined the staff due to my request and having her with the rest of the Aurors in the train was a good thing indeed. Like Mr. Black, Miss Maxwell has several other duties, which includes the safety of all students. So though by right, she is a Muggle--" the Headmaster was disrupted as a number of protests tore at the air, mostly coming from the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat to regain their attention, "she has talents that will prove useful to us in the foreseeable future."

: And where am I supposed to sit? : Fenix asked them patiently, as she inclined her head to the students seated at their tables.

: Next to me, : Snape informed her. Fenix gracefully walked over to the Potions Master, pausing for a moment to stare at Malfoy’s progeny before taking her seat. Several of the teachers were looking curiously at her, then turned their attention to Professor McGonagall and the first-years gathered around.

: Only twelve? : Fenix asked as she counted the heads belonging to nervous kids.

"I wonder if it would be more warnings this time," Ron whispered to Harry, who just shrugged and stared at the old hat.

The silence grew unbearable and no one dared to breathe. When the Headmaster’s pocket watch screeched, the hat trembled and straightened up. Then it sang softly:

    For the start of the new term,
   We have gathered,
   But only after the School was united.
   Hogwarts was divided,
   No longer true,
   Students had joined together
   To fight a common foe.

   The School is blessed
   With the return of the ancients,
   And our Founders who were thought parted
   Visited the castle in the aurora.
   Still together, friends forever:
   The Bold Knight, Godric Gryffindor,
   The Shrewd Sorceress, Rowena Ravenclaw,
   The Cunning Wizard, Salazar Slytherin,
   The Lovely Witch, Helga Hufflepuff.

The Sorting Hat broke off and trembled slightly. Professor McGonagall moved towards it in concern but stopped as it straightened itself again and went on singing:

   Filled with gladness I am.
   Hogwarts was weak,
   Filled with Strife and Dissension.
   Now I see hope in the Houses.
   Maybe the Unity will last,
   Maybe it will fade again.
   But under the watchful eye of the Guardian
   She will not let it pass.
   Hence, gladly will I choose for the Founders,
   And let the teaching begin!

There was no need for applause; somehow, the unity had begun taking shape in something that would be impossible under normal circumstances. The ceiling that was decorated only with candles and a dark, solemn and brooding sky suddenly began to vanish. The Headmaster looked at it in mild amazement and stared solemnly at the students. The Great Hall slowly illuminated in a gentle glow of sunlight, with the smell of fresh pines wafting about the room.

McGonagall unrolled her scroll with slightly trembling hands and cleared her throat. She looked about the Hall, as if in disbelief that no one made a sound.

"First-years," she addressed the youngsters who were all displaying various degrees of tension and gave a small smile. "When I call your names, you will pick the hat, take a seat and wear the hat and you will get sorted. Once the hat sort you, go to the tables where your House is. We will begin now." She peered at the scroll and called out, "Jew, Sylvan!"

As the named girl moved forward, then gave a sharp stare to Fenix’s right and suddenly gave a sweet smile at the Sylph hovering at the Fire Master’s shoulder.

"Hufflepuff!" as the hat announced, the Hufflepuffs roared and cheered. Distant cheers of ‘Welcome to da house!’ were heard amongst the thunderous clapping.

Some of the students that had already been sorted did not go to their respective Houses, but McGonagall ignored as she was left with the last first year, a very solemn looking boy.

The applause in the hall died as Jeff Howard, Miranda Arawn, Sylvan Jew and Jude Howell stared at each other, ignoring the curious looks from all around them.

"I don’t see why not," Jude said, looking soberly at his three friends he had made as he tried to find the magical platform during the First of September.

"Yeah… there shouldn’t be any problems for the two of us," Sylvan agreed but gave the boys a penetrating look. "Juz’ make sure ya’ don’t hang out with the wrong guys."

"Or ya’ shall suffer our displeasure," Miranda continued gravely then grinned widely at her friends as she made her way to the Gryffindor table.

Professor Dumbledore smiled faintly and waited until the four juniors took their seats before he stood up to speak.

"I would not make a long speech. I am sure you are all aware of the incidents that have plagued Hogwarts since about six years ago and the incidents have been much more serious lately. Some of you might have noticed that some of your old friends are missing due to their parents’ pleas not to have their children attend Hogwarts this year. Please refer to the letters that had been sent to you during the holidays for more details. The new term will begin on Monday: assemble at the Great Hall at eight sharp and you will receive your timetables. Trips to Hogsmeade will only be allowed under strict curfew. All students are forbidden to go into the Forest, no matter what. Well… I think I’ve said enough." He gave a clap and food miraculously appeared on the tables.

Fenix was seated near the end of the teachers’ table, next to Snape’s right. She was about to reach for her glass of pumpkin juice when suddenly a man in armor appeared from under the table. His eyes under his visor were handsome and kind and she wondered how she could point out the characteristics although the form was nearly insubstantial. The Fire Master suppressed a smile, finally recognizing the mischievous twinkle in the ghost's eyes.

"Lady, you grace my castle with your very beauty," the knight said in a chivalrous voice. Everyone stared in disbelief at the ghost.

"Godric!" Another ghost in armor appeared from thin air and pulled the knight from the table. "Why in hell did you run off?" The ghost pulled off his helm smoothed his dark long hair, before bowing gracefully to Fenix. She smiled in gentle amusement, stood up and gave a curtsy to the knights. Still his ever charming self, she thought fondly.

"Salz!" A ghost in a blue gown appeared and marched off towards the knights, then disappeared again.

"Really boys," another ghost that was calmly sitting at the Hufflepuff table, shook her head in disappointment, "the children are hungry. Such a fine sense of timing you have."

"All right, all right." The knight whom had pulled his helm off looked at the spot where the lady-ghost had been sitting. "Mother-hen…" he muttered and Sirius stifled a chuckle when Fenix looked at the knight archly. "Ric!" the ghost called Salz roared out. Fenix sensed the smile behind the visor from the first knight.

The students gaped at their ghostly Founders. Ron mouthed a ‘Holy Smokes!’ to Harry, who was widely grinning with amusement.

"That was an unexpected visit," the Headmaster said quietly, but his voice was rimmed with good humor. "Tuck in everyone!"

Fenix had been introduced to the other staff of Hogwarts, and she liked Professor Flitwick and Hagrid, almost immediately. Now she wandered about the school with the wolves, scrutinizing every inch of the castle walls and took careful notice of the portraits hung on the wall.

: Fenix, are you sure you won’t get lost? : her oathbrother asked in concern.

: Don’t be insulting, Sirius, : Silver answered acidly, curiously imitating the way Fenix express that particular phrase. The Fire Master chuckled softly to herself. The corridors are still the same, but the portraits had multiplied and rearranged, she thought fondly, trailing her hand over the brick walls of the castle. Potential trouble was about to descend on the Fire Master as she headed up the stairs to find the library.

: They’re just kids, Silver. How can they get to grow so rotten? : Fenix sighed as Malfoy and his usual group came towards her.

: I have no idea. What do you intend to do to them? They’re probably up to something, : the great silver wolf replied.

Fenix did not answer the wolf as she walked slowly towards the advancing group. Bright flashes of lightning illuminated the dark hallway and it made her sigh with regret that she could not be out there to feel the storm.

"Tarantallegra!" Malfoy and Parkinson whipped out their wands and shouted in unison. To their alarm, their wands were not working. Fenix’s face remained impassive as she strolled past them.

"Save your energy, Mr. Malfoy. You’ll be able to fling spells at me formally in lessons. Be patient," she said softly and smiled as she came to a door that said, ‘Library.’ Fenix backed out just in time as a witch flung the door open, brandishing a thick book at the maniacally laughing Peeves, who went straight into the opposite wall to escape. The witch fumed angrily then regained her composure and said politely to Fenix, who was looking at the wall where the poltergeist had gone through.

"You must be Professor Lupin’s assistant. Has he given you a list of the books you might want to read?"

"That’s good!" Madam Pince exclaimed, taking the list then looked worriedly at the wolves. Fenix interpreted the librarian’s gaze accurately and assured the witch that they would be able to behave themselves as long as they were in the library.

"Thank you!" the librarian thanked the Fire Master fervently and led Fenix among the gigantic bookshelves. The librarian looked down at the list, and was muttering the names of the subjects and headed straight for the Restricted Section. "Do follow me!" the librarian smiled and continued, "This section is off-limits to the students unless they have a note to say otherwise. The teachers however, may take what they wish to read."

Fenix looked at the rows and rows of books in hunger and restrained herself from wandering about on her own. The librarian disappeared between the shelves and came up with two books. She handed them absently to Fenix and headed off to hunt for more books that were on the list.

"I wonder if Professor Lupin is being cruel to you," the librarian said in amusement as she handed the last book to a mildly struggling Fenix. "We’ll have to go to the counter so I could record what books you’re borrowing."

Fenix was silently praying as she headed out of the Restriction Section that the books would not fall off or her tripping on her robe.

: Thank you, dear Taliesin! Could someone please take some of the books off? I can’t really see where I’m going. :

: Poor Fenix. : Harry chuckled and Ron loomed over the small woman and kindly took off three large books.

"Are you sure you could read these books in such a short time?" Ron asked, his uncertainty showed in his eyes. Hermione answered for Fenix.

"Ron, you have seen me read some of the thickest books here. Fenix already had a head start in perfecting her skills at reading," Hermione informed her boyfriend with an airy tone.

The librarian took copious notes and nodded to Fenix when she had recorded down the details of the last book. Fenix looked down at a volume she was carrying, Spells and Curses. They were automatically heading back towards Fenix’s office and the Fire Master wondered if there was a supply of paper and quills for her to use.

"I think I might have to take down notes while I’m reading these books," Fenix mumbled absently and peered curiously at the inscription at the door that had not been there before the Ceremony. It wrote ‘Fenix Maxwell, Fire Master’.

"FM, FM," Ron said, grinning a little. Harry got the meaning of the subtle joke immediately.

"I think I’m seeing a double entendre at work here," Harry teased. "Were any of your parents Seers when they named you?"

Fenix was a bit surprised and stared at the plaque for a bit before unlocking the door, going straight to the desk. Then she turned back and frowned slightly at the door. "I don’t know, but maybe my mom was…" Fenix answered and shrugged it off. After they had placed the books on her desk, she asked, "Can you guys give me a tour? A fine thing it would be if I’m unable to find the classroom come Monday." As she was saying this, Winky appeared holding a large tray of meat for the wolves and another house-elf, carrying a big bowl of water.

: So do you want to come with us or do you want to eat? : Fenix asked the wolves who were eyeing the snack with hunger.

: We’re staying but we’ll watch through your eyes, : Silver said and she nodded. She paused to look out the window and sighed.

"Wish it wasn’t raining. I’m itching to fly on the broom. After being stuck in Sirius’s house for more than one week, I feel a little stressed," Fenix informed then and Harry echoed her sigh. She looked around and asked quizzically. "Where’s Ginny?"

"Trading gossips with some of the Ravenclaws and her fellow Gryffindors, and probably giving out information about you. Say, our class won’t start until Monday," Ron spoke up, sounding very cheerful. "If it’s sunny tomorrow, let’s stretch our legs!"

"Hermione, did you read any rules saying we can’t go out to the Field or something?" Harry frowned trying to recall the dozens of rules that had been listed. To their relief, she shook her head, saying that it just mentioned that no one was allowed out in the grounds after six, without supervision.

"Seriously… I was sort of expecting Dumbledore to cancel the Quidditch games this year and the next," Ron said gravely. Fenix was paying half-attention to what the youngsters were saying, as she noted corridors, status, portraits and doors.

"Well, he made it up by specifically saying that no practices will be conducted without a staff member keeping an eye on the students," Hermione pointed out and they finally came down to a stop. "Fenix?"

"Hang on a sec-- I’m trying to memorize." Fenix said softly and her eyes refocused back to the present.

"That is scary," Ron said, shuddering a little at Fenix’s strange, unruffled expression. "So where else do you want to go?"

Fenix went silent and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Anywhere you can think of," she said indifferently and waited for them to lead her. So they brought her down to the dungeons, showed Professor Snape’s classroom, and then went in further to show her where the Slytherins were housed.

: Creepy sort of place. : Fenix looked about her with interest, as she gathered her robe when they came to a very damp area.

: Suiting to creepy sorts of people, : Harry said jokingly, unaware that she was smiling ironically when he said that. Then they turned back as Ron wanted to show her the Transfiguration classroom.

"Miss Maxwell!" Alamanda Durz sidestepped the puddle of water and breathlessly greeted a hasty afternoon to the seniors.

"Great! I just wanted to say thank you and to Mr. Potter for yesterday," the Slytherin girl gave a tremulous smile to all. Harry could not help but noticed that the young girl was a little bewildered but his curiosity was answered a moment later.

"I don’t have any idea how I went to Slytherin," the girl whispered, still looking rather wide-eyed. "I was sort of praying that I would go into Hufflepuff."

"Well, the best you could do now is adapt and learn new things," Fenix said as she smiled at Alamanda, making way for a group of passing Slytherins. "Hopefully good and useful things."

"I hope so too and hope I won’t turn up like some of them did. Dina and her gang are kind of cool but those Slytherin prefects Parkinson and Malfoy are absolutely revolting. I mean really…" the girl’s face screwed up in distaste. "I never imagined myself to be in a group mostly made up by a bunch of snobs."

Hermione laughed softly and winked at Alamanda. "Make friends with your own first years in all the Houses. Wish that some of the seniors--," she was looking rather sharply at Harry and Ron, who looked back at her in feigned ignorance, "--could follow your examples."

"Well, I’m going to the library and hang out with Aine Moonbeam, she’s in Ravenclaw," Alamanda said brightly as they went up to the ground floor again.

"Do you need help to find your way there?" Hermione offered, but the young Slytherin girl shook her head.

"Thanks but you don’t have to, I pestered Miss Parkinson to tell me the directions of the library so that she can be alone with Malf--" Alamanda suddenly clapped her hands to her mouth, suddenly realizing that she was talking to a teacher after all.

"Just chill out lass," Fenix quickly reassured the girl. "School hasn’t really started so I’ll forget that you mentioned that."

"Hermione, don’t be rude," Ron whispered. "Why are you laughing at that pair? Both of us together don’t exactly look ideal together either."

"Bye then! I’m sure we’d bump into each other sooner or later!" Alamanda yelled as a great bolt of lightning hit the castle and a peculiarly loud thunder reverberated throughout the ancient building. The girl gave a wave then bounded up the steps like an excited squirrel.

"Actually, we could have gone with her," Harry gave a bright smile at Fenix, "the Transfiguration classroom is up on the second floor anyway."

"Hello, Harry!" Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor ghost glided towards them. "Hello, Ron, Hermione and Miss…?" Nick asked inquiringly.

"Good afternoon, Miss Maxwell, and welcome to Hogwarts! I am so glad for you--" Nick gushed at Harry, "--that Sirius is alive and well. Giving Miss Maxwell here a tour?" Nick positively beamed when Hermione nodded her head. "Well, I’ve got to go! There’s a ghost meeting at the dungeon and I do not want to be late. I’ll see you around!" Nick disappeared and they continued their tour.

: The kids are showing the place around, : she explained and met him in the corridor as they went up.

: Have you gotten the books? : Remus asked her as he winked at the students in greeting and smiled when she nodded.

: Why were you looking for me? : Fenix asked in puzzlement as they headed towards the Transfiguration class and she went into her ‘distant’ mode again to memorize what she saw.

: I’m about to give you your teaching schedule, schedules for patrolling the Grounds, School and Forbidden Forest, and supervising the students during Quidditch practice. And Severus wants to have a bit of a talk with you privately. : Remus gave her a mysterious smile when she looked suspiciously at him. They passed a group of Gryffindors who were looking at the Fire Master with undisguised mischief. One of them actually gave a hinting glance at the Defence teacher before gazing back at her.

: I wonder what Ginny’s been telling her friends… : Harry contemplated as he gave a humorous smile at Fenix.

: I think Ginny’s been telling some people that you and Remus are-- : Harry crossed his fingers together and Fenix blushed in embarrassment, : --an item. I don’t think your open relationship with Lupin will cause any problems. :

: Well, maybe to you it doesn’t seem like a problem. But the problem lies with the staff and your own parents. I mean… we’re colleagues and not supposed to… well, you know what I mean, : Fenix almost babbled to Harry, then she looked at Remus speculatively. : What does Severus want with me? :

Her lover shrugged then turned back as they reached the Transfiguration classroom, going up the stairs to head back to her office. Fenix felt her heart jumped in her chest when Peeves suddenly appeared from behind a portrait, making its owner loosing a volley of expletives. Peeves made a face at the portrait before he flew off, laughing madly. Remus shook his head at the poltergeist and resumed their walk, and the colorful curses faded, drowned out by the thunder. They came to Snape’s office and at a silent command, she told them to go ahead. Fenix gave a careful knock on the door and the Potions Master answered.

"You wanted to see me, Sev?" Fenix spoke up softly. The Potions Master was sitting at his desk and to her it seemed that every inch of the desk was taken up by books and numerous scrolls.

"Yes, I do. There’s something I would like to discuss but now is not the time. This is one of the main reasons why I seldom go for vacations," Snape waved his hand at a pile of scrolls and manuscripts in displeasure.

"What else? Would after supper be a good time?" Snape asked, trying not to sound to eager. Fenix gave a nod and opened the door. She whirled to face the Potions Master, her face growing minx-like as she was filled with growing curiosity. She shrugged after he gave a thin smile and headed out. I wonder what he wants… she thought to herself, walking unhurriedly in the corridor and made no sound as she moved. Sirius was waiting with the rest of the company; leaning against the wall lazily and suddenly an image of her oathbrother leaning against the Mnid flashed through her mind.

The door to her office opened suddenly and Sirius went in, began to inspect the office carefully before pausing at the desk, and looked into the drawers. He nodded with satisfaction as volumes of white sheets and a box full of quills filled the drawer.

"Not really," Fenix said honestly as she looked out the window with yearning to be under the sky. There was a knock on the door and Professor McGonagall came in. She smiled with relief when she saw Harry.

"I had wondered where the three of you were. Miss Maxwell," the Transfiguration teacher eyed Fenix carefully, "I trust that Mr. Potter had given you a tour of the castle?" Fenix gave a nod and McGonagall paused as if trying to decide if she should speak more. "And thank you for releasing Severus. He seems much warmer than he had been a few years ago."

"Should I expect more visits like that in the near future?" Harry asked conversationally after Professor McGonagall had gone on her way. Remus and Sirius exchanged a nervous glance and fidgeted restlessly. "Forget it…" Harry gave a mournful sigh.

The Defence teacher passed Fenix a number of scrolls as she sat on her desk and unrolled one slowly. It was her teaching schedule and she noticed that she would not have classes on the whole of Thursday afternoons and Fridays. The rest waited patiently as she studied it and picked one scroll randomly and unrolled her patrolling schedule.

"I hope you don’t mind that I had placed you together with Severus for patrolling," Remus said nervously.

: Why not the both of us? : Fenix spoke privately to him and Remus stared at her uneasily when she spoke rather coldly.

: It’s just that, it’s inappropriate. I may not seem like a bad man, but I am a man after all. : Remus did not dare to look at her directly as he went on. : Fenix, I’m not trying to be mean but there were quite a number of times that I lose my self-control when I’m alone with you. :

: I had noticed, : Fenix replied slyly. : Well, I don’t mind at all, just as long he knows his stuff. So with whom are you partnering? :

: Professor McGonagall. Sirius will be doing it with Kingsley, once the Auror finish reporting to the Ministry and get his rear here, : Remus answered easily.

"Fenix," Harry spoke up softly, "if you don’t mind, I’m taking Sirius with us to play some chess," the boy said firmly, ignoring his godfather’s blank look. Hermione carefully put a bland expression on her face and took Ron out of the room determinedly. Sirius shot a dangerous look at Remus that signified ‘Don’t you dare get mischievous with her’ while the werewolf looked innocently back at his best friend. Sirius and his godson left the room and closed the door after Sirius gave them a suspicious look. Fenix stood up from her chair and went straight for the window. She opened it. It was not raining as heavily as it had an hour ago, and the lightning dances had died down a little. There was a distant rumble of thunder and she closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of fresh rain and smiled when the first ray of sun poked through the gloomy clouds.

Remus walked slowly towards her and placed his arms about her waist. He stood with her, smelling her scent and feeling the fresh breeze on his face. He gave a contented sigh and she turned so that she faced him. Remus traced her cheekbones and cupped her face as he leaned down to give her a kiss. Fenix gave an inward smile but returned the werewolf’s affection.

"We really shouldn’t be watching this, Ric." Salz tugged at his friend’s mail coat, looking around uneasily.

"Salz, be more of a man won’t you?" Ric complained and went back to watch the kissing couple.

"Huh…" Salz snorted derisively at his best friend. "Why don’t you be more like a knight that had been knighted?"

"Sometimes Salz, I wonder how in Heaven’s name I got to be friends with you. And a close one at that," Ric shook his head in disappointment.

"Ric, that’s enough peeking! Even if you aren’t afraid of getting walloped by me, since you are making fun of my student, we are going to get skinned by Wen and Helga if they find out about this!" Salz tugged his friend a little more desperately.

"All right, all right!" Ric finally smiled at his friend, then immediately pulled Salz down and went flying through the floor and plunged in to other places.

"Why are those two tagging us so closely?" Ric fretted. "Their constant nosing is getting really irritating."

"I think it would be wise if we were to be a little bit farther from them. Let’s go down to the dungeons!" Salz face looked up at his friend’s excitedly.

"Damnation, Salz! What in hell are you trying to do? Put me into a ghostly depression?" Ric protested good-naturedly. "It’s bad enough that it’s raining!"

Salz gave a hearty laugh but determinedly pulled his friend all the way down to the castle. After a while, Ric gave up and raced with his friend to get to their usual meeting place in the dungeons.

Most of the teachers were absent from the Hall excluding the Headmaster who could not resist such splendid deserts that had been laid out for the students. The Hall was livened up by constant chatter and murmurs and now and then, raucous laughter emerged from all around the Hall. Students freely mingled among the houses except for the most senior of students from the Slytherin table who stayed within their circle of friends.

A couple of Hufflepuffs had been secretly making a present for the Slytherin senior, Dina Free, and was looking out for Alamanda Durz who was chatting easily with her fellow first years on a Gryffindor table. Malfoy was looking at the Slytherin juniors with hatred and Parkinson was constantly murmuring her discontentment about the new teachers when Malfoy suddenly burst out, telling his partner to shut up. Silence quickly descended down in the Hall and the Headmaster peered curiously at the Slytherin table. Everyone was looking at a glowering Malfoy and a pale Parkinson. Dina Free broke the silence by laughing at the two Prefects and choked on her pumpkin juice and her suitor, Justin Linklater frantically pounded on her back. The Hall erupted with conversations again, most of them ignoring Malfoy and his gang.

"Yo, Mike!" a fourth year Hufflepuff, Irvette MacRae, waved her hand to catch Michael Gregory’s attention. Michael gracefully left the Gryffindor table and trotted up to his seniors, his angelic face etched in curiosity.

"Would you mind asking Alamanda to give this to Dina Free?" she handed a parcel to the nonplussed boy. "Tell her it’s from the Hufflepuffs."

"Oh, all right," Michael shrugged then went back to his friends and gave a quick whisper to Alamanda. She turned to look at the anxious, waiting Hufflepuffs and gave them a thumbs-up and dashed off towards the recipient.

Dina cocked her head towards Alamanda and jerked in surprise when Alamanda grabbed her down and gave a whisper as she thrust the gift to her senior. Dina nodded her head and looked quizzically at the parcel as Alamanda resumed her seat and smiled widely at the Hufflepuffs who grinned back.

Justin placed his arm lazily and stared curiously as Dina opened the parcel. There was a note inside the parcel and she picked it up. It read:

   Especially to Dina Free,
   Just a thank-you gift from us Hufflepuffs.
   Hope you like our gift!

Dina handed the note to her boyfriend and opened the wrappings. It was a scarf of a brilliant emerald, well knitted and to her pleasure, a silver horned bull was sewn onto the scarf in perfect detail.

Dina searched the Hufflepuff table and finally caught the eyes of the maker. She held out the scarf in a salute and fingered it dreamily. The Hufflepuffs broke into a cheer.

"Traitor!" Malfoy hissed and Dina’s group of friends stared defiantly at him. Dina herself looked archly at him.

They turned towards the entrance of the Hall when laughter echoed loudly from the corridor. Four Gryffindor students stumbled in, laughing uncontrollably and Malfoy glared at the cheerfully laughing Harry.

"Oh gods!" Hermione gasped, collapsing onto Ron who was struggling not to double up with laughter. He balanced his girlfriend, face reddened he began to laugh hoarsely. The Headmaster was filled with amusement as he watched the students, and wondered what had happened to them that they had been incapacitated with laughter. Snape and Sirius went in next, with the latter struggling to contain his mirth while the Potions Master walked about with a peculiar expression on his face. Harry walked towards an unoccupied Gryffindor table and sat so that he was facing Malfoy, his usually pale face was red with the exertion of laughter.

"Oh Merlin! Dear Merlin!" Ginny choked. "Somebody make us stop laughing!" she wailed helplessly.

Snape glanced down at the Weasley, his hand was already reaching out for his wand. "Why didn’t you ask me sooner?"

"Not that way!" Ginny abruptly stopped laughing, looking at the Potions Master fearfully. Malfoy sneered at Ginny but gaped in shock when Snape casually sat himself beside Sirius at the Gryffindor table.

: I don’t dare give my back, especially if it’s Malfoy’s son. : Snape stared lazily at the Slytherin Prefect who was fairly giving an imitation of a landed fish. The Potions Master tilted his head to a side and food miraculously appeared on the table. : I wonder when the both of them will get here… : Snape looked at the entrance of the Hall.

"Why didn’t you knock on the door?" Sirius muttered under his breath as he helped himself to a piece of chocolate cake.

"And what made you think that I hadn’t?" Snape argued softly. The peculiar expression on his face was still there and Sirius and the four Gryffindors collapsed into another bout of laughter. "They’re lucky it wasn’t Dumbledore or any other professors…" Snape’s mouth quirked into a faint smile and busied himself with supper. Fenix came in with Remus; both looking flushed and the werewolf shot a disgruntled look at Sirius, who was still laughing. The couple parted and seated themselves on the opposite ends; Remus sat next to Snape as Fenix sat next to a red-faced Harry. She had changed from her splendid sorceress gown in favor for her plain Hunter gear. A glass of pumpkin juice appeared and she gulped it down thankfully. She accidentally looked at Hermione, and flushed even harder when the table erupted with giggles.

I wish I could sink down to the floor right now! Fenix thought to herself, covering her blushing face with her hands. : Guys, don’t be cruel! : She moaned.

: You said that you knocked on the door, : Sirius looked slyly at Snape and the Potions Master nodded gravely. : Moony! : Sirius exclaimed and Remus gave him a hard stare.

"Sev!" Fenix yelped out, looking at the Potions Master with a horrific expression.

"Just thinking out loud, Fenix," Snape answered mildly and took a sudden interest in his food.

Due to the implementation of the school rules, no students were allowed to be wandering about the school after nine and Fenix escorted Harry and his group back to the Gryffindor Tower. The hallways were punctuated by eerie laughter as it echoed up and down the corridors. The Fire Master was no longer feeling flustered thanks to the students who promised to stop laughing for the time being.

"Fenix, do you think it will rain tomorrow?" Ron asked wistfully as they came to the Fat Lady’s portrait.

Fenix took a moment to commune with her Sylphs and she answered back. "Wouldn’t rain in the morning but light showers in the late afternoon; if there’s no sudden change in the air currents."

"I don’t see why not," Fenix said and wished them all goodnight before they gave the password to the Fat Lady and disappeared into their common room. She then walked slowly back to her own room and ignored the ghosts drifting in and out of the walls, serving as a patrol squad. Fenix squeezed her eyes shut when Peeves startled her, trying to her racing heart.

"Someone fetch the Bloody Baron," one ghost in a very medieval gown murmured to her partner. Fenix continued on her walk and her silent thoughts were broken when her oathbrother spoke up softly in her mind.

: Severus wants to see you in his office, : he reminded her and she smiled gently.

: All right. What about you and Remus? Going to bed now? : Fenix asked as she came into a familiar corridor and went up the stairs.

: Yeah, we are. So come on up and wish us a goodnight first before you head down over to Severus. : Sirius released his link and she smiled at her oathbrother’s tact. She walked down the hallway silently, nearly surprising Professor Flitwick. Fenix apologized to him and smiled, passing Snape’s office without a glance. She headed straight for Sirius’s office.

"In his quarters," Sirius hugged her tightly and held her back, his eyes twinkling deviously at her.

"Sirius…" Fenix smiled at him helplessly and stood on tiptoes to give him a kiss. "It would be strange for me not to have you sleeping beside me."

"There’s always a first for everything. Now go and give my friend his goodnight kiss and I’ll see you in the morn." Sirius pushed her out of the office and positioned her towards Remus’s door.

: Night and sweet dreams. Don’t take too long though, or you’ll make Severus fume and he might decide to give a knock on the door again. : Sirius said slyly and chuckled at her embarrassment.

: All right, all right. Go to sleep. : Fenix then moved towards Remus’s door. It opened suddenly and an arm pulled a very surprised Fenix into the room. The office was dark, dimly lighted by a candle at the far end of the room. Remus was looking at her in a peculiar manner and she looked back at him uncertainly. Then she closed her eyes as his lips found hers.

Fenix walked out of Remus’s office soon after, and she was shaking very badly. Okay… it’s a good thing I’ll be doing my patrols with Severus. If I’m alone with him, chances are that we won’t get any patrolling done at all. Dear Phoebus! I haven’t been left swooning after a kiss for years! She bit her lip and tried to stop her body from shaking with exhilaration. She went in to her office first; ignoring her bondmates’ mischievous stares and looked into the mirror. Good, he didn’t mess me up too much. Maybe I should wash up a bit.

She looked critically in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction before she stepped out of the corridor again and moved swiftly to Snape’s office. She knocked on the door before entering. Snape was reading several manuscripts, and since she had arrived, he invited her to sit on a chair. Fenix lifted the chair and placed it so that she was facing the Potions Master.

"I thought I saw a second office down below in the dungeons," Fenix began, crossing her arms on her chest and leaned comfortably against the chair.

"That was generally for use when term starts," Snape answered, giving a thin smile at her.

"Logical I suppose," Fenix shrugged and gave him a curious look. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"A request," Snape said quietly and Fenix tilted her head in inquiry. "I wonder…" he faltered and Fenix gave an exasperated sigh.

Snape cleared his throat before answering her. "I wonder if you would work with me in a current project of mine."

Fenix calmly looked at the Potions Master and played with her dagger that she had concealed under her sleeve. "What project?"

"I’m in the process of making a batch of Veritaserum and an antiseptic potion for Madam Pomfrey. I don’t trust the students to take care of making the antiseptic potion. God knows what fumbling pairs of hands they have," Snape explained, looking hopefully at her.

"I have seen you work, Fenix," Snape leaned forward, gazing intensely at her face, while she looked back in amusement.

"Baking. Methodical. And Dumbledore mentioned that you work as an environmentalist so there was one point of time you might have learned something about chemicals and drugs," Snape answered easily. Fenix nodded at him in approval and her face glowed with happiness.

"Yes, I do have some experience in being a chemist and a herbologist," Fenix admitted and rubbed her hands gleefully. "It’s been quite a while since I’ve done lab work, but you do know Hermione would be able to do the job as well as I could."

Snape gave a small laugh and suddenly stopped as if he was reexamining himself. "Let’s just say it’s an instinct of a researcher."

Fenix sat and contemplated the Potions Master’s request. Actually, I don’t mind at all… "Okay, it’s a deal. But when do I work with you?"

"The weekends… those are the only days the teachers get a break," Snape answered conjuring two cups of coffee for them. Fenix smiled sweetly to the Potions Master and cooled the hot mug of coffee just a wee bit, so that she could sip at the drink without burning herself. The peaceful silence was broken by a diffident knock on the door and Justin Linklater of Slytherin came in and looked at both staff members uneasily.

: Maybe, I should go Severus-- : Fenix looked at the Potions Master carefully and she knew by the slightest narrowing of his eyes, he was angry.

: Stay. : Snape glanced briefly at her before beckoning the student forward. "What is it that is so important that you have decided to break the rules by coming in after nine?" the Potions Master questioned him silkily.

Justin cleared his throat uneasily. "Professor Snape, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Quidditch team. You have to find another Chaser to replace me." Snape studied his student carefully and nodded much to his student’s relief. Justin withdrew from the room, with the Slytherin ghost following. The student closed the door silently.

"You do know that you’ll be overseeing Gryffindor’s team?" the Potions Master asked as he drank his coffee.

"Yes, and I do know we have to divide the Quidditch Pitch," Fenix answered, looking out the window for a moment and sighed as the dances of lightning resumed its work in the sky. "I do hope it’ll be dry tomorrow. I’m looking forward to see the Pitch and fly that broom I bought. He’s feeling rather sulky ever since the wet weather and since the day we left The Burrow," she sighed gloomily, trailing her index finger on the rim of the cup.

"Well, I wouldn’t keep you here much longer. Why don’t you go to bed?" Snape suggested, as he gave a wave of his wand and her cup vanished from her hand. She smiled fondly at the Potions Master and got up from her chair to give him a tender kiss on his hair and headed out of the room in silence.

Snape stared stupidly at the closed door and took a deep breath. I wonder if she’s gone mad after the train journey… The Potions Master refocused his attention on his formulas and to his horror, he felt himself blushing.

Fenix was staring at the ceiling, feeling a little strange without the presence of her oathbrother beside her on the bed. How in hell did he manage to grow on me so fast? She turned to her left and stared at the window.

: Couldn’t sleep sister? : Sirius asked tenderly and smiled at her uneasiness that resonated through their bond. : I know, I’m having trouble sleeping too. :

: I don’t know if it’s a good idea that we’re dependent on each other this way, : Sirius replied in concern.

: You couldn’t sleep too? : Remus’s mindvoice asked, his mindvoice sounding a little distressed.

: We’re just like babies, aren’t we? Couldn’t go to sleep with our dear little mama, : Sirius joked in a half-hearted manner. Fenix shook her head, filled with amusement. The three of them linked solidly in each other’s minds and sleep took them into a gentle slumber.

Hedwig hooted softly outside Harry’s window and the boy quickly got out from his bed to rescue her from the strong wind. The owl launched itself into the room and Harry shut the window quickly.

"Crazy owl," Harry gasped and Hedwig blinked curiously at her owner. He continued mumbling and lifted her up from her perch. "Why didn’t you go up to the Owlery?" he whispered softly to his owl, scratching her neck and ears lightly. She pecked at Harry’s sleeping clothes and Harry did not think it was coincidence that she had pecked on a green spot. "Malfoy’s owl?" Hedwig hooted in answer and craned her neck at her perch. The young man obliged his pet and she soon settled down to doze. Harry gave a sigh and flopped on his bed. I wondered how Ron could easily fall asleep… I am as tired as he is… Phoebus… he’s a god of the sun… I wonder why Fenix worshipped him. Not a lot of people pay attention to gods and deities anymore… Harry was contemplating on the subject of religion when Sleep finally took pity on him, and Harry slept peacefully, only dreaming about flying on his Firebolt and chasing a merry Snitch.

Fenix woke up slowly and stared up at the ceiling. The first thought that crossed her mind was to ask for a wall clock. She sat up slowly and Wind stirred the moment she felt movement on the bed.

: Yeah, I am. Why don’t you stay with your mate as long as he’s still sleeping? : she answered as she got out of the bed and headed straight to the bathroom to wash up. She had donned on her Hunter gear and was toweling her wet hair when she stepped back into the bedroom. The two wolves were curled up together in bed and she gave a fond smile at her bondmates. She went into her office to brush her hair as she needed some light and she did not want to disturb her sleeping wolves. Winky suddenly appeared carrying a pot of hot chocolate and some sandwiches for breakfast. Another house-elf appeared and snapped his fingers and a wall clock appeared out of nowhere and attached itself next to the talking mirror. Fenix thanked the house-elves softly and sat down on her desk, drinking her chocolate softly. She sighed when she looked at the sandwiches and ate one sluggishly. I could never eat so early in the morning. She sighed and determinedly finished that particular sandwich and placed the dish cover back on. Maybe I’ll work up an appetite after my workout. She glanced at the wall clock and it showed it was seventeen minutes to five. It should be early enough that no one would try to disturb me.

The corridor was dark when she opened her office door and she looked about with a sense of trepidation. I hope that Peeves wouldn’t come out so suddenly, she thought nervously and slowly walked to the staircase and went down to the Entrance Hall. She met the Gryffindor ghost gliding about as he patrolled with two other ghosts.

"Good morning, Miss Maxwell," Sir Nicholas whispered as the three ghosts gathered around her.

"Outside, near the lake. I wish to do some exercise," Fenix informed the ghosts and Nick cautioned her to be for as long as she was out of the castle. The Fire Master went down the steps only to come across the caretaker and his cat. He was looking rather suspiciously at her and she gave a careful nod before she laid her palm against the great door of the castle. It swung silently and as soon it was wide enough, she crept out and the door swung close quietly. She probed the ground carefully and to her relief, it was not wet and muddy. At least I know I could move about without having to worry that I might loose my footing in slippery ground. She looked at the deep midnight blue sky, dotted with gentle twinkling stars and found herself smiling at the peacefulness that filled her soul. The Forbidden Forest loomed darkly in the distance and she heard some guttural growls coming from it. I had better keep an eye on that side.

She did a couple of warm-ups before her sword emerged from her left hand and she began to move instinctively. She did a couple of the dances that she had been thought and found herself wishing for a sparring partner. She began to flow with the sword and was not even aware that someone else was present in the grounds until she met resistance against her blade. I hope this visit doesn’t get me into trouble, she groaned inwardly as she felt the Headmaster moving about in the castle. She was not given opportunity to contemplate as He quickly went into an attacking mode. One thought did cross her mind as she picked up the pace; be careful what you wish for you might get it.

Professor Dumbledore stared in mute shock as he watched the knight dueling with Fenix. A distant part of him admired the woman’s agility and superb reflexes while another detached part of him worried on the issue of trespassing.

: Don’t worry, Albus, : the Headmaster felt something brush against his robe and looking down, it was one of Fenix’s wolves, the one who was named Wind. : He is one of Fenix’s instructors. : The wolf calmly sat on her haunches and watched the fluid movements of the two fighters. Fenix’s sword was making the strange music again and it continued for about half an hour when the duel gradually came into a stop. The knight saluted without raising his visor and vanished.

Her sword slid back into his hiding place and she slowly began to walk around circles to cool down. She was aware of the Headmaster’s presence and Wind although they were perfectly camouflaged by the darkness of the morning and the castle. Then she stepped forward nearer to the bank of the lake and stood motionlessly as she watched the landscape. Soft footfalls emerged from behind her and she raised her face to the sky as the first ray of sunlight lit the sky, giving subtle vermilion shade to the sky. She looked down on the lake, watching the water rippling gently and further out, giant tentacles whipped out from the water and pulled down again into the lake. The Headmaster knew that she knew that he was there and stood beside her as they watched sun ascending slowly up into the sky.

Back in the castle, students and teachers alike were rousing up, and soon enough murmurs of soft conversations could be heard, and windows lighted up. Fenix turned her head slightly to watch the Headmaster and he nodded. Both of them retreated back to the castle to get a bite of breakfast.

Hermione happily trooped into the common room and greeted Dean and Ginny who were hanging out in the common room with Neville. She looked at her pocket watch and pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"Are Harry and Ron still sleeping?" Hermione asked the company in the room as she peeked out the window. Several chorus of ‘yes’ emerged and she turned back to look pleadingly at Neville and begged him to wake the boys up. Neville did as she asked and went back to the boys’ dormitory and went in to the bedroom. He tiptoed quietly to Harry’s bed first and shook him slightly.

Harry was still dreaming about flying on his Firebolt when it started to go up and down and he felt that he was losing his grip on the Firebolt. Then he felt himself falling and suddenly snapped his eyes opened to meet Neville’s timid pair of eyes.

"Hermione wanted me to wake you and Ron up," Neville said, he was shaking Ron up and the Weasley sat up and blinked in confusion. Harry got out of bed, looked out the window, and grinned widely. He glanced down at his watch; it showed nine-thirty in the morning.

"We don’t have time to waste, Ron," Harry spoke up cheerfully. "Sun’s out and it’s dry. Why don’t we go and take Fenix up to the Pitch?" Ron stared at his friend and a bright smile stretched his face.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and a couple of other Gryffindors were waiting patiently outside Professor McGonagall’s office. She came out; looking a little bit disgruntled at the early intrusion and asked Hermione curtly as she eyed the company with broomsticks on hand.

"We wonder if we could take Fenix to the Quidditch Pitch. She wants to do a little bit of flying on her broom," Hermione said breathlessly and the rest wore pleading expressions on their faces. It might have worked a lot better if the boys were still under her chin, but not so as most of them topped the Transfiguration teacher by several inches.

"Well, say if I give you the keys to the pitch. How will you keep the troublemakers away?" Professor McGonagall spoke in an unfriendly voice.

"We will take care of it, Professor," Dina Free and her gang and all of the first years turned up suddenly. "And maybe you should recruit the DA, that might help us. Last year’s train ride home was an amusing experience," she gave Harry a wink when she said it.

"I don’t think the troublemakers would dare to do anything right where Professor Lupin is," Ron said confidently.

"Very well," McGonagall gave them each a calculating look and turned back to her office to get the keys. She handed these to Hermione who gave her a wide smile then fled towards Fenix’s office.

Fenix opened the door and Hermione found Remus and Sirius having their breakfast in her office. Fenix made way so the two men could see Hermione and the bunch of students crowding in the corridor with expectant faces.

"What’s up?" Fenix asked cheerfully, and some of the students stared at her in disbelief. They were not expecting her to treat their fellow students casually.

"Ginny, be a little more specific could you?" Sirius said humorously. "She might decide to take your words literally." Fenix laughed at her oathbrother fondly.

"Intending to play the Weasleys’ version of a Quidditch game?" Fenix asked Ron archly when she saw the keys in Hermione’s hand and their brooms.

"Come on, Fenix!" Ron said desperately. "You don’t really want to wait until it starts to rain now, don’t you?"

"Okay, okay…" Fenix looked back at her lover and oathbrother. "You guys free?" Sirius wiped his mouth with a napkin and gave her a devilish smile. Remus was looking a bit worried and that made Fenix feel a little disappointed.

: Why are you looking so crestfallen, lover? : Remus’s mindvoice danced in her mind gently.

: Aren’t you coming? : Fenix gave a sad smile at him and looked directly into his soft hazel eyes.

: What makes you think I am not? : Remus gave a sidelong glance at her, smiling roguishly at his lover. : Come on, you heard what Ron said. No time to waste now. : He got up and the house-elves automatically cleaned up the remains of their breakfast. The two went out to change and get their own brooms as Hermione and Dina discussed something in undertones. The company parted as Dina and her gang, and some of the others went to the Pitch first, while Hermione and Ron went off to find some of the DA members.

"Harry… do you mind if… we ask Cho… to come along?" Hermione asked him uneasily and flushed when he gave her a hard stare.

"Up to you, but I don’t see why you should bother," Harry said flatly and Hermione went off to find some of the members and that left him in Fenix’s office.

: So, why are you being snappish? Never mind… a case of puppy love? : Fenix asked the young man mildly.

: Yeah, : Harry answered brusquely and gave a long sigh. : You ought to get change before they have the chance to get impatient, : he suggested as he sat himself on a stool, fingering his Firebolt absently. Fenix gave him an oblique look before going to her bedroom to change into nondescript attire and her blue Nike shoes. The wolves trooped out from the bedroom as she reentered the office and her Ice Dagger flew off from its stand, poking her gently in her stomach. Harry looked at the excited broom in amusement and remarked that it was behaving quite like a dog.

: I agree, : Fenix replied, her voice sounding very amused as she laid a hand on the handle and calmed it a little.

"Are you two coming along?" Fenix looked down at her four-footed companions. Silver gave a nod and they all proceeded out of the office. The Fire Master took a moment to lock her office magically before following Harry and the wolves. Several students and teachers were eyeing them curiously and some of them did stare at Fenix and her broom in open amazement.

"Bloody hell! That’s the most unique of brooms ever to be made! I didn’t kno--" a Ravenclaw whispered excitedly to his friends. Amidst all these excitement and positive exclamations, there were several jeers among Malfoy’s company.

"For shame… I never knew that Dumbledore would stoop as low as to get a Muggle to teach us! Hah! What a joke! And Mr. Potty’s sticking very close to the Fire Master. What happened, Potty? Feeling scared to be alone? Of course you ought to be… the Dark Lord’s going to come for you anytime now!" a still-bruised Malfoy laughed uproariously, quite unaware that his company was retreating further and further back when Harry gave a callous look at them.

"Me? Afraid to be alone, Malfoy?" Harry said silkily. "I’m not even scared of Death. I remembered that a few months back I was so goddamn willing to die," the young man said in a very harsh tone. The wolves took the opportunity to creep forward and bared their fangs at the Slytherin prefect. The hostile behavior of the wolves made them realize the notoriety of man-killing wolves. Some of the students watched the pair of wolves in respect, some in mingled fear and awe.

: Go on Harry. They’re waiting for us, : Fenix said quietly, and the group went down to the Entrance Hall without any further incidents. Harry wore a solemn face all the way, uninviting people who tried to engage him with small talks. Fenix knew after several discussions with Hermione and Ginny that Harry’s animosity of the Slytherin prefect had increased ever since he had came across Mr. Malfoy. Harry, who did not have any family at that time, was strangely protective of the Weasley family and as both boys grew up, so did their hatred. She had asked Harry in passing once, why he had hated Malfoy. Harry had admitted that he did not actually hate the Slytherin boy. It was just a major case of dislike. He did not know when the transition took place but said fervently, "Every single time I managed to glance at him even by accident, he seemed to be constantly sneering. That made me feel violent. I wish I could have just knocked that disgusting expression from his face. Thousands of times."

I can’t say that I blame him, Fenix thought to herself. Harry led her down onto the slopes and she could see the pitch clearly. Harry was sweating lightly and Fenix almost crowed in delight that she was not indoors anymore. She was also aware that some of the students were trailing behind them, but decided not to mention it to Harry as she felt Parkinson egging Malfoy to follow them. They passed through the gate and she saw Hermione waving her hands frantically from one of the stands. Most of them were already flying above the ground and she took the opportunity to count heads. Counting Harry and herself, there was a total of twelve people on the broomsticks. Harry mounted his broom and flew up to Sirius, grinning widely.

The wolves had Jumped to where Hermione was sitting and Fenix winked at them before she gracefully glided off from the ground. She took several minutes to scout about, caught sight of Dina keeping an eye on Malfoy and his bunch of goons. Fenix silently instructed her Elementals to keep an eye too and she cast both a physical and magical shield over the entire area.

: I wonder why you’re being overcautious, : Sirius spoke softly in her mind. : This place is protected by the ancient spells of the Founders and those after them. :

: The extra effort is not harming me in any kind of way, : she answered indifferently. : So who are the rest? :

The players gathered as Harry started giving introductions. "This is Lee Jordan, friend of the twins, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan--" the two boys nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

Fenix smiled slyly at Seamus and just said, "The boy who had lovingly decorated the junior Malfoy’s face."

"-- And this is Irvette MacRae, Zacharias Smith and…" Harry faltered as he stared at an ex-Chaser.

"I’m Justin," the dark-haired Slytherin answered, looking at Harry with a strange expression.

"So…" Remus interrupted before the others could back away from the game, "how are we to group?"

Fenix divided them in the blink of an eye: Sirius, Harry, Dean, Seamus, Irvette, and Justin made one group and the others formed the another. Justin looked thoughtfully at the rest of them and wondered just how he was supposed to know if one was his group member or not. Fenix evidently was thinking among the same lines as she studied her members and the other team carefully. She snapped her fingers and told her members to remove their cloaks.

"How else can you people differentiate the other team?" she answered impatiently. "It’s hot enough that you won’t catch a cold. And it's not as if you’re flying through damp clouds," she pointed out. Ron gave up, proceeded to remove his cloak, and flew down where Hermione was seated with Neville and Luna. Meanwhile, Harry was explaining the others how the version was played. Since there was no Snitch and no Bludgers, except for the rattan ball that Hermione had thrown into the air to be caught expertly by Remus, the game was to have one keeper for each team and five Chasers.

"Seems interesting and we won’t have to worry about rogue Bludgers," Seamus said with sly twinkle in his eyes.

"Well, enough talking people," Sirius announced, clearly impatient to play. "Let’s begin!"

Irvette and Ron went to the opposite goal posts as Keepers, and Sirius tossed the ball. The game began. The stadium was gradually filling up, probably because the students were bored and had not found anything worth their attention. Malfoy and his gang were up to their mischief. They were about to cast a dancing spell on the flyers when Dina and some fellow students from all the other Houses crept up on them and bound them with a Paralyzing Spell. Malfoy sat rigidly like a stone and Dina gave a high-five to one of her friends, grinning maliciously and scrambled up to their own seats.

Hermione was torn in supporting the two teams but gave up, conjuring up a quill and a board to keep track of goals. Luna was screaming madly at the top of her lungs, cheering: Go Harry! Harry was speeding towards his friend, aiming for an unprotected space but somehow Ron’s reflexes were much quicker than he had imagined and Ron managed to deflect the ball into the clutches of the Defence teacher. Luna sighed in disappointment and Hermione gave her a speculative glance, then turned back when Neville jumped up from his seat, looking at a blurred figure of the Fire Master and Sirius who was dogging her. Fenix threw the ball to Ginny who was under the Fire Master and quickly passed it to Zacharias. A whistle from Fenix alerted the Chaser to lose altitude and passed it to Lee, who was flying rapidly towards Irvette’s goal post and scored for the team.

The game went on for about half an hour when a couple of Ravenclaws yelled out for Lee. The exhilarated boy went down and looked questioningly at the group. They were begging him to be the commentator.

"This is not even a real match!" Lee protested. After several minutes of begging, threatening and some screaming, Lee surrendered and went in search for someone to replace him.

"Alicia! They want me to commentate; take my place, will you?" Lee asked the Gryffindor captain. The girl took the borrowed broom and experimented flying on it for a bit before she joined the rest up in the air.

During this brief commotion, Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch had decided to see the state of the students and both gave a sigh of relief when nothing seemed blackened. It was coincidence that they had chosen the area to take their seats where Malfoy and his gang remained frozen in their seats.

"I wonder…" McGonagall peered carefully at their frozen states and their hands that held their wands. "The rest of you," she gave a piercing look at those who were seated near the frozen students, "clear this place now."

The Transfiguration teacher unfroze the company and quickly reflected their spells using a Shield Charm. She looked at the dancing company in distaste and after ten minutes had passed and the increase of laughter had finally reached the climax, she muttered "Finite."

The group of Slytherins stared at the Head of Gryffindor House with shock and she stared back at them implacably. "If I can’t trust you and your friends to stay out of mischief, Mr. Malfoy, I will ban you from attending major school functions." McGonagall then took a seat further back with Madam Hooch and listened to Lee’s amplified voice.

The commentator tapped his wand playfully and muttered, "Sonorus." He experimented with the volume and after a few minutes, he began. "As you all can see," Lee’s loud voice vibrated through the air, "this is not a real Quidditch game! This is what they call, the Weasleys’ version and here we have two teams! The Firebolt and the Ice Dagger!!!" Several whistles emerged from the stadium. "We’ll have to restart the introduction and the game! For the pure benefit of the late comers who refused to be cooped up in the castle!" Lee said loudly and the appreciative audience cheered. "How refreshing it feels to know that my skills in commentating hasn’t faded!"

"Lee, if you’re starting to brag, I’ll make your head swell like a pumpkin!" someone from a group of Hufflepuffs threatened.

"All right! All right! Now here in the Firebolt team-- members do cooperate with me-- We have Harry Potter!" Cheers all around and they could all hear Luna’s delighted squeals as Harry flied around the stadium. "Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Irvette MacRae, Justin Linklater! And not forgetting our Assistant Professor Sirius Black who is also flying a Firebolt! And now, I will present the Ice Dagger team! We have the Weasleys, Ron and Ginny! Damn, how I miss the twins! Alicia Spinnet! Zacharias Smith! And not forgetting the teachers who will be teaching Defence against the Dark Arts! Professor Lupin and his assistant, the current rider of the Ice Dagger! Miss Fenix Maxwell!" Cacophonous cheers rocked the stadium.

"All right! The game will be played for an hour! So let’s see which team scores the most goals! A word to the Gryffindor Quidditch players! This is your first practice to be Chasers! Now, let’s toss the ball!" Lee shouted.

Fenix was laughing at Lee’s description of them playing in the pitch. They were all seated at an empty Ravenclaw table, munching down on their lunch. Everyone seemed much relaxed after the game and Fenix found that she had picked up quite an appetite after the game.

: That was quite a good day of flying, wasn’t it? : Harry asked her in mindspeech as he was greedily eating his spaghetti.

: So, lover… : Remus spoke up, his face showing signs of tan and windburn. : Are you ready to settle down and do some heavy-duty revision with me? We do need to discuss for our lesson tomorrow. :

Fenix gave a tender smile at the man sitting opposite her. : I guess I’m ready to sit down and get some work done. Is there any way to increase the size of my desk? : she questioned rather petulantly at him.

: It’s not big enough? : Remus asked in mild surprise but Sirius interrupted.

: The office desk was a wee smaller than the study table she had back home, : her oathbrother spoke up.

: Maybe an Enlargement Spell might work, : Remus said thoughtfully and their attention was recaptured by Lee’s excited voice.

All about the castle was peaceful as students lazily got out of bed to meet the new day, and the initiation of classes. Harry woke up suddenly at exactly seven-thirty in the morning and blinked at the light coming from the window in confusion. He was trying hard to remember what day it was then gave an inward sigh when he realized that it was already Monday, and that they need to get down to the Hall to get their timetables. His roommates were fast asleep and he had better get them moving or they would be receiving a lashing from their Head of House at the beginning of school term. And here we are supposed to set up examples to the juniors. Harry smiled at his silent thought and began shaking his friends up.

"Bugger off…" Ron groaned and hid his face under his blanket. Dean and Seamus woke up grudgingly and shuffled slowly out of bed to get their school robes and toiletries. All of them had arranged all their books inside their bags, it was only a matter of getting back to their dormitory and getting rid of the books that they would not be needing for their lessons that day. Ron was still under the covers and Harry decided to play an old trick the twins used on their younger siblings.

"Ron! There’s a big tarantula on that blanket of yours!" he shouted and his two other roommates winced at his loud voice that suddenly rang out in the bedroom.

"Aaaaah!" Ron instantly jumped out of the bed, getting rid of his blankets instantly. His three friends laughed at him and Dean tossed his school robe towards the indignant Ron.

"Better get moving, mate," Harry said, reaching out for his glasses and put them on, "or we’re going to be late."

"You don’t really have to use my fear of spiders to wake me up…" Ron grumbled and Harry chuckled softly.

"Damn! It’s twenty minutes to eight! We’ll have to get ready by ten minutes before the corridors get jammed with students rushing for the Hall." Dean reached out for his own stuff and they all quickly headed off towards the restroom. It was lucky for them that the restroom was not crowded and they quickly got themselves ready and rushed back to their bedroom to get rid of their towels in an untidy heap. It was chaos in the common room. Ron grabbed Hermione’s hand and they shuffled out of the hole and headed straight out of the Gryffindor Tower.

"She’s already at the Hall!" Hermione yelled out in answer, as they squeezed themselves into the entrance of the Hall. Just for that particular day, they were seated in their chronological order during breakfast. The sixth-years waved at Ginny, who held a fork in one hand and waving the other hand back at them. Harry helped himself to a couple of pancakes and ate them as he scanned the crowd for Sirius. However, it seemed that his godfather, along with his oathsister and best friend were absent from the Hall.

"Ron, your breakfast is not going to run off from your plate, you know," Hermione whispered to her partner, her cheeks reddening as she struggled not to chuckle. "Our lessons only start at nine."

While the students were having their breakfast, the Heads were moving slowly down the table, giving out their lesson schedules. Harry had finished his plate of pancakes and Hermione was cutting several pieces of fresh chocolate cake for the three of them when McGonagall reached them and handed the scrolls to them. They hastily wiped their hands on a napkin as they briskly unrolled their timetables. Harry grinned when he saw that their first lesson for the morning was Defence, a triple period. His eyes bulged out in horror when he studied his timetable again. Ron echoed the groan that emerged from Harry’s throat. Back somewhere at the Slytherin tables, Snape gave a faint cruel smile when he heard Ron complained his heart out to his friends about their Advanced Potions, who were more or less in agreement with the red-headed Prefect.

"Bloody hell! Six hours every week! Two double periods of practical work and a double period for theory! I think I’m going to die of sheer exhaustion!" Ron groaned, massaging his temples as if he was having a headache.

"Chill out, Ron," Dean said reassuringly. "At least we have the same amount of time spent for Defence."

"Yeah, and we have nothing for the afternoons of Thursdays and Fridays. That’s a lot of compensation, isn’t it?" Seamus said thoughtfully.

"Meaning we probably will have tons of homework for the weekend," Ron answered convincingly.

"Ron, you’re depressing me…" Harry grimaced at his friend’s words, which will probably turn out true.

Professor Lupin was waiting for the students to be seated. Harry looked about the classroom and finally spotted Fenix who was looking out of the window with a slight frown.

"It’s funny, I thought I saw that beetle yesterday…" the Fire Master muttered under her breath, catching the attention of Malfoy and the Defence teacher. His bruised eye was healing, the edges yellowing and he was giving a very malicious smile that he quickly controlled when Seamus and Dean took seats beside the Slytherin prefect. Malfoy’s usual bodyguards, Crabbe and Goyle had to choose other seats further back as the seats behind their leader was occupied by Hermione, Dina, and Justin.

: Remus, I don’t like that beetle, : Fenix complained suddenly and he gave a look of surprise when she slammed the window shut. : It’s giving me the feeling as if it’s spying and listening to us. The Sylphs finds it suspicious too. :

: Can it be? : Harry frowned and whispered something to Ron, who got up and went to the window that Fenix had closed forcefully.

"Yep, it’s her all right," Ron answered as he peered through the glass, and turned to Hermione who shot a lofty look at him. She gave a huff as she stood up and marched towards Ron. She flung the window open and yelled on top of her lungs.

Fenix looked curiously at her and exchanged an amused and quizzical glance at the Defence teacher who just shrugged. The beetle that had been resting on a tree branch suddenly took flight, zooming away from the tree. She gave a thankful smile at Hermione and the students resumed their seats.

"Good morning," Professor Lupin began and was greeted excitedly by the class except for the usual three. "There’s no need for me to reintroduce myself. And this is my assistant, Miss Fenix Maxwell." Fenix gave a nod and gave each of the students a penetrating glance. "I must say that some of you are greatly behind in this subject except for Miss Free and her partner and of course, those who had been in the Defence Association. The rest of you had just spent a hell lot of time wasted on theory work, last year." Remus gave a wink at Harry as he stood up from his sitting position. "As someone had mentioned to me, theoretical stuff’s all well and good but hands-on is much better," he gave a sidelong glance at Fenix who just looked indifferently at him, before resuming her serious scan of the classroom.

Professor Lupin began to ask questions as he moved about the classroom and the students took notes on the spells that could be used for what purpose. They spent the entire hour on revision with Professor Lupin’s assistant keeping very, very silent as she watched the students. Harry did not doubt that she was paying close attention to the words of Professor Lupin.

"Pay attention, Mr. Malfoy," Fenix commanded in a firm voice suddenly, making Harry’s heart jump in his throat. "Your life may depend on what Professor Lupin teaches you. The Aurors are stretched to their limit that they could only afford to give one of them to the School." Malfoy stared at her in resentment and finally looked away from her cold, impassive eyes.

Professor Lupin cleared his throat to regain the students’ attention. "Now that we’re done with our revision, Miss Maxwell will take over from here as she is most suited to this particular task than I am."

Hermione straightened up in her seat as Fenix moved forward to the center of the room. "I will not mince words with you. You are all very intelligent-- one way or another-- and that you know we are not living in peaceful times…"

"Why should you care?" Malfoy grated and muttered off several insults under his breath. Fenix stared coldly at him. Lupin was strangely silent as he watched the two. The Fire Master moved closer to the Slytherin prefect. The boy looked at her fearlessly then gasped as his mind was filled with images that was best described as a warning to the boy. Just as suddenly, the images vanished.

"Get away from me…" Malfoy whispered, his eyes wide with terror as he realized that she was the one who had imported the visions.

Fenix gave him an exasperated sigh and laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder to calm him. "I am sorry to do that to you, but I can’t think properly when you’re having those offensive thoughts about certain people," she gave Malfoy an unfriendly stare, "now, your mind’s clear so keep it that way." The Fire Master moved back towards the center of the classroom.

"Voldemort might try to come at the School anytime now, for all we know." Fenix crossed her arms and looked out at the window. "Not trying to make you guys panic, but it’s strangely quiet. And I don’t like it one tiny bit."

The students exchanged worried looks because they knew she was right. The classroom fell silent and they jumped as one when Peeves appeared from the bottom of the floor. To the poltergeist’s dismay, Fenix had just about enough of his sudden appearances and flung him straight away with a gesture of her hand. Peeves went soaring over the students’ heads to collide with a pail of murky water, somewhere out the corridor.

"I will kill you! My precious clean floor!" they heard the caretaker’s screams from the Defence classroom.

"So," Fenix continued, looking suggestively at Harry, "we will spend the first part of our lesson to apply some magical techniques that’s not known in your current wizard world. We won’t be using wands, just your minds." Hermione raised her hand tentatively. Fenix tilted her head in inquiry and the girl voiced her question.

"Create a physical shield," Fenix answered easily. "Your next question might be: Can you do it? Yes, you could. This technique was lost sometime during the twelfth century of the wizarding world, but I don’t really know the reason why."

Harry stared thoughtfully at the Fire Master and was the next to raise a question. "So we are going to create a physical shield to ward off magical attacks?" When Fenix nodded, he furrowed his eyebrows and thought again. "But wouldn’t the spells just bounce off the shield? Just like that night? I don’t think I want to bear the consequences of hitting something or someone accidentally," he gave a worried look at the Defence teachers as he spoke.

Fenix gave a smile of approval at Harry and Professor Lupin stepped in to answer. "We are going to teach you how to create a physical shield that absorbs the spells that had been flung at you. Of course, if it’s a stone or any physical object it will simply be pulled down by gravity and not fly aimlessly about the area. This method’s a purely defensive mechanism."

"Correct. Now, I would like the rest of you to settle down comfortably in your chairs. I’m going to link all your minds with mine and show you the way of shielding. And even if You-Know-Who happens to have news of this kind of shielding," a lot of the students were staring at Malfoy, and Seamus popped his knuckles significantly, "he wouldn’t be able to duplicate it. Because he doesn’t have what it takes to make it function."

"It’s a little difficult to explain, but as far as it goes, Voldemort is dead," she frowned then sighed. "I don’t really know how to explain it to you."

: Harry, link with me first. I don’t want you to drop your mindshield without some backup protection. Remus? : Fenix whispered silently to the two and they merged first. The rest of the students did as they were instructed and the Fire Master gently reined their minds and interwove them with hers. It was a slow and tedious process at having to teach so many students at once. Professor Lupin ‘watched’ the entire session in a detached manner, giving careful pointers to Goyle, who kept faltering. Harry was the first to ‘capture’ her technique since it was similar to her mindshielding technique, and it seemed that Draco was at least as good as The Boy Who Lived.

It was half past ten when all the students have mastered the skill and she spoke up again. "Since all of you have Magick, you should be able to see the shield with your usual sense of eyesight. Though no shields will be of the same color. So don’t worry if you happen to see that a mud color, or moldy green, or gold surrounds you. It purely reflects the personalities of the maker." Harry looked carefully ahead of him, aware that he was covered with a clear, but somehow bluish moving shield. When he looked at Ron, he was not able to see if a shield covered his friend or not.

"Look to your friends now," Fenix instructed. They looked at their friends and fellow students. "So… you could still see your shield. But could you see your friends’?" Heads were shaking all around. "This comes under the element of surprise. There is certainly no point advertising to your enemy that you’re shielded. We have to use whatever means necessary to get us out of a tight spot, even if it means trickery."

Some of the students now were watching her with respect rather than curiosity or disdain. Hermione had a peculiar expression on her face as she thought about the Fire Master's words. Professor Lupin nodded satisfactorily at his students and swapped stands with Fenix. He spoke in a very soft but clear voice.

"Now, this shield of yours depends on the mind that is controlling it. It is totally up to you if you want to make it thicker-- if someone is flinging a Death curse that is what I would advise you to do. If you don’t want the shield, just think hard that you don’t need it anymore," Professor Lupin informed them and Hermione raised her hand again.

"Does that mean we can’t do any spells when we’re protected by the shield?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"No, you could still fling spells out. Its primary objective was to prevent anything coming to you. It would not interfere with your spellcasting," she replied with a faint smile.

"Somehow this reminded me during the time when you, Sirius and Professor Snape fought off M--" Harry quickly clasped Ron’s mouth before the red-haired Weasley could finish his sentence. Fenix arched an eyebrow at the two boys, making them flush with embarrassment and nodded unmistakably. She conferred with her lover silently and Professor Lupin smiled brightly at them.

"I want you to go back to your dormitory and leave your books, then go on down to the Hall. We’ll be meeting you there," Professor Lupin told them as he opened the door for Fenix. "And don’t forget your wands!" he called out, leaving the door open.

"This is going to be great!" Hermione squealed happily as the students packed their notes and quills back in their bags. All of them got out of the classroom, Harry pausing just a moment to close the door behind Malfoy and hurried on to catch up with his friends as they headed up to the Gryffindor Tower.

"What color is your shield?" Parvati Patil asked Hermione in an odd voice and Hermione grinned widely at her.

"It’s light cyan! Such a nice color!" Hermione turned her winsome smile at Ron who just stared at her dreamily. "What about you, Ron? And you, Harry?"

"Copper," Ron answered absently; his eyes still focused on Hermione’s lovely smile. "You know… I am so glad Krum didn’t get you, Hermione." The bushy-haired girl’s face turned a lovely pink, tittered nervously, and turned to look at Harry.

"Cerulean, I think… it’s light blue." They came up to the Fat Lady and Seamus whispered the password. The portrait swung open and the students hurriedly went up to their dormitory to keep their bags. They rushed down again, Harry paused for a moment to check for his wand before bounding into the common room and went off again. The Fat Lady was muttering off some complaints but was largely ignored by the students.

They reached the ground floor at exactly the same moment that Malfoy and his gang arrived. He was looking very sullen, and Hermione struggled not to smile as the Gryffindors watched Malfoy being herded by Dina Free and the Bloody Baron. Harry glanced at the doors of the Hall and saw a large notice was attached on one side of the door. That’s Fenix’s style… Huge Italics were scribbled onto a parchment: HALL IS IN USE FOR DEFENCE LESSON UNTIL LUNCHTIME! PLEASE KEEP OUT & THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

Harry pushed the door slowly and confidently strode forward when he saw the Defence teachers waiting for them. The door closed by itself and they heard it locked. The Hall was empty of tables or any kind of furniture.

"Practical lesson of course, but do take off your shields for the moment," Professor Lupin answered as the students gathered round. He gave a puzzled look at the Bloody Baron who was standing off at one corner, curiously imitating the way Fenix had been watching the students in class.

"Choose your partners!" Fenix’s voice rang out and the students quickly paired off except for one. Fenix trailed her finger lazily across her right palm and sighed. "Oh well… Mr. Malfoy, you will pair up with me." Fenix walked over to Malfoy, who was secretly grinning inside because he was much, much taller than she was.

"All right! Spread out people! And don’t worry about missing your aim! Miss Maxwell had created a fairly sturdy shield that shouldn’t cause any accidents on the windows!" Professor Lupin shouted. He waited for several moments and spoke up again when Fenix gave him a silent confirmation. "Miss Maxwell has created shields separating each pair! So don’t hold back! Now, first spell that would be extremely useful! Disarming Charm!"

Fenix conjured a respectable-looking wand and Remus gave her a curious glance. She smiled mysteriously at him briefly before turning her attention to Malfoy. "This is what you will do, Mr. Malfoy. You will try to disarm me…but at the same time, you will have to dodge these fireballs. Is that clear?" Two brightly burning orange fireballs hovered over her shoulders and Malfoy gulped. "Don’t let yourself get distracted by the other students."

Professor Lupin took out his pocket watch and called out. "You will practise the Disarming Charm for fifteen minutes! And when I give the whistle, you will practise your Stunning! So other than practicing these spells, you would also do some physical exercise! Don’t get hit by a Stunning Charm! There’s no cushions to break your fall!" he gave a last minute warning before shouting, "Begin!"

Except for Professor Lupin, the students and at least one teacher was drenched in sticky sweat-- and several bruises. Malfoy was secretly relieved that Fenix had played fair enough by not shielding herself. She had done a lot of physical exercise by having to dodge Malfoy’s Stunning Charms and was hit twice but recovered quickly enough. To his horror and surprise, the fireballs did not burn when he was not quick enough to evade them; rather they had bruised his arms just as badly at falling on the floor.

"Well, that’s it for today!" Professor Lupin said cheerfully as Fenix tiredly took down all the shields and did some stretches before she mildly hinted that they might offend someone during lunch if they did not go and wash up. She watched the students dragged their feet tiredly and heard the door unlocking itself before they slowly walked out of the Hall.

: Damnation! I don’t think I could walk up the stairs! : Fenix groaned as she did a little jog to loosen up her muscles.

"Well, you did volunteered…" Remus said mischievously and she shot him a disgruntled look as she walked out, also intending to get a bath.

: Maybe you’ll be lucky that our next class in the afternoon will have even numbers of students! : Remus tried to coax her. She just gave a snort and he continued, watching her stare at the notice as the parchment disappeared. : But I have to say that your method with Malfoy was not a bad thing, : he informed her as he watched her hips gently sway as they walked up the stairs. Get a grip, werewolf! He thought to himself but could not help smiling.

: That’s what I did with Harry back at The Burrow, : Fenix replied and gave a sigh as they reached the landing that would lead to her office. Fenix and the werewolf had forgotten about the Bloody Baron. He glided upwards, his face bearing an almost gentle smile and disappeared.

Ron shook his head as he hungrily chewed his pizza. All around them were murmurs of conversations, as the students talked about their experiences in class, the people that had caught their eye and other things.

"I loved the look on Malfoy’s face when that fireball hit him dead center in his chest," Harry said casually, but he was grinning widely at Neville who nodded furiously. "Fenix did trained me that way once. Of course, her fireballs weren’t really burning," he added hastily at Hermione’s shocked expression.

"But it looks as if her fireballs did something, right?" Seamus said and nudged Harry, pointing his chin at the table where Malfoy was seated. Harry focused his eyes at a simpering Parkinson who was making sympathetic noises as she examined Malfoy’s bruised arms.

Hermione gave a derisive snort and turned her attention to her meal as she muttered, "Disgusting…" and made vomiting noises. Someone, probably Parkinson, Crabbe, or Goyle had fetched Professor Snape.

"Look at what the Defence teachers did to his arms, Professor!" Parkinson exclaimed, whimpering a little. Snape frowned and inspected Malfoy’s arms as if concerned.

"What were you doing?" Snape asked as he straightened his back, hiding his genuine concern perfectly and Malfoy then told Snape about the practice with fireballs.

"Is this true, Miss Granger?" Snape called out, not turning to look at the Gryffindor table. Hermione said an affirmative with confidence and they all stared at the Slytherins in trepidation and anxiousness.

"Well…well…well. It seems that the Defence teachers are up to their standard," Snape drawled and Malfoy’s group stared at their favorite teacher with astonishment. "I don’t see anything wrong, Mr. Malfoy. She is doing her job that has been given to her. Now, unless it is a total emergency, please do not interrupt me further from my work, Miss Parkinson." Snape drew his robes about him and walked gracefully out of the Hall.

"Gods, how disgusting!" Ginny made a face and turned to look at Malfoy with absolute loathing. "He’s such a baby!"

"Poor charming, darling, little white ferret," Luna Lovegood spoke out rather loudly. "He is so feeling very mistreated this morning… but I’m sure that some girl’s going to cheer him up!"

"Provided that she doesn’t try to smother him with her endless chatter and mothering," Hermione mumbled and their table broke up into laughter.

It was time for the sixth-years to head out of the greenhouse. Professor Sprout had engaged them in major gardening work, and as they worked, she had briefed them on the plants and vines they would be taking care all the way throughout their sixth year. The students found that they had to practice their utmost caution as they harvested the berries of the Magnolia Projectivilien. The vine did not like that the students were denuding it of its colorful berries and had a tendency to loose microscopic needles out into the air. That was capable of causing severe irritation if inhaled, or inflammation if it impacted on exposed skin.

"So, to avoid getting damaged, I want each group to appoint one student who will be responsible in applying some pressure around the central system. Wear gloves and safety goggles, mind you!" she had said. Harry’s group looked at the vine uneasily. Its central part consisted of several evil-looking sharp needles where a sticky green liquid oozed out slowly. Their gloves needed to be changed very often, as Harry had noticed that the green liquid was strangely beginning to eat the fabric of the gloves.

The sixth-years, all hot and sweaty, were quickly making their way towards the castle. Ron was suppressing himself not to scratch at his face. Professor Sprout had assured him that the microscopic needles would dissolve gradually and had just given him a lotion to apply on his face.

"Do you think we’ll have time to wash up?" Ron groaned, trying not to think about his itching face as they began to jog towards the castle.

"It’s only two-fifteen. How much time do you reckon we need to shower?" Hermione panted. "I am glad that Professor Sprout let us off early! It’s practical for Potions today and I don’t think even I can concentrate, being as sweaty and huffy as I am now!"

"I think you’re exaggerating, Hermione," Dean spoke up. "God! Finally!" the Gryffindors was relieved when they reached the great doors of the castle. Neville caught up with them with great difficulty, panting heavily.

"I think I’ve had enough of physical exercise," the boy groaned and looked ruefully at the staircases. Hermione pulled the tired boy along and proceeded into the Gryffindor Tower. The students impatiently waited at the portrait, as they need several moments to wake the dozing Fat Lady.

"Bloody portrait! Wake up!" Ron yelled and the Fat Lady jerked her head up in surprise.

"It’s you people again! Password?" the Fat Lady grumbled and Ron told her the password. They all scrambled in, dropping their bags all over the common room as they dashed upstairs to wash themselves for the second time since their lessons began. Hermione was the first to descend into the common room. She looked around for her bag, lifted it and tapped her foot impatiently for her friends. She looked down at her pocket watch and it showed sixteen minutes to three. Hurry up!

Harry’s hair was still dripping wet when he came down, followed by Ron and the rest of their classmates. Hermione handed Ron’s bag and turned to look at Harry curiously when he gasped. The boy had blanched when he felt something hot over his head and instantly the heat was gone.

"What the bloody hell happened?" Ron demanded, as Harry’s hair dried up and was combed down neatly.

"It probably was Fenix’s helpers," Hermione shrugged, unconcerned and ushered them quickly out of the their common room. They had at least ten minutes to make their way down to the dungeons without having to fear at being late. They walked at a fast pace, but not fast enough to make them pant with exertion again.

While they were on their way down to the dungeons, they bumped into Sirius who was taking the twelve first-years to the Transfiguration classroom. Harry and his godfather exchanged winks before he disappeared down the narrow staircase leading to the dungeons. Their footsteps echoed eerily along the passage and passed Snape’s office to go directly into their Potions classroom. Snape was nowhere to be seen. Malfoy was standing at a corner of the room, looking at the Gryffindors with undisguised hatred.

Harry looked around for his bodyguards but they were not in the classroom except for Dina and her partner. Harry gave a sudden frown at Malfoy. There’s no need to get violent… Guess his followers couldn’t make it for Advanced Potions. Dare I hope? Harry mused and sat at his usual place, giving an inquiring glance at Ron whom snorted.

"Settle down, people!" Snape’s silky voice emerged from the entrance of the dungeon, the door automatically closing as he swept into the classroom. The Potions Master took a moment to absently tuck his long hair back and looked around the silent classroom lazily. "I am very amazed that you got through your OWLs, Longbottom. However, I am not so sure of my decision of letting you come back to my class. So… I have weeded out the hopeless incompetents of this subject. Though I must say that the number of my own students who got through this subject with spectacular results were nonetheless…disappointing," he eyed Malfoy impassively as he sat carefully on his desk. The silence that had filled the classroom somehow felt oppressive and Harry fiddled with his quill uneasily.

"We shall begin our lesson now… get ready to take down some notes," Snape hinted and he gave a flick of his wand at the blackboard. "You will all be learning to make Vigilencia." Hermione stared at the Potions Master with sick recognition and Snape gave her a very faint smile that seemed almost sympathetic. "Making this potion is an extremely tedious process-- you could gauge how resigned Miss Granger looked. But first," Snape stood up and sat behind his desk, clasping his arms together and leaned forward, "I want someone to tell me what the consumers expect from this concoction." He looked about for volunteers, ignoring Hermione who had raised her hand inevitably.

It was a shock to almost everyone when Harry actually raised his hand. Phrases almost seemed to leap in his Harry’s mind as he remembered the spidery writing of the Potions book. "Yes, Potter?" Snape leaned back, arching his right eyebrow.

Harry spoke softly but his voice was clear enough to be heard in the dungeon. "Vigilencia is a stimulant for both physicality and mentality. So one of its major functions when consumed is to enable the consumer to…" he faltered and narrowed his eyes a little as he struggled to phrase his sentence. "It enables the consumer to remain alert for prolonged periods."

"Hmmmm…" was all Snape answered and he stared intensely at Harry. "And…what other…benefits does this potion have, Potter?"

Malfoy found the behavior of his favorite teacher slightly alarming. He was thinking about voicing out his observation when his adversary spoke up again, to answer the Potions Master’s question.

"It also helps to improve short and long term memory, and is able to provide the consumer with extra energy and quickens reflexes of the consumer," Harry’s voice trailed off. The boy went back to fiddling with his quill as he stared blankly over Snape’s head.

: Truly amazing. I did not expect you to remember that passage clearly, : Snape’s scratchy mindvoice-- that was tinged with sarcasm-- spoke deeply into Harry’s mind. Harry stared at the Potions Master.

: Am I being praised? : the boy answered back just as sardonically. He heard a derisive snort echoed in his mind as Snape withdrew his link from Harry.

"Shocking… Those are the unique properties of Vigilencia. Other than what Potter had mentioned, when used in tincture form, it acts as a sedative. There are other properties and functions-- you will do a research on what some of the compounds," Snape jerked his head at the blackboard, "as your homework, and to be submitted next Monday." The Potions Master stood up and walked about the classroom slowly as he continued his briefing.

"The potion making is divided into three parts, meaning that this potion-making session would at least expand over the next two weeks or so…" Snape quickly snatched the paper rose from Justin that he had tried to pass to his girlfriend. He did not do anything to it. He just kept walking about the classroom, occasionally peering down over their notes, finally stopping beside Neville. "You missed the primary feather of the golden hawk, Longbottom."

"I will not tolerate any sloppy work--or note-taking for that matter… This batch of Vigilencia you will be making will find its way down to the drug market, and to the School, mind you. I do not really have to explain why," Snape gave a penetrating look at his students. "Assuming all of you are not as ignorant as you look," he said as an afterthought. He walked about the room for several minutes more until the students had finished copying the materials and methods that had been written at the blackboard. He walked back to Justin Linklater and handed back the paper rose with a suggestive look. "You will begin with the first part now. Individual work," Snape said firmly, giving a sidelong look at Hermione and Neville as he opened the store cupboard.

Snape went back to his desk and resumed his research on the antiseptic potion. He patiently stayed out of the students’ hair for about fifteen minutes before he stood up and began his inspection. Malfoy as always, passed Snape’s inspection without any comments. Smoke rose in great billows from Ron’s cauldron and the Weasley stared at it in resignation, waiting for Snape to give his usual repelling comments.

"Too much liquid and too hot, Weasley. Evanesco. Redo," Snape said briskly and continued to make his rounds. Harry held his breath when Snape paused over his cauldron and the Potions Master sniffed experimentally at the smoke.

: Good enough. Follow the next instruction carefully, Potter. You do not want to blow up the entire dungeon, : Snape said softly as he went over to inspect Neville’s cauldron. Harry took the moment to whisper that information to Ron, who then whispered to Hermione. She just gave him a patronizing look before whispering the same thing to Seamus and Dean.

After one hour of stirring the cauldron, Harry’s hand was shaking a little as he carefully measured the exact amount of Yellow Vetch. He passed the bottle to Ron and slowly, while stirring the contents of the cauldron in one hand, poured the liquid gently into the cauldron. A strange sweet smell wafted up from his cauldron, and Snape immediately went over to check. Then he instructed Harry to transfer some of the liquid into a clear flask while he went in search for something in the storage cupboard.

Harry looked around although he ignored Malfoy’s malignant stare. He was a bit surprised when he realized that he was the first to finish. Don’t tell me that I’ve made a mistake somewhere… However, his thought evaporated when Snape returned, holding a jar with slimy, silver contents. The Potions Master uncapped the bottle and placed a drop of the silver-like substance into Harry’s concoction. He instructed Harry to mix the contents and the boy did as instructed, mixing it three times clockwise, then three times anti-clockwise. The milky concoction was slowly turning into a clear solution and he looked to the Potions Master for an explanation. Snape nodded, his approval barely showing. He ordered Harry to keep the remaining concoction in the silver flask that had suddenly appeared on Harry’s desk. Harry studied the flask carefully and noted that his initials were engraved in the body and the cap of the flask. Fastidiously, Harry transferred most of the solution into the flask, taking care not to spill any onto his exposed hand. Who knows if any of the compounds can cause any kind of allergy?

As Harry was doing all of this, the others were slowly finishing, their cauldrons giving the same kind of sweet smell after the addition of the Yellow Vetch. Snape cleared his throat, then gave them instructions to place a small fraction of their potion into a clear flask and repeated the small procedure to their samples.

"Impossible," Malfoy muttered to himself, staring at Harry who placed the flask on an unoccupied space on Snape’s desk.

"Did you say something, Draco?" Snape asked absently, gazing intently on Neville’s flask as the boy swirled the mixture anxiously. The Potions Master seemed unaware that he had called the Slytherin casually by his name.

Harry breathed a smile of relief and grinned when Ron gave a look, ‘Bloody hell! I don’t believe it!’ and Harry answered with a cheerful look, ‘I don’t believe it either!’. Neville gave an explosive sigh when Snape gave a nod and he turned to fill his potion into the silver flask that had been provided. Harry meanwhile cleaned his cauldron with a flick of his wand and waited for Snape to dismiss the class.

"Now, homework. I want you to write down the properties and functions of the Yellow Vetch and the most important ingredient, the berries of Magnolia Projectivilien. It has to be at least fourteen inches and handed in by Monday. Class dismissed."

Dina gave a wave and the Gryffindors waved cheerfully as they separated, the Slytherins going to their own common room as the Gryffindors took the staircase up. The Entrance Hall was beginning to get crowded with students that had finished their classes early and some were groaning in disappointment when they found the Great Hall locked. Harry gave an inward smile when he caught sight of Fenix’s large notice. Neville was feeling a little bewildered after the Potions class and hung back to speak to Harry.

"What happened to Snape?" Neville asked curiously, his voice thick with astonishment. "What did Fenix do to him?"

Harry clasped his friend’s shoulder in assurance. "We don’t really know. But Snape’s a tolerant enough fellow ever since he mixed around with our group. Maybe he’s influenced by her."

Neville blinked his eyes, the bewilderment still strong inside him. "It’s the very first time that I’ve made a potion right, right from the beginning!" Harry gave a hearty laugh at Neville’s feeling of accomplishment, his heart feeling lighter than days past.

"And Malfoy is certainly smelling something fishy," Ron added, giving a mischievous smile. "I wonder how Sirius is getting used to his responsibilities," he wondered suddenly.

"We’ll ask him during supper, if he's joining us. I think Alicia wants to see us right now. Quidditch practice, no doubt," Harry said, scratching the scar on his arm lightly. Ron gave a nod and the Fat Lady gave a sigh of resentment, asking Ron for the password with a very bored voice.

Fenix was doing a mental calculation as she dried her hair. I had better warn Remus that the full moon is this Wednesday. The Fire Master thought back at her day’s work. Things had gone rather well with the classes. However, there was a shadow of doubt when she thought back on the instant Draco Malfoy had stepped over the threshold of the Defense classroom in the morning. The feeling of premonitions weighed heavily on her heart now. She tried taking deep breaths but the more she thought about the Slytherin prefect, the more intense her sense of foreboding became.

"It’s nothing, Silv. At least I hope it’s nothing," Fenix gave a small sigh and began combing her hair. She was wearing a simple white blouse and a long skirt tonight, suddenly overwhelmed by the need to dress up.

: You saw something in the youngster, didn’t you? : Wind hazarded and Fenix winced at her bondmate’s observation.

: I… yes… I did see something else, rather than the boy…that was inside the boy. And it fled the moment I used Empathy and my Magick to scare the boy witless. I had wanted a clearer look. : The Fire Master quickly pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and stared mutely at the dark landscape at the window. She stepped forward and flung the window open, smelling the scent of fresh autumn air. She tried to distract herself by listening to the songs of the Trees and the Greater Nymphs, but the feeling was embedded too deeply in her heart.

: Yeah, I am, : she answered, shutting the window close, then turned to the wolves. : Are you coming down with me? Maybe you could check out Draco, if nothing else. :

: We’ll do that. : Silver padded outside to her office and waited for her to open the door. Fenix did not bother putting on a cheerful expression because Sirius had already felt her sense of melancholy. She was suddenly hugged by her oathbrother as soon as she opened the door. Fenix chuckled softly and returned his hug.

"What’s the occasion, oathsib?" Fenix whispered with her face buried in his chest.

"None whatsoever, sister. Just felt that you needed a bit of cheering up," Sirius kissed her lightly on top of her head. Fenix held him tightly, trying to control the sense of terror that had suddenly gripped her heart.

: Thank you, brother-mine. Shall we go? : Fenix pulled away from his embrace and followed the wolves slowly. Sirius stared at her back, frowning a little with worry. He quickened his steps so that he was walking by her side, winking at the Nearly Headless Nick who was roaming about the castle.

: Wind, is she all right? : Sirius asked the female wolf, trotting down the steps gracefully, tail wagging from side to side.

: I’m not really sure, Sirius. Her sense of Foresight is troubling her deeply, : the wolf said helpfully, finally reaching the Entrance Hall.

Fenix managed to muster a smile when Lee waved at her and headed straight for Harry’s group. She sighed gratefully when she saw that an important person had already joined the group. The Hall was not as rowdy as it had been yesterday and was not as crowded. This was to be expected, since she realized that the students might be well exhausted after their lessons and decided to retire to bed early.

"Hello guys," Fenix greeted them informally, and Ginny made space for the Fire Master so she could sit beside Remus.

: Hi… : Fenix gave him a little smile before taking some French fries and filled her plate.

: Still feeling uneasy? : He asked, looking deeply into her eyes. She nodded before she started eating.

: How was Potions? : Fenix asked Harry lightly, who was eating heartily on pasta.

: It wasn’t a disaster, : Harry replied, giving her a quizzical look. Fenix smiled crookedly as she sipped on her mango juice. Conversation suddenly erupted earnestly from the table and she looked at them in amusement. None of them were blabbering about how well their Potions lesson well, probably because they might offend the Potions Master, was having dinner with them. Instead, Ron and Harry were talking about Quidditch excitedly.

"Are you still a Seeker?" Fenix questioned and gave a thumbs-up when Harry smiled. Fenix was shortly distracted when she felt claws slowly dug into her back. : Okay, you have got my attention. What’s up? : Fenix answered quickly and narrowed her eyes slightly when Wind told her that there was something out of place in the Slytherin Prefect, but could not find the source. The Fire Master swore silently. Harry noticed her slightly gloomy mood, and diverted all the conversation away from her. He felt that she was thinking deeply about something, as she was picking on her dinner rather than eating it. Harry bombarded Sirius with questions about how his classes went to fill in her silence.

: Sev? : Fenix asked softly, and Snape looked at her in curiosity, frozen in between bites. The Potions Master was definitely feeling weird when he realized that the Fire Master had actually given him a nick, and was using it as though she had known him for years than just scant weeks.

: Keep an eye on Draco. No-- : Fenix quickly stopped Snape from asking questions. : Please. Just watch him. :

Fenix pushed the plate away from her, sustaining herself with a lot of mango juice for the moment. They were all distracted when a flock of post-owls raced over their heads. However, much to the Weasleys’ surprise, there was nothing for them. That made Ginny bit her lip with anxiety.

"Silly lass," an unmistakable voice of the Sylph they all knew spoke up. A pile of letters suddenly appeared out of midair, surprising Neville completely. "And this is for you, Fire Master." An envelope floated toward Fenix and she smiled.

Fenix raised an eyebrow at Arenii and she reached out to grab hold of the letter. Sirius and Remus had gotten several envelopes, presumably from their friends in the workforce. Hermione had gotten a very thick envelope from her parents and gave an excited squeal when a handful of photographs fell out of the envelope onto her lap. Ginny and Ron were very much relieved that their family was all right and Ron struggled not to laugh as they read the letter that was written by Mrs. Weasley.

"What are those?" Fenix pointed with her chin at the pile of Muggle photographs on the table.

"They’re the photos that we had taken back at The Burrow," Hermione replied with a smile, as she showed Neville the photographs.

"I had forgotten about them," Fenix answered as she looked down to read her letter. "Was he with us?" She questioned Hermione mischievously, as she scanned her sister’s letter.

"He was… there were several snapshots of him that you had taken for me, you know." Hermione giggled, as she examined each photo carefully, her giggling becoming more hysterical after each photo.

"Then, I think you had better smuggle those to me first. He might feel scandalized, if he sees them," Fenix said, smiling as Giselle confirmed that she was well on her way to her fourth month of pregnancy and that Mineif had seen to their handfasting. Hermione gave her some of the photographs, giving a very fierce look at Remus who was innocently reaching out for it. Fenix absently took the photos and read her letter’s last paragraph. It was much more serious and she frowned slightly when Aldren wrote to her saying that there was a major influx of Dementors and Death Eaters on an island, and that the group parted the next day of the congregation, and had gone in several different directions. She stared intensely at the letter before passing it to her oathbrother. She focused her attention on the photographs and chuckled. The first photograph was of Snape, combing his hair when he thought no one was in the living room.

There was another snapshot of Snape. He was scowling fiercely at the camera, and Fenix remembered that it had been she who took it. She laughed soundlessly and quickly handed the photographs of Snape back to Hermione, and laughed again. A photo image of Snape lingered in her mind; it was a photograph after Harry had told the Potions Master what the device was and Fenix was cursed with a series of the most colorful language that she was ever subjected to.

: Why are you laughing so hard? : Remus asked curiously as he handed her the rest of Hermione’s photos.

: Nothing, lover… : Fenix wiped her tearful eyes and examined the rest of the photos. She gave an exclamation of surprise when she saw the photographs of her on the Ice Dagger, chasing after Sirius merrily. "Hermione, did you record this part on the digi-cam?" Hermione gave a nod and the Fire Master whistled. "No wonder the image of the photo is good," she commented.

Snape stopped eating. The Potions Master was looking at Hermione and Fenix with suspicious eyes. There was an unsettling feeling in his stomach when bushy-haired Hermione started giggling maniacally again. Snap shots…photographs… Dear Lord! Snape stared at Hermione in horror as he realized what the girl was holding.

"Oh dear…" Fenix gave a nervous smile at the stunned Potions Master, sitting very rigidly in his seat.

"Damn you!" Snape hissed angrily at the Fire Master and Fenix flinched as she Felt the Potions Master’s annoyance. Everyone was looking at Snape in amazement, but he ignored their attention. "You will hand those over to me, Miss Granger." Snape commanded.

"You’re joking," Hermione said flatly, calmly keeping Snape’s photographs back into the envelope.

"Twenty points f--" Snape fumed but stopped when Hermione passed the envelope to Fenix, who took it. : You will give them to me. : Snape demanded, his mindvoice coloring black as his anger passed through the link.

: After all the time I had spent sneaking up on you to get them? I think not, : Fenix said impassively and abruptly wished the people on the table a goodnight. Fenix paused for a moment to stare at Malfoy thoughtfully before she left the Hall, with the wolves sauntering lazily after her. Snape stared at her in amazement and leaned back, trying to decide what to do.

"Are you just going to sit there and let her have her way?" Sirius gave Snape a patronizing look.

"Shut up." Snape threw his napkin on the table and marched off after Fenix. Sirius winked at Harry, who was watching the entire incident with a bemused smile. Remus however, was frowning at the entrance of the door.

"Don’t get yourself worked up, Moony. Snape’s not under the bachelor category anymore," Sirius whispered.

"That mark Fenix gave him had bonded them together. Just like me and her." Sirius reassured his friend and continued eating his dinner.

Fenix was smiling to herself in her bedroom with Snape’s photographs laid out on the bed. At least now I have something to distract me… She mused as she stared at the photographs. Would I dream about the future again tonight? Someone knocked on her office door and she smiled wickedly when Krill informed her that it was Snape, clearly intending to get his photographs back. She heard the office door opened and clicked softly as it closed. Fenix quickly took some of her favorites and tucked it under her pillow, waiting calmly for Snape to open her bedroom door.

Snape confidently opened it and stepped into the bedroom, his eyes flashing dangerously at her. Fenix had to smile at his boldness. "Well, you’re brave enough to come into the bedroom. Of course it wouldn’t occur to you that I might be properly dressed for bed?"

Snape snorted. "If you had been improperly dressed, I’m pretty sure that your bedroom door would be locked," he pointed out and advanced towards the bed, his eyes taking note of the photographs that had been neatly arranged on the bed. The wolves took the opportunity to get out of the bedroom and Krill pushed the door close. With a flick of Snape’s wand, all the photographs rose up in the air and shuffled itself neatly. The stack of photographs gently landed on Snape’s palm and he began to scrutinize every photograph carefully. His beaked nose dented a little as he frowned.

"I’m keeping them. You either take those and let me have the remaining photos. Or we could fight and you’ll end up giving me all of them," Fenix said rather stubbornly. "I swear that I would cheat."

Snape gave her a chilly smile and muttered, "Accio photos!" The photographs that had been hidden were quickly zipping through the air but stopped several inches short when Fenix cast a shield to prevent their escape or Snape reaching them.

The two best friends paused over Fenix’s bedroom and exchanged a glance when they clearly heard Snape’s harsh voice muttering curses and jinxes and heard some of the spells impacted on something.

"Well Padfoot. It seems like the two are enjoying themselves." Moony stared at the office door.

"Yeah, you’re right Moony. But they ought to finish whatever they are doing soon, before the other teachers get too curious and decide to investigate." Padfoot agreed and they went on walking to their own quarters.

"Don’t be selfish, Severus," Fenix persuaded the unrelenting Potions Master. However, Snape had no intentions of giving up the fight and she gave up, feigning a disappointed sigh as she watched the remaining photographs zoomed off toward him. He gave a crooked smile at the defeated woman.

Fenix got up from the bed, giving a look of total disappointment at him. Then flippantly said to him as she opened a drawer. "I don’t really need those for souvenirs anyway. The real stuff is much better," she gave a very sly smile at Snape and gave an exclamation when she held out a clear sketch of Snape playing Reversi with Harry back at Sirius’s house. "I have tons of these…" she flaunted the sketch at an unbelieving Potions Master.

Snape suddenly sat on the bed in exhaustion. "Devilish little girl…" He grated and Fenix gave a silvery laugh, sounding so much like the Sylphs. She kept the sketch back into the drawer and smiled fondly at the Potions Master.

"I’m about ready to collapse right now," Fenix bit her lip and crawled onto her bed in exhaustion. The wolves reentered the room, both leaping up and curled around Fenix. Snape gave a long sigh and smiled faintly at the small woman.

: Then you ought to have a good rest. And I’ll see you in the morn, : Snape replied and looked quizzically at her as she crawled forward. He looked at the top of her head in surprise as the woman gave him a hug. The wolves were looking enigmatically at the Potions Master and waited for Snape to make his move. The simple feeling of comfort that Fenix gave him amazed Snape. He moved his arms to embrace her uncertainly, wincing at his own awkward movements. The Potions Master closed his eyes and rested his cheek on her head.

Fenix found herself in a very dark corridor. Even in her dreams, she was aware that it was a damp area, and smelled a bit moldy. There was a certain feeling of the dream that made her pay attention to the details of the area carefully. Her gift of Foresight was manifesting again. She heard murmurs of voices and she wandered along the corridor carefully, trying to pinpoint the source of the voices.

"You will do …my son…soon…must die…leave…cr…" The voices spoke in broken sentences and Fenix felt frustration gnawing on her consciousness. Then she was in the middle of a very crowded passageway. The students were milling about her, going about their business probably to their classroom. Somewhere further up the crowd she saw Draco Malfoy walking stiffly toward her. Her vision abruptly faded and she sat up on the bed, body drenched heavily in sweat.

Damnation! Fenix got out of bed, leaving the sleeping wolves and got out to her office. She softly closed the bedroom door behind her and created a dim mage-light. She looked at the clock and fumed when it showed six-fifteen in the morning. The vision was too damn vague! So what is it? And I don’t get the connection of the vision in that area that I think was the dungeon to the one with the students! Damn it! Fenix stopped pacing and controlled her temper quickly. I have to tell Remus about this and ask him what he thinks is happening. One thing is for sure though. Draco Malfoy is involved somehow…Fenix sighed and made her way to her bathroom to wash.

Fenix woke up to a series of bell-like sounds that rang about her room. She sat up tiredly and massaged her aching shoulders. She looked at the wall clock and crawled out of bed. The next time I go patrolling in the Forest, I’m not going to wear any goddamn cloak, she thought resolutely. She walked slowly into her bathroom and washed her face. Fenix had gone on a night-till-dawn patrol with the Potions Master yesterday. They had a too-close encounter with Bane and his band of centaurs. The two adults got out of the Forest intact when morning arrived, but had suffered several deep scratches as the centaurs loosened a wave of arrows blindly into the Forest. Other than that, occasionally passing unicorns and several other things that Fenix couldn’t identify-- not that she wanted to-- it was quite a calm night. Fenix’s visions still bothered her and Remus advised her to be ready for the unexpected. Fenix gave a small sigh and changed into her Hunter gear, while the Elementals braided her hair tightly.

"I’m inside!" Fenix called out and he poked his head warily into the bedroom. His face lighted up in a loving smile as he waited for the Elementals to finish styling the Fire Master’s hair.

"Are you going to supervise their Quidditch practice now?" Remus stepped forward to her and gave her a very tight hug, squeezing the breath out of her.

: You’re so small, lover. : Remus kissed her lightly on her lips. Fenix made a face at him and looked at him worriedly.

"Do I have to bring the broom along?" Fenix asked uncertainly and he gave a light chuckle as he nodded. They spent several minutes just holding each other before Remus let her go regretfully.

: I have to go and get something to eat before I go on my patrol. : His mindvoice brushed her mind lightly and she gave him a grin.

: Okay then. Have a good dinner. Be careful, Remus, : Fenix answered, smiling brightly at him.

Harry rode his Firebolt around half of the pitch, looking dubiously at the group of Slytherins. The air had a certain chill to it and Harry was glad that he had worn his cloak to keep him warm. He climbed higher into the air. He was still keeping a close eye on the Slytherins who were all huddled around Professor Snape then abruptly diving down towards Ron and Dean, who were looking at the Greenies warily.

"Feeling edgy, aren’t we?" Harry commented, squinting his eyes down below and smiled in relief as he saw the small, lithe form of the Fire Master. She stepped onto her broom and glided up toward the stand where Hermione and Neville were seated, watching the pitch in anticipation. Fenix spent several minutes with Hermione before flying off to meet the Gryffindor players. She nodded to Dean and Seamus, who will be Beaters, and gave Harry and the Weasleys a grin. Alicia and her Chaser, Katie Bell had just arrived and soared upwards. She gave the two new arrivals a friendly nod and zoomed off toward the Slytherins.

Snape was giving his students very severe warnings and had finished just as Fenix reached the group. Malfoy blinked in surprise when he saw Fenix giving him a very thoughtful expression just before Snape dived down to release the Bludgers and the Quaffle. The Potions Master handed the Quaffle to her and she duplicated it before giving the Slytherins the original Quaffle.

"I have jinxed the Bludgers," Snape informed her and she nodded. One round Bludger followed Fenix almost like a dog and she raised an eyebrow at the Potions Master.

: The spell will disengage in four hours, which is more than they got to practice, : Snape explained, as he left the pitch to let his students practice.

Fenix flew to the opposite side of the pitch and aimed the Quaffle to Alicia. "Are you guys ready to do some fancy flying?" Fenix yelled out, and the players arranged themselves around the pitch. "You guys will practice on your own for an hour or so, then you people will have a friendly match against the Slytherins! Any objections to that?"

"No!" they answered back and she sent the Bludger on its way to bludgeon the players.

It was six-thirty in the evening, with the Slytherins ahead of the Gryffindors by two points. Harry was racing high up in the pitch, chasing after a lightning-fast Snitch feverishly. Fenix’s heart almost jumped up in her throat when Harry recklessly dived toward the ground, clearly intent to get the Snitch, even if it meant that he would suffer broken bones.

"Does he always do that, Hermione?" Fenix asked worriedly as she watched a Quidditch game played by two teams.

"Almost all the time…" Hermione had turned her attention on Montague, passing the Quaffle to Warrington. The latter aimed for the loops but Ron saved it, and Harry ducked in time to prevent himself from getting a concussion by a speeding Quaffle. Ginny deftly caught the Quaffle in her arms and passed it to Alicia. The Captain had to shake off the much bigger Montague who was tailing her dangerously. Seeing no other choice, she dropped the Quaffle to Katie and the Chaser scored a goal. In all of the action by the Chasers, the Gryffindor Beaters were really getting a workout as they prevented the Bludgers from coming close to their teammates.

Somehow later in the game, Ginny had lost control of her broom and Fenix sped off and managed to slow the girl down before she hit the stands. The Slytherin Beaters took the opportunity to aim a flying Bludger at Ron. Fenix felt Ron’s pain as the boy spiraled downwards, knocked unconscious by the pain.

"Ron!" Hermione yelled, abandoning her seat and quickly rushed down to the pitch.

Fenix hastily created a net to catch the falling, oblivious Weasley and sped toward the unconscious Ron. Harry was filled with anger and was contemplating whether he should jinx the Beaters when the Snitch suddenly appeared within sight and Harry grabbed it. It was an easy catch and he gripped the Snitch tightly in his hands as he quickly dismounted from his Firebolt. They were lucky that Ron only suffered minor injuries or Fenix was likely to get violent herself. She Healed Ron on the spot and meanwhile, Snape instructed Malfoy to get a stretcher to transport the now awakened, and winded Weasley to the hospital wing. Fenix was very icy all the way as they neared to the hospital wing with Madam Pomfrey waiting anxiously to inspect the Weasley.

"Nonsense," Fenix muttered and warned the Gryffindor prefect. "Never try to argue with the healer."

"I think we both can get along just fine," Madam Pomfrey replied absently as she ushered Ron to a hospital bed, Hermione anxiously tailing behind the nurse.

The moment Fenix and Snape stepped out of the wing, they began an intense discussion privately using mindspeech and she finally turned to stare at the Slytherins calmly.

"If you people can’t keep practicing without trying to sabotage the other, I’m afraid we’ll have to split the three-hour constraint. So while the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are happily and fruitfully using their three-hours of practice harmoniously, these two teams will suffer from lack of practice during the Quidditch games," Fenix rattled off, staring at each of the students impassively. "So what is it going to be people? For Merlin’s sake, you’re all schoolmates!" She stared disgustedly at them. The group of Slytherin players mumbled an apology to Snape, Fenix and the Gryffindors before sending Montague off to the hospital wing to apologize to Ron on their behalf. "And they had better not take that apology back," Fenix said grimly and Snape smiled faintly at the diminutive, commanding woman. "What?" The Fire Master shot a penetrating look at Harry who was looking at her in amusement.

"Nothing…" Harry put on an innocent expression. He casually opened his palm and the Snitch hovered above his palm, golden wings flickering like a hummingbird in flight.

"Gryffindor wins the friendly match," Fenix said flatly and went off into the hospital wing, leaving Snape to take care of his students and making sure that the Snitch was kept back in its place.

"Follow me back to the pitch, Potter." Snape turned round, picking up his broom and Fenix’s, and marched off toward the Quidditch pitch. Dean and Seamus took upon themselves to prevent any more mischief from the Slytherins by following Harry.

Fenix paced restlessly in her office, anxiously waiting for Remus to get back from his patrol. She was not really able to get much sleep last night. Her dreams were frequently haunted by the scary encounter of the centaurs and shadows that flitted in and out of the huge trees of the Forest. She felt Remus’s unmistakable presence at the back of her mind and quickly opened her door.

The werewolf gave a small smile at her as he stepped into the office and chuckled when Fenix hugged him, carefully holding his tender waist. She instructed him to get a bath and then she would see to his injuries.

: I seriously think it was a bad idea to have McGonagall traipsing about the Forest trying to do a job meant for professional scouts. It’s rather absurd actually. The Forest is much a rougher terrain at night since we could not even patrol with any kind of lights, : Remus spoke to her lightly as he bathed. Fenix quirked up a smile as she got out a robe for him to use. The silent bedroom was occasionally filled with the soft purring of her wolves.

: Is she all right? : Fenix asked dimming the mage-lights a little, since the room began brightening with sunlight.

: What--oh-- McGonagall? She’s all right except for spraining her ankle a little. I wonder why the centaurs are being so provocative. : Remus waved a hand through the bathroom door and Fenix handed him the robe.

: Maybe it’s because they don’t really like the fact that, Firenze is helping Dumbledore. I don’t really know much about their social taboos but Firenze seems to get along quite fine with the students here, : she replied, sitting over the edge of the bed, and faced the window. Birds flew past and a hummingbird hovered outside the window before flying off again.

Remus got out of the bathroom, toweling his damp hair vigorously and sat next to Fenix, feeling refreshed after the bath. A Salamander passed the werewolf a hairbrush and he began combing his hair.

: I could really do with a massage, : Remus said almost wistfully and the Fire Master gave him a sidelong look.

: Okay, then. Why don’t you get comfortable on the bed? : she suggested, her eyes twinkling mischievously with the morning sun. Remus gave her a boyish grin and did as she had proposed.

Harry and his friends were going down to the library to try to finish up their Charms and Potions homework. They met a couple of their fellow schoolmates along the way and Luna Lovegood attached herself to Ginny, discussing deeply about their Defense homework. Conversations died as they entered the library, and went straight for the study tables. To their surprise, they found the Potions Master and the Fire Master seated on a table, totally engrossed in their reading.

Harry turned to look at Hermione and she shrugged, making her way round to the Fire Master. "Can we join you?" the girl whispered and Fenix nodded absently. She stopped reading for a moment to stack up the books that she had already read, creating some space for the students.

Harry sat next to Fenix, facing Ginny who had already begun to leaf through the pages of her copy of Defensive Spells as she sat down. The Fire Master seemed to behave almost as if she was a student herself, making notes and several drawings of a plant, labeling it meticulously. The Potions Master whispered to her occasionally, and she listened attentively as her hand scribbled down his narrative. Half an hour passed in silence when Harry suddenly gasped and it turned into a cough. Ron patted his Harry’s back in concern.

Harry nodded and Ron looked curiously at his friend’s blushing face. Harry whispered dubiously. "Ron, do you think this information should be written down for the Potions essay?" He jabbed his finger on a passage from the book of A List of Stimulants. The red-haired Weasley read the passage about the berries of the Magnolia Projectivilien and about ten minutes later, the Gryffindor prefect’s face burned, turning into the color of his infamous red hair.

"Found something interesting?" Fenix’s curiosity perked up, as she felt the boys’ deep-set embarrassment. She looked up from her book and massaged her neck slowly. The boys kept silent, not even looking at the Fire Master or Hermione, who was looking at her friends with dry amusement. "I think I smell something incredibly fishy…" Fenix said softly and quickly grabbed the book Ron was holding. Her eyes quickly scanned the contents and absently fought off Harry’s attempts to retrieve the book.

Within the first paragraph, Fenix was able to determine why the youngsters looked totally embarrassed. It seemed that the berries, which have the most recommendable properties of a good stimulant to enhance alertness, and stabilizing the physical, mental and emotional sides of the human-- if used in combination with other herbs like the Yellow Vetch. However, if the berries were consumed on its own, it will have a tendency to stimulate the physical desires of human beings. The Fire Master almost laughed at the detailed information of the passage.

She gave a crooked smile at the two youngsters, who looked back at her nervously. "I think you guys ought to include it in your essay. But in a more…ah…condensed form." Her eyes glinted wickedly as Harry exchanged an incredulous look with Ron. "What are you guys making anyway?"

"Vigilencia," Hermione whispered absently, feverishly writing down on her parchment.

Fenix gave a sidelong look at the oblivious Potions Master. "From the sound of it, it sounds like you guys are making a concoction to promote vigilance." Fenix leaned back on her chair, watching Snape lazily, who seemed to be ignorant of the whispered discussion. : Give your eyes a rest, Sev. The words will still keep blurring even if you force your pupil to focus, : she said cheerfully then watched the boys gravely. "You people better prepare the potion carefully, all right? You don’t want to be responsible for promoting…hmmmm…accidents, do you?"

"Professor Snape?" Ron piped out and the Potions Master gave the red-haired Weasley an inquiring look. Ron gulped, his face still flaming hotly. He turned to the Potions Master and asked softly, "How would we know if the Vigilencia gives out the desired results?"

"You test it," Snape answered calmly, and stared at the boys with interest, unconsciously following Fenix’s suggestion.

"You will drink a portion of your sample," Snape answered, giving Ron an amused look as if he could not believe that he had to state the obvious.

"What?" Harry yelped out and several ‘shushes’ were heard from all around the study corner.

"Stop being such a naïve teenage boy, Ron." Hermione gave a sly smile at her partner before continuing her essay. "You do know that we’ll come across things like that sooner or later."

Fenix winked at the girl and returned Harry his book. The youngster took it back rather sullenly. He gave a sigh of resignation and flipped the pages to find the passage again. He read it carefully once more, and determinedly blocked off his un-boyish thoughts that sprang out suddenly. He spent the next several minutes to find the words that would summarize the whole passage as blandly as possible. He had the feeling that not even Snape would want an explicit write-up. God, just state the facts! But I can’t find the words to! I know! Harry took his notebook to begin his draft.

: She may not, : Snape answered severely and Harry cursed himself for not switching into private mode.

"Hermione, do you have any idea if this library has a copy of a dictionary?" Harry leaned forward as he whispered to his friend. Hermione simulated a thoughtful expression, then imperiously pointed her quill at a particular bookshelf not far from the table. Harry muttered a soft ‘thanks’ before he briskly moved off.

Fenix had resumed her reading by the time Harry had found a dictionary he was comfortable with and sat down, trying to find milder definition of some important words from the passage. Twenty minutes later, Fenix closed her book and gave a long sigh. She turned a new page of her notebook and began to create references of the books that she had been studying. Hermione had already finished her Potions homework and was giving herself a treat by reading a book while her two friends were still struggling over their essay.

The Fire Master decided to treat herself too. She gathered all her books and placed them neatly on a trolley before returning to her table and conjured up her sketch nook and several sets of pencils. Snape turned to stare at her for a moment and then ignored her. She began to draw happily, giving the paper some random strokes and an image suddenly took place. Harry inspected his essay carefully and nodded with satisfaction, getting up to place the dictionary back into its proper place. He happened to glance at Fenix’s drawing and suddenly leaned over her shoulder.

: You must be getting fonder of him, : Harry said teasingly as he found himself staring at a sketch of Professor Lupin, whose pair of eyes was almost twinkling. : You’re good. : Harry’s mindvoice was tinged with wonder as he studied the sketch’s right side and saw the Professor in his werewolf form, and the intelligence in that particular form really showed.

: Thank you. : Fenix looked up to give him a shy smile. : His wolf-form is rather charming, don’t you think? :

: I don’t know. Women look differently on people for some reason. : Harry shrugged and Fenix shook her head in mock disappointment. : Well, it’s true, isn’t it? :

Fenix sighed and showed her sketch to Hermione who whispered in amazement. "Wicked…"

The Fire Master gave the girl a sidelong look. : Seems like I’m not the only one getting fonder of one’s partner, : she observed, studying her sketch of Remus with a peculiar smile on her face.

Fenix was having trouble getting to sleep. Again. She kept tossing about the bed and finally sat up, swearing silently. She got out of bed and made a pallet for the wolves, advising them to sleep on it rather than on the bed.

: I don’t want to trouble you guys any further, : Fenix said tiredly, her irritation surfacing in her mindvoice. The wolves nodded and curled themselves on the makeshift bed. Winky appeared suddenly, holding a glass of warm milk in her hand, looking at the Fire Master sympathetically

"You shouldn’t trouble yourself this late, Winky." She nonetheless accepted the glass of milk gratefully and drank it all down in a single gulp.

"Winky is not troubled at all, Miss Maxwell," the house-elf said diffidently, smiling at the Fire Master kindly. She took hold of the glass and Fenix murmured a ‘thank you’. The house-elf disappeared instantly.

Fenix crawled back onto the bed and sat cross-legged on its center. She began meditating, to calm herself and finally felt that she was ready for bed. The meditation did help in making her sleep, but it did not give way to pleasant dreams. Fenix wandered aimlessly in her dream, only aware that she was searching for something in her dreams. She felt a moment of vexation when she had the feeling that she was searching for several someones. Her dreams drifted back to the original setting of her visions. She was back in the dungeon and walked carefully in the dark corridor. There was a sudden scream and Fenix woke up. Her heart was pounding furiously in her chest, and her throat was dry. She gathered her wits back and propped herself up on her elbows, reaching a thought to her chief Elemental.

: Did anyone just scream? : she asked anxiously. : Or was it just in my dream? :

Krill took several moments to confer with his kind and his co-Elementals and answered that she was dreaming. Fenix nodded her head to herself, and lied down, staring at the ceiling with a sense of helplessness. That was a bit unnerving. I’ve never dreamed someone screaming my surname and then my name before. Fenix fought off the sudden chill that suddenly broke over her body. It sounded like a boy, whose voice was already broken but it did not sound like it was Harry. She remained awake for most of the night, thinking deeply about a lot of things. A sudden idea struck her mind suddenly. She summoned her Sylph immediately.

: Aelwyn, would you help me pass this message to Cadriel? I want him to charter the movement of every Death Eater or Dementor they come across or spying on. Cathal will know what to do, and the Elves will probably get my idea straightaway, : Fenix said urgently. It was after this conversation with her Elementals that she managed to fall into a dreamless sleep.

Days passed without any incidents and that made the Fire Master more edgy than ever. She was marking the sixth-years mini-quiz papers in silence. She finally looked up from Malfoy’s paper when a thought crossed her mind. This is really funny. I’ve never worked without at least listening to some kind of music. Well…let’s think about some songs then. ‘Nobody’s Listening’ by Linkin Park was playing in her mind and she smiled to herself, singing the song’s chorus quietly. This theme actually suits the part of Harry trying to warn the wizard community.

Fenix smiled to herself and carried on marking Malfoy’s paper, her feet tapping to the rhythm to the music in her head. No matter how notorious Malfoy was in his social etiquette, Fenix was glad that he took his schoolwork seriously. At least he is paying attention to us during classes… She happily wrote an eighty-five percent at the top right-hand corner of his paper and Goyle’s paper came next. She winced when she had finished marking the first page of the quiz. I wonder if peer tutoring might help this guy… She let out a resigned sigh and counted the number of right answers that Goyle had managed to get. Grimacing, she wrote thirty percent on his paper.

Her marking session carried on for about an hour and she took a break, massaging her cramped fingers. Never knew it could be this tiring… The last time I had finger cramps this bad was during the time I took Literature during O’ Levels. Even completing Proteomics exam paper was not as tiring. She began sorting out the papers of the sixth-years from the fifth-years, tying each batch with a piece of yellow ribbon. Someone knocked on her office door and Sirius came in with a tray of snacks for her.

: Hello sister. What have you been doing? : Sirius closed the door with a kick of his heel.

: Marking some test papers, : she replied happily and smiled cheerfully. Her oathbrother raised an eyebrow as he placed the tray down on her desk and dragged a spare chair over and flopped down unceremoniously.

: Remus insisted on giving the seniors the test. Your patrol was quiet, wasn’t it? : she remarked as she popped a tiny custard puff in her mouth. Winky appeared with a hot pot of tea and vanished as suddenly as she had appeared. Sirius poured both their cups and leaned back on his chair, blowing his tea slowly. There was no doubt in his expression that her oathbrother was worried.

: Dumbledore’s intelligence wasn’t able to get much information on Voldemort’s plans. And things have just been too quiet lately, I wonder if it’s just an illusion. :

: I agree, bro. The elves had plotted a chart of the minions’ whereabouts and monitored their activities. Cathal mentioned that they’re still building up on their resources and isn’t likely to move for sometime. :

: They’re pulling Muggles together. I just received this news yesterday and have already informed the Headmaster, : Fenix replied solemnly, as she toyed with a lock of her hair.

: God help us if he’s getting Muggle weaponry. : Her oathbrother stared at her, his shock coming in waves on their bond. Fenix nodded her head in agreement.

: There are no evidence whatsoever that they’re getting firearms. If that happens, the Mages will have no choice but to interfere. So far, Voldemort’s people are just snatching homeless people to be used for sacrificial purposes. : Fenix felt sick just thinking about the possibility of students being hit by the Muggle weapons.

: Why is he doing that? : her oathbrother asked, frowning. : And what do you mean by sacrificial purposes? :

: A form of black magic, oathsib. He’s killing them for their life energy to make him more powerful. In other words, he is harvesting power. :

: Dear Lord! : Sirius exclaimed, too shocked to even curse. The office became silent as the two adults brooded. Fenix turned her thoughts inward, assessing her feelings and sense of intuition. A dark mood was lingering in her and she tried to bring it to the fore to try to examine it. Meditate…I think I have to do that before I meet Sev for an early dinner… There was another knock on the door, and the wolves followed by Remus came into the room.

Fenix looked archly at the wolves that panted and lapped at their bowl of cool water gratefully. "What on earth have you guys been doing?" And she almost laughed at her bondmates haggard state. The wolves ignored her as they gulped the water thirstily and Fenix looked at Remus for an explanation.

"Believe it or not. These guys decided to engage themselves to chase Hermione all about the Grounds," Remus said, conjuring up a cup and helping himself to the pot of tea.

"They want to toughen her up… or so they say," Remus said slyly, ignoring Silver’s growl.

Fenix knocked on Snape’s door and he admitted her in for the appointed dinner. Fenix sat down gingerly and eyed the Potions Master appreciatively. The moment Snape took a seat; dishes appeared on the desk. They ate their dinner in silence and she suddenly smiled as she took a bite of her desert.

: You should try to dress like this more often, : Fenix complimented him. Snape was dressed simply in black trousers and a black shirt with tight wristbands. After their previous encounter, he had found the way she had dressed much more convenient. She had been able to move much more stealthily and was able to make a much easier retreat than he did. However, dressing in normal clothing meant that they would suffer from the bitter chill of autumn. : You look much more approachable, : she happily commented.

They finished their dinner in a short time and Fenix excused herself to wash. She met Snape at the corridor about ten minutes later. It was six-twenty in the evening and she walked slowly towards the Potions Master. The wolves had attached themselves to Sirius and Remus for tonight as well as keeping an eye on the students for as long as she went on her patrol.

: I bet that the girls would look dreamily at you when they see you, : she said impudently and he snorted, not believing her prediction. Fenix smiled inwardly at his own stubbornness. They walked unhurriedly down to the Entrance Hall and Snape managed to hide his surprise when a group of Hufflepuff girls stared at him, unable to believe the rare sight. Fenix slowed and was careful not to grin openly, but she did give the girls a broad wink. They giggled girlishly and Snape turned to give the lagging Fire Master a suspicious look. She just gave him a daring look and turned her attention to her surroundings as they made their way towards the entrance of the castle.

Draco Malfoy was tiredly listening to his girlfriend prattle about the Miss Superhuman, Miss Know-it-all, and Mr. Telling-the-truth. He was not exactly feeling well but felt that it was stupid to go to Madam Pomfrey since he did not know what was wrong with him. She’s been repeating those sentences for the past five days, Malfoy thought disgustedly.

"Hey, Pansy," Montague stepped in, feeling a little nervous when Malfoy’s eyes began to narrow in annoyance. The girl gave a confused look at him, but quickly shut her mouth when the Quidditch captain gave her a stern look. Malfoy took a deep breath and stared deeply at the fire that was burning in the fireplace. The flickering of the flames seemed strangely hypnotic and he felt himself growing detached again.

"What?" the Slytherin Prefect answered, scowling darkly at the Quidditch captain. He was unaware of a dark presence seething in frustration, as Malfoy’s intent concentration on the flames was broken.

Malfoy gave a moment to reconsider it and finally nodded, motioning Montague with a look to take Parkinson with him. The rest stepped out of the common room, leaving the Slytherin prefect to follow them. However, Malfoy did not move. He was staring into the flames again. A sense of languor filled him and to his horror, a part of his mind shut off completely. The feeling was not new to him. He had been experiencing this ever since before the starting of summer. He had complained to his mother but she ignored him, persistently telling him that he was fine. He felt himself moving off from his seat to join his friends. What’s happening? A small part of him wailed in horror and felt himself strangled by an alien presence. Malfoy moved stiffly about the common room, reaching out for a hidden object behind a fallen book and tucked it safely in his school robe.

Snape had his wand out. The patrol had separated, putting their advantage of mindspeech to the maximum. Fenix had moved off to a northeast direction while Snape went straight east. The Elementals had warned the two that there was human activity in the Forest, but could not get a closer look. The unidentified humans--maybe wizards--had created a shield that would stun even an Elemental. Fenix was grateful to the gods that the Elementals were born intelligent.

: Sev, : Fenix called out softly and he sent a brief thought to assure her that he was all right. : Where are you? :

: I’m several meters away from the shield, : Snape answered easily. The Potions Master was using his past experience as a Death Eater to scout along the ground effortlessly.

: That’s good. I’m already in position-- : Fenix broke off suddenly when she felt the taint of the Dark Lord. : Sev, can you see their faces? :

It was a moment before he answered her, and his thoughts were punctuated by several vulgarities. The two scouts relied on the trees for cover and they blended perfectly in the Forest with their dark clothing, crouching motionlessly to watch the activities of the Death Eaters.

Harry was on his way back to his dormitory when he found the corridor bustled with students, all whispering softly. Harry caught side of a familiar figure and whispered to Alamanda, "What’s happened?"

"Someone fainted up ahead. Got scared off by the notorious Peeves. What I don’t understand is why they’re blocking the way when that fainted someone has probably been taken to the hospital wing," she answered, looking at the crowding students with distaste.

Harry looked at the Slytherin junior with surprise. It seemed that she had actually grown mature ever since school started. He heard Hermione’s commanding voice ushering the students to go back to their respective dormitories. He was aware that a familiar head with pale hair was approaching him but he had nowhere to move when an influx of students crowded in behind him. He felt intense pain on his arm but ignored it as he was finally free of the crowd and caught up with the hoarse-voiced Hermione.

"Phew… I thought it would take forever to un-crowd the corridor," Hermione panted and made way to a glassy-eyed Malfoy. She stared at him in bafflement then gave a penetrating look at Harry.

"Harry hasn’t done anything to him," Alamanda piped up. "Malfoy’s been like that since this evening."

Harry scowled at Malfoy’s figure. He certainly isn’t behaving like himself lately. He scratched his right arm lightly and frowned. His arrow scar had completely healed but beside it was a diagonal angry-looking scratch. Probably caused by some girl with a long fingernail, just now. Harry shrugged it off and joined Hermione to walk back to their Tower together.

Malfoy cowered in his own mind. He was being dominated by something other than himself and he did not like it when he had actually slashed Potter slightly with the small dagger he had found in the corridor. He tried to muster the strength to stop moving but that same presence suppressed his will.

His body was sweating. I have to do something. Am I under a curse? It’s Potter’s fault! However, reason made it clear that he had already been cursed before that train ride. I was having those spells even before summer started, but it sort of died when the OWLs came. He saw Professor Lupin walking towards him with the bigger wolf trotting sedately beside him.

He felt his hand groped for the same small dagger and gripped it firmly. No…not the Professor! Malfoy was desperate. He tried to scream but was not able to even speak. Miss Maxwell…wait! She can hear my thoughts!

Fenix frowned at the illegal gathering. It seems like they’re waiting for something, she fretted and collapsed on her knees when a loud scream rang in her head.

Fenix blinked her misty eyes several times and felt bile rising up to her throat. : Sev! : she sent out a desperate thought to the Potions Master urgently. Her thought was interrupted by a frantic Wind.

: Fenix! I want you and Snape out of the Forest now! Get to the castle! : the female wolf commanded the two scouts.

: You heard her. Let’s go, : Snape said grimly and moved out silently. Fenix joined him at an intersection and fled soundlessly, their instincts as Hunters taking over their bodies. She felt desperation tearing her heart.

: Sev… Remus is hurt… and a student too! : she whispered and Snape sent her a comforting thought. But Snape himself was worried. They bumped into Hagrid who quickly swung his great crossbow but fortunately did not fire when he finally saw who they were. As the three adults ran their way towards the castle, Fenix sent an army of Elementals to surround the Death Eaters back in the Forest.

Wind was directing her towards the dungeons, past the Potions classroom. Fenix hurriedly sprinted up on the steps of the castle, roughly shouldering a surprised Filch and recklessly went down the steps leading to the dungeons. Professor McGonagall caught sight of a black shadow hurtling at a fast speed and thought that she might have seen Peeves. She stopped when she saw Snape carelessly pushed the caretaker away and disappeared down the narrow staircase. Sensing the alarm that had radiated out from her colleague, she followed.

Fenix met Wind not far from the Potions classroom. She was supporting her mate, whose one side seemed to be blackened by fire. Professor Lupin was in a much serious pain. He sat slumped against the wall, breathing rather raggedly.

: Lover, don’t move. The Elementals have alerted the house-elves and would soon come down with help. You’ve got several broken ribs, and a cracked collarbone. You dislocated your arm too. : Fenix knelt beside him, carefully checking him with her Sight. She blinked and with her normal sight, she saw Malfoy several feet away from where she was kneeling. "Dear Phoebus," she said softly, quickly going over to the unconscious boy.

Snape’s footfalls echoed along the corridor and stopped when he met the disastrous state of the Defense teacher. He saw Fenix hefting up a head with sleek pale hair and laid it on her lap, her hands resting on the temples.

"What happened?" Snape knelt down and examined the werewolf’s dislocated arm critically.

"I’m not exactly sure. What I’m sure was, was that I was making my rounds in the dungeon when your student--Malfoy-- came down. He was looking very pale just now, and he had been that way since I saw him at the Hall during dinner. So I approached him to advise him to go and visit Madam Pomfrey when-- damn you!" Remus hissed in pain when Snape suddenly jerked on his dislocated arm to set it back properly. A ringing sound echoed loudly inside his head and he felt a little nauseous. McGonagall came down with a solemn Madam Pomfrey with a horde of house-elves equipped with stretchers and various medical kits. Snape made way for the healer, and helped her to remove most of the injured Professor’s clothes and wrapped a corset around his chest.

"He suddenly whip out a dagger and flew at me. I nearly hit him with a spell but Silver intercepted it. At first, I didn’t understand why the wolf did that but I noticed that Malfoy’s movements were getting a little awkward. Malfoy screamed for Fenix-- with his mind-- and I found myself flung back against the wall when something slightly ahead of Malfoy exploded. Could have been the dagger," he recounted and finally lied down on the stretcher.

Snape gave a brief nod and went over to Fenix who seemed to be in a deep trance. The Potions Master studied the motionless form of the Slytherin Prefect and checked the boy's hands for the dagger. There were no signs of the small weapon on Malfoy and Snape stood up and began checking the ground. Remus was already being carried out of the corridor by the house-elves, with McGonagall trailing worriedly.

Madam Pomfrey stared at the Fire Master and debated if she should interrupt whatever Fenix was doing. She decided to wait and monitored Malfoy’s pulse. Silver was already back up on his feet and was helping the Potions Master to find some remnants of the dagger. Snape suddenly let out a hiss of triumph when he spotted a fracture of a blade.

"Lumos." The tip of his wand lighted up and he inspected the piece carefully, without lifting it. There seemed to be a slight reddish tint that made his skin prickle and he conjured up a small piece of black silk. Without touching the blade, Snape lifted the sliver onto the fabric and wrapped it up instantly for further examination.

A slight movement from the Fire Master caught his attention and he swiftly went back to her. Fenix slowly withdrew her fingers from the boy and took a deep breath. Madam Pomfrey and Snape looked worriedly at her and she spoke up softly.

"He’ll be all right. He’s just in shock. He’ll probably be in a coma for a few days until he is ready to face the living." Snape let out a sigh of relief but Madam Pomfrey was frowning a little at the Fire Master’s assessment. "Don’t worry," Fenix gave an emphatic look at the healer. "He just needs a little time to adjust his attitude a little." Four house-elves came up with a stretcher in hand and Snape lifted the slender youth from Fenix and gently placed the Slytherin prefect on the stretcher. The house-elves automatically started forward to get the boy resting in the hospital wing as soon as possible. Fenix followed them out and was met by the concerned face of her oathbrother. Snape reached out and motioned her to look at the piece of blade under the bright lamps of the Entrance Hall.

"I saw them taking Remus and then Malfoy to the hospital wing. What happened?" Sirius asked softly, watching his oathsister picking away at the black fabric holding the shattered remains of a dagger.

"Has anyone fetched Dumbledore?" she asked absently and Sirius answered a yes and told them that the Headmaster was on his way to see Remus. "Oh… let’s all go down to the hospital wing then."

They set off, the wolves walking slowly beside Fenix. She was staring at the blade as she walked and suddenly took a sharp breath. The two men walking ahead of her paused and turned to look at her. "Fenix?" Sirius called her name softly but there was no response from her. Fenix could not answer them either. She was pulled in strongly by her Gift and was now standing somewhere not far from the library. In her mind, she saw herself walking to a corridor filled with whispering students. The situation wasn’t exactly the same as what happened in my vision… She felt a little amused that she found herself standing a little taller than most of the students and found herself looking at Alamanda Durz. She bent down to whisper something to the girl and the Slytherin student replied that someone had fainted. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malfoy walking toward the crowd with a batch of students behind him. She was frozen in the crowd and felt something sting her right arm. She heard Hermione’s voice and finally caught up with the exhausted prefect. Fenix watched intently as the bushy-haired Granger made way for a pale-looking Malfoy. Hermione was staring at her with a dubious expression on her face when Alamanda spoke up to tell her that Harry had not caused Malfoy to be in the strange state he was in.

Fenix snapped out of the self-induced trance, looking at Sirius with a frightened expression. Shakily, Fenix wrapped the piece of blade carefully and handed it to Krill. The small package vanished in an instant and Sirius suddenly shook her shoulders roughly.

: That blade-- : Fenix answered to the four of them. : It was dabbed with poison. :

: But Remus was untouched, : Snape said, his eyes looked fearfully at her and stepped closer to the slightly trembling Fire Master.

Harry was lounging on an armchair, reading a book. He was reading so intently that Neville had to raise his voice to catch his attention. "What?" Harry asked with a mystified expression.

"Harry," Neville began, not looking at Harry. His friend was looking at Hermione with a horrified expression. "You’re bleeding."

Hermione and Ron snapped their heads to look at their friends. They got up and moved closer to Harry. Hermione gasped as she looked at her friend’s lower arm. Harry followed her gaze and stared stupidly at his blood-soaked sleeve. He laughed weakly and said in amazement. "So I am." Blood suddenly drained out of his face, and Ginny screamed at the top of her lungs when Harry suddenly closed his eyes and toppled onto the floor without a sound.

There was a feeling of tension in the air as the ghosts were set off to watch the castle by the Headmaster. They made way to the five running figures, running at top speed to reach the Gryffindor Tower. While they were on the run, Fenix had explained the situation to her four companions via mindspeech. Sirius’s face darkened by the time she had finished explaining.

: Drop it, bro. The kid’s innocent. If it’s anyone’s fault, it should be mine. I should have tried to watch Draco much carefully, : Fenix said, panting as she sprinted up the stairs.

: He’s innocent? : Snape questioned her, struggling to catch up with the Fire Master and her oathbrother. I may have surrounded myself with comforts far too long, was his inconsequential thought.

: He was under the control of someone, : she explained. They saw Harry’s best friend, Ron, running towards them. They were near enough to make out some shouts and curses coming from the Gryffindor Tower.

"Sirius! Harry’s hurt!" Ron yelled and Peeves suddenly appeared before the redheaded Weasley. The poltergeist narrowed his eyes and fled off to find the Founders to strengthen the security of Hogwarts.

"That’s a whole bloody bunch of crap and you know it!" Ron lashed out suddenly. He turned and rushed back to the common room. Ron was shouting at his fellow students to clear out the common room to admit the teachers inside. Harry was lying on his back on the carpeted floor, with Ginny and Hermione cutting off Hermione’s black silk shirt.

"Did anyone touch Harry’s wound?" Fenix asked around. There were several shakes around the room. "Good. Sev?" The Fire Master instructed him to cut off Harry’s sleeve and stop the bleeding with piece of fabric that Hermione had prepared. Sirius looked helplessly at his godson.

: Sirius, I want you to try to call him. Get him back to consciousness if you can, : Fenix ordered firmly while she knelt down beside Snape and sniffed experimentally at Harry’s bleeding arm. She smelled the taint of venom and prayed silently.

: Sev, the blade was laced with snake venom. Neurotoxic. : Fenix looked at him, her eyes turning dark.

"Harry’s going to be all right, won’t he?" Ginny asked in a small voice.

Fenix looked at the girl calmly. "It’s too soon to tell. Sirius, let’s get him to Madam Pomfrey." He nodded and her oathbrother gently pushed the stricken Hermione and Snape away from Harry then lifted his limp godson carefully. The Potions Master carefully picked up the blood-soaked fabric, and placed it in the burning fireplace. He quickly shielded the fireplace, preventing the smoke from flowing about the common room. He doubted that the students would appreciate him if the common room reeked of blood.

Several of Harry’s friends made a move to follow Sirius and the Potions Master but she shook her head firmly. "You guys have to remain here. It’s a lot safer for you. Dobby?" she called out and the house-elf appeared with eyes brimming with tears. She instructed the sorrowful Dobby, "Some of my Elementals will stay with you to guard the Gryffindor Tower. Don’t admit anyone without the password to satisfy the Fat Lady unless I’ve sent that person. The Elementals will help in screening and scanning anyone that seeks to gain entrance. All right, Dobby?"

"Dobby will do his best to keep the students safe, Miss Maxwell. Please make Harry better."

The Gryffindors all looked worried after that. Some went back to their own bedrooms while others, like Ron and Hermione, lingered in the common room to wait for news and to brood. "Hermione, if I don’t send you news by ten-thirty, I want you guys to go to bed. You could visit Harry tomorrow afternoon if you want to." Harry’s friends nodded and Fenix stepped out of the Gryffindor common room, giving the Fat Lady a little curtsy that the portrait returned.

The atmosphere in the hospital wing was bleak when Hagrid, McGonagall and Dumbledore saw just whom it was that Sirius was carrying. Madam Pomfrey was still fussing over the Defence teacher, looking around for a moment to see who was occupying another hospital bed and she paled. She muttered some phrases under her breath and feverishly worked on Remus. Snape immediately went over to check on his student, who was laid down on the bed on the werewolf’s right. Fenix shook her head when McGonagall offered a mug of hot chocolate and took a chair to sit down beside Harry. Some of the house-elves and her Elementals brought a big basin of clean water and rags. Winky sprayed something on her palms and Fenix rubbed them together before wiping it on a piece of clean cloth. She quickly slipped on the pair of gloves that Winky provided and began to remove the silk that was wrapped around the youngster’s arm cautiously. A Salamander took the bloodied piece of silk and vanished to destroy the article.

The Elementals began cleaning the wound and Fenix nodded to herself when blood still flowed freely from the gash. So whatever the properties of the venom, it did not cause coagulation of the blood cells. So while Sirius explained Harry’s current situation to Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey, Remus, McGonagall and the Headmaster, Fenix swarm Harry’s body with her Healing. She saw the molecules belonging to the venom as bright yellow lines and she slowly degraded those molecules into harmless substances. Her Healing was interrupted for a brief moment when Krill reported that the group of Death Eaters had already departed from the Forest with a great deal of swearing. From the failed attempt on Harry’s and her lover’s lives, and to the sudden attack from the band of centaurs. The Fire Master related the news to Dumbledore. When she had purified all of the traces of venom did she turn her attention to Heal the gash on Harry’s arm.

"Fenix?" Snape called her name softly and she blinked her blurring eyes. The Potions Master exchanged a significant glance with Dumbledore.

The Headmaster had a thoughtful look on his face and questioned her bluntly, "Was Voldemort the one who had controlled Draco Malfoy?"

Fenix remained silent for quite a while. She answered Dumbledore’s question after she had given Harry a last scan with her Sight. "It was his father," Fenix said rather tiredly and focused her attention to call out to Harry using her mindspeech. The Headmaster blinked his eyes in surprise at Fenix’s answer. Sirius quickly went over to Fenix when she began to frown.

: His mind is a total blank, oathsib, : Fenix informed him, her mindvoice tight with fear. : I can’t reach him. He seems to be in a total coma. : She looked up at her oathbrother, her face indescribable. Sirius looked as if he had just witnessed the end of the world and sat gingerly on the edge of Harry’s bed, taking a limp hand and clasped it. The oathsiblings stared wordlessly at the pale and unconscious face.

Friday, 15^th September. Breakfast at the Hall…

Something strange was happening to the Gryffindors. They were a rowdy and cheerful bunch but this morning, all of them looked solemn and whispered among themselves. Students from the other Houses looked at each other, trying to guess what had happened during the night before. A portion of the Slytherins snickered at the Gryffindors but Montague and some of the others seemed to be deeply worried about something. Only Parkinson was acting like her usual self, oblivious to the seriousness of her friends. All eyes were turned to the entrance of the Hall and murmurs erupted when they saw Hermione and Ginny’s puffy eyes. Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus followed slowly behind, all four boys showing signs that they had not been sleeping the previous night. There was one person who was missing from the group.

Pansy Parkinson stopped her chattering and smiled maliciously at the disheveled state of the two Gryffindor girls. "What’s wrong, Granger? Did something happen to your dear friend Potter?" she sneered, almost in imitation of her boyfriend’s favorite expression. Hermione stopped and looked belligerently at the Slytherin prefect. The Gryffindor prefect gritted her teeth hard and advanced towards Parkinson. None of her friends intervened and she continued moving forward, her eyes blazing with anger. Ron looked helplessly at his girlfriend who was about to lose her temper. Her hair was standing on end and she pushed Crabbe and Montague apart so that she could lean forward and delivered the Slytherin girl a stinging slap. Hermione was so furious that she had channeled all her anger and strength to that one slap. Parkinson fell off the bench ungracefully, totally shocked at Hermione’s bold action.

"You slapped me?" Parkinson exclaimed in disbelief. Hermione’s slap was beginning to leave a nasty imprint on her left cheek.

"Isn’t that obvious?" Hermione yelled, still feeling furious. Montague suddenly stood up and Hermione backed off instantly. The Gryffindors rushed forward to stand behind their prefect, their faces solemn and unfriendly. None of the Slytherins moved.

"Do you know what’s happened to Draco?" Montague asked in a serious voice, looking at Hermione and then Ron.

"He’s in the hospital wing," Fenix’s voice rang out clearly and the Gryffindors parted to let her through. The Fire Master stared at the Gryffindors until they retreated to their own table to get on with their breakfast. Hermione was struggling to contain her tears and abruptly stopped staring at Parkinson and headed straight toward her friends.

"Hospital wing?" Goyle repeated stupidly. Malfoy’s friends began to scramble out of their seats but froze when Fenix shook her head.

"Madam Pomfrey has forbidden any visits this early. Anyway, you guys still have classes," Fenix calmly informed them. "Your friend will be fine." She gave a half-hearted smile at them and turned to approach Ginny and Hermione. The Fire Master sat next to Hermione, giving her silent comfort by placing her arm about the young woman. None of Harry’s friends ate their breakfast. They looked up as Sirius accompanied a badly limping Remus and Fenix frowned at them both.

Fenix was silent as Dean moved away from Fenix so that the two newcomers could sit beside her. There were several conclusive nods all around the Hall. They had gathered that there must be another attack on The Boy Who Lived. Their table was eerily silent as the people sitting all around that particular table showed various degrees of melancholia. They started briefly when Hermione suddenly whispered into the silence.

"How about him? He will be all right, won’t he?" Fenix stared helplessly at the young woman, clearly at a loss of what to say to the company.

Montague knocked on Professor Snape’s office in the dungeons and to the captain’s relief; the Potions Master was in. Snape had a fire going in the fireplace and looked up at Montague, exhaustion lining the Potions Master’s face.

"Will it be all right if we forgo our Quidditch training session this afternoon?"

Montague paused for a moment to choose his words carefully. "There are several reasons. Miss Maxwell seemed terribly tired this morning. Two; I don’t think the Gryffindors would be able to function properly. And three; there’s a lightning storm."

Snape leaned back and stayed motionless for a moment to listen. Sure enough, he was able to feel the crackling of energy and the vibrations of thunder that followed. The Potions Master nodded his agreement and Montague made a move to back out. "Is Draco’s condition as bad as Potter’s, sir?"

Professor Snape gazed solemnly at his student. "No." Montague nodded and went off to the common room to gather his friends to visit Malfoy. Shortly after the Slytherin captain left his office, there was another knock on his door and Fenix went in. She looked about the same condition as the Fire Master and sat down tiredly on a chair.

"I’m not sure. The poison was a neurotoxic as you said. I am surprised that Harry did not have difficulty in breathing, because that’s usually how it works. It paralyzes the respiratory muscles. What I do not understand is why Harry fell into a coma."

Fenix rubbed her temple tiredly, feeling a migraine building up because of lack of sleep and overextended use of Healing. "I have asked Hermione. Harry’s breathing before we reached the common room yesterday was shallow but he fell into normal breathing when we arrived. So, I have several theories. That brief moment of paralysis might be the cause of his comatose. Another is that the poison on that dagger had already started to deteriorate, making Harry suffer from a mild case of paralysis."

Snape frowned and began pacing about the office. The office went silent until the Potions Master suddenly exclaimed in horror. "He is not brain-dead!"

"Gods." Snape stopped pacing and sat restlessly in his chair. "Why don’t you get some rest and try not to think too much about Harry or Malfoy. Sometimes answers don’t come to us if we’re too set on trying to find them."

"You’re right. You better get yourself some rest too." Snape stood up to open the door for the Fire Master. She paused to give him an inquiring look. "There’s no Quidditch practice today, right?" Snape nodded and she sighed with relief.

: See you later at dinner… maybe not. The hospital wing then. : Snape said and gently smiled at the diminutive woman.

Hermione and the other Gryffindors relieved Professor Lupin and Sirius from guarding Harry. They all sat quietly around the bed, ignoring Parkinson’s whimpers coming from three beds away from their unconscious friend. Malfoy was in a more or less stable state, but he had not regained his consciousness.

"He’s a much better person when he’s sleeping, isn’t he?" Dean whispered to a forlorn-looking Ginny who nodded in agreement, as she looked at the Slytherins.

"Maybe someone should ban that harridan from visiting. She’s really making me nauseous." Ginny stared at the Slytherin prefect with absolute disgust. "Yuck." Ginny grimaced and Hermione gave the Weasley a faint smile.

The bushy-haired Granger chuckled lightly and said in a voice almost loud enough for the Slytherins to hear. "I seriously have no idea why Malfoy’s going out with her. Maybe when he’s awake, someone ought to tell him that he should replace that girl with a girl with guts and brains, and a great deal more sincere compassion." Unfortunately for her, Parkinson was too busy getting sentimental to hear her.

"Hermione, I think you’re taking Fenix’s acceptance of the Slytherins to the extremes," Ron remarked, smiling at his partner briefly before he continued to look at Harry’s pale face with grim concern.

"Don’t be a spoilsport, Ron. Your assessment of our own Potions Master was not that accurate after all. And we’re all schoolmates, aren’t we? Why can’t we all cooperate with each other for once?" Hermione argued weakly.

"What about Alamanda?" Ginny interrupted suddenly and they all looked at her quizzically. Ron’s sister had spoke in normal tones and caught the attention of Montague and Dina Free of the Slytherins.

"If you had been watching carefully during meals, I dare say that the girl’s got a major crush on Malfoy," Ginny explained and Hermione smiled happily for the first time that day, while Montague gave the Gryffindors a measuring stare.

"Yeah. Every time I see Parkinson cuddling him, her eyes went sort of narrow," the Gryffindor prefect said slowly. Ginny exchanged a very sly smile with the prefect. While the Gryffindors were calmly sitting watch on Harry’s bed, tension was building within the Slytherins, mainly between the Quidditch captain and the female Slytherin prefect. Montague took a deep breath to prevent himself from exploding in the hospital wing. He bore a look of sufferance as he stared dangerously at the head of a very syrupy Parkinson. However, his annoyance soon evaporated when McGonagall suddenly appeared, her face lighting up when she saw Parkinson. Montague looked strangely relieved when McGonagall called her out, presumably appointing Parkinson with a task. And hopefully that task will take her the rest of the evening. That Mudblood is right. I don’t understand why Draco went out with her. Her behaviour is somewhat disgusting.

The first-years entered the hospital wing silently. Alamanda placed a bouquet of strange lily-colored flowers beside Malfoy’s head and then went over to the Gryffindors to place another bouquet on Harry’s bed. Alamanda straightened up and looked at Hermione directly. "It’s not much, but maybe it’ll help them to return to awareness."

The Gryffindors smiled at her and mumbled thanks. The Slytherin girl went over to her seniors, listening attentively to them. She occasionally gave the oblivious Malfoy several wistful looks and the Gryffindors smothered their amusement. Hermione gazed intensely at Harry and wished that he was up and sitting on the bed, feebly joking with them. Tears silently dropped from her eyes and hit Harry’s lifeless fingers.

Harry was standing on the edge of a strange place. There was neither sound nor light but he could see everything around him clearly. It was a little weird and he felt strangely alone yet he was not. Behind him was a grove of huge trees, all silent. Just an inch ahead of him, was a dark abyss and he could see a tiny flicker of light below. He wanted very much to be with the light but his wits told him to stay where he was. He had no recollection of how he had ended up here, in this dismal place. He wondered why he was not with his friends, or why he was not in the castle.

He moved towards a tree and slowly sat down, leaning against the tree trunk. Something must have happened. But what? Harry fretted and stared out at the vast darkness. In other circumstances, he should be afraid at being totally alone in this queer place. There was no other life about him, except for himself and the trees. God help me. Where in Merlin’s world am I? Harry began to brood and tried to remember all the events that had happened ever since term started.

He recounted everything right until he reached the time span where he had just headed out of the library for the common room. His mind went blank then and he stood up, feeling very frustrated. God! Here I am stuck in the middle of god-knows-where and I’m attacked by a bout of amnesia! Harry carefully walked towards the edge of the cliff. The light was still flickering at the bottom and he had the feeling that he should not even think of getting down to that light. If it’s light… He took a deep breath and thought about his godfather and his friends to calm him down. I know that Sirius, Fenix and probably Snape would be trying to figure something out to save me. Let’s start again. It’s Thursday and we had Transfigurations so that was why I went to the library to read up on some of what McGonagall had mentioned. Ron and Hermione left first because they had a Prefect meeting and I lingered in the library for a while… Harry sat down again at his previous position and calmly thought things through.

Professor R. J. Lupin was feeling a little unhappy and his best friend decided to be blunt and pester his friend. Sirius knocked on his door and went in without waiting to be invited into the office. Remus looked calmly at his friend and wordlessly conjured Butterbeer for his friend.

: Why are you looking unhappy, Moony? Is it because of Fenix’s lack of attention to you? She had been spending a lot of time in the hospital wing, : Sirius spoke up, smiling a little when Remus’s eyes flared involuntarily. : Don’t give me that look, friend. Why don’t you bring her up to that place we used to hang out up above the Tower? And get her to talk. :

: Stop trying to be enigmatic, Padfoot. What are you trying to say? : Remus asked, feeling irritated all of a sudden.

: What I’m trying to say is that you’re being incredibly, super thick, Moony. You should try being more observant of her looks and body language. Go on and bring her there. : Sirius got up and pulled the Defence teacher from his seat, and pushed him towards the door. : By the way, she’s in the library with Snape. : Sirius looked sadly at his friend and cast his thought to God why he was feeling helpless about Harry. He sighed and went to his own office to brood.

The Defence teacher walked slowly to the library and was deciding to go back to his room but stopped himself. Admit it werewolf, you miss that small woman. He was swearing silently, nodding to the librarian and headed to the study corner where Fenix usually sat. The Fire Master was unaware of him as she continued sketching a picture of Remus and his bandaged arm while Snape gave him a curious look. Remus made sure that he talked to Snape alone.

: Do you mind if I steal her for a while? : Remus asked the Potions Master politely.

Snape gave him a crooked smile. : You could. Both of us don’t have the energy to concentrate to do any kind of research. And I expect that she’s thinking about you too much. : Remus blinked his eyes at Snape’s observation. Snape continued, : You certainly are a lucky man, werewolf. You have someone who’s worried that she can’t protect your back all the time. :

Remus felt stunned at Snape’s words. He took a deep breath. : Fenix? : The Fire Master stopped her sketching, fingers frozen. She craned her neck up to meet Remus’s slightly confused eyes. : Mind if you take a walk with me? :

Fenix smiled slowly and nodded. She was about to send an apology to Snape via mindspeech when he slightly shook his head and told her that he wanted to go and visit his students. The Fire Master briskly kept all her sketching stuff in her file and followed her partner as he led her to the top of Gryffindor Tower.

Three adults and two wolves reclined on Sirius’s king-sized bed, not saying a word to each other. Harry’s godfather sighed and with a wave of his wand, the bedroom plunged into darkness. Fenix was snuggling close to Remus as she brooded about Harry. She was less worried about Malfoy because he was already showing signs that he would soon be strutting about the School but Harry was a different matter.

: Damn, : Fenix swore and Remus held her tighter in his one good arm, nuzzling her neck with his lips. She was careful not to knock anything against tender ribs. : You guys want to know something? I feel as if I have the answer right in front of my face but I just can’t seem to catch it, : she grumbled and Sirius fondly gave her a kiss on her forehead. She sighed and stopped thinking for a while.

: I know how you feel. And Merlin knows I’m useless enough. I’m not a Healer like you… : Her oathbrother’s mindvoice trailed off, his depression slowly crept in.

: Don’t say things like that, : Fenix said firmly, giving Sirius a light pinch on his arm. He flinched from the sudden attack. The adults did not speak anymore as exhaustion carried them all away to sleep.

It had been nearly six days since the two students had fell unconscious. Fenix slowly walked towards the hospital room with Wind following closely behind her. The Defence teachers had split their teaching schedule since it will be a full moon this evening, and Fenix felt it was wise if she taught the afternoon class today. That would ensure that her partner would not have to worry about his transformation. It would not be the first time he had to change into a werewolf when he had been injured in one way or another and confirmed that the experience was not worth to be experienced again. He had stoically announced, "The hazards of being who I am and pure bad timing I guess." Fenix smiled inwardly at the thought, walking very slowly to make her daily visit to the invalid students.

She was not really expecting to see Malfoy sitting up on his bed with a contemplative expression on his face. He broke off from his thoughts as soon as he was aware of her presence and studied her warily. The Fire Master nodded a greeting to Madam Pomfrey who was holding a cup in her hands, walking briskly over to Malfoy. Fenix went first to Harry and gave him a Mindtouch but there was still no response from Sirius’s godson. Dear Phoebus. Please, let Harry wake up. She leaned back against the back of her chair, refusing to be defeated so easily. She checked Harry’s pulses and breathing and all seemed to be normal. Except that he is not dreaming. That would be a good sign if it occurs. She gave a melancholy sigh as she stood up and walked over to Malfoy.

Madam Pomfrey left the room, leaving Malfoy with the cup. Wind carefully sat herself on Harry’s bed to keep watch while Fenix made herself comfortable on a chair and gave the pale-looking Slytherin a sad look. She reached out for something in her pocket and handed it to him. It was a letter from his mother and Fenix felt it was wise not to mention the fact that the same person who had written the letter for Malfoy had sent her a Howler. Fortunately, that had been sent to her early in the morning while she was in the office having breakfast with her fellow colleagues.

Snape had continuously apologized for having her ears deafened early in the morning. She had just shook her head, looking a little amused at the remains of the Howler. The words that had come out of it were less than polite. She had wondered if Mrs. Malfoy was really worried and innocent as she had sound from the Howler. Sirius was doubtful however, saying that his cousin had a flair for dramatics. She focused her attention back to Malfoy who was looking a little too angry for her taste. She carefully let her skills as an Empath to soothe the boy down and he settled but after he set the letter afire with his mind alone. That must be his magical specialty. Harry had a knack to make things disappear when he’s angry and Sirius told me that he used to break windows. I wonder why he’s angry though.

"How are you feeling?" Fenix asked softly, looking intently at the Slytherin, who was grimacing at the taste of the potion that the healer had given him.

"Hungry," he admitted and she stared at him in surprise. House-elves suddenly appeared and she shook her head when they displayed a variety of foods-- all suitable for one who had not eaten for days. The house-elves are spoiling him again… Fenix smiled gently as the youth finally decided on what looked like chicken porridge to her. He ate slowly; his arms were shaking slightly and his face suddenly took on an ashen color. Fenix lifted her chair to move closer to Malfoy and lightly touched his waist. He flinched at her touch and she used her Sight. As she had suspected, Malfoy had probably landed on his side badly after the dagger exploded. She slowly let her energy flow to Malfoy and at the same time, she recharged herself, being very careful not to overextend the usage of her Gifts.

The Slytherin prefect stopped trembling and she stopped the flow of energy, and replaced it with the pure green energy of Healing. He had finished eating the bowl of porridge and an unfamiliar house-elf reappeared with a glass of pumpkin juice for him and took the empty bowl. He drank the contents of the glass, gave it to the waiting house-elf, and sat awkwardly on the bed. Her fingers were still on his waist and time passed slowly, and Malfoy blushed involuntarily at the contact. He noticed that he was no longer weary but the need to sleep was still there. He wondered what she was doing to him and looked around the room.

The Fire Master’s wolf was keenly gazing at Harry’s pale face and Malfoy stiffened in fear as knowledge surfaced in his mind. He forced himself to look away to stare at Professor Lupin’s assistant. He cleared his throat uneasily and asked her a question.

"How long have I been unconscious?" he asked in a soft, shaky voice that was caused by fear and tiredness. Fenix opened her eyes and retrieved her fingers slowly from him. She stood up and motioned him to lie down on the bed. She took the bouquet of the pale flowers and placed it at the right side of his pillow so she could talk to him face to face. Positioning her chair in a much more suitable position, she sat down, looking at the Slytherin calmly. She was aware that she could not ask the boy too many questions in case she caused the youth to get agitated, which would be a very bad thing for someone who had fallen asleep for days.

"You have been out for nearly six days… maybe five would be more accurate," she said in a kind tone. Malfoy fell silent. She patiently waited for the youth to speak again.

"And… how is Potter? Professor Lupin?" Malfoy inquired in a careful tone, his eyes staring blindly at the ceiling.

"He’s stable… but not exactly all right. To your second question, he is all right except for a few broken bones. And the wolf is fine," she answered even before he could ask.

Malfoy fought with the turmoil that had begun to build up in him and it was swiftly calmed down in an instant. He turned to look suspiciously at her. She smiled gently, her silver eyes growing dark as she thought about what to say to him. "Those of us who need to know, already knows that you were under your father’s influence. You have my word that you had unwillingly followed your father’s instructions. Though I wished that you had told someone much more reliable about your spells," she said plaintively, "but no point crying over spilt milk."

"But…" Malfoy spoke doubtfully, "won’t-- won’t he try to… control me again?"

Fenix’s face took on a determined expression. "Not if I can help it. But I’m in no position to talk like that. I’m pretty sure Severus would settle that… personally. Your Potions Master was pretty damn indignant of the situation," Fenix said lightly.

"He is not… displeased? With me?" Malfoy asked in an uncertain voice. Fenix lifted an eyebrow.

"Why should he? And Draco," Fenix stood up, looking at him with a mysterious expression. "I’m glad you had made use of your wits to call me using your mind." She suddenly switched to mindspeech. : I’m a very selfish little person, lad. I’ve positioned your Potions Master at the right track to life. If something grievous had happened to you, he might revert to stone-hearted Snape again. And I certainly am not going to let my efforts go to a waste. I’m in the middle of a project and it is called Extending Families. Now, you will have your rest and regain your strength back. And I have a suggestion-- two suggestions actually. When you’re back up on your feet, ask Professor Snape to train you in Occlumency. Two-- just consider this all right? I think you ought to find someone who really suits you rather than suiting your needs. That’s all. Now sleep, : Fenix said brightly then her face turned melancholy again. : At least you had snapped out of your comatose… :

Fenix gave a soft whistle to Wind, who gracefully jumped from Harry’s bed to join her. She gave Malfoy a smile and greeted Hagrid warmly as she headed out of the room. The huge man looked at Malfoy cautiously as he made his way towards Harry’s bed. Malfoy gave a small sigh and turned his thoughts inward. One thought played in his mind repeatedly. Just before he fell asleep, he was filled with anguish as he wondered. Just how much do my parents really care about me?

Harry stood up and stared out at the wall of darkness ahead of him. The back of his neck prickled uncomfortably as he instinctively felt that he was being watched by something unfriendly hidden in the blackness. He calmly searched his robe for his wand but came up empty-handed. It’s a good thing I decided to stay on this side rather than going for the light. Now, it’s time to use your wits, Harry. If you were a Hunter, who knows that he is being hunted, what would you do? He knew with a deep certainty that the grove of trees was his haven and was meant for his use. I still haven’t figure out what had happened.

The feeling of being watched intensified and he thought quickly. Defence. I don’t have my wand with me, so maybe… Harry nodded resolutely to himself and fled between the trees. He knew that something out there that had been watching him was making its own moves. I need to build shields.

Harry halted and laid the flat of his palm on a tree trunk. Somehow, to his immense surprise, he was able to convert a part of life source from the tree into energy. He carefully used it to create an expanded shield, just like the one Fenix had built back at The Burrow. He did not bother to congratulate himself at his success but began moving around the grove in a spiral-like manner. There was a sudden flash of brilliant red light coming from the direction of the wall of darkness and he remained still, becoming one with the tree he was leaning against.

Hermione, Ginny and her brother never failed to visit Harry whenever they could. Ron had written to the twins about the incident and Fred had complimented his younger siblings on their good sense to write to them instead of their mother. He had complained that Mrs. Weasley would run about the house in hysteria almost once a week, worrying about her children and Harry. Hermione’s birthday celebration that day was a little somber without the presence of their best friend, Harry. Ron, with the help of his roommates, had managed to create a crystal figure of an eagle and the results were worth their effort when Hermione actually became speechless when she unwrapped her present. Ron had also bought a silver bracelet for her with the help of his brothers with his own savings. It was then when the twins finally realized that their youngest brother was actually very serious in his courtship with Hermione while Ginny had given her a deep red turtleneck shirt that really went well with her curly hair.

Hermione paused at the threshold of the hospital wing in plain disbelief when she saw the Slytherin prefect sitting on his bed, calmly eating his dinner. Ron acted as if he had not seen Malfoy and zoomed off straight to Harry. He sat down on a chair, giving his back to Malfoy. The Slytherin prefect was not surprised by the Weasley’s action. He just stared straight at the opposite wall and continued eating. Ginny followed her brother, though she did give Malfoy a withering look. Hermione walked slowly, her eyes intent on the Slytherin prefect.

"What do you want, Mudblood?" Malfoy asked perfunctorily. Hermione’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She took a deep breath and reined her temper. This is not how I would want to celebrate my birthday, she thought resolutely.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, echoing Fenix’s earlier question in the morning. Malfoy gave a curt nod to indicate he was fine and Hermione stared at him in aggravation, walking quickly to Harry’s bed.

"Stop trying to be nice to him, Hermione. He wouldn’t appreciate it even if he knows how," Ron spoke up.

"Shut up," his partner answered, clearly unhappy with the curt reception from the Slytherin prefect. "Harry, if you can hear me," Hermione leaned over and whispered softly into Harry’s right ear. "Wake up. If you don’t, I swear I won’t ever subject anyone my smile. Ever," she solemnly vowed and sat down on a chair, and began making a bracelet for her unconscious friend using the dried flowers from Alamanda’s bouquet, with her new slim bracelet tinkling musically as she worked.

The Slytherins were going in groups to look in on Malfoy but Dumbledore would not tolerate any kind of mischief from them. He had instructed the Potions Master and Harry’s godfather to stay in the infirmary for as long as Madam Pomfrey remained tolerant of the visiting students. While Sirius stood guard beside Harry’s bed, Snape strictly regulated Malfoy’s visitors. Pansy Parkinson happened to go in with her group of girls and the Potions Master happily cut their five minute visit to less than two.

"Time’s up, Miss Parkinson. You better get back to your duty," the Potions Master said in a cool voice. Parkinson walked off sullenly as she childishly pushed Montague off. The captain cursed under his breath and smiled roguishly at his friend. Malfoy returned the grin and looked to Snape.

"She is a prefect after all, Draco. And might I remind you that she has to perform your duties?" the Potions Master cruelly pointed out and Malfoy flinched at Snape’s subtle rebuke. Alamanda walked in, accompanied by Dina and Justin, her face glowing when she saw Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the young Slytherin girl for a moment, and flushed slightly when he found the girl severely attractive.

"Good. Now, only one person is still left to complete the picture," she said seriously and went over to Harry, replacing her bouquet of flowers. She looked curiously at Harry’s right wrist and smiled to herself. She gave a small sigh and smiled brightly at Sirius before she went off from the infirmary. Her timing was just right when Madam Pomfrey came in and nodded to Professor Snape. The Potions Master did not have to announce what her nod meant as Montague carefully clasped Malfoy’s shoulder and his group went off. Malfoy gave a small moan and lied down, falling asleep almost instantly.

Snape looked curiously at his student and opened his mouth to ask Madam Pomfrey what was wrong with Malfoy. She had assured him that the reaction was normal. She told him the boy needed some time to get his reserves back into shape. Snape turned to Sirius, who was looking sorrowfully at his godson. : You ought to get some rest before Fenix comes in and decides to wrap you in chains and drag you onto a bed. Exhausting yourself won’t do us any good. :

: Mind your own business, Snivellus. : Snape let that pass. He had already given the man a warning. He comfortably sat down on a chair, overlooking Malfoy, a scowling Sirius and pale Harry. He did not even hear Fenix come in to the room but suddenly she was there, staring furiously at her oathbrother.

Her oathbrother was about to protest when Remus’s mindvoice echoed coolly in their minds. : Don’t argue with us, Padfoot. :

: Sev, : Fenix looked at the Potions Master. : Guard the sleeping ones. I’m going to take this hardheaded oathbrother of mine for dinner and tuck him to bed. : Snape nodded slightly and stared in surprise when Fenix grabbed hold of Sirius’s hand and disappeared. Remus let his feeling of triumph flow over to Snape and winced when he pulled a muscle. He wished the Potions Master a good night as he waited for his partner to reappear with her oathbrother in tow.

Harry froze in mid-step. The presence was getting closer to him and fear started to creep into him slowly. Don’t panic. He was able to make out a shadowy figure slowly making its way around the shields that Harry had built. There was absolutely no time that Harry could create another shield. So he made the shield to his left permeable and quickly dashed into the protection of the shield, willing it to become solid to any magical attacks. The figure was just several feet away from him. Harry felt himself growing cold when another flash of brilliant red light flashed through the surroundings, lighting up the face of the figure. Voldemort was walking towards him. Voldemort, who was grinning in triumph as he caught sight of Harry.

Malfoy sat up on the bed suddenly; severely startling the Potions Master from his reading. The Slytherin stared wildly across the room for a moment before turning to stare at Harry’s motionless form.

"Professor?" Malfoy croaked out, disengaging himself from the light blanket to walk unsteadily towards Harry’s bed. Snape scrambled up to his feet and managed to catch a weak Malfoy before he fell on the metal post of a bed and splitting his forehead in the process.

"What is it?" the Potions Master questioned urgently. Malfoy had reached his out his arm, palm hovering above Harry’s forehead and pulled his hand back. So… perhaps my dream was real. Harry is shielding himself against something. Good news: he is still functioning. Bad news: he might be in trouble inside his own mind, the Slytherin prefect thought grimly to himself.

"I think you better get Miss Maxwell down here," he suggested with a shaky voice.

Snape paused, indecisive whether he should fetch Fenix himself or to summon her. He chose the latter as he tried to turn Malfoy into the direction of his own bed, but the boy struggled, opting to sit on a chair. Snape gave in to the boy as he concentrated in waking up a slumbering Fenix.

: Sev? : she sent her thought sleepily and then in a more alert mindvoice, : What’s wrong? :

: I have absolutely no idea but Draco wants you in the ward, : Snape informed her, his mindvoice was tinged with curiosity.

Snape turned his attention to his student, who had dragged the chair closer to Harry’s bed. The Slytherin was close enough to Harry that he was able to place his fingertips on Harry’s temples. Snape blinked at his student’s posture. The scene before him was overlaid with his memory of the night that both boys had collapsed. Fenix had raised Malfoy’s head to her lap and did exactly the same thing as what the Slytherin prefect was doing now. The Fire Master materialized at the foot of Harry’s bed and was about to speak when she froze, her head tilting to her right as she curiously stared at Malfoy. By the golden wings of Aquilla! I did not imagine him to be a Mindhealer! Dear Gods!

: It’s all right, : she assured him and quickly strode forward and tapped Malfoy gently on his shoulder. He broke off his intense concentration and looked up to see Fenix’s face hovering close.

"I’m not sure if you should do this, Draco," she spoke up softly. "You have just recovered."

"But I do not have any kind of choice, do I? Potter is important to the school."

"And you think you aren’t?" she said, her voice devoid of any emotions. "I’m not going to forget this, Draco. We’ll get to that later. Now, what do you See?" she asked, going business-like and sent a thought to ask the boy for permission to link with him. Malfoy accepted her link and deftly showed her Harry’s unconscious mind. Fenix sat herself on the edge of Harry’s bed, and another set of fingers touched Harry’s temples lightly.

Malfoy closed his eyes for a clearer view, trying to ignore the uncomfortable sensation of sharing his mind with another. He saw his own figure enclosed in a deep verdant glow while Fenix shone a distinct blue figure. Fenix let him take the lead and he led her until they came up against a solid black wall. Fenix cocked her head to a side in curiosity as she watched Malfoy raise his right hand and placed a fingertip on the wall. His forefinger passed through easily and he beckoned to her. Fenix felt herself sliding through that wall and they came to another black wall. And another. And passed through yet another.

She frowned a little as they moved forward to slide through more of the black walls. I feel as if I’m inside a maze, but Draco seems to know where he’s going. I wonder… She signaled at Malfoy to stop as she focused her attention to a black wall. Laying her palm against it, she was a little surprised that she felt pulses and energy flowing around it and retrieved her hand in incredulity.

: My Gods! : she exclaimed to Snape and the boy. She answered quickly before either of them could pose a question. : We’re in a goddamn fortress made of shields! :

: I think you might have taught Harry a little too well, Fenix, : Snape remarked casually and Malfoy felt a brief moment of astonishment at the Potions Master casualness.

: Draco, you’re the Mindhealer. Lead us to Harry before he managed to get himself into trouble. I’m sure that he had not created all these shields for fun. : Malfoy nodded at the intense blue form of Fenix and led her to another maze of shields. This time, instead of black, the wall was of a myriad of colors and this assured Fenix that Harry was well and that the particular part of his mind was alert. She grabbed hold of Malfoy to stay still when she Felt something very familiar. : Draco, you don’t have to be with me. : But the glowing green form of Malfoy shook his head stubbornly. : Dear Phoebus. Why must you guys be so damn stubborn? : she sent out a disgusted thought. Malfoy took the lead again, walking through the shields stealthily towards Harry. Fenix could see that he was standing his ground with grim determination and did not even flinch when a blast of red light hit his shield. A distant part of her was proud that Harry was able to create his shield with his own signature flowing all around the shield. He had transmuted the energy of his surroundings-- probably the energy that his friends had delivered him while he was dead to the world. Voldemort’s projection was unaware of the two newcomers. Malfoy easily penetrated the shield Harry was in and Fenix followed.

: Sorry that we had kept you waiting, Harry, : Fenix said lightly and Harry spun around as he stared at her with relief. That however, quickly changed to incredulity when he saw Malfoy. The Slytherin prefect was staring mutely at Voldemort who was staring at Fenix. : A few words before we bring you up, : the Fire Master spoke up. : I am so damn proud of you! : She moved forward and stood beside Harry, watching the projection of the Dark Lord impassively. : The two of you, : Fenix addressed the two youths, : are you ready? :

They gave her unmistakable nods and they found their center, behaving as if this was one of her Defence lessons. : Your choices. You either warn him singly or you could warn him together, : Fenix said conversationally to them, as if she was discussing the weather. : So… after you guys… : She waited patiently for them to make their move. Voldemort’s projection remained unmoving, watching the silent figures but suspected they were communicating to each other. He was confident that they would not be rid of him from Harry’s mind. All they could do was probably suppress him but he will never be truly gone from Harry’s mind. However, that confident thought of him was quickly overruled when he heard Malfoy’s son spoke clearly to Harry.

"Just because I’m doing this together doesn’t mean we get to be buddies, Potty."

Fenix looked archly at them both while Voldemort fumed as their careless conversation. The strange woman with them spoke up in a slightly condescending tone. "We’ll see about that…" Harry linked his mind with Malfoy and their powers intertwined. The Dark Lord watched the two boys carefully as they were suddenly engulfed in incandescent white fire. It totally lit up the entire surroundings, but surprisingly, all of Harry’s shields survived the sudden inferno. The same could not be said of Voldemort’s projection as he felt intense pain. He turned his attention to the woman who suddenly flared up with blue flames and his pain intensified when Fenix’s fire merged with that of the two young men.

Harry addressed Voldemort directly, "You have no part of my life, Voldemort. Neither do I share your life." With the combined powers of the three individuals, every link Harry had with Voldemort was incinerated. That was the moment when Harry suddenly snapped out of his comatose, accidentally pushing Fenix out of the bed.

"What in the name of Merlin is goi--" Madam Pomfrey’s voice trailed off when she saw Harry sitting up on the bed, rubbing his head and a weakly laughing Fire Master on the floor. "Dear Lord!" she breathed, looking at them in amazement. Snape helped Fenix up to her feet and she gave Harry a bear hug, unable to contain her joy and relief.

: Sirius! : she screamed in exaltation, making her oathbrother swore pungently. : Get in here! Harry’s awake! :

: Yes! : Fenix gave a light chuckle and gave the two other males a hug too, though she was careful not to squeeze Malfoy too much.

"Ah… Fenix?" Snape spoke up softly, his face turning to crimson red when Malfoy looked at him in astonishment. He switched to mindspeech. : You are spoiling my image. :

: Whatever, : Fenix said sardonically as she released the Potions Master from her surprisingly strong embrace, wiping her wet eyes.

Harry was looking carefully at Malfoy, who was sitting on a chair, leaning back wearily. "Thanks," he said in a polite manner and the Slytherin prefect just gave a snort and demanded to be helped back into his own bed.

"Maybe I should stay unconscious for now," Malfoy said dryly as Snape guided him back to his bed while Fenix and Madam Pomfrey fussed about Harry. "That way, sir…" Malfoy began in a lame voice, "you, Miss Maxwell and Potty could answer all the questions that would be loosened like a cannon ball in the next few minutes or so." He instantly fell asleep in exhaustion and Snape drew the blanket to cover the flaxen-haired young man.

"Don’t touch me!" The Dark Lord screamed furiously at Lucius Malfoy and looked about for something to vent his anger. A deaf and blinded Muggle met his sight and he advanced towards the unwitting soul. A death scream pierced the hallways of the isolated house as Voldemort indulged himself with the scant life-source that the homeless Muggle gave him.

"How dare they refute me!" Voldemort hissed. Malfoy bowed in submission to his Master. "You had not raised your son well, Lucius. He had dared to raise his mind against me and to bind his power to that of Potter’s," he continued in a deathly quiet voice, "I might have to do something about that, Lucius."

Someone entered the room quietly. The Dark Lord stared at Lucius’s wife as she came to stand beside her husband. Lucius spoke up. "Draco is no son of mine--"

"Ours!" his wife hissed, her eyes void of her wits.

"You may do whatever you please, Master," Lucius said softly, bowing his head. And with great difficulty, he disowned his son in his heart, either for Draco’s own good or for ill.

Sirius quickly put on a robe and shook Remus the werewolf lightly. Silver and Wind instantly woke up as Harry’s godfather illuminated his bedroom brightly. : What’s up, Padfoot? : the werewolf asked him, his mindvoice sounding very tired.

: We’re going to the hospital wing. Harry’s woken up! : Sirius impatiently tugged on Remus’s neck.

: Padfoot! Don’t do that! : Remus winced at his friend’s insistent tugging.

: Sorry, Moony, but can you please hurry up? : Sirius said, struggling to wear his trainers. The three wolves loped off from the bedroom with Silver taking a moment to unlock the door with his will. They walked on the corridor silently and waited for Harry’s godfather calmly. Sirius then ran softly and the wolves followed.

: I’m not sure if I should come along, Padfoot. It’s all well and good that Harry’s awake but I am a werewolf. Snape and probably Pomfrey won’t trust me to be… safe, : his friend pointed out casually, loping forward. The corridor was echoing with the metallic clicks of the wolves’ toenails, attracting the attention of several ghosts who were roaming about the castle. They reached the staircase that would lead to the hospital wing and Silver instructed Sirius to keep running. Harry’s godfather felt the strange tingle and knew that the wolves were probably going to make a Jump. He was right, when they suddenly came to a familiar corridor, with a silver-black wolf waiting patiently for them. She gave a wolfish grin to the new-arrivals, her lupine silver eyes twinkling merrily in the dim light of the corridor.

: Just to reassure the healer inside, : Fenix said lightly, pacing forward to greet her partner fondly. Remus did give her a lick across her muzzle and she giggled in their minds, following a very anxious oathbrother inside. Snape was back sitting beside Malfoy’s bed, his black eyes watching Harry eat his gruel slowly. The young man gave a weak grin as Sirius slowly and calmly gave him a hug, trying hard not to act sentimental in front of Snape.

: Do you want me to go make myself invisible? : the Potions Master suggested, sniggering a little but Sirius ignored him. Remus the werewolf gave a distinct wink at Harry just as Fenix nipped his side lightly and ushered him over to Snape.

: Call us when you’re ready to hear the details, : she informed Sirius and Harry as she created an opaque and soundproof shield over her oathbrother and his godson. The wolves all curled up together and fell into a light doze. Snape gave a crooked smile at the curled wolves and wondered if he should take a nap too.

Harry had finished his bowl of porridge and Sirius passed him the glass of juice to his godson. The green-eyed youth drank it slowly, being careful not to upset his stomach that had been empty for days. His godfather helped him to place the empty glass of juice on a side table, then sat back beside him. Sirius tilted his head to a side when Harry looked at him with a peculiar expression on his face.

"Are you all right?" Sirius asked carefully, putting on a mere concerned face and hid the sense of fear and helplessness that he had felt ever since his godson had collapsed.

Harry felt a little disappointed at his godfather’s reaction but concealed it and gave a false bright smile at the older man. What were you expecting? A small voice inside Harry’s head demanded and he wondered why his godfather had acted more like a concerned stranger. Harry felt himself growing detached again and he was suddenly pulled back into focus when Sirius grabbed him and held him tightly. For just a brief moment, Sirius showed him just how desolate he had felt ever since the failed attempt on Harry’s life. The uncertainty of his importance to his godfather vanished instantly and he returned his godfather’s hug gladly, taking comfort in Sirius’s warmth.

: I am not really good at expressing my feelings, Harry, : Sirius said in a rueful mindvoice.

: It’s all right. I had sort of figured that out myself. : He smiled although he doubted that Sirius would be able to see it. : And I am sorry that I had made you all worry. That action of retreat was sort of unintentional. :

Sirius’s shoulders shook. Harry thought his godfather was chuckling but he gripped Sirius tighter when he realized that the sudden warmth he felt over his right shoulder was his godfather’s tears. Sirius spoke up softly. "God knows how terrible I made you feel when I fell over the Veil," his voice tight with emotion. "Please, Harry. I’m not getting younger by the second. Please tell anyone if something strange happens to you, all right?"

"Just like old times?" Harry said contritely as he pulled away from his godfather and touched the lightning scar on his forehead briefly. Sirius nodded vigorously at his godson’s answer before pulling the young man back into his embrace. Harry gave a blissful sigh, knowing that his world-- no matter how dangerous-- would be all right for as long as Sirius stayed with him. Though I probably couldn’t depend on him all of the time if I’m to be training as an Auror. Harry stared blankly at Fenix’s opaque shield. I somehow get the feeling that things won’t be quiet for much longer. That would happen inevitably but what about the students who will be taking their OWLs and NEWTs this year-- if war breaks out? "I wonder if it would be better for all the students to concentrate on their spellworks this year…" Harry muttered, disengaging from Sirius’s embrace. His godfather looked back at him quizzically.

"I dunno…" Harry mumbled, then continued in a clearer voice, "Won’t Voldemort be attacking the School?"

Sirius narrowed his thoughtfully and pursed his lips. "There’s a grain of truth on what you’re saying. I’m sure that Dumbledore would call for a meeting soon. Now, I’m ready to hear what my oathsister’s got to say about how she rescued you. She had been crying herself out in frustration because she couldn’t get through you."

"I’m not sure if you will like what Fenix is going to tell you though," Harry said in a nervous voice. Sirius looked at him archly and sent a thought to his oathsister to take the shield down. When it dissolved, they found her standing calmly and trotted forward followed by Remus. Sirius sat himself on a chair while Harry rearranged himself on the bed to allow Fenix and Remus to sit up on the bed.

: We probably might get ourselves skinned by Madam Pomfrey if we leave any fur on the sheets, : Fenix commented as she curled herself up against Remus comfortably. Sirius smiled crookedly at his oathsister, then turned to look at a dozing Snape. Fenix switched to a private mode. : No smart remarks from you, brother-mine. Leave him alone. : Sirius looked down at her with surprise.

"I wasn’t going to!" he protested softly, feigning innocence. Harry looked at his godfather and Fenix with mild amusement, propping his back with his pillow as he watched them quietly.

: Yeah right… : Fenix replied, her mindvoice thick with sarcasm. She turned her bright silver eyes to Harry. : Do you remember how you happened to have that scar? :

Sirius helped her by pointing to a diagonal scar just beside the scar that had been caused by the arrow from a random fire. Harry took a moment to think, then slowly nodded his head. "I couldn’t seem to remember what happened to me back in here," he tapped a finger on his temple. "But somehow after that brief merge with Malfoy, I did remember--" Harry was quickly interrupted by his godfather.

"What merge?" Sirius suddenly spoke up harshly, and a startled Snape shot a disgusted look at him.

: I request you to be considerate toward my student, Sirius. After all, he was the one who showed Fenix the way to Harry’s mind, : Snape stated firmly, then settled back down to nap. Sirius and Harry were staring at Fenix with mingled surprise and incredulity.

: All right, Fenix. Explain. : Sirius had switched to mindspeech, his mindvoice rather cold.

: All in good time, bro. So, : she addressed Harry, : you had just gone out of the library and was walking toward the Gryffindor Tower. :

Harry then continued from there, telling his godfather what had happened before he got down to the common room to read. He remembered that Neville had mentioned that he was bleeding and the next thing he knew, he found himself standing on the edge of a cliff. Fenix then explained to Harry what had happened to the Slytherin prefect. Harry listened to Fenix’s narrative calmly. Somehow, he was not surprised of Malfoy’s possession by his own father. The Fire Master informed him that Malfoy had also been unconscious, although he awakened earlier than Harry.

: Why was he unconscious? : Harry asked curiously. Three pairs of eyes turned to Fenix expectantly.

: I don’t really have to answer that, Harry. How would you feel if Sirius had used you to assassinate someone? Without your knowledge that you would be doing the dirty work for someone? : she spoke up and the young man fell silent. : That bit of news was a blow to him, Harry. :

: I can imagine that, : Harry replied, and Sirius stared at the solemnity that Harry portrayed.

: So that’s what happened to Malfoy. Now, what happened to you? : Fenix turned the tables onto the young man. Harry confessed that he did not know why he had retreated behind the black shields but suspected that he felt that he was a bit vulnerable while he remained invalid. He was not counting on Voldemort to be waiting for him inside his own mind. Harry also mentioned that flicker of light at the bottom of the chasm and Fenix conceded that she had no idea what the light meant. Sirius pestered his oathsister to explain what Malfoy had done to Harry and Snape chose that moment to join in the discussion. The Potions Master told Harry in a barely civil mindvoice that Malfoy had gained his consciousness early in the morning. Then he told him how Malfoy had suddenly woke up from his sleep, getting out of bed instantly to go to Harry. Fenix nodded from time to time and enlightened the young man that his savior was a Mindhealer. The unique ability of Malfoy had helped her unravel the secret to Harry’s blank mind and Sirius took a moment to tease the Fire Master lightly that she seemed to have a gap in her studies.

: What does a Mindhealer do? : Harry could not help asking. He could not believe that a guy like Malfoy had been gifted with a sensitive and humane gift.

: A lot of things. It could work both ways, for good or for ill. A Mindhealer is sort of like an Empath, but unlike the Empaths who heal hearts-- meaning emotionally-- the Mindhealers heal the psychological parts of the human, : the Fire Master informed the young man and he shuddered a little.

: Could he influence the mind of another? : Harry asked in a worried voice but Fenix shook her head.

: He could manipulate the mind of another but not in the way you’re thinking. I’ll give you an example. Malfoy could erase your thoughts completely or he could transplant false memories into your mind and you would really think that memory is completely true. This is usually done for someone who’s been through a very drastic trauma that the truth would probably damage his or her lives to a severe extent. :

Harry looked thoughtfully at Sirius and commented in a serious voice, "Sometimes she sound just like Hermione."

: Thanks very much, : Fenix said dryly and the room was filled with muffled chuckles. : You know, : she turned her eyes on the sleeping Slytherin, : I bet on a Galleon that Draco can tell you what that flicker of light at the bottom of the pit signifies. :

Hermione blearily came down to the common room and stopped as she saw some of her juniors looking up at a giant banner that was being hung by Dobby. It wrote ‘Harry has awakened!!!!!!!!!’ She blinked incredulously and Ron bumped into her quite accidentally when Dean pushed him gently.

"What’s wrong?" Ron asked her. She did not say anything but pointed up at the banner. "Bloody hell!"

Harry’s friends quickly bounded off to the Hall and pocketed as much food they could possibly handle and went straight up to the infirmary. They met a very sentimental Hagrid who had just came out of the room and gave them a thumbs-up sign. Hermione squealed with delight like a seven-year old kid in a candy store when she saw Harry sitting on his bed, grinning widely at her as he ate his breakfast. His godfather, who could not sleep, stayed with Harry all the way through morning to accompany him. She flung her arms around Harry enthusiastically and let Ginny hug him, clapping her hands gleefully.

Malfoy stared impassively at them as he ate his breakfast and listened to their conversation while he read the Daily Prophet that the Potions Master had passed to him. Hermione was asking Harry in an excited voice, "Did Fenix helped you?" Snape looked archly at the exalted girl and Sirius decided it was time for her to be pulled down to earth.

"Why do you make it sound as if she’s the answer to everything?" Harry’s godfather asked gently and Hermione gave him an inquisitorial look. Sirius chuckled lightly at her facial expression. He leaned in to whisper with a roguish highlight of his face., "Even she had to depend on Malfoy for help."

"What?" several of Harry’s friends yelped out in unison. Ron stared at Harry, before turning to look at the Slytherin prefect who was watching them with a lofty expression. "I don’t bloody believe it," Ron said flatly, after deciding that the information that Sirius had given them was true.

"I know what you mean." Harry nodded his agreement. He gave a sly grin at Hermione when he caught sight of her new silver bracelet. "Hermione," he motioned her to lean slightly closer and whispered, "happy Belated Birthday by the way." She treated him with a bright smile. He saw Alamanda standing frozen at the doorway. Every head turned to watch the girl curiously.

"Draco helped to get Harry back?" she asked in a soft voice, almost dreamily. Harry nodded, not seeing the danger that was about to happen in the hospital wing. "He really did?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. Sirius’s and then Snape’s accompanied Harry’s nod. Alamanda took a deep breath and strode forward over Malfoy. Bravely she placed a hand on his collar, pulling him down and delivered a kiss, right in front of Snape. The Gryffindors stared at the kissing duo, suddenly filled with embarrassment. Ginny choked as she stared at the Slytherin girl in disbelief. Sirius smothered the laughter that was about to explode as he looked at Snape’s face.

Alamanda pulled away, her eyes staring at Malfoy’s with a mystified expression. She suddenly blushed; not daring to look at the Potions Master and quickly fled away from the infirmary. Malfoy raised his fingers to touch his lips with a moony expression. Harry took that moment to make a comment to his best friend. "He certainly looked like how you did when Hermione first kissed you last year. All baffled--" Hermione quickly clamped his mouth shut, blushing furiously.

Ginny gave a whistle and looked accusingly at Hermione. "Last year, Hermione? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"Who needs to be told, Ginny?" Dean hugged her familiarly, making Ron narrow his eyes as he stared at his roommate. "It was kind of obvious. For years, in fact." Ginny gave a snort and looked at Malfoy in amusement. He was still wearing that bemused expression but his face turned red when he saw Snape stare at him.

: I solemnly swear that if you call me that again, I’ll Transfigure you into a cockroach, : Snape threatened. Sirius looked at him suspiciously.

: Maybe not just a cockroach. A flying one. Fenix is absolutely frightened of flying cockroaches. That way I have absolute confidence that she will get you with a broomstick. : Snape leaned back against his chair, and wore a contemplative expression before he finally gave the handsome Black a sneer, at the Black's uneasy expression.

: No wonder you fell into Slytherin, : Sirius replied laconically. He lifted his nose up when he smelled something delicious wafting about the room. Fenix entered the room with the Defence teacher carrying a basket in one arm while Remus held a couple of paper plates in another.

"Extra treat for you guys," she announced cheerfully and systematically began cutting up a green-looking cake and swiftly placed each piece on paper plates while Remus distributed them to the people in the room.

"What kind of cake is this?" Sirius asked curiously, lifting his portion up to smell.

"Something I learned… somewhere. I think it was a recipe I found from the Internet." Fenix muttered a ‘Forget it’ when a handful of them looked at her in bafflement.

There was another delivery of letters and parcels by the post-owls that morning. However, one owl hovered above the Slytherin table and finally managed to catch the attention of Professor McGonagall. The owl flew straight for her and dropped a red envelope. It was intended for Draco Malfoy.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked the healer, who was giving Harry a check-up, "how long do Harry have to stay here?"

The healer pursed her lips and replied thoughtfully. "I think he could go back to his classes by Friday but absolutely no Quidditch. And the same goes to your student, Professor Snape." The Potions Master nodded to indicate that he heard her and helped himself to one more piece of cake. Professor McGonagall was standing in one corner of the ward, then cleared her throat to gain the attention of all, holding Malfoy’s envelope gingerly in between her fingers.

"I don’t think we should be in the same room when that goes off," Neville said in a hushed voice but his warning came a little too late.

"YOU USELESS HUMAN BEING! I AM ABSOLUTELY ASHAMED OF YOU!" The voice of Malfoy’s mother shrieked out. It was almost as bad as having the portrait of Sirius’s mother. "WE SPENT SO MANY YEARS AND GALLEONS ON YOU! AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US?! YOU DENIED HIM OF POTTER!" Several obscenities followed and even the Potions Master blanched at the offensive words. Mrs. Malfoy shrieked again. "I, NARCISSA BLACK AND MY HUSBAND, LUCIUS MALFOY DECLARE DRACO AN OUTCAST! YOU ARE SHUNNED AMONG US!" The tray that Madam Pomfrey was holding fell from her grasp, the teapot breaking into several tiny fragments. The red envelope stopped shrieking and began to self-destruct.

No one dared say anything. No one dared make a move. Fenix stared at the spot where the red envelope had burst into flames and disintegrated into a small pile of ashes. Malfoy, white-lip and pale, began to shake uncontrollably. The room began to heat up suddenly. Harry acted instinctively. He got up from his bed and delivered the belligerent Slytherin prefect a stunning blow. The room went back to an ambient temperature.

"Potter…" Snape hissed out angrily. Harry looked at the Potions Master calmly.

"Then I’m glad you knocked him into sense again," Fenix strode forward and lifted Malfoy who was rubbing his swollen cheek. "You’re being foolish, Draco." She laid a hand on his cheek and the pain gradually lessened.

: Guys… : Fenix spoke to the rest of the students, hoping that they received the small hint. Ron waved goodbye to them, promising Harry that they would be back during their lunch time. Professor McGonagall felt uneasy being in the room and left with the rest of the Gryffindor students. The healer left the rest alone after she had gathered the broken pieces of the teapot.

Malfoy bowed his head, trying to control his grief and anger. He joked feebly, trying to distract himself from the way his emotions were boiling up inside him. "That was quite a powerful blow, Potty. I think you ought to go back to the classes."

Fenix stared penetratingly at the Potions Master. : What? : Snape asked her in irritation. However, she remained silent, staring deeply into his eyes and waited. He did not like the way she was looking at him, feeling as if she was measuring something so obscure. The silence grew so intense that Remus, Harry and his godfather could not help but stare quietly at the Fire Master and then Snape.

"All right," Snape grated out in disgruntlement. "Draco," he spoke in a commanding voice and that made the Slytherin prefect stare up at him. "Your parents should have been more specific when they had sent that Howler. They should have remembered to severe a contract that your father had made with me. But in this case--" he was quickly interrupted by Fenix.

"That contract is still valid," she spoke in a severe tone. Remus, Harry, his godfather and Malfoy stared at the other two, trying to figure out what they were saying.

"Lucius Malfoy had named me as his godfather," the Potions Master snarled, looking at the small woman with an unfriendly expression.

"Oh," Harry responded, taking Snape’s answer casually. "So, Fenix," he gave the Fire Master a sly grin, "one more addition to the family…"

"Yeah. It’s complete now." Malfoy was staring at her incredulously when she said that. She winked broadly at Harry as she exited out of the infirmary.

"Snape, do you have something for migraines?" the werewolf who had been silent, finally asked the Potions Master in a rueful voice.

"No help for it I guess," Harry exchanged a dry look with his godfather. "What do you want for a family reunion, Draco?" The Slytherin prefect threw a fireball at him but it impacted uselessly on Harry’s shield.

: Fenix is being cruel. Bad enough that she had made us like Snape, who happened to be a person I hate most, and now this one? : Harry asked his godfather helplessly, although his face remained expressionless.

: God. She is one hell lot of a complicated woman. : Sirius gave a sigh, looking at Draco with sympathy, as the boy groaned and quickly covered his face with his pillow as he lay back on the bed.

Now that everyone else had gone to either attend classes or teach classes, Harry was beginning to feel a little bored. He looked at Draco’s bed and sighed, trying to think of something he could do. The Slytherin prefect had fallen asleep, like a blinded hawk after he had covered his face with his pillow. Harry had stepped out of bed and wanted to take a walk but Madam Pomfrey stared at him icily and he turned back to sit on his bed. He let out a sigh of acquiescence. There was still a bit of Fenix’s cake and he decided to snack, leaning against his pillow as he daydreamed.

The room darkened steadily and he heard the low growls of thunder, rumbling across the land. His thoughts turned to the sleeping Slytherin. I can't believe that I actually sympathize with that guy. He was a spoilt brat belonging to a wealthy, pure-blooded wizard family then got himself repudiated by his kin because he helped me, only to be carried away into a family that’s organized by a strange woman. Just thinking about the idea that Draco’s going to be part of their lives, just like how Fenix had gradually fitted Snape in their daily lives, was giving the young man a splendid headache. Harry was still deep in thought while munching away on the cake when the Headmaster entered the room, almost regally. Harry looked a little confused when he saw a dark shape looming over his right and smiled when he saw that it was Dumbledore.

"Good morning, Harry," the Headmaster greeted him and closed his eyes briefly when a bright flash of lightning hit the wall of the castle. "You are well, I hope?" he continued.

"Yes, I think I’m fine now. But Madam Pomfrey insisted that I remain here until tomorrow," Harry replied, suddenly wishing that he was back in classes than hanging about like an invalid.

"Sirius had told me some of your thoughts," Dumbledore began, taking a chair and carefully rearranged his robe before sitting down. "I am beginning to think that we should have suspended the lessons after all." He sighed almost regretfully and stared at Harry piercingly.

"But we still could send the students back right? Especially the juniors," Harry offered a cake as he said that.

"I am afraid it’s too late now, Harry. The students and their families are already committed to fight Voldemort. Even now, there are plans of skirmishes to take down Death Eaters and the Dementors. While the other side also have plans to reduce our numbers," the Headmaster informed him as he took the proffered piece of cake. "There is a high possibility that we might have to cancel the exams," he paused for a moment to chew on the cake. "Interesting flavor," he remarked.

"I wonder where she had found the time to bake this," he said, then looked solemnly at the young man. "Professor Trelawney had made another prediction."

Harry gazed intently at the Headmaster, whose aged eyes were looking at him worriedly. "The war between Voldemort and us would continue for until the planet Jupiter crosses the path of the sun, creating a solar eclipse. And that had already been calculated."

Harry stared mutely and waited for Dumbledore to continue. "The war will go on for approximately four years, ending sometime in winter of that year. That is if you live long enough. If you somehow died within that four years, the war will continue on for a much longer period," the Headmaster said gravely.

The Boy Who Lived was stunned by the news, color draining from his face quickly. Draco, who had been awake when the Headmaster came in and was listening to their conversation secretly, pulled his pillow from his face slowly. His pale face mirrored the same kind of horrified expression that was on Harry’s face.

"It is war, Harry. I’m afraid that the confrontation between you and Voldemort will take longer than just a day, or a month," Dumbledore said gently. Harry covered his face with one hand as he trembled suddenly, trying not to think about how many casualties will result from this war. The thought of losing his close friends because of it was strong enough to make him cry. The Headmaster stood up from his chair and clasped his shoulder before quietly walking off, nodding to Draco on his way out.

"He definitely has a good sense of timing," Draco spoke up, staring at the beams and Harry could not tell if the Slytherin was being sarcastic. "Gloomy thoughts to complement the nice weather over the castle." Harry nodded his agreement and fell silent as a series of loud growls of thunder filled the room.

The hospital wing was filled with murmurs of conversation, occasionally punctuated by thunder. The presence of their friends in the room helped the two boys to forget about the grim news that Dumbledore had passed on temporarily. Hermione was informing Harry just how much he was missing out on lessons and also told him that he, herself, and Ron made up a group to complete a Transfiguration project that McGonagall had given them. And the date when the project will be due will be sometime during the first week of October.

"Seems like homework is piling up on me," Harry groaned as he watched Hermione began listing down all that needed to be done. "And what about that Vigilencia potion?"

"Hasn’t Snape talked to you about it?" Ron asked casually. Harry shook his head and Ron exchanged a look with Hermione.

"Well…" she began nervously. "He said that you and Ma-- Draco would resume making that potion on Saturday morning." Harry sighed as she finished her sentence and examined the list that Hermione handed over to him. It did not seem too bad to Harry and he brightened up.

Over at Draco’s side, Montague was briefing his friend about his homework. His group of boys had boldly cast Parkinson’s group aside without fear, as Crabbe passed Draco several Chocolate Frogs. The pale-haired Slytherin listened attentively to Montague’s words while Alamanda squeezed herself into their group. She seemed to be very popular to the Slytherin boys, much to Parkinson’s horror, but she could not do anything about how Draco’s gang was favoring the first-year girl. Warrington had made several veiled threats to everyone who decided to play tricks with Alamanda, eyeing Parkinson particularly as he said it.

Ginny was looking at them with a mystified expression on her face, whispering secretively to Hermione, both of them possessing the same sly glints in their eyes. "Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron whispered into her ear, feeling somewhat suspicious.

"I’m not doing anything," she calmly replied. "I just want to see how Draco will react to Alamanda's presence with Parkinson hanging in the background," she explained in a hushed voice, her eyes not leaving the bunch of Greenies. She smiled faintly when she saw Draco’s face lit up when he caught sight of Alamanda, just when Montague finished his briefing. Alamanda was blushing prettily and seemed to be slightly breathless when the taller Warrington pushed her forward. She tittered nervously. The Gryffindors and Draco’s group of friends waited somewhat anxiously.

Draco beckoned her closer and she complied, making Parkinson narrow her eyes into mere slits. The pale-haired young man leaned towards the young girl and nervously whispered. "Did Snape say anything to you?" Alamanda blinked her eyes and nodded shyly. "So what did he say?"

"Detention on Friday at five," she whispered back. Draco lifted an eyebrow and asked her in an almost rakish way.

"Would you be there?"

Hermione quickly buried her face on Ron’s chest, trying to muffle her giggles. Alamanda nodded shyly then quickly pushed past Montague and fled away again, her hands covering her flaming cheeks. Draco’s gang burst out in laughter and Warrington clapped Draco’s back carelessly.

"Someone’s turning really, really into a Greenie," Ginny whispered to her friends and they studied Parkinson, who was looking at Draco lividly.

"What is the meaning of this, Draco?" she hissed out angrily. Her friends chose that moment to leave the room and the Gryffindors surrounded themselves with conversation, trying not to listen to Parkinson’s shrill voice.

"I thought it was obvious," the young man replied calmly. "You don’t get it? Then I’ll explain. I’m absolutely tired of your senseless chattering. I don’t mind the cuddles but I rather like the cuddles to be silent without any kind of background vocals. So, to sum it all up, I’m breaking off with you."

The Slytherins fell silent and waited patiently. "You’ll regret this!" she stormed off and the Slytherin guys sighed with relief.

"I’m so glad you finally did it that I could almost kiss you," Montague said fervently to his friend who just smirked, "and the rest of you, don’t even dare try to court her or her friends." He looked fiercely at the rest of his friends.

"Don’t you think it’s better if you warn Alamanda to be careful, Montague? Parkinson really knows how to keep grudges," Alicia Spinnet called out to them. Warrington nodded and headed out along with Crabbe and Goyle.

The visitors waved their goodbye and left the room for their classes and left Harry and Draco alone again. The atmosphere turned bleak again. Harry studied Hermione’s list but not really reading it. Not able to stand the silence and the heavy thoughts that were about to surface, he stood up and walked over to the Slytherin’s side, flopping on to a chair carelessly. Draco narrowed his eyes warily as he stared at his rival.

"I’ve been wanting to ask you this," Harry began, talking casually to the Slytherin.

"When I was out, I found myself standing near the edge of something. So inches away from solid ground was a curtain of blackness," Harry paused as lightning bolt hit the castle and a great roar of thunder vibrated through the walls. "And at the bottom-- somewhere below, I saw a steady flicker of light," he continued.

Draco leaned on his pillow as he looked at Harry thoughtfully. Finally, he spoke up. "It’s a place where you can enter and never come back." At his rival’s confused look, he began explaining. "You go in, you might never wake up from your comatose. That’s how some people ended up from a state of unconsciousness into a brain-dead state." He casually tossed a Chocolate Frog to a shuddering Harry. "Now, it’s my turn. What in the name of Bel happened to Snape?"

"I don’t really understand the change either. But Fenix played a large factor in that. And you know… Snape’s not even a Death Eater anymore. He doesn’t even bear the Mark; if you had watched carefully during that particular train-hijack." Harry tore off the wrapping and chewed on the Chocolate Frog thoughtfully.

"It was a Phoenix. Fenix was the one who gave him that. As far as I understand it, Snape’s been given the full redemption," Harry informed him. "Did you receive any news about your father, Drake?"

The Slytherin watched him carefully. "No. But I suspect that my mother had been in contact with him. Peculiar, isn’t it? She didn’t trust me enough to tell me anything about my father."

That mysterious sentence made Draco sat up straighter and looked curiously at his rival. Harry cleared his throat uneasily. "Your father’s sort of maimed right now."

"There were several attempts from the Dark Lord to gain Snape back into their midst but Snape refused them firmly. Your father was dueling Snape at that time and Snape shoved a… this might sound a little revolting," Harry warned the Slytherin prefect.

"He took a sharp stick and jabbed it into your father’s right eye," Harry quickly described what had happened. Draco inevitably winced and unconsciously rubbed his right eye. The queer thing that Draco noticed was that he was not even angry at what Snape did to his father. I’m just too tired to react properly I guess. I can’t believe I’m talking to Potter right now. That woman must have grown on me when I was not paying attention. She probably was starting to influence me during the Defence lessons.

Snape knocked on Sirius’s door and Harry’s godfather admitted him in. Snape looked at him curiously and sat down on a chair, watching Sirius marking carefully on a student’s parchment.

"Why did you want to see me?" Snape asked and Sirius looked at him blankly for a moment before snapping his fingers together.

"I almost forgot to tell you that Fenix and I would be scouting on Saturday evening," Sirius said then went back to marking his student’s paper, ignoring the Potions Master. Snape’s mouth thinned as he suppressed his anger.

"I know, but she accepted the invitation. We’re going with the wolves this time. It’s risky enough with the centaurs being very selfish with their territory, bad enough there’s one lost giant out there somewhere, and even worse that Death Eaters had came so close to the students. We need to keep a close eye on that Forest, so we’ll be covering more ground than usual."

Snape took a deep breath to calm himself, but the offhanded manner Sirius had spoke somehow irked him. "Fine then," the Potions Master snapped out. "I have to inform you that Harry’s behind his Advanced Potions so I have to give him some extra tutorials on Sundays."

"No," Sirius said flatly, and Snape instantly bristled. "Sunday’s family day. It’s the time the kids get to relax."

: I wonder if you really care about Harry’s future, Black. : Snape’s mindvoice was steely.

Sirius slammed his fist down and leaned forward, scowling furiously. : What are you implying, Snivellus? :

: I am implying that you are spoiling your godson too much. Having extra lessons won’t hurt the boy. Or maybe… you are afraid that he might disappear even before you get to say that you love him? : Snape almost jeered at him.

: So what if I say I am? : Sirius stood up, staring eye to eye to the Potions Master. His face was pale with suppressed anger and Snape stared back angrily, his black eyes shining brightly.

: You are still the arrogant boy, Black. You can’t even tell him a simple thing, : the Potions Master continued to taunt him.

: Harry doesn’t need to be told, Snivellus. He has far more sense than you do! :

Snape had enough. Somehow all the tension from the day he had met the Dark Lord again at the Ministry finally caught up with him and lunged at Sirius, giving a powerful blow to the side of the Black’s face. Sirius lay stunned for a while at a corner where he had landed, and shook his head a little. Harry’s godfather retaliated by giving Snape a punch, and the Potions Master backed away from him with a bleeding lip. The Elementals watched them with alarm and amusement. Some wanted to inform their mistress about the two males but Krill told all of them to stand down, saying that the two men needed to break it all out.

Both of them were careful not to land on Sirius’s desk for fear of ruining the students’ answer scripts. The scene was ghastly, much like a brawl between two drunken men in a tavern. Since the two of them were sane and clear-headed, the damage was much more pronounced. Sirius was the first to give up, leaning against the window and took shallow breaths, clutching the right side of his waist. Snape followed, leaning against Sirius’s cupboard, massaging his jaw.

"I don’t believe it myself. Brawling, like a bunch of fifteen year-olds. Gods," Snape agreed. "I wonder why the idea of a professional duel didn’t come to me."

"Same here. Damnation. I promised Fenix that I would come down to the Hall for dinner."

"So did I." Snape gazed helplessly at him, finally looking at the damage he caused Sirius.

"Oh damn. We are going to get killed." Sirius groaned, then slowly sat down. "What are we going to do?"

"You tell me." Snape snorted, flinging his head back and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw Sirius bowing his head down, body shaking. A light chuckle came out of Harry’s godfather. It slowly turned to an all-out laughter. Snape shook his head in disgust at the situation, and helplessly joined in Sirius’s infectious laughter.

Snape suppressed a brief sigh of resentment. He still needed to get changed. His robe was torn and several buttons of his shirt had popped off. Sirius helped the indignant Snape collect all the missing buttons, continuously laughing. He was peeking out from Sirius’s office, hoping fervently that he would not bump into anyone out the corridor. It’s a good thing I could still move swiftly. He gave a brief nod to Sirius and briskly walked to his office and let out a sigh of relief when he safely entered his office.

"You are still going to get killed you know," Krill’s amused deep voice echoed in the room and the Potions Master winced.

Sirius looked at the mirror and flinched at the sight of his bruised cheek and his eye was just starting to swell. At least I do have the reputation to be a rogue since I was a student here but Snape doesn’t. He grinned wickedly and stepped out of his quarters and cheerfully went down to the Hall. He whistled and winked at the girls who were staring curiously at his handsome, battered face and entered the Hall as if he had not just engaged himself in a fistfight. He put on a bland expression and tried not to wince as he sat down beside his oathsister. Fenix’s fork had clattered noisily onto her plate when she caught sight of his face.

"What?" Sirius innocently asked. The people surrounding Sirius watched him with baffled expression. "What?" he asked in exasperation. So far I’m doing all right, but it will blow off anyway when Snape gets here. There were hushed whispers erupting from the Slytherins as they watched a figure clad in black strode forward calmly to the Gryffindor table. Ron choked his pumpkin juice and both Hermione and Ginny quickly patted his back. The Potions Master calmly sat in his place and began to eat his dinner in silence.

: Has she started screaming yet? : Snape asked in a worried tone, although his face remained impassive. Sirius copied his image.

: Surprisingly, no. : Harry’s godfather answered calmly. He tried to watch Fenix by the corner of his eye and was careful not to sigh with relief when she picked her fork back up and resumed eating. Her silence was a warning sign and the two men who had misbehaved waited in trepidation. Sirius suddenly realized his best friend was missing from the table and asked Fenix in a soft voice.

"He’s gone for his patrol with McGonagall, along with the wolves," Fenix said in an expressionless voice. Sirius remained silent after that and concentrated on his dinner. Then came the avalanche.

: Sirius, I’m disgusted at you, : she first said to Sirius privately and then to Snape. : And Sev, I am absolutely shocked. : She calmly left the table and exited from the Hall. Snape actually sunk in his seat a little. The students exchanged a baffled look and shrugged, staring at the two men who were actually flushing with embarrassment.

Sirius was walking down to the hospital wing unhurriedly. Peeves was loitering about the hallway and with a flick of his wand he triggered a complicated looking trap that the poltergeist was still fixing. Peeves wailed out in distressed and his cries attracted the Bloody Baron who picked the poltergeist up-- trap and all, before vanishing. He gave a wicked smile and jumped suddenly when a peal of thunder broke over the castle.

Entering the ward, he saw that Fenix was sitting closely to Snape and knew that she was Healing the Potions Master. He was a little surprised to see Harry sitting on a chair beside Draco’s bed and the four of them seemed to be discussing about something. Draco lifted an eyebrow when he inspected Sirius. Even his godson was scrutinizing him carefully. Finally, Harry spoke up, via mindspeech.

: Sirius, : Harry began in a slightly pained voice, : what on earth possessed you that you absolutely have to pick a fight with our greasy-haired Professor Snape? :

"That’s easy to answer, Harry," Sirius said with full aplomb. "I always pick a fight with him when I have the chance to. It’s his problem that he had chosen to participate." Harry laughed heartily at his thick-skinned godfather.

"Just for that, I’ll let your eye swell shut," Fenix said firmly, not looking at Sirius. She clinically poked Snape on his back and he flinched, scowling darkly at the Fire Master. Sirius chuckled lightly.

: How are you doing? : Sirius asked his godson and Harry answered with a grin. : What were you guys talking about before I came in to interrupt you? :

Harry stretched his back as he answered. : We were talking about the night we were flying to the Headquarters but ended up taking a side trip. Draco wanted to hear the details about his father and about Snape’s redemption. :

Fenix absently pulled Sirius close to her and began to Heal him automatically. He gave in to her administration and listened to their conversation distractedly. It was beginning to rain again. An hour passed and Fenix quickly gave all four males a hug, saying that she wanted to get some sleep. She gave a severe look at Snape and warned him to go to bed as soon as the healer chase them all out.

"She’s quite an austere woman, isn’t she?" Draco observed, eyeing Snape with dry amusement.

"Be nice," Harry responded. Madam Pomfrey came into the room and looked significantly at the four of them. Sirius sighed and motioned Harry to go to his bed. The lights were dimming quickly and Sirius took enough time to hug his godson.

: You too. : He gave a small sigh. : Just one more night. I’ll be sleeping in my own bed tomorrow. That’s a nice thought. : Sirius chuckled at Harry’s almost petulant mindvoice.

Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat impatiently and Sirius lingered long enough to tuck the blanket in. : Hey, : Sirius faltered, feeling a little embarrassed, : I love you, Harry. :

There was a sudden flash of lightning and Sirius briefly saw his godson’s bright smile. : I know. : The room plunged back into darkness. : And I love you too. I sort of regretted that I had never said that to you, especially when I thought that you were really gone. :

: Well, no more regrets then, : Sirius said cheerfully, feeling as if a great deal of weight disappeared from his shoulders. : Have a good sleep. : Sirius quickly took himself out of the ward before Madam Pomfrey could complain and joined Snape as they headed back to their quarters while the infirmary was watched by the Elementals.

Madam Pomfrey was giving the two students a last minute check up and pronounced that both of them could return to their dormitory but said in passing that they were not required to attend classes yet, but they could if they wanted to. Harry and Draco walked out of the hospital ward together and parted as Draco moved to a portrait that would lead the Slytherin straight down to the Entrance Hall while Harry went to a portrait that would lead him to the seventh floor.

The Fat Lady was waiting expectantly as she watched him trying to remember the password that Hermione had whispered to him yesterday. He grinned broadly and said, "Silver Wheel." The Fat Lady smiled briefly and swung open to admit him in. The common room was silent, as the students had gone off for their classes. He clambered up the staircase to his dormitory to pick up his towel and gave himself a bath. Feeling absolutely refreshed, he went back to his room to change into his school robes. He sighed when he tried to comb his hair but it just would not cooperate and he got out his gel. He spent several moments styling his hair and swiftly turned around when a soft tender hoot filled the room. It was Hedwig, gracefully perched at a chair’s back. Harry went straight to her and scratched her neck fondly. He had missed Potions tutorial and thought he ought to go down for his Transfiguration practical that day. He lifted Hedwig from her perch and she carefully hopped onto his arm before placing her talons slowly on his shoulder.

He picked up his wand and tucked it into his robe, then carefully examined his bag. Finding that all his writing utensils and the books necessary for his classes for the rest of the day were in it, he zipped his bag close and lifted it to his left shoulder. Looking at his wristwatch, it showed exactly ten-fifteen and he decided to go down the library to kill time. "Hey, I’m going to the library. Why don’t you fly back to the Owlery to rest? You can come find me in the Hall during lunch time later. Will that be all right?" Hedwig nibbled on his ear gently and he opened the window to let her out. Hedwig slowly edged her talons to the lower part of his arm and he gave a powerful toss and watched as Hedwig soared over the clear autumn sky. He watched his owl disappear from sight and closed the window back, then stepped out of the dormitory to head down to the library. He suddenly remembered that he had a belated gift to deliver to Hermione. He went back to his room and searched for the gift that he had kept in his drawer. He got out a slim black paper packet that contained his gift. It was one of Hedwig's secondary feathers that he had obtained when she shook the loose feather free from her wings. Without help from anyone, he had made a nice-looking hair accessory for his friend. With that packet safe in his pocket, he went out of the Gryffindor Tower and went down to the library.

He was a little surprised to see Draco in the library reading a book. Suddenly feeling awkward, he briefly nodded a greeting before choosing a table at a corner that was nearer to a window. He fished for Hermione’s list of homework and scanned it. His eyes lighted up on an essay writing for Herbology and felt that he ought to spend sometime in the library to find information on how to grow and nurture the Magnolia Projectivilien. He got up from his seat and searched through the Herbology section, and finally came up with two thick books that seemed promising. He leafed through the pages of one volume as he went back to his seat.

By the time Harry had finished writing down some respectable notes, it was ten minutes to eleven. There was no time for him to look at the second book but jotted down the reference so he could find it again if he needed to. He packed up his bag and placed the books back into their shelves and unexpectedly bumped into the Slytherin.

"McGonagall’s?" Harry asked the pale-haired Slytherin who nodded. They walked toward their Transfiguration classroom and Harry secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Hermione and Ron waiting outside the classroom.

"I’ve rested enough in bed," he informed them in a contrite voice. Ron was eyeing Draco suspiciously, who was gazing intently at them. Hermione was about to say something but Harry gave both her and Ron a look signifying, ‘I need to inform you of something but later’. Then he pretended to check his robe for something but in actual fact he was fingering the Gryffindor crest attached to the school robe. His friends got the idea immediately. He finally got out Hermione's gift and she glowed that he had remembered her birthday. The door unlocked and Hermione was the first to enter and stood frozen in the middle of the classroom. Wondering what had caught her perplexity, Harry looked about the classroom. Professor McGonagall was already waiting for them, as a cat on her desk. However, she was the only thing that looked normal in the room. Harry caught sight of a brown rat but had the hind legs of a crow. He saw a statue but it had a pair of flapping winds.

"Bloody hell…" Ron muttered under his breath. The Gryffindors placed their bags to one corner and stared at the weird stuff placed in all directions about the room. Draco was peering curiously at a palm-sized mirror but when he flipped it to the other side, he gave a small gasp of surprise when he saw a mouse protruding out of the mirror. Professor McGonagall-- in her cat form-- was staring at Harry. She waited until all were present before leaping off from the table and transformed into her human self.

"Welcome back Mr. Potter and you too, Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall greeted them slowly. The temperature suddenly increased but dropped back down instantly. Harry looked at Draco, whose eyes were glimmering with intense anger. "Well, class. Today we shall see just how good you are at figuring what had been what," she informed all of them with a faint smile hovering on her lips. Her eyes scanned the room quickly as she counted heads and told them to work on an object in groups of threes. Draco quickly took Crabbe and Goyle and that left Parkinson alone, who seemed to be still glowering at him about their breakup. Parvati and Lavender with heavy hearts accepted her into their group.

Harry, Ron and Hermione went off for the statue with the pair of wings. Ron was studying the pair of wings carefully. "Harry, what do they look like to you?" He pointed his chin at the wings. Harry went over to examine the wings while Hermione was carefully poking the statue and scrutinizing it carefully.

"It really looks like it belonged to a chicken, don’t you think?" Harry answered Ron’s question.

"It’s worth a try…" Hermione shrugged and discussed with her group members the spells they should use. They had forty minutes to gain themselves some points for their House but it seemed that whatever the statue was, it was not a chicken.

Hermione was feeling very vexed. It so happened that her team had picked the most difficult object when Professor McGonagall happened to stop by their group. "It’s not a statue, nor a chicken or a stone," Hermione whispered in frustration.

"How about an egg?" Ron suggested. Hermione gave a snort and they cast their spells. To Hermione’s profound amazement, the statue with the wings was suddenly enveloped in a golden glow and it grew so bright that all of them were forced to turn away from the source of light. When the light dimmed, there, sitting on a red cushion was one chicken egg. Ron was staring at it stupidly. "That was just a joke!" he protested incredulously.

Harry and Hermione walked toward their bags and Harry lifted Ron’s. His best friend was still staring at the egg. "Ron!"

"What? Oh… yeah… coming…" Ron shot a disgusted look at the egg before he retrieved his bag. Hermione was silent all the way. Only when they sat down at the table did she asked Ron why he thought of an egg.

"I dunno…" Ron said almost sheepishly. "It’s just that you tried stone, rock and even limestone. So, the idea of egg just popped in my mind…" Hermione did not seem to be satisfied with his answer but dropped the subject when Neville came and sat down beside Harry, looking blankly at a cream puff.

"Hey, Neville. What’s wrong?" Hermione asked him in a quiet voice. Neville did not answer. Fenix was suddenly there, as if she had just Apparated. Some of the students jumped; she however, took no notice of them.

"Neville?" Fenix laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He looked up at her slowly; his eyes were still unfocused. "Come." He took her hand and they vanished.

"How come I’m having the feeling that something bad had happened?" Ron whispered uneasily. His friends did not know what to answer so they kept quiet, trying to gulp down the sudden feeling of alarm.

Hours passed and soon, wherever there were students, the place was surrounded by excited conversation. Harry and his group of friends were sitting around the Hall, surrounding Hermione who was holding a special edition of the Daily Prophet. They now understood why their friend had looked as he did during lunch time. It seemed that somehow the Dark Lord had found out about the transfer of the St. Mungo’s patients and he had launched a surprise attack on patients and personnel alike. One Auror was down and several patients were killed; one of them was Neville’s father, who had for a brief moment acted like the Auror he once was to protect his wife and killed several of the Dark Lord’s followers with him.

Hermione was actually crying as she read it; nor was she the only one. There were some of them who were just too shocked to even let their tears flow. They seemed a bit surprised when they saw Fenix in the picture-- she looked a little strained, her face was displaying an expression of trying to suppress her tears as she helped to direct the volunteers about, and Healed those who had been injured. Harry wondered when on earth she had gotten there. They also saw several of the members of the Order. Moody, Tonks and several others were there in helping in the move and securing the area.

Those who had gathered about Hermione went and sat down on the nearest tables, looking silently at each other. Ron had one arm hugging Hermione and she wiped her tearful eyes. "What are we going to do? I mean… Neville will know that we already know… but I don’t want to hurt him with sympathy." Harry closed his eyes and buried his face in his palms. Sensing that nobody would give them any kind of attention now, he decided to inform them of their latest addition to their family and also told them what Professor Dumbledore had told him about Professor Trelawney’s prediction. Ron looked dumbfounded while Hermione looked at him with a terrified expression. She was repeating herself in a soft voice. "Four years…" Harry understood how she felt. Hermione had studied Muggle history too, and she probably understood the consequences of wars better than he could.

There was a clamor over the Hufflepuffs and others turned to look at them. Lee shouted, looking inquiringly at them, "Hey! What’s going on with you?"

"We were just wondering if it would be better if we start training up for war," one Hufflepuff spoke up.

"Are you people mad? We could get killed, boy," a Slytherin lashed out suddenly.

Harry stood up suddenly. "I agree with all three statements," he spoke up softly. "But we are not living in a century of peace right now. You have to be aware that the School may be attacked anytime now, since the Dark Lord’s major opponents are present here. They have already attacked a helpless community-- injured wizards and witches. What makes you think they won’t think of students as fair game?" The other students had no time to make any kind of rejoinder when Dumbledore’s voice was amplified all about the school.

"Your attention please. Students and all staff. Please proceed to the Great Hall immediately. I repeat. Students and all staff please proceed to the Great Hall immediately." Silence descended quickly in the Great Hall.

The Hall was slowly filled with students and Harry finally saw the grim faces of the teachers. Neville still looked a little shocked and Harry was surprised to see that his grandmother was with him, looking very sorrowful. Harry’s eyes scanned for Sirius. His godfather gave him a wan smile as he took a seat on the Gryffindor table, ignoring McGonagall’s instruction to take a seat at the teacher’s table. Fenix was looking really stressed; she kept rubbing her temple. Her partner and Snape seemed terribly worried about her and sandwiched her in between them, also ignoring some of the astonished looks that the rest of their colleagues were giving them.

The Headmaster walked unhurriedly toward the teacher’s table. The Hall automatically fell silent as he moved but did not sit. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked gravely about the Hall, his eyes flashing with concern as his gaze rested on Fenix’s head. She was the only one who was not looking at the Headmaster with curiosity, interest or trepidation. Dumbledore cleared his throat and spoke up in a soft voice. There was no need to project his voice out for the Hall was extremely silent. "I have requested all of you to assemble here for I have grave news that concern us all. I particularly have no wish to repeat myself and I apologize if I may seem to be blunt in addressing the current situation," his voice was dead serious. Everyone listened attentively.

"I am sure that by now, most of you have received the news about the attack on St. Mungo’s Hospital," he paused for a moment and stared at the magical ceiling with a little frown. The ceiling was using the Headmaster’s mood to create a gloomy atmosphere but at his determined will, and it took on a more cheerful scene. "I, as the Headmaster of the School and also the Ministry, had come to agreements that there will be no major exams. Also, I advise the students who deemed that studying in Hogwarts could be a little dangerous to submit their names to their respective Heads of Houses. I would not force any of you to stay behind the protection of the School any longer. But I would not deny that we are sorely in need of fighters." Professor McGonagall gave a little gasp and stared at the Headmaster in amazement. She did not realize that he would go that far to be blunt. The Headmaster continued speaking. "There is simply not enough of the… Old Blood to fight the Dark Lord and his mass of followers. You would be surprised to hear that he actually has three times of his followers than all of us put together. If you minus the students…" He let the students think about his assessment for quite some time before continuing.

"So although all exams have been canceled, lessons will be conducted as normal, but I could not promise you that you will graduate timely. We might have to retain you for a few more years…" Several students smiled faintly at his words. "Now as for the Quidditch matches this year," everyone held their breaths, "we’ll just see how it goes…" There was a chorus of disappointed sighs. "Professor Snape, McGonagall, Sprout and Flitwick, will now pass around a parchment and those who want out, feel free to write your names."

The Potions Master quickly conjured up a parchment and a quill, and briskly moved off to walk around the Slytherin table. Professor McGonagall came down to pass the parchment around and it did get passed around. The first-year Gryffindors shook their head and Aiden McIntyre passed it to Colin Creevey who passed it to his younger brother and so on. Nobody had signed on the parchment and all stared at Neville and his grandmother who was looking at him sternly.

"No," Neville responded and calmly got out of his seat, exiting out of the hall without another word and so the parchment continued making its way down the end of the Gryffindor table. The Founders of the School looked fondly at the grim-faced Gryffindors.

"Then we just have to guide them properly, I guess..." Helga Hufflepuff concluded, not caring that her statement was off-tune compared to the rest.

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