The Dark Phoenix

They may have started the morning out tired but when it was time to go to Hogsmeade the excitement kicked in and they were ready. Hermione reminded them again to meet at The Three Broomsticks at one o'clock before they parted. Harry and Ron made a beeline to Honeydukes Sweetshop, loading up on all their favorite sweets. Ron wanted to go to Zonkos Joke Shop next but Harry talked him into going to Gladrags Wizardwear to get Dobby another pair of socks first.

"Hasn't Dobby got enough socks? He certainly doesn't need any hats. I think he has every hat that Hermione's ever knitted. I mean really, trying to free the house-elves by leaving those things in the Common Room."

"I know, she means well enough. From what I've seen, I don't think that most house-elves want to be free. Dobby on the other hand seems to be an exception. I mean what creature wouldn't want to be free, treated like he was by the Malfoys. I kind of like these." Harry held up a pair of black socks with silver and gold moving planets on them.

"Nah, Dobby likes the bright and wild kind. Something that a normal wizard wouldn't want to be caught dead in let alone wear. Something more like these." Ron held up a pair or rainbow colored socks, the bright colors still swirling around. It looked like someone had stuck a spoon into a rainbow, stirred it up, and dipped in a pair of socks. They were bright, they were gaudy, and Harry agreed that Dobby would like them better.

Harry picked up a pair of white socks with brightly colored flowers with fluttering butterflies all magically designed into the material. Harry thought to himself, 'Winky helped take care of Hermione and me in the Hospital Wing over the summer just as Dobby did. Maybe she would like a pair as well.'

When they stepped out of Gladrags Harry's keen eyes spied two young men with bright red hair down the street towards The Hogs Head.

"That looks like Fred and George down the side street."

"Yeah, it has to be them. Strange, usually Fred and George are always into some kind of trouble but lately they've taken such an interest in getting a business started they don't seem to have time. I wonder what they're up to now. What do you say we go check it out?"

Harry glanced at his watch. "Not much time before we're supposed to meet Hermione but yeah. Let's go."

Even before Harry and Ron got close they could tell Fred and George were in a bad mood about something. When they got close it was easy to see fire in there eyes, their wands to the ready.

"I say we take him. First Bagman and now this bloke. I've had it up to my eyeballs." George lifted his wand and started to go around the corner of the building. Fred pulled him back.

"Not yet. We need to think about this. Oh, hey there little bro', Harry," said Fred. George lowered his wand but didn't put it away.

"What's wrong? And who are you getting ready to curse?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Fred motioned around the corner with a jerk of his head. "See that greasy haired git leaning against the building over there stuffing his face? He just cheated us out of fifteen galleons and we were just discussing how to get it back."

Ron's jaw dropped, "Fifteen galleons? Where did you get fifteen galleons?"

"Tut, tut, little bro'. Don't get in a twist about it. What's more important at the moment is getting it back. And I think you two could be of assistance." George brightened, eyeing the two and put his wand away just as two more Gryffindors came running up.

"Oi! What's up?" asked Jim Bennet, his younger brother Tim right behind him.

"Yeah, what's the meetin' for? Got another product to test?" asked Tim.

"No, nothing like that at the moment," said Fred who proceeded to tell the Bennets what was going on. Six pairs of eyes looked around the corner checking on the thief eating a rolled up something that looked like a burrito. He was a lean looking wizard in his thirties with unkept clothes and hair. He had a dirty face and a short pointed black beard.

Harry had to ask the question. "Just exactly what were you trying to buy and how did he cheat you?"

"We were trying to buy. . .," Fred glanced at Ron, "some seeds. We need them in developing our Skiving Snackboxes. We weren't exactly experts on identification of the seeds and he slipped us some look-alikes. The no good -," said George trailing off with a slew of unsavory and derogatory names. "I was just getting ready to suggest that Harry and Ron provide a distraction while Fred and I sneak up from behind and relieve his purse of our galleons, and put back his worthless seeds."

"Oh, hey. Let Tim and I provide the distraction. Harry and Ron can be lookouts."

Fred gave the two brothers a coy look. "Hmmm, what did you have in mind?"

Identical impish grins formed on the Bennet brother's faces. "Leave that up to us," said Jim. "And you'll definitely know when. And as for what we've got in mind? Well…" The brothers faces suddenly turned innocent as two angles. "All we're going to do is talk to the nice gentleman." Tim winked at Jim and they both snickered.

Fred and George agreed, but suggested that everyone make a hasty return to Hogwarts after the ploy was sprung.

"But we're supposed to meet Hermione at the Three Broomsticks within a quarter hour," said Ron hastily. He was either hoping to thwart the operation altogether or get himself and Harry removed from it.

"Oh, that. She invited me and Fred as well. Something hush hush. Give Hermione our regards, but I see no reason why you two can't make it, unless you're seen. Ready? Tim, Jim?"

Fred and George went quietly around the side. Jim and Tim nonchalantly walked up to their quarry who was still absorbed in eating. Harry watched Jim and Tim intently while Ron fretted in his ear about Fred and George having money and probably involved in illegal activities. Jim and Tim seemed to be talking away to the man who was only nodding in reply. Harry was watching it all unfold. Jim saw a signal from Fred and George who had taken up position, crouched low to the corner of the building, wands out and with a clear view. Jim watched the man raise his hand up for another bite, waiting, waiting for exactly the right moment. And as the thieving wizard opened his mouth the two brothers took on that same impish grin. It reminded Harry the look a child might have just before they did something they knew was very naughty. Jim had evidently said something extraordinarily insulting as Tim stood by, smiling gleefully, nodded his head in vigorous agreement. The man was so startled he dropped his food all down his front and threw what was left onto the ground, swearing. Jim and Tim took off screaming and giggling in opposite directions. The thief was evidently so incensed by what Jim had said that he was swearing at the top of his lungs shooting wildly aimed curses from his wand that didn't hit either of the fleeing Bennets. Fred and George found all the activity to be more than ample distraction as one made a tear in the thieving wizard's robe while the other pulled out his purse, made the exchange and put it back.

Mission accomplished, Harry and Ron quickly made their way to the Three Broomsticks trying not to laugh too loud before they were out of earshot.

Ron snorted, "I wonder what Jim said that made that guy so mad? Did you see the look on his face?"

"I have no idea but I'd like to find out. It must have been really bad," Harry chuckled and glad Ron was no longer fretting about his two older brothers. Harry was still uncomfortable at the thought of eventually having to tell Ron the money they had came from him.

Harry and Ron entered the Three Broomsticks and found Hermione and Ginny along with an elderly witch at a table near the back. There was nothing about the witch or her appearance that was striking, unusual, or exceptional. In fact she was very ordinary in appearance. Her plain brown robes, plain brown-grey hair, even her blue eyes seemed ordinary. As he and Ron approached the table Hermione and Ginny looked ecstatic and barely able to contain themselves motioning for Harry and Ron to take a seat.

"Harry, do you have a couple of knuts?"

"Er, yeah, I probably do."

"Well, hurry up and buy one of Cheryl's good luck trinkets. You too Ron."

"Two more butterbeers?" asked Rosemerta strolling by, waiting on tables.

"Yes, and I'll buy," said Hermione glancing at Harry and Ron as they dug into their pockets for money.

Harry took a seat between Hermione and Ginny putting two knuts on the table in front of him. Ron was digging into his third pocket.

"Ron, I've got you covered," said Ginny sliding knuts across the table toward Ron. "You probably blew all your money at Honeydukes anyway."

"Er, thanks. And I did not," said Ron taking a seat next to Hermione and giving Ginny an indignant look.

"Alright," said Hermione, "Harry, Ron, this is Cheryl. She has some very intricate and hand made good luck trinkets for sale. It's not unusual for an elderly, and unemployed, witch or wizard to sell charmed trinkets. Cheryl, this is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."

There was something in the way that Hermione was talking that made Harry feel there was more going on here than she was saying, but he figured he'd find out soon enough.

The witch nodded to Ron and then Harry, glancing briefly to Harry's forehead before asking in a raspy voice, "Aren't we expecting two more?"

"Fred and George told us they wouldn't be able to make it."

"Yeah, they had to get back to Hogwarts in a bit of a hurry, along with the Bennet brothers," said Harry. Hermione raised an eyebrow, Harry and Ron just grinned back at her. She took it as a story to hear later.

"There loss," said Ginny.

"What? For missing out on some useless trinkets?"

"Ron, mind your manners," scolded Ginny.

Hermione slid a note on the table toward Harry. Harry turned it up and read.

Try not to act surprised when you get your trinket.

Hermione took the note back and slid it to Ron. Ron had one of those 'What?' looks on his face. Harry shrugged and held out two knuts to Cheryl who took them and handed him a miniature basket, no bigger than his thumb, with tiny life-like flowers. Harry was looking over the craftsmanship of the trinket when he noticed Ron wasn't looking at his trinket but was gaping at the elderly witch he had just bought it from. To Harry's amazement the elderly witch was no longer elderly.

"Good, from the looks on your faces I'd say the money I spent on this disguising spell was worth what I paid. The spell is broken only for the recipient of a trinket." Her voice was no longer raspy but rich and resonant. Harry watched her put away two remaining trinkets. Evidently they had been intended for Fred and George. Harry was now looking at a witch in her mid twenties with silvery colored hair and dark brown eyes. He recognized her from a music disc that Tonks had of Cheryl Silvertone. This was the Cheryl Silvertone sitting at the table with them.

"I've already explained to Hermione and Ginny what I've asked you here for. I'm wanting to know more about the 'Breath of Life'. According to legend, Merlin performed the spell on his lover Nimue when she was presumed dead so there is little known about the spell. I thought it could make for a great love song if I knew more about it. And since all of you are the only ones to have been part of, or witnessed, the 'Breath of Life' I thought I would ask you directly. Hermione here was gracious enough to set up the meeting. Hermione, since you were the one brought back. Maybe you could start."

Hermione told all about her experience and what she remembered from within the spell. Harry and Ron told about the frantic dash to Hogwarts and about what happened before the spell was cast by Dumbledore. Ginny told about her brief glimpse of the spell as Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix flew into the Hospital Wing.

"Fawkes?" asked Harry, Hermione and Ron.

"Is there some significance to a phoenix being involved?" asked Cheryl.

"No, not that we are aware of. It's just that we didn’t know," explained Hermione.

Cheryl went over the highlights of what happened again to be sure she had it right and then looked at Ginny sitting next to Harry and Ron sitting next to Hermione. "I just have to ask. By chance is there anything going on here? You would make two very cute couples."

"We're all good friends," Harry responded almost too quickly. Ginny tried not to blush and nodded in agreement. Hermione confirmed it was true, that they were all good friends.

"I'm taking Hermione to the Fall Dance," said Ron with pride in his voice.

"Yes, I will be at the Fall Dance and I fully intend to see every one of you there as well. Harry, are you taking anyone to the Fall Dance?"

Harry felt warm around his neck. "No, I'm going alone."

"I'm going alone too," Ginny said squirming on her chair, her cheeks with a touch of color.

Cheryl rose from her chair and shook everyone's hand. "Thank you all very much and I'll see you in a few weeks."

The four of them watched Cheryl Silvertone leave out the front door of the Three Broomsticks. "Blimey," said Ron. "Fred and George are going to be surprised at who we met."

Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron had secured a table in the Gryffindor common room right after the evening meal. Hermione had prodded the boys to tell her what mischief the twins and the Bennets had been into earlier that required them to make a hasty retreat back to Hogwarts. Harry and Ron gave a full account. There were three concerned looks at the table about where Fred and George could have gotten the money they seem to have but the mystery of what Jim Bennet had said to the thieving wizard overshadowed their concern, for the time being.

Fred and George came bounding into the common room and up to the table. "Well guys, what was Hermione's big secret we missed out on?"

"Oh, I almost forgot." Hermione dug into a pocket in her robe. "Cheryl, wanted us all to have her latest music disc." She handed out five discs and kept one for herself. Everyone was pleased to have one.

"Why thank you Hermione but who did you say gave us these?"

"Cheryl Silvertone of course."

The twins eyes got big. "No! You're kidding, right?"

"You mean that George and I missed out on meeting the Cheryl Silvertone?" Everyone gave the affirmative. Fred and George flopped down into two chairs,'

"You know Fred, business deals can certainly mess up social opportunities." Fred nodded in agreement.

"What I want to know is what you two are up to and where did you get all that money?" Ginny asked. Harry tried not to look uncomfortable even though Ginny was asking the twins.

"Now Ginny, you ask more than we're prepared to tell at the moment," replied George. Fred leaned back in his chair and winked at Harry from behind George.

"Oi, Jim, Tim. We want to talk to you." George motioned for the two brothers to come over to the table. "Fred and I…well, I guess we all would like to know what you told that bloke."

Jim and Tim came up to the table smiling. "Well, er, I don't know . . ." said Jim. The brothers looked at Hermione and Ginny.

"Oh, I got ya," said Fred, "you'd rather not bruise a lady's sensibilities. Is that what you're saying?" The Bennets nodded. That just made the boys that much more eager to hear what it was and they quickly got up and huddled over in a corner.

"Boys," Hermione said with exasperation. "Why don't they just come out with it, or not say it to begin with."

"It doesn't matter. Ron will tell me when he gets back. Being a little sister, I know a few things. He has to tell me." Hermione just grinned at Ginny's comment but was surprised at the outburst from the huddled group. Harry and Ron had dropped to the floor howling in laughter. Fred and George were clutching their sides while Jim and Tim looked smug.

The boys made their way back to the table, Ron was still clutching his side, Harry took off his glasses wiped his eyes and put them back on, Fred and George were ribbing each other.

"Okay Ron, I want to know."

"What makes you think I'm going to tell you?"

"Come here and I tell you why." Ginny whispered in Ron's ear.

"Oh." Ron's ears turned pink and he swore under his breath. As Ron whispered into Ginny's ear the Bennets took a step backward and looked around the room. Ginny's eyes got big, she started to cover her mouth but put her arms around her stomach instead, she snorted and laughed blithely. Finally catching her breath "Oooooh…I don't think I've ever heard it put that way." Jim and Tim looked relieved but suddenly took another step backward as Ginny whispered into Hermione's ear with much anticipation from the rest to see her reaction.

Hermione blushed. "T-that's rude. T-that's very rude. Besides that's not physically possible anyway."

There were snorts, a 'What?', and Ginny covered her mouth in surprise.

"No, no. You don't understand Hermione." Ginny whispered in her ear again and Hermione turned a deeper shade of red.

Ginny giggled, "It's okay Hermione, you didn't grow up with five older brothers." Ginny patted Hermione on the back while Jim and Tim were trying to look innocent.

Hermione decided it was time to make her Prefect rounds. Her face still full of color she stood up, adjusted her Prefect badge and gave Jim and Tim a reproachful look before she left the common room, without a word. A round of snickers followed her departure as Jim and Tim returned to looking smug.

"I agree with Ginny mates. I've never heard it put quite that way. Where did you ever hear such a thing?" asked George.

"Ah, we have our source," replied Tim.

"And we would appreciate that particular insult not being spread around. We wouldn't want to tarnish our reputations or anything like that." Light laughter followed Jim's request along with some joking about reputations. Harry, Ron and Ginny assured Jim that they had no intention of repeating such an insult but Fred and George remained silent.

After a pleading look from Jim, Fred finally said, "Let's just say I reserve the right to repeat it where it's deserved." More laughter followed.

Ron suggested a game of wizarding chess to Harry but Harry reminded Ron about how little time they had to study with Quidditch, regular lessons – other lessons, and not to mention O.W.L.s at the end of the year. Ron reluctantly agreed but made Harry promise a game of wizard chess after a couple hours study.

Hermione returned from her rounds pleased to see Harry and Ron studying. She picked up a Bertie Bott's bean amongst the pile that was laying out, knowing that they didn't mind. Both boys looked up, waiting to hear the flavor.

"Mmmm, gingerbread."

"Wha'? How can she always be so lucky Harry?"

Harry laughed. "You're just sore because you got a rock flavored one while ago."

"Oh Harry, you're supposed to go see the Headmaster."

"Now?"

Hermione nodded. "The temporary password is 'jawbreaker'."

"What about our game Harry?"

"Maybe later, or tomorrow," Harry shrugged.

"Wizard chess?" Hermione asked with disdain. She thought that wizard chess was barbaric.

"Yeah, Harry said he'd play me a game after we studied a bit."

"I suppose…since you've been studying. I'll play you."

"Great ! A challenge." Ron looked at Harry, "Not that you're not, that is."

"No problem." Harry knew that he wasn't that good at chess and that Ron was exceptional.

Just as Harry stood up to leave Hermione asked, "So, when are you going to tell us what this is all about?"

"When I understand more about it myself, see you later."

"Come in Harry."

As usual, Harry didn't have to knock on Dumbledore's office door. The door opened, on its own, and Harry stepped in.

"I have to admit I've been looking forward to this," said Dumbledore. The door closed behind Harry and he felt himself scooting across the floor toward Dumbledore's desk as though he were being pulled by a rope, standing rigid on ice. "Have a chair." A chair slid up behind him as he came to a smooth stop in front of the desk. All this had been going on while the Headmaster was reading intently through notes and papers scattered all about his desk, peering through his half-moon glasses. Harry sat down and as Dumbledore looked up, all the papers and notes stacked up and put themselves away. A pot of hot tea and two cups came sailing through the air landing delicately upon the desk and began to pour. The pot paused in mid air over Harry's cup. "Would you like a cup Harry?"

"Yes, please." Harry was entranced and delighted to watch the Headmaster do all this magic without a wand. It made Harry almost giddy at the thought he might be able to do such things as well. They both sipped tea, both delighted in their own way, student and teacher.

"Let me start by telling you what I've learned in using my own wandless magic. It is a concentration in the calming of mind and emotions. Emotions are what make us human but the lack of control over emotions can lead people to do terrible things to one another, and to themselves.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you've found your wandless magic to work under certain conditions. Beyond panic, beyond fear, your wandless magic has worked for you. Take for example when you were tested with the Flamels help disguised as Hermione's parents. The other condition would likely be when you are calm and drained of emotion."

Harry thought about how he had made a letter from Sirius burst into flame without giving it much thought and nodded.

"Your goal is to not suppress emotions but to control and direct them where needed. Emotions are powerful tools to witches and wizards. To conjure a corporeal patronus a wizard or witch must concentrate on the happiest moment of their lives. But in order to do wandless magic Harry, you have to go a step further. Not only must you be able to concentrate on the happiest moment of your life you have to keep your wits about you and not let other emotions overcome the magic you are trying to do. Here, the best way to illustrate is to demonstrate." Dumbledore wadded up a piece of parchment and rolled it out onto his desk. He then waved his hand, "Wingardium Leviosa." The waded up parchment rolled half way down his desk and back. "Give it a try. Relax, and try not to be anxious."

Harry did as he was told. He took a deep breath and relaxed. He waved his hand and said "Wingardium Leviosa." The waded up parchment rolled down the desk and back. "Cool !" Harry exclaimed.

"Good heavens. The boy can do it too," said one of the pictures on the wall.

"What do you expect. It is Harry Potter after all," said another.

"Freaks, both of 'em, Dumbledore and Potter," said a third.

Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses at the portrait of the former headmaster who had said the last comment. The others on the wall were either in silent agreement or shaking their heads in disapproval, but very interested in Dumbledore's reaction regardless. Without expression Dumbledore said, "That will be quite enough Detraneous. It is one thing to criticize a fellow headmaster, it is entirely another matter to belittle a student. Another comment like that and you'll find yourself silenced for the rest of my tenure here at Hogwarts." A few "Here, here's" ensued from other portraits as others remained silent either in approval or disagreement. The plump round figure of Detraneous only glared back from his portrait without a word.

"I apologize for Detraneous, Harry. He was one of Hogwarts most biased and prejudice headmasters. And as far as everyone here knowing about our special abilities, it is of no concern. None can say anything about what happens in the headmaster's office. It's a magical oath woven into the very fabric of the canvas and oils of the paints. Nothing can be divulged. Again I apologize, but let us get back to the task at hand. Go ahead, try once more."

Harry waved his hand again. "Wingardium Leviosa." Nothing happened, his mouth dropped open, Harry was perplexed.

"Your first attempt was superb but did you by chance let some excitement overtake you on your second attempt?" Dumbledore asked knowingly. "Your goal is not to suppress that excitement but to manage it." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Actually it is not necessary to say the words or have any hand movement to perform wandless magic, only think it."

The wad of parchment sprang to life jumping up in midair as it flattened itself out and then folded itself into a paper airplane that zoomed around their heads. Dumbledore grinned looking into Harry's eyes. "It is not even necessary for me to watch by eyesight. And the delight I feel at showing off takes a backseat to our conversation and my concentration to my paper airplane's aerobatics." After doing a few loop-de-loops the paper airplane glided smoothly to a landing on the desk.

Harry groaned, "This is going to be a lot of work. I think mastering frustration is going to be at the top of the list." They both laughed.

An hour and a half later Dumbledore called their lesson to an end. "That will be sufficient for the lesson this time Harry. Let's call it a night shall we. More tea before you leave?"

"Yes, thanks."

"I will recommend that you make it a habit that you appear to use your wand under all circumstances. Discretion is severely important."

A fluttering of wings and Fawkes landed on Harry's shoulder letting out a single beautiful note that made Harry feel warm inside. It always amazed Harry at how light Fawkes was for such a large bird.

"Ah, I see Fawkes wants to say hello. He seems particularly fond of you Harry. I don't believe I told you that he was involved in our efforts to revive Hermione. Though I'm not sure how or why, I'm fairly certain he played a large part in that success."

Fawkes dipped his head down low peering at Harry with a dark and benevolent eye. Harry petted Fawkes and thought, 'Fawkes, you are always there when I need help the most. I wonder if I'll ever be able to repay you.'