FicWad

Chapter 37:- A Cave in the Sky

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A/N: The normal, Malehorntaildragon thanks.

**

The morning was bright but Harry still thought it had an ominous feel to it. He was quietly sitting on the side of his bed waiting for Ron, but he knew that he was only using that as an excuse. He didn’t have to close his eyes to know that both the girls would be waiting for him downstairs in the common room. As he watched the still sleeping form of his best friend he reflected on how quiet the previous evening had been.

He had walked around the grounds once more after his trip to the library. Everything he read contradicted itself and it hadn’t helped him at all. He wanted to believe Gabrielle and some of the books he had read, but could he really do that? But more importantly was that if he did believe in what he had been told he would be putting those very people in danger, he would be as guilt as Voldemort in controlling others for his own purpose. As the darkness started to creep across the ground he had turned away from his growing problems and headed back inside with an odd feeling in his stomach. The lack of food wasn’t the problem as Dobby had sought him out and provided him with sandwiches it was facing them all again and him still not sure of himself.

As he had pushed his way into the common room he saw that the normal Saturday night fun was taking place. Bracing himself for the questions and looks he headed for Ron and Hermione. As he approached he almost stopped himself as he saw that they were alone. He had expected that the two girls would be there with them waiting for him. He quickly looked around and saw that Ginny was with her friends joking and laughing at something and Gabrielle was sitting with the other first year girls. He did see them both glance up but neither showed any other emotion nor did they come any closer. So Harry sat down with Ron and Hermione and did what he normally did on a Saturday night, talk and play chess.

It wasn’t until he had lost his ninth game to Ron that he realised how late it had gotten. As he looked round he saw that the common room was much emptier than before but still held many people including the two girls. As he looked he saw both of them rise and come closer. He braced himself for the inevitable questioning but all Ginny asked was about Sunday.

“Are we still helping with your cards tomorrow?”

Harry hadn’t heard her so quiet before and something inside reacted to it. It was though something was screaming that it was wrong but he forced it down knowing that he was the cause of it.

“Um...if you want to, we’ll do it after breakfast.” He replied.

“Ok we’ll wait for you here.” She had answered before turning slowly and walking off with Gabrielle.

As Harry turned back to the chess board he saw the look that Ron was giving him. He had never seen his friend give him such a look and Harry felt something ripple up his back.

“Everything....alright?” asked Ron still looking hard at his best friend.

“Yes...I’ve a lot to think about.”

“What’s that?” asked Hermione.

“Oh the future and....”

“Them?” she ventured.

“Yes them...”

“What about them?” asked Ron feeling a little concerned for his sister.

Harry looked closely at his friends. He hadn’t told them fully about his new magic and now wasn’t the time. He could see their questions but this was his problem and one he didn't want to share with these two.

“It something that I’ve got to decide...I....I...just don't know.”

“It may help if you told us.”

“No I have to do this on my own.”

“Harry we keep telling you, you don’t have to do anything on your own, we’ll always be there.”

Harry smiled before replying to Hermione.

“I know but this is something between us.”

“Between you and my sister.” Asked Ron in a low voice.

“No nothing like that...Honest it’s just something Gabrielle said and I’ve read.”

Ron glared hard at Harry before turning back to the board. He knew Harry wouldn’t tell him or Hermione tonight but soon he would break and tell them everything.

“Just see that there isn’t.” He growled letting some of his feelings out as he set the board up once more.

Harry wanted to reply but decided against it having these two mad at him was not going to help him in the least. He turned back to the board at tried once more to bet his best friend before bed.

**

Harry saw Ron stirring and so got up and crossed to the window. He always like looking out of this window, from here he could almost see everything. The long valley stretched before him each side marked by the steep cliffs. He could see the lake down below and the surrounding grounds. If he lent to one side he knew he could just about see the start of the quidditch pitch and to the other he could make out Hagrid’s hut and the forbidden forest.

It was times like this he just wanted to sit here and look out at the world. He always felt safe and away from it all, sitting on the windowsill. This room and this window allowed him to be the one thing that he always wanted and that was to be an ordinary boy. As soon as he descended the stairs he turned into Harry Potter but here on this window ledge he was just Harry.

“You’re up early again?” called Ron stumbling out of bed.

“No you’re just late.” Called Harry over his shoulder.

“Late...late, what for, there’s no lessons.”

“Come on get dressed so we can go for breakfast.”

Ron chuckled at the mention of food but did head for the bathroom and in no time was ready. The pair descended the stairs talking about last night’s chess matches but both knowing they were filling time until they met those waiting for them.

As they stepped of the last stone step Harry saw Hermione rise and cross towards Ron. He was suddenly very self conscious of standing next to Ron with Hermione approaching with a very unusual look in her eye. He was certain that she was about to give Ron a kiss and that was not something he wanted to stand next to, but moment before they came together she stopped.

“Well late as normal I see.”

“Well...um...it Sunday.”

“Yes but Harry’s has things to do. He doesn’t want to be waiting around for you.”

“It’s alright Hermione.” Answered Harry for Ron’s sake.

Ron swallowed one and glanced at the clock he realised that even for him he had slept late, the dream that he was having had made sure of it but now looking at the person in the flesh he understood he was being selfish so he turned towards Harry.

“Sorry mate, let’s get something to eat and then we can start...um how about a game of quidditch later?”

“Sounds fun.” Replied Harry leading them towards the portrait hole. He passed the set of chairs that he normally sat in and saw, as well as felt, Gabrielle and Ginny rise from them. He still didn't want to say anything knowing that his magic was going to be affected by them but he did at the very least give them a small smile and a nod.

The small group descended to the Great Hall with very little said. Harry looked around the castle as they walked down flight after flight of stairs. He was getting more and more certain that a few of the portraits were following them but every time he looked harder the image would disappear.

They entered the Hall and looked around seeing that, as was normal for a Sunday, and even now fairly late on it was still almost empty with many students still sleeping in. Harry took his normal place and waited for the rest to sit down. He smiled as he saw both Hermione and Ron hang back slightly as not to get trampled in the expected rush by the two girls to sit next to him yet these two just walked around the table and sat opposite, they were obviously still trying to give him the time that he had asked for.

As he tucked in to his food he let his magic flow to sense if the two girls were connected to him. He found their ribbons with easy yet felt no magic flowing down them. They were indeed beginning to distance themselves from him. As he concentrated back on his food he just hopped that by the end of the day he would have made his choice. They deserved to know before school started for earnest.

After Harry had finished he sat back and waited for the rest. He looked fleetingly at the two girls to see if he could see any difference but was stopped from closer inspection by the approaching noise. After so many years at the school he realised that he knew which teacher was approaching just by the sound of their footsteps. He waited until they got closer and then turned to face Professor McGonagall.

“Good morning Mr Potter, I’ve offered my classroom to the headmaster and he has transferred all of your cards into it. He said that he would be along shortly and if you want too you should start without him.”

“Thank you Professor.”

“I shall see you there.” Answered McGonagall as she turned and left the hall.

Harry waited a moment before turning back to the group as he did so he saw that they had all stopped and was looking at him.

“You ready then?”

“Of course.” Replied Hermione and Ron together but the two girls just kept quiet.

“Well we better get this over with.” Said Harry rising to his feet and started off towards the classroom. As he walked he felt a growing sense of something, all of these cards were for him most probably from people he didn’t know but still he suspected that there would be a lot of them. As his feet continued on he pondered at how the others were going to react.

Harry paused before opening the door into the transfiguration classroom. As he stepped in he saw McGonagall rise from her place at the teachers’ desk.

“Oh you were quick, very well I’ll inform the Headmaster, and then I have some paperwork to do in my office so I’ll leave you alone.”

With that she walked straight out of the room closing the door behind them. Harry just stood inside the doorway and looked at the large table in the centre. The normal tables in the classroom had been piled up on one side and this large table had been placed in the centre. But it wasn’t that which had caused him to stop in amazement it was the huge pile of cards that sat on top of it.

“Wow.” Breathed Ron as he looked.

“I would never have....” started to say Ginny buy she tailed off still trying to comprehend the number of cards sitting there.

“I think this is going to take a little while.” Said Hermione even she had underestimated the sheer amount of cards.

Gabrielle was strangely quiet she could feel some of the emotions within Harry being this close but had ventured no closer with her magic. She had suspected that there would be a lot but not this many. Slowly she followed the rest as they took seats around the table and awed at the pile.

“Um...how are we going to do this?” asked Ron looking at Harry.

“I think we should just open them and read them, make a pile of the ones you think I should read and the rest...”

“Rest?”

“Maybe we should just throw them away.” Ventured Hermione.

“Good idea I’ll call Dobby he might be able to help with that.”

With an almost silent crack the House elf appeared at the sound of his name.

“Yes sir.”

Harry saw that Dobby was clutching a collection of letters to his chest as he stood before him. He also saw that unlike the other elves at the castle he wasn’t wearing a Hogwarts tea towel he was still in the clothes Harry had lent him.

“Could you dispose of these cards once we have sorted them?”

“Of course sir is there anything else?”

Harry looked round and saw Hermione glaring at him.

“Yes are you happy here?”

“Of course I’m happy. Dobby would always be happy when he’s near you sir.”

Harry looked again at Hermione and waited for her to say something but at her silence he turned back to his elf.

“Very well then that’s all. We might call on you later for refreshment if this takes a long time.”

“I’ll go and prepare it afters’ I’ve done your room sir.”

“Very well.” Harry still felt odd giving orders to the elf but he slowly he was getting use to it. Before he turned back to the cards he saw that Dobby still had not left he was still standing next to him clutching the letters.

“Is there anything else?” he asked quietly.

“Um...sir...um...you said about your mail sir...but...but...you now live not alone...I...I”

Harry knew instantly what Dobby was trying to tell him. Obviously the letters were for him but Dobby had not wanted to place them next to his bed as he had been ordered to do so at Grimmauld Place.

“You’ve been holding them for me?”

“Yes sir!” replied Dobby brandishing the bundle of letters.

“Ok I’ll take them and I’ll make sure we can come to a better arrangement for my mail.”

“Why can’t you receive it like the rest of us at breakfast?” Inquired Ron.

“I...I think its Dumbledore’s doing. He’s trying to help me, he suspects that now that I’m and adult I’ll get a lot of mail.”

“That’s exactly right, how very astute of you Harry.” Chimed a soft voice from the doorway.

Everyone turned and faced the Headmaster who was framed in the doorway. None of them had heard his approach and they were all slightly shocked. It was the first time for Gabrielle that she had been so close to the one she blamed for Harry. She was never going to be a violent person but if she had been this person would have been one of her targets. She felt the sudden shift in emotions in the room as the headmaster stood there and didn’t bother to resist the urge to seek even him out.

As normal she let her magic flow around the room, the love and devotion of Dobby flowed off of him like a river and the emotions of both Ron and Hermione were similarly easy to read. She didn’t seek Harry still obeying his instructions nor did she try for her friend it was the Headmaster she wanted to know about. As her magic flowed around the room and towards him she felt a sudden push and then something stronger. It wasn’t exactly forceful but it was insistent and it pushed her away from Dumbledore. She looked closely at his face and saw that his eyes focus, for a second, upon her and the eyes seemed to change they harden and gave her the warning that was by now unnecessary, Dumbledore was off limits to her magic, permanently

“Yes Harry I’ve been getting Dobby to collect your mail. I can assure you no-one has looked at it I just felt it would be prudent not to have so many unusual owls visiting you at breakfast.”

“Thank you sir that was very...thoughtful.” diplomatically replied Harry trying to keep his temper under control and finding for some reason it being harder than normal.

“I see that you are about to make a start. If there is anything you are worried about please ask me, I thought it best if I was here in case anything happens.”

“Anything happens?” asked Ginny.

“Yes Miss Weasley, Harry is even more popular now and you never know what you might get sent through the post, most of us here remember some of the mail that was sent to Ms. Granger just a few years ago. Other might also know of other pranks involving mail.” Replied Dumbledore who was looking directly at Ron.

Ron swallowed once fearing that the Headmaster knew that he had helped the twins send Percey the Dragon dung through the post. As Dumbledore walked into the classroom they all heard a faint trilling coming from the corridor.

“Ah Fawkes, she was most insistent on coming today how very strange.”

The red and golden plumbed bird flew in low over Dumbledore, it wasn’t travelling at great speed and so everybody was able to study the swan size bird. For some like Harry and Ron they had seen it before and could vividly remember it. But for Gabrielle it was the first time that she had seen such a creature. She knew little to nothing about the bird but she could sense the magic and calmness that it brought to the room. They all watched as the bird soared high into the rafters and perched with a watchful state.

Dumbledore crossed to the table and sat down on the end.

“Um...I said we should divide them into piles sir.”

“Very good Harry if you don't mind I’d like to help.”

“Of course sir.”

Everyone waited and eventually Harry reached out and grasped one of the cards in front of him. It was a sign to everyone else and they all started to delve into the pile and take a card. As Harry started to undo his card he gave Dobby a brief nod who beamed his enormous smile before disappearing with the faintest of cracks. Only briefly glancing at the picture on the front he opened the card and read.

Dear Harry,

Many Happy returns for the day.

Mary Munch.

/‘That’s not too bad’ /Thought Harry as he closed his first card. Soon he was flowing through the cards, very little was said until Hermione gave a murmured grunt.

“What’s up?” quickly question Ron.

“Nothing it’s...it’s just.” But Hermione refused to say anything she just pushed it towards the bin pile.

“Let’s read.” Called Ron snatching the card and glancing at the word.

“Hay you want to read this one Harry she wants you to...”

“RONALD!” interrupted Hermione.

“Oh...um...ah...” stammered Ron suddenly realising that they weren’t alone.

“It’s alright Ron I’ve already seen a few of those.” Said Harry

“What!” said Ginny.

“They have been....” but Harry suddenly felt a little embarrassed to say anymore.

“I think Harry’s saying is that some people wish to get better acquainted.” Said Dumbledore in a moderate tone.

“Oh...OH!” replied Ginny going bright red.

Ron was the next person to get a surprise, he had chosen what looked to be a slightly larger card but when he opened it a small white object dropped to the table. Not thinking he picked it up and felt the soft fabric, it seemed to run through his fingers and he started to unroll it. He held the small strip of cloth between his hands trying to work out what is was before Hermione shouted at him again.

“RONALD WEASLEY!”

Ron looked at what he was holding and suddenly realised what it was. He dropped the tiny pair of knickers to the table as if they had suddenly caught fire and quickly looked at Hermione.

“I...I...really didn’t.” He stammered in response but Hermione had already turned her back on him.

“Harry this one has left you a picture.” Called Ginny as she glanced at the inside, that glance was enough for her not to want to see more.

“Um...that’s alright, just bin it.” Replied Harry sighing and leaning back. He didn’t know how many they had opened but it seemed that the deeper into the pile they got the more embarrassing they became and he was beginning to wonder if it had been such a good idea for Ginny and Gabrielle to be here. He was just thankful that she hadn’t received any bad ones yet.

Thinking of the girl caused Harry to close his eyes just for a moment. The calm feeling that Gabrielle and Ginny could bring to him would be welcome yet he still hadn’t made up his mind about them. Unconsciously he let his magic flow and opened his eyes to look around the room.

The glowing forms of Ron and Hermione next to him were easy to make out as well as the two girls opposite him. He could also see in the background the flowing lines of magic that was interwoven into the castle; he continued to look around the room until he was looking at the headmaster. He wasn’t so much surrounded with a glow it was more like a strong light, it wasn’t painful to look at but it was the brightest he had yet seen. It was pulsing gently at he felt himself almost drawn towards it, he could see lines running through and within the bright light and wanted to explore.

But Dumbledore’s light wasn’t the brightest in the room, it was though a sun was out within the classroom as light streamed from the ceiling. He looked up and saw the sources. The brilliant pure white light was emanating from Fawkes. Harry looked to see if there were any imperfections but found none, his mind and magic were drawn to that light and he felt himself just flow.

He got closer and closer to the light until it filed his vision but in the centre he saw something different. He peered closer and the image came into focus with a slight shock he saw that it wasn’t a point of light it was in fact an infant. A perfectly formed infant was at the centre of the light. Its eyes were closed but Harry could see the waves of magic surrounding it. As he continued to look the infant’s eyes opened and Harry saw that they were jet black. The shock caused Harry to retreat to himself but before he could say or do anything a loud screech sounded from the rafters and Fawkes took flight.

Everybody looked up as the Phoenix jumped from its perched and spread it’ wings and increased in speed heading directly for Harry. Dumbledore saw his phoenix’s movement and suddenly understood. It was almost unheard of for the bird to show herself to the school but today she had insisted she come along. That was in itself something for him to be worried about but as he saw the birds dive he knew and understood that there was soon to be a clamour of questions and he was going to be incapable of answering them to everybody’s satisfaction.

Fawkes’s speed increased as she dived towards Harry. She had told Dumbledore that she was coming along. She never liked to be seen but she had vowed yesterday to right her wrongs. She pulled up her dive slightly and let her long tail feathers drag. To all it looked like exquisite beauty but to her it was just flying. Everyone watched the bird approach Harry and sore over his head, the tail feathers were left dangling and brushed the top of Harry. In an instant and a blinding flash they were gone.

Everyone left in the room blinked their eyes to clear them of the spots and it was Ginny who notice first that one of them was missing.

“HARRY.” She shouted.

They all looked at the place where Harry had been sitting but all they could see was a single feather floating lazily to the chair.

“What’s happened?” asked Ron looking directly and Dumbledore and forgetting his manners.

“Harry.” Called Ginny once more suddenly feeling very alone, she glanced sideways and saw that Gabrielle had closed her eyes and was franticly shaking her head. She quickly followed suit and tried for her connection, but it was missing. Like the young girl next to her she tried to find it, she found her own connection to Gabrielle, it was much weaker than before but there was no link no pull to Harry.

Snapping her eyes open she looked at the Headmaster, he or his bird had done something to Harry and she had to know.

“What...” she started to say but didn’t continue as she felt the shaking hand of Gabrielle rest on her leg. She dropped her own had on top of it to try and comfort the girl but she noticed that the shaking did not stop. She looked at Gabrielle and could easily see the pain and sorrow on her face. Never had see such emotions on Gabrielle, she normally hid everything but it was obvious that the sudden loss of Harry was effecting Gabrielle much more than herself.

“Fawkes has taken him.”

“Why?” asked Hermione before anybody else.

“I don't fully know.” Lied Dumbledore knowing that he had to for the moment.

“But...but...he’s gone.” Whispered Gabrielle not able to keep quiet.

“We’ll yes that’s obvious.” Hissed Hermione at the stupid girl’s obvious comment. “Where is he?”

“That I don't know.”

“But you must you’re the Headmaster.”

“Yes but there are a great many things that I don't know and this unfortunately is one.”

“Is he safe?” asked Ginny.

“That is one I do know the answer too. Yes he’s safe probably the safest he’ll ever be.”

All of the school children looked at each other to see who would ask the next question to the Headmaster but none of them wanted to say much more. Something about the way Dumbledore had spoken told them that he was right.

“Well I don't think Harry would mind if we continued on this pile, shall we.” Said Dumbledore indicating the still large pile of cards.



**

Harry only stumbled once as he felt the hard ground under his feet. He flung out his arm to steady himself and felt the rough stone wall. The shock of seeing that infant and of being transported was still within him as well as something else. He blinked his eyes a few times as he looked around the obvious cave. It wasn’t large as he had to stoop slightly so that he fitted. As he looked out of the entrance he saw that he was high up on the cliff side overlooking Hogwarts. He wasn’t afraid of heights but being this high up was cause Harry a little worry.

He didn't want to turn around just yet fearing what he might see so continued to look at the scene. From here he could see the whole of the school, the towers rose before him and he could even make out individual widows. Peering slightly at the widows he was certain that he could see movement within. The rest of the grounds flowed before him, the dark forest the long lake and even the quidditch grounds he then realised from here he could see everything.

‘It’s a wonderful view’ sounded a voice in his head.

“Yes.” he replied aloud automatically. It was then he realised what he had done and that he wasn’t alone. Slowly even warily he turned on the spot to so that he could see behind himself.

In the centre of the cave was a birds nest. It wasn’t as large as the one he had seen for Buckbeak but it was large. To him it looked like every persons dream of a nest it was neat with every twig in its right place it was circular and within the centre was a giant bird.

Harry swallowed as he looked at the bird which he knew to be Fawkes. The phoenix wasn’t as bright as it normally was or it could be just the cave light but sitting calmly in the centre but looking at him with unblinking eyes was the bird that transported him.

“Where am I?” Harry found himself asking the bird.

/‘My home. A nest of cinnamon twigs atop the tallest mountain.’ /Said the voice in his head.

“You...you can talk?”

“Always but very few can listen.”

“But I’ve never.”

‘But you can see now. You can see the true form not just the shell.’

“That...that was a mistake.”

‘Are you so sure?’

“What are you?”

‘I am what I’ve always been Fawkes the Phoenix except now I’m yours.’

“Mine?”

‘Well not exactly, but for the moment let’s say yes.’

“But what about Professor Dumbledore.”

‘Ah...a question asked of me. Before I answer I have one for you, how old do you think I am.’

“Um...thirtyish.” guessed Harry.

‘As always much to learn. I’ve brought you here so that I can help you understand, it is forbidden that I interfere but I must do so once again.’

“Once again.”

‘Yes I’ve have helped before but I know that I mustn’t.”

“Why not?”

‘/That is not the order of things.’/

“The Order?”

‘Yes the Order. I will explain some of it but like everything that I do I shouldn’t. So please make yourself comfortable, or the best that you can for I will not do magic here.’

Harry wanted to ask about this but took the advice anyway. Glancing around he found the least rocky piece of ground and sat himself down. The stone wall behind him felt hard and cold but he listened to the voice in his head.

‘Very well. The Phoenix is about the oldest creature around; it is due to our ability of rebirth. We were created at the beginning of magic how you don't need to know but we were there along with a number of others. Sadly we watched as one by one these creatures died out until there were only two of the original species left. It was then that all of the Phoenix’s came together and vowed to watch over what was left.

We had previously tried to help the newer beings. We used our powers and knowledge to try and help but found that it was this that was causing these deaths of so many. So we decided that we would no longer help. We would watch and oversee the development of magic.

We would act as guardians never interfering and always making sure that The Order the natural balance would never be changed. Only a few times so far we have had to interfere and always only after great deliberation. That is the Order.’

“You were there...at the beginning.”

‘Yes, it was a great time full of new wonder and knowledge very much like yourselves now.’

“But weren’t wizards there as well.”

‘No you are...new...to magic. Compared to me you have only been using magic for a moment where I have been there for years.’

“So how old are you?”

‘Cheeky...You shouldn’t ask a girl their age you know?’

“Oh...um...sorry.”

‘No, no it’s alright it is good that you are asking. Let’s just say that I’m 100’s of millions of years old. That will give you some idea of how long magic has been around.’

“So what now?”

‘You have many questions in your mind about your magic, I will answer them. I have chosen you to be my companion for the next....well a little while at least. It would therefore be best if we started off well together.’

Harry opened his mouth to ask a question but stopped himself, the incredulity of the moment washed over him and he took a breath to steady his mind. He felt himself almost slip into his magic but checked himself.

“How do you know the answers?”

‘I have lived so long in your eyes I know everything.’

“Everything?”

‘Yes to you I can answer anything you ask. I won’t but I could.’

Harry’s mind quickly pushed aside the thoughts of his new magic as a sudden opportunity presented itself. His worry about Voldemort sprang to his head and this gift could answer it.

“Do you know how I can defeat Voldemort?”

‘Yes’

Harry waited for more information but the silence just stretched.

“Please tell me.”

‘No that’s not how it works. I cannot and will not.’

“Why because of the Order?”

‘Yes.’

“But...but he’s killing people don’t you see that!”

A loud squawk filled the cave and Harry tried to move back as Fawkes stretched her wings wide. Harry waited as his heart raced in his chest.

‘I know...I know more that you could possibly understand but what right have I got to chose you over him. It was this that killed us so long ago, no it’s your problem one you have to face. I helped a man a little time ago but it has cost him, and you, far more than what was gained. I will not do it again.’

Harry looked at the Phoenix before asking.

“Who?”

‘I will not say. One day you might know and then...then I will answer your questions on that matter but not before. I will help but nothing so blatant as that. You, your magic it is one answer to that which you seek.’

“So it’s true I....I have to do it?” Replied Harry quietly dropping his head.

‘No...Albus told you that your future is what you wish to make it. A prophecy makes no difference. You are not the only solution; there are others it just takes one person to make the right choice.’

/“The right choice.” /Thought Harry it seemed to rattle in his mind. Over the past few days it was the one worry the right choice what was the right choice. What was right for him, for them, for the world? How could he know how could he make the right choice.

‘You are never meant to know Harry. That is your gift, never knowing the right one means you are free...truly free to make a choice and to make a difference.’

Harry could feel the sadness of the words hit him as a moment of understanding came to him.

“You know...you know what is right. You also know what will happen if you make the wrong choice.”

‘Yes that’s my curse.’

Harry waited in silence trying to understand fully what the bird was trying to tell him. The instant he had heard the prophecy he thought that his life was predetermined, he had no choice left, it was thought his life had finished he had nothing more to experience it was all planned. But when Dumbledore told him that he didn't have to follow through the prophecy he felt a small spark of hope, hope that he still had a choice, a normal life.

“It must be hard.”

‘It is.’

Harry just looked at the floor in sadness and waited not knowing what more he could do for the moment.

‘Harry ask your questions, don't worry about me. Ask what is worrying you.’

Harry looked up as the sadness continued to fill him and a small tear formed at the corner of his eye.

‘Harry I shall be fine, no matter what, just ask away.’

“Can’t...can’t you die.”

‘No.’ lied Fawkes. She never liked lying to anything and especially someone who she had chosen to be with but she had to, that knowledge was not something she wanted Harry to know...well not now.

“How do you know about my magic?”

‘I know most things. I also have been watching.’

“Watching...what me.”

‘Not just you but yes I’ve been observing.’

“How?” asked Harry his curiosity starting to fill him.

‘Simple for me...just wait. You are safe, the barrier will stop you but just wait.’

“Barrier?”

‘Yes the one across the entrance. It is a shield to protect...this place. Just wait for me.’

“Ok.” Replied Harry.

As soon as he answered there was another blinding light. Harry flung his arm up to protect his eyes and waited a moment. As he slowly lowered his arm he saw that the nest was now empty. He looked round and shivered as he started to fell slightly cold. As the minuets dragged by still nothing happened, he looked towards the entrance to see if he could see any barrier but couldn’t. He contemplated using his magic but refrained from doing so something told him he shouldn’t, but as he looked outside he saw a small speck of white moving steadily towards him.

The blob got closer and closer but Harry knew what it was. He had seen her many a night returning and knew his owl by sight. The owl continued on and on towards Harry always the same speed, and then she passed through the barrier and landed on Harry outstretched arm.

“Hello girl it’s nice to see you again. Did the others send you?”

Harry felt Hedwig’s claws dig slightly deeper into his arm by response, she dipped her head and jumped from his arm and alighted on the edge of the cave entrance. Harry moved to get up but was stopped by another bright flash and Fawkes was once more in her nest.

‘No Harry they didn't send her. Albus is trying to keep them occupied with your mail; it’s only working with two of your friend the other two are getting more and more distressed.’

Harry looked between the two birds before speaking.

“You and her...you....”

‘She allows me to travel with her if I want.’

“Travel but...”

‘My magic she...carries it with her if I want to. It allows me to see things and hear things.’

“So you...I always thought she was smart but it was you, wasn’t it”

A loud hoot of indignation came from the front.

‘Don’t be upset Hedwig he is trying to understand. No Harry it is all her I just go along for the ride.’

“Oh ...um...sorry Hedwig.”

‘I think she’ll understand. No Harry you can see how I can know about you. I have watched you, followed you, but not just you many different people. But for now that’s enough about me it’s you you should be asking about. I know that you read some books yesterday and have more questions than when you started, ask them so you can make your choice.’

Harry waited a moment before asking, he had been trying to put them off not wanting to hear the answers in case they weren’t what he wanted.

“Is the book right...is she controlling me.”

‘No...never! That is something she would never do.’

“But...but the books.”

‘Books can be wrong. This one is.’

Harry let out a long breath but still wasn’t sure.

“Do I control people?”

‘Yes.’

“What! But she said that I’m not, that...that”

‘People can be wrong Harry. You asked if you control people I gave you the answer but you don’t yet understand. Questions and answers are just that, question and answers not understanding. If you don’t understand the question or the answer it doesn’t help. You said are you controlling people and I said yes. To an outsider it is control, those that are bonded to you seem, to them, to be controlled by you.’

“But...but..”

‘Listen Harry. You control them, not directly not forcefully or any form of malice but you hold a power of control over them...the same as they do to you.’

“To me.”

‘Yes this indecision you have, it’s them controlling you. What is the choice?”

“Should I accept them or move away.”

‘Why is that a choice?’

“Because if I accept this magic he will come after them.”

‘Exactly they are controlling you, if it was a choice between accepting a rock or not you wouldn’t hesitate. You would embrace it but as it’s a person or people you are torn. They are controlling your decision; they are forcing you to look at it differently.’

“But that isn’t control!”

‘To some it is, to another rock it would appear to be control, it is all on how you look at it.’

Harry wanted to argue but found that he couldn’t.

“Will I form more bonds?”

‘That is up to you. The bonds that you have formed were created for a number of different reasons. Now you have more control over your magic bonds will not form so spontaneously. So you could but it will be up to you whether you do.’

“But she said that it needed both sides?”

‘Gabrielle was right it does need both sides, but the other has little to no control over the process that is the difference for you.’

“How can I proceed and do this? It’ll put them into danger it’s not right. What do they gain, I would be like him using these people just so that....”

‘Harry stop! You do not understand. You gain this new power and from it untold abilities but for them it’s more, much more. They will gain you...you Harry it is what they want.”

“Me?”

‘Yes they want to be with you need to be with you. The bond is creating that but there is also something more, you are giving them the one thing they want.’

“Which is?”

‘For each it is different, but for all of them it is what they need. You aren’t being selfish in fact you should think about the consequences if you don’t.’

“I have been!” retried Harry a little angrily.

‘No...no you haven’t. You get upset when you think people make decision for you, tell you what to do. That is what you are doing to them you are telling them No I’ve made my choice and you are not it.’

“But Gabrielle said that...”

‘Harry you know...deep down you know she was lying. If you say no to her it will destroyer her as much as Voldemort would. The damage Voldemort could do to her would pale in comparison to the amount you would.’

“She said that she...”

‘Would be fine, physical yes but her magic would not recover. This magic this gift is hers, she is the binding force, if you stop that you are stopping her.’

“But she would be alive” replied Harry with a bit more venom.

‘But she would not be who she is, she would be a shell, a broken, shattered shell of herself.’

“Better than being dead or at the hands of....”

‘‘You’re wrong, death or Voldemort would be better than what you’re doing. What about your mother Harry.’ Fawkes could feel the emotions in Harry and knew it was now the time to push. She had to tell him whether he liked it or not he had to understand if he was going to stand against the coming tide he had to see the ugly side first.

“What about her?”

‘You know how she died.’

“Voldemort killed her.”

‘Yes but why?’

“I don't know, he wanted to?”

‘No Harry you know you were there.’

“But I was only a baby.”

‘Yes but you’ve seen it.”

“No.” Cried Harry not wanting to ever see that vision again.

/‘Tell me...’ /said Fawkes with a force the drove Harry to do so.

“She...she... told him to stop...not...not to take me.”

/‘And?/’

“He...he...killed her.”

‘Why?’

“Because she didn't get out of the way.”

‘No why didn’t she move Harry.’

“I...I...don’t..” sobbed Harry not wanting to think down this route. It was one he thought of before but only briefly. All this talk about bonds and affecting people, controlling people brought it all back.

‘Yes you do know.’

“No I don’t” replied Harry forcefully still not wanting to accept what his mind was now trying to tell him.

‘Harry speak to me, tell me, I already know the answer but you have got to say it to believe it and start to understand.’

“I...I...killed her with my magic.”

‘No that is just it. You were bonded; the same for any child to their parent but it was who she was. She could have, should have moved but didn't, it was what she wanted.’

“Mum...” croaked Harry reliving that awful moment.

‘She wanted to be there as much if not more that your bond needed her to be there. Not doing it would have destroyed her.’

“Oh Mum I’m sorry...” sobbed Harry not understanding where this grief was coming from as it poured out of him and he collapsed to the floor.

‘Harry you have to let them do what they want to do. It is who they are, your bond doesn’t change it, it helps it. It allows the pair of you to grow and for you to see your new abilities, if it wasn’t for those abilities we couldn’t have this conversation now. You can see like no other now soon you will be able to do other things. That is because of them, their love and yours for them, is what will develop your powers, power them.’

Harry cried and cried eventually he lifted his head and looked at the silent song bird.

“What...what have I....”

‘Accept her; accept her as what she wants to be not what you want her to be. Let the others chose, not you, it’s their choice and then grow with them explore them and you and you will see changes, magic will truly be something different for you but only through them.’

“Is that all?”

‘No you have to be the same as any normal partner, be there for them when they need it. Give them the love and support that they need and in return you will receive all that you need.’

“But there...there is more than one.”

‘Not to you there won’t be, nor to them. Other will see it differently but together you will face it.’

“...Ok...”

‘It’s alright Harry you have taken your first step, the other steps will come with time but I and them will be there with you, and love, love Harry is almost always right.’

Harry just nodded and reached up to wipe the tears away. As his hand brushed his eyes and blinding flash filled the cave once more and he found himself standing back in the classroom with all of his friends looking at him.

He looked at Gabrielle and Ginny and suddenly felt the flow of their magic over him. Barely a heartbeat had passed before both had jumped to their feet and rushed towards him. Gabrielle reached him first and flung her arms around him. She had seen his face and felt her magic instantly flow to him, the hurt and pain was easy to sense and she had found herself already running towards him. She had always been careful about touch but her body no longer cared she had to help him, he wanted to be alone but she had to help him.

She pulled herself close to him and felt his body against hers. The sudden worry about how he would be affected was back but she felt that he was keeping her in check. She tried to squeeze him as hard as she could to comfort him and tell him that she was there. Almost at once she felt Ginny behind her pulling Harry into a hug with herself in the middle but she didn't care she felt just so happy to be next to him.

Ginny broke her connection and stepped back slightly as her mind reminded her where she was and who was also around. She glanced at Gabrielle and could see that she was not longer shaking and the coming back of Harry was everything the little girl had wanted. She didn’t know if she was more surprised or pleased when she saw the next action, Harry bent his head low and kissed Gabrielle gently on the end of the nose.

Gabrielle face almost shone with the feeling that was running through her as she felt the gentle kiss on her nose. She wanted more, need more and looked up into his face with hope filling her eyes.

“You will....” she started to ask but found that she had lost her voice.

“Yes and...and I’m sorry”

“Do you understand...” but Harry cut in before she could say anymore.

“I think I’m beginning to understand but everything will take time.” He whispered and then looked up to the place where Fawkes was once more perched in the rafters and then down at Gabrielle and Ginny. The phoenix’s beak opened and an approving trill rang out.

Breaking the hug but still holding her hand he turned towards the table.

“Let me have quick look at what you have done while I’ve been away.”

Hermione had watched the interaction of Harry and Gabrielle. Harry had never been one to show any public affection and even with Ginny she had seen that he still felt a little uncomfortable even due to the best efforts of the girl but this was different. The way he suddenly acted and treated Gabrielle and Ginny was different it screamed at her as how un-Harry like it was.

As the three of them walked back to the table she saw how Harry still had Gabrielle’s hand in his. Hermione knew something was going on and it was changing her friend, she had let it go for a long time now but something had to be done and by the look that Ron was giving her it was up to her to do it. She was going to have to tell Harry the truth the one he didn't want to here. He was once more being manipulated but this time by a little girl. Sitting slowly down she vowed to talk to Harry and soon, so they could all go back to where they were last year and not have that little girl around using her Veela charms on everybody.

***