The Dark Phoenix

Tuesday morning post came with the usual flurry of owls overhead. Hermione had several packages delivered. The first was a card and letter from her parents which she opened and read immediately. The next was a small package that had been delivered by Ron's owl, Pig. It was a bottle of perfume. Hermione opened it and smelling from the top of the bottle. "Um, that's nice Ron. Ah, unusual, er, fragrance."

"Good, I'm glad you like it."

The next package was a little bigger. Hedwig had delivered this one. When she opened it up it was a wizarding wireless. She looked it over with delight.

"I thought you might like that for your library. I had it double checked to make sure muggles can't hear it. I guess that means you could turn it up as loud as you want and your parents couldn't hear it," Harry said with a grin.

"Thank you Harry. It's perfect."

"My, my. Aren't we the special one today. Is it your birthday or something?" came Malfoy's unpleasant drawl.

"As a matter of fact it's my birthday. Why? Did you bring me something?"

"A three sided dagger maybe, but I think you've already got one."

Harry and Ron both leaped to their feat shaking with rage. Hermione looked a little pale.

Jim Bennet from across the table started talking overly loud to his brother. "Say Tim, what would you do if you had a dog as ugly as Draco Malfoy?"

"Ungh! Merlin's beard! That's horrible. I'd have to shave it's rear and teach it to walk backwards, of course!"

Everyone was completely caught off guard. There was a pause of silence in which Malfoy absorbed the insult. "Why you little -" Then the table exploded with laughter.

The two bothers took off in opposite directions screaming and laughing. Malfoy had taken off after Tim while Crabbe and Goyle ran after Jim.

When Harry and Ron had finally recovered from laughing so hard. Harry said, "Do you suppose we should go see if the Bennets are alright?"

Between spurts of giggles Hermione said, "I'm sure they are." They seem to be able to disappear into the hallways like a couple of ghosts."

The time of their special lessons came soon enough and with Hermione's new map it was a simple matter to get there without getting caught. The tunnel was indeed blocked off from a cave in just like Fred and George had told Harry two years earlier. The three of them were standing around with the ends of their wands lit for light. Ron pushed up against one of the large boulders blocking the tunnel entrance.

"Blimey, it certainly is sealed off. Look at the size of these boulders." Ron turned to face the other two. "It just doesn't make sense how we are supposed to have special lessons in here; this tunnel is hardly wide enough to do anything. At least we didn't have any trouble getting here thanks to Hermione's new map."

"I agree, your map is positively brilliant Hermione."

"Thanks, but Mr. Lupin did help out you know."

"Yeah, but the improvements you made were the greatest."

"Thanks again, but it's always easier to improve upon someone else's work than it is to create the original Ron. And I had help with the improvements as well."

"Ron, I think Hermione is being modest again."

"Oh, stop it. The both of you."

"I agree with Harry and Ron, Hermione. Your improvements compared to my map were most innovative."

Hermione gasped as all three of them jumped. Ron let out a, "Whoa!" and Harry exclaimed, "Professor!"

"Sorry for the scare," Remus said with a smile. "And professor no longer Harry, just plain Mr. Lupin for now. However, I will be your instructor for this evening."

Harry asked the question that was on all their minds, "But how did you get here? You didn't apparate or I would have heard the pop. Did you just walk through solid rock?"

Remus gave a wry smile, "In a manner of speaking - yes. And then again, not quite." Remus motioned toward where the tunnel had caved in. "This is actually a barrier to the entrance. Only a member of the order may pass through. And as long as I am in contact with it, you may pass through as well." Remus walked toward the same boulder Ron had pushed on earlier and stuck his arm into it, all the way to his shoulder. "Come along."

Harry figured that this must be similar to the entrance that led to Platform 9 ¾ and walked into what looked like solid rock. It was encouraging to see Remus with his body halfway into it just as he passed through and into a much larger hewn corridor well lit with torches. Hermione and Ron stepped up beside him as Remus walked past leading them onward. He led them down the strange looking corridor for quite some distance. Harry figured they might be close to the edge of the Hogwarts grounds above, maybe just into the forbidden forest. The corridor opened up into a large chamber.

Harry scanned the room taking in how different, and similar, it looked from anything in Hogwarts. Though comfortably furnished and illuminated with torches the walls were dark as well as the furniture. There was a large wood table in the middle of the room with half a dozen chairs even though it looked big enough for three times that many. There was a large shelf with many books along one wall and couple of reading chairs nearby. What struck Harry were all of the mirrors and clocks. There were mirrors of different shapes and sizes in various clusters grouped together with a clock of some sort near by. The clocks were of varying kinds also, from a regular looking muggle clock to a wizarding clock of whirling planets.

"Welcome to the Headmaster's Sanctum. You may have already noticed it is not lavishly furnished but everything here has a purpose. And before you ask Hermione the reason this place did not show up on your map is because it is Unplottable. It will show up now that you are on the inside of the Sanctum.

Hermione pulled out her map and it was true. There were three red dashes and one black one inside a large chamber.

"According to the new map there is another smaller chamber just beyond this one and a short corridor beyond that seems to dead end.

"Yes, the short corridor is a back entrance. It leads to a hollow tree inside the forbidden forest. If you go that way you will have to apparate out to where ever you need to go. The Sanctum is extremely well hidden and it would be almost impossible for anyone to find it that had never been brought here. The other room you saw is where your lessons will be held. Shall we?" Remus motioned for them to follow.

They approached another room that had no door, just an open archway with a tray of food and drink on a table next to it. The room was brilliantly lit the torches and candles were putting out an amazing amount of light.

"Wow, that room is bright, how come Professor?" asked Ron.

Remus smiled. "Why don't we make this a bit more informal. Please, call me Remus. And the answer to your question Ron is that the room has been cast with a temporal spell."

"At what ratio? And aren't you concerned about the ministry finding this? Temporal magic is very restricted and closely monitored." Harry and Ron looked at Hermione wondering what she was talking about.

Remus chuckled, "Always on the up and up Hermione. I wish I could give you points. It's a six to one ratio and the magic used to hide the Sanctum has been reinforced by every Headmaster who has ever used it. I'm sure you noticed the clocks in the main chamber. Besides showing time for different parts of the world they are also temporal guardians, wizarding devices that cloak the effects of time distortion." Looking at Harry and Ron, Remus could see their bewilderment. "A six to one ratio means that for every hour spent inside that room only ten minutes will pass out here."

"Wicked!"

"Excellent!"

"This should prove to be interesting. I assume the reason for the tray of refreshments outside the room is so that it won't spoil before we get to it."

"Correct again Hermione. Now before we go in I want to give a word of warning on leaving the room… Come to a stop and step across the threshold. Do not run. You're liable to be propelled across the main room as if you had been shot out of a cannon. There have been spells put in place to cushion the effect but it can be a bit of a jolt. Well then, shall we?"

Remus levitated the tray and stepped into the room. It looked as though he paused at the threshold before quickly scooting across the room and putting the tray on a table. The three of them followed.

As Harry stepped across the threshold it seemed as if he were stepping into a swift breeze, but there was no wind. Just the sensation of resistance and then the room was suddenly dimmer than before, now normally lit. Harry looked around. There were several comfortable looking cots and chairs on one end of the room along with a medium sized table that Remus had put the tray on. There was a single oval shaped mirror on the wall opposite the threshold with a clock on either side. There was also a water fountain in one corner of the room with golden colored metal cups hanging on pegs in the wall next to it. Aside from these, the room was devoid of decoration.

"Let's get started shall we? Expelliarmus Totalus! " Harry, Hermione and Ron's wands were all caught deftly by Remus.

"Hey! What's that for? I thought we were going to get some advanced training," spouted Ron.

"Yes, you will eventually get there, but consider this. What would you do if you were disarmed of your wands? What would you do if your enemy were disarmed as well? What you're going to learn this evening is some old fashioned self-defense. Since we don't want to risk tearing any of your school uniforms we'll change into something more appropriate. Ladies first, just touch the wall to the right of the viewer." Remus motioned to the right of the oval shaped mirror. Hermione walked up touched the wall and the stone looked as though it melted leaving an opening to walk through.

"The bathroom is rather large, so the three of us will be next."

Harry gave a quick thought that even though he might be unarmed he would not be defenseless. He did, after all, have an unusual power and smiled inwardly at thought of how stunned they would have all looked if he had brought his wand back to himself before Remus had caught it. He knew that showing his power unnecessarily would be irresponsible. He also knew he did not fully understand how to use it and felt anxious to learn. While they were waiting, Harry studied the clocks on either side of the oval mirror. "These clocks have extra hands. What are they for?"

"The one on the left shows how much time has been spent in this room, minutes, hours, days, months and even years. Remember, two months in this room would be equivalent to a year. The clock on the right shows the actual time outside this room, minute, hour, day of week, month of year, and the year itself. From what Dumbledore has told me, a few Headmasters have spent their entire summer vacation in this room. The advantage would be getting a lot of work done. The disadvantage would be that you would end up being older than you would otherwise."

Hermione emerged from the bathroom, gray sweats, with a dreamy look on her face. "Wow. Now that's a bathroom. And I thought the Prefects bathroom was fancy. This one is entirely self-cleaning."

"The reason for the self-cleaning is that no house-elves are allowed here. The Headmaster's Sanctum is completely secret and always has been until Dumbledore recently let the Order have some access.

"Ooooo, I'll bet Hermione likes that. No house-elves cleaning up after us down here," said Ron rolling his eyes. Hermione narrowed hers back at him.

Quickly to avert another argument between Hermione and Ron, "So, does the Headmaster bring what ever they need with them to the Sanctum?"

"The Headmaster can do that or an absent-elf waiter can be used. Notice the hole in the ceiling. There's one inside this room and one outside this room. It's not unusual for the Headmaster to order something from the kitchens or the laundries and delivered by the absent-elf waiter. The order is automatically directed here when it is occupied by the Headmaster. No house-elf is aware of the difference, or the existence, of the Sanctum. Gentlemen, our turn." Remus led Harry and Ron into a spectacular bathroom big enough for maybe seven people to change clothes comfortably. Hermione wasn't kidding; the bathroom was much more impressive than the Prefects' bathroom Harry had seen once. As devoid as the rest of the Sanctum was of décor the bathroom was just the opposite, lush furnishings and ornate fixtures. At the foot of a large tub was a portrait of a forest waterfall where the water looked like it was pouring right into the tub. It all looked very relaxing.

"Nice place to recharge from the duties of Headmaster. The bathroom alone would almost be enough to entice a person for the job," commented Remus.

Harry noticed Remus had put on a type of white uniform similar to what a muggle karate instructor would wear. Once back out in the room Remus conjured a mat on the floor to help cushion any falls. The first part of the lesson Remus lectured about the importance of avoiding any type of conflict and especially the loss of a wand. Then they learned the proper way to fall to produce the least amount of injury. From there they learned that in defense you use the weight and motion of your opponent against them. Remus explained that a primary goal was to put them on the ground, in whatever way it takes, that will leave you standing to give a chance to put distance between you and them. Some of the moves and holds Remus instructed them could almost be described as horrible and he urged them not to be squeamish or reluctant to use any of them. "We are talking about the difference between life and death, there are no rules. You get as dirty and ruthless as it takes to defend yourself. Whether we are talking about a kick to the groin, poking an eye out or biting whatever part of the body your opponent has provided; nothing is considered too severe."

After a break, Remus showed them how to get out of a hold that someone may have on them. "For example; with a head lock or strangle hold you have several options. I will recommend an elbow thrust to the chest and it needs to be a reaction, not something that you have to think about, in order to be most effective. Hermione if you would come up here and stand in front of me… Thank you. Now you can see that I am much taller than Hermione and it would be most likely that someone from behind will put a strangle hold on her with their forearm. If you are already within the hold your best option is to tuck in your chin as much as possible to delay the choking time. You can try to kick a heel into the shin of your attacker. You can also try to do a reverse head but to catch their chin or part of their face. However, what I prefer is that you give an elbow thrust just as soon as you feel an arm start to come around. And I want it to be a reaction, quick, without thought, so you'll have to practice."

"Since you're right handed Hermione I want you to shift to your left, put your right arm straight out and bring your elbow back. We'll do it relatively slowly the first time. Ready?" Remus brought his arm around her neck and she just froze. She gave out a stifled yelp and suddenly flailed her arms about wildly. Surprised, Remus let her go as she pulled away clutching her chest gasping for air a wild look in her eyes. Harry and Ron were quickly standing on each side of her ready to give support.

"Hermione, are you okay?"

"Hermione, what's wrong?"
"I - don't - know," she said gasping between words. Slowly she calmed down. "That's embarrassing. I don't know what came over me. I think I'm better now. Shall we continue Remus? I promise not to do that again."

Remus knew he had not put enough pressure in the hold to choke her and was concerned about her reaction. She was shaking like a leaf.

"I think it's time for some refreshments. We'll have another go at it afterward."

The rest of their lesson was not so eventful and they learned a lot about self-defense. After changing and cleaning up they were given their wands back. Almost four hours had past, according to the clock on the left hand side of the oval mirror, and only forty minutes had past outside the room.

"I won't be teaching your next lesson. Alastor Moody will be your next instructor and will instruct you in the art of concealment spells. Any questions before we dismiss?"

It suddenly occurred to Harry that the next lesson would fall during a full moon and that was most likely why Remus would not be teaching. "The real Mad-Eye Moody? Excellent!"

"Cool," was all Ron got out.

"I'm definitely looking forward to concealment spells," said Hermione.

"Remember to stop, and then step over the threshold as you leave. You may still feel as though you're being pulled forward so be prepared."

Just as they started toward the doorway, Harry stopped and put out his arm to hold Ron back. "Could you wait for us at the barrier Hermione? Ron and I will only be a few minutes."

"Um, sure. See you in a few then."

Harry watched Hermione stop at the threshold and then step across. She was walking away in slow motion. It was weird.

"A question Harry? Obviously one you don't wish Hermione to hear."

Hermione had walked all the way to the barrier and remembered she had wanted to ask Remus a couple of technical questions about the new map. She thought to herself that by the time she got back they would have had enough time to ask Remus a hundred questions and wondered what it was that Harry didn't want her to hear. She had just stepped into the main chamber and could tell everyone was still in the training room. It looked like there were figures spinning around, too fast to tell what they were doing. It suddenly occurred to her that she had her omnioculars that Harry had given her. She had used them earlier in the evening to watch the team at Quidditch practice. She adjusted them to slow down the action by a factor of six and took a quick look through the doorway to the training room on the far side of the main chamber. She looked and her mouth dropped open. She covered her mouth, fumbled putting her omnioculars away, and hurried back up the hewn corridor and through the barrier. Stepping though to the other side, she uncovered her mouth and laughed.

Harry was not in a good mood, and his feet were sore. He glanced over at Ron and with some satisfaction figured his feet were sore too. At least the thought of reading a letter from Sirius made him feel better. Remus had given it to him after they stepped out of the training room. Harry was sure it was in response to one he had written to Sirius a week earlier. As he walked with Ron toward the Sanctum barrier in silence, he recalled how he and Ron had just got through with another unexpected lesson. It seemed to Harry that life had been full of lessons lately. It was right after Hermione had left.

"A question Harry? Obviously one you don't wish Hermione to hear."

"Ah, well, you see Ron and I have a problem," Harry looked at Ron who was completely clueless. "There's a Fall Dance coming up and neither one of us know how to dance. I was wondering if you might have some suggestions."

Remus stated the most obvious. "Doesn't Hermione or Ron's sister Ginny know how to dance? They could teach you if they do."

Harry pulled in one side of his mouth giving Ron a stern look as Ron looked about the room uncomfortably. "Could have maybe, but someone proclaimed that we both already knew how to dance."

"I see," said Remus looking from Harry to Ron. "I suppose I could give you both a quick lesson before we leave."

"How's that?" asked Ron looking perplexed.

"Obviously you'll have to dance with each other if you want to learn." There was a pause as both boys had a touch of color come to their faces. "Come now, it isn't that bad and it's only because you want to learn. You are good friends right? It's no big deal. Look, I won't tell a soul. Will that help?"

Harry was feeling frustration toward Ron again as he felt some warmth wash over him and quickly disappear. At the moment he didn't care what Ron was feeling but hoped he was regretting having said they both already knew how to dance. "Well, Ron. What will it be?"

Ron mumbled something about "Bat smoke" and then said, "Alright, but I don't want a word of this to ever get out."

"That took awhile. What's up?" Hermione asked trying not to look as though she knew anything.

"What? It was only a few minutes wasn't it?" asked Ron indignantly.

"It was closer to ten minutes and if you were both still in the room it would have been closer to an hour."

"Who said we were still in the room? Sirius sent me a letter through Remus, that's all."

"Really? How is Sirius?"

"I haven't had the chance to read it yet."

"Oh, okay. You'll let me know later?"

"Sure."

"It just seemed there was something you both didn't want me to know about back there," Hermione said trying to pout.

She was met with a chorus of "no's" as she noticed them both shifting on their feet. 'Sore feet' she suddenly thought and started to giggle but covered it up by coughing.

"Ahem," clearing her throat. "Might be trying to catch a cold or something."

When they arrived at the Gryffindor common room it felt as if they had been awake half a night and it was still fairly early. Hermione left to make her rounds as Prefect and Ron decided to turn in early. Harry studied until Hermione made it back.

"How were your rounds?"

"Quiet for the most part. I did find a first year Slytherin with a bad case of homesickness, poor thing. I had him pretty much consoled and then Malfoy came along telling him to straighten up and act like a Slytherin. He makes my blood boil. Anyway, I think I'm turning in. It's been a long day."

"Me too. Goodnight Hermione."

"Goodnight Harry."

Just before they were out of each other's site going to their perspective dorms. "By the way, I believe essence of bryophyte in warn sulfur water is supposed to be good for sore feet."

"Oh, thanks." Harry stopped in his tracks and looked back as Hermione had already shut the door to the girls' dorm. 'Surely not,' he thought to himself and went up to his four-poster.

Dreams are usually symbolic in nature and cluttered with images of things that we've seen throughout the day making dreams very difficult to understand. Water is usually symbolic of something basic and deep within the dream world. Harry was dreaming of a deep pool of water with a beautiful waterfall feeding into it, all within a lush and green forest. He stared at the pool watching something glow deep within the clear water. The pool suddenly grew dark and the water turned blood red. The water screamed! It was as though the sound of the scream went right through him and gripped his heart.

Without thought, without understanding Harry put up his hand and jumped. The curtains of his four-poster parted as he sailed off his bed. All he knew was that he had to go to the source of the scream, he had to. He was leaping steps four at a time as he came to a door. The door was between him and where he needed to be. He put up his hand and the door opened, if it hadn't he would surely have run into it. He was met with little shrieks and gasps as some girls were closing curtains. Others did not but looked on to see what was happening. Harry saw a red haired girl talking to someone cowering, shaking, on the floor against the wall.

"It's okay. It was only a bad dream."

It was coming to him as to where he was. He was in the girls' dorm and Ginny was the red haired girl. Her eyes were still puffy from having just woke up but they were full of concern and they looked up at Harry pleading for help.

"What's the meaning of this? What's going on here? Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley? How did you get into the Girls' Dormitory?" came McGonagall's stern voice.

"Professor, it's Hermione. Something's wrong!" said Ginny anxiously.

McGonagall brushed by Harry and Ron to Hermione cowering against a wall. Her eyes were wild with panic and fear. She seemed to have no recognition of anyone. She looked at Ginny afraid of her but trying to understand as Professor McGonagall came closer.

"Hermione, what's wrong? Come here, it's alright," said McGonagall in a soft voice, almost motherly. She stretched out her hand toward Hermione. Hermione squealed and scooted away. She looked out of her mind with fear, like a wild animal.

Harry hadn't noticed Ron was beside him until McGonagall had addressed him. Hermione was his only thought. A small crowd of girls had gathered around trying to coax Hermione from the corner of the wall as another crowd of boys gathered outside the doorway trying to peer in. Because McGonagall was present, the steps outside the girls' dorm didn't turn into a slide as they normally would with boys so near. Hermione looked at them all with no recognition and shook violently with fear. Harry eased in closer.

"Okay, let's stand back and give her some room," McGonagall ordered. Harry didn't move as the crowd backed up giving Hermione some space. Hermione's eyes locked onto Harry as the crowd parted. She slowly stood up and then she ran to him with her arms outstretched. She clung to him ever so tight and sobbed uncontrollably. Harry had no words, all he wanted to do was make it better, whatever it was that was wrong.

"I was told this might happen." McGonagall's voice faltered. "Her memory of the attack has come back to her. . . Let's get her up to the hospital wing."

"I - I'll carry her," said Harry in a small voice. McGonagall nodded her lips pursed and her eyes bright as she turned to lead the way. Harry wasn't sure how he managed to shift Hermione around to carry her, she held on to him so tightly. She didn't seem to have any real weight to her though he knew that she had to weigh something. He started to move forward with her in his arms only to find that she had a grip on Ron's pajama top nearly choking him. Ron managed to pry her loose and walked beside the two of them. It seemed like a long walk up to the hospital wing. Harry's heart ached with the desire to help her. His shoulder was warm and damp where she had been crying and suddenly felt cool as he attempted to lay her down on a hospital bed. She clung to him and it was awkward.

"It's okay Hermione. I'm not going to leave you." She slowly released her grip from around his neck but refused to let go of his hand. Occasionally she would reach over and hold Ron's hand as well.

"I need ya ta go round the other side Mr. Weasley. We need her ta drink this potion for a dreamless sleep," said Madam Pomfrey.

Harry and Ron helped talk her into drinking the potion as Ginny and Neville were allowed to come in and visit her briefly. Ginny asked Hermione if she was going to be all right. Hermione didn't say a word, only nodded.

After awhile it seemed she had drifted off to sleep. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley. Ya can go now. She'll still be here 'n tha mornin'," whispered Madam Pomfrey.

Ron slowly got up and left but as Harry started to take his hand away she gripped it and said with her eyes still closed and in a small voice, "Please."

"Very well, ya can stay."

Harry watched her sleeping for some time before he started nodding off himself. He was tired and it had been a long day after all. Harry didn't feel himself being levitated nor gently being let back down on a bed next to Hermione, both still holding hands and fast asleep.

"Thank you moving the bed under him Poppy. We make a good team."

"Well, I couldna take the chance of ya makin' any noise an wakin' the two of them now could I Albus."