The Dark Phoenix

Harry came too, he was trying to remember what had happened, everything was blurry. 'Hermione' was his first thought, he automatically reached out his hand feeling for his glasses. Everything came into focus and ever so briefly he saw Hermione's pale face as Madam Pomfrey standing over her lifted a sheet blocking his view. The mind sometimes plays tricks on our worst fears. Harry Panicked and blurted out.

"Hermione!"

The sheet came down quickly tucking up around Hermione, Madam Pomfrey was very efficient from years of practice. She turned and looked at Harry with satisfaction.

"Well now Mr. Potter, back among the livin' are we?"

Harry was trying to raise himself up, but his whole body felt like it was made of lead.

"Here, here. We'll ha' none of that, you're ta stay in bed."

"But, but, Hermione."

"She's fine, she's fine. Settle down there or I'll have ta magic some restraints on ya. You're both to weak ta be —". Madam Pomfrey didn't bother to finish. Harry had already fallen back to sleep.

Somewhere in the ebbing and flowing darkness of dreams and sleep the words 'She's fine' kept coming back to him. He became aware of voices being spoken far away. They were familiar voices but they seemed to come and go. He dreamed of a dog that licked his face, an owl that cooed and nibbled an ear, a purring cat curled up next to him. He dreamed of a pale looking girl that he desperately wanted to make sure she was really, truly, alive. It seemed to take all his effort to walk across a vast distance, so tired he could barely take a step. When he got close enough to touch her, she was warm, she was alive! And his heart would sing as everything went back to darkness.

"Wha—, Harry Potter!" Madam Pomfrey whipped out her wand and magicked Harry up off the floor next to Hermione's bed, floated him across the room as the covers rolled back and then over as he was laid gently back into his own bed.

Later Dumbledore came into the hospital wing and looked at the two teenagers; their beds were close together, side by side. He looked up at Madam Pomfrey over his half moon glasses, his eyes twinkling. She tried to suppress a smile but rolled her eyes and said, "Well I 'ad ta do somethin', I found Mr. Potter on the floor next ta her bed twice an' Miss Granger on the floor next ta his once."

"I quite approve Poppy. But I've come to thank you for coming on such short notice in our moment of need. You've been here a week and Professor Snape has made plenty of praesangium, which is locked up in the medicinal cabinet."

"So your tellin' me I can go back ta my summer off? But, who would watch after these two? An' is they're bein' here still a secret?"

"A secret no longer, and visitors will be coming on a regular basis. As a matter of fact the Weasleys and the Grangers will be here within the hour. As for watching our summer patients, two house-elves from the kitchens have already volunteered, Dobby and Winky."

"Ah'll not leave till Ah'm sure these two house-elves can handle the job."

"Very well, and thank you Poppy. And I believe that Mr. Potter is waking up."

Harry reached to the table on his left for his glasses. Harry felt stiff as he sat up in the bed. Dumbledore mumbled "Engorgio" as Harry's pillow swelled large enough to support him sitting in bed.

"Thanks professor." Harry looked around the hospital wing and immediately saw a pale Hermione sleeping in the bed to his right. Without thinking, without hesitation, he reached out and touched her hand and gave a small sigh of relief.

"See what ah mean Albus," said Madam Pomfrey.

"Indeed," looking at Poppy over his half moon glasses, and then back to Harry. "She's fine Harry, just sleeping. In fact, you've both been sleeping for quite some time."

Suddenly realizing how it might look he blushed but he didn't turn red or even pink.

"There now, it's good to see some more natural color to ya besides lookin' pasty pale," said Madam Pomfrey.

Wanting to change the subject in a hurry Harry was about to ask how long he and Hermione had been asleep when a very deep bark came from the left side of his bed. It made him jump. Madam Pomfrey just looked a little dismayed.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Yes Snuffles, you have not been forgotten."

The big black dog put his front paws on the side of Harry's bed as Harry yelled out, "Snuffles!"

"I suppose you have some questions Harry," said Dumbledore giving a sideways glance to Poppy.

"Ah believe Ah'll go to the kitchens an' check on these two house-elves ya mentioned Albus."

Harry couldn't be more delighted, here was his Godfather in Animagus form. Madam Pomfrey left the room as Dumbledore said in a low voice just loud enough for Harry and 'Snuffles' to hear. "I believe a Concealment spell is in order. Allow me." But just as Dumbledore raised his wand Madam Pomfrey could be heard talking to someone in the corridor just outside the hospital wing. Dumbledore paused and Ron's unmistakable voice could be heard.

"Yes!" Ron burst through the door with Harry's broom in hand. "Hey, Snuffles!" Then Ron looked at his two friends. "Man it's good to see both of you here and awake. I borrowed your broom Harry. I hope that was alright. I'm ahead of the rest by a good half hour."

Harry nodded his approval and then turned looking toward Hermione. She was pale but she had a warm smile and dark brown eyes that were very much alive. Hermione reached out with her left hand, Harry with his right. Both of them seemed to take reassurance in touching each other's hand.

Dumbledore cleared his throat; the two quickly pulled their hands apart and he enlarged Hermione's pillow to help her sit up. Turning toward Ron, "I'm glad you're ahead of everyone. I assume you mean the rest of your family Ron, and the Grangers? Good, that should give us enough time." He raised his wand and waved in a circular motion, "Obumbro!". The windows dimmed and the room became quiet as though sealed off from the rest of the castle. Dumbledore nodded to Snuffles who transformed into Sirius.

"Harry, it seems to always be something with you isn't it?" Sirius and Harry embraced. Sirius was as close to a father figure as Harry would probably ever know. "It's been a long week Harry, and now that your being here is no longer a secret I'll have to leave soon."

Harry pulled away with a look of hurt and disappointment. Once again he was going to be denied that heart to heart talk with his Godfather.

"I'm sorry Harry. Trust me, I don't want to leave either, but it won't be safe for me here.

Hermione was trying to gather in what was going on. Here she was in a hospital bed next to Harry, her right arm in a sling and her shoulder was hurting. She was ever so relieved to see Harry. She had this almost uncontrollable desire to touch him to make sure he was really there. And she had no idea why she was feeling this way. It all seemed so awkward, not knowing, feeling like things were out of control. She didn't like it. It made her feel slightly embarrassed.

"Excuse me professor, I was just wondering how I got here. The last thing I remember I was headed over to visit my friend Melanie."

"Ah yes, questions, as expected. I suppose we should start at the beginning. And you say that you remember nothing? Well, I can think of no other way to say it. Hermione, my dear, you were attacked. Stabbed is more accurate."

Hermione's eyes widened, "S-stabbed?"

"As a matter of fact, with a poisoned dagger, which I happen to have with me, encased in a protective spell." Dumbledore pulled out from his cloak what looked like a block of glass with a delicate handled silver dagger about twelve inches in overall length inside. The blade was about seven inches and was an unusual three sided star shape that came to a fine point. On either side at the base of the blade was what looked like a malicious protruding snake fang. It was evident the blade was not intended to make a clean cut, but to mangle the flesh and cause as much pain as possible. Dumbledore offered it to Hermione but she recoiled at the sight of it, her eyes changed to a light gray color for the briefest of seconds. Dumbledore made a mental note of it.

Harry held out his hand to look it over. It wasn't as heavy as he had expected. Even though it looked and felt like glass it didn't seem to have any weight of itself. Harry thought it was evil looking.

Sirius sneered as he looked at it. "Assassin's dagger - disgusting."

Ron was quite anxious to look at it, "Wicked! An assassin's dagger!" He glanced at Hermione, "Uh, sorry." He then had a puzzled look on his face. "Professor, why would anyone want to kill Hermione?"

"Mr. Weasley you go straight to the heart of the matter. As best we can determine it was Lord Voldemort's intention to goad Harry into coming after him by killing a close friend. Of course it would have been a trap, but knowing Harry's strength of will I'm not sure any of us could have stopped him. We were not expecting this to happen so soon."

"Hang on," said Hermione. "I remember seeing a black car parked along the street on my way to Melanie's. I was going to mention to Harry and Ron that I had seen it on my street off and on all summer. I think someone was watching me. Is that who did it?"

"No my dear. That was John Nelson, a cousin to Lee Jordan, your fellow Gryffindor. John Nelson is a detective on the police force. He is also a muggle." He paused to let that sink in, but not long enough for anyone to ask more questions. "We sometimes enlist cooperation through relatives of witches and wizards who are aware of our magical world but are muggles just the same. Voldemort abhors muggles and would not consider doing such a thing. We have found it useful but it was inadequate in this case. It was our desire not to arouse suspicion from the Ministry of Magic at the time. In light of what has happened to Miss Granger the Ministry will assign their own people to watch now."

"Professor, this is all getting a little confusing. You say a muggle detective was assigned to watch me, then who attacked me?"

"A Death Eater by the name of Gregory Denton, who's body has mysteriously disappeared from the Ministry Morgue. It so happens that John Nelson killed Gregory Denton with a hand gun. A wizard can be killed with such a device if caught off guard." There was a pause while they absorbed the information about Voldemort and one of his Death Eater followers.

"I take it I was brought here, given the antidote, and fixed up," said Hermione trying to anticipate.

"Actually you were taken to first, an almost tragic mistake. The poison on this dagger is rare, very difficult to make. The antidote is even more difficult and quite perishable. Professor Snape has the antidote on hand here at Hogwarts under a time spell to keep it from spoiling. However, this poison kills within thirty minutes. It took almost two hours to bring you to Hogwarts from the moment you were attacked, so you see the antidote was entirely useless."

Hermione was still trying to logically piece the events together, "Okaaaay, so what you're saying is that I died. Then how come I'm alive?"

"This is where it becomes most interesting," said Dumbledore.

"And dangerous," commented Sirius.

"Quite right, it was indeed dangerous. And yes, I am saying that you died but not completely. You were kept in check by two very dear friends of mine, Nicholas and Penelope Flamel. They used very arcane magic to keep what makes you 'you' from moving on. That gave us time to perform the 'Breath of Life'. Harry, Ron and your parents were a part of this spell."

Hermione had a look of concentration, "'Breath of Life'? B-but that's only a legend. Merlin was supposed to have performed the spell to bring Nimue, his lost love, back to life. No one has performed that spell. No one knows for sure if Merlin performed it. Once you're dead, you're dead. It's just not possible."

"Ah, but Miss Granger it is legend no more, you are living proof. I agree that dead is 'dead' but it is my opinion that you have been closer to death than any person who has ever lived, including Nimue."

"So, who actually performed the transference?" asked Hermione glancing over at Harry in the bed next to hers.

"That would have been Harry here," said Sirius proudly patting Harry on the back.

"Professor, if this was such a dangerous spell why was Ron involved?" asked Harry.

Ron beamed as Dumbledore continued. "Well Harry, there was a risk that you would sacrifice your own life trying to save Hermione. There was also the risk that Hermione's mother and father could have convinced you that they were willing to do the same. However, I doubted that you would let Ron sacrifice his life. There is a strong bond between those willing to sacrifice themselves for one another." Dumbledore looked at the three youths in turn.

Hermione looked from Dumbledore to Ron to Harry. "So, what you're saying is that I was brought to life with a kiss."

"That's a simplistic explanation but accurate enough," said Dumbledore smiling broadly, his eyes twinkling.

Hermione's expression changed, "Say Harry. You're missing a lock of hair."

Ron coughed and sputtered, "Whaaat? How could you possibly tell with that mess of a mop he's got?"

"Very observant Miss Granger, as usual. Harry actually is missing a lock of hair," said Dumbledore as Ron's jaw dropped.

It was our intention to use Voldemort's own trap against him. With a lock of hair, some Polyjuice Potion, and a brave volunteer, we made an attempt to find Voldemort through our Harry 'look alike'.

This last revelation was making Harry's head spin. "Who's we?" said Harry and Hermione in unison. They looked at each other and laughed. Ron was still standing with his mouth open looking confused.

Sirius took over, "The we that Headmaster Dumbledore is referring to is called 'The Order of the ' and is sometimes called 'The Order' for short. It is an ancient and secret order. It was founded by Merlin himself – 'Magical Justice for One and All'. This bit of information is why Albus cast a Concealment spell. This organization is most secret. Harry… Remus as well as your mother and father belonged to the Order. Because of Hermione's attack it's been decided to reveal the Order's existence to you three. Harry and Ron, it is also important not to mention, to anyone outside the Order, about having seen the Flamels." Sirius looked toward Dumbledore.

"Thank you Sirius. The Order has also decided that for your own protection the three of you should receive some private lessons in Defense Against the Dark Arts, advanced lessons. These lessons must also be kept secret and on top of your regular class load. I hope you're up to it?" Dumbledore looked from Harry to Hermione to Ron. Each of the three teens was nodding slowly with growing grins. "Very well, you will be called to my office after arrangements have been made. I doubt these lessons will start till after the school year begins." Dumbledore paused and had a very serious look, "I must impress upon you again how very important all this must be kept secret." The three grins had quickly been replaced by somber looks. "I know what Sirius and I have just told you has brought more questions to mind, but those questions will have to wait for now." Dumbledore looked toward Sirius one more time. "Sirius, I should be lifting the Concealment spell soon."

Sirius and Harry both had a pained expression. "Harry, I know we haven't had much time to talk but we will get our chance." Harry and Sirius embraced again. As they pulled apart Sirius smiled and tried to brighten his impending departure. "Harry, you always seem to be involved in saving lives, including my own." Sirius winked at Hermione as he said this because she was involved in saving Sirius' life as well. "I'm very proud of you, but please try not to do anything dangerous. You'll be giving me more gray hairs than I already have. And…I was also wondering if you two could keep an eye on my Godson in my absence."

Ron said, "You bet."

Hermione smiled and said, "We'll do our best."

At this Sirius transformed back to his Animagus dog form they referred to as Snuffles.

"Take care Snuffles," said Dumbledore, "you will be kept informed." Dumbledore waved his wand and gave the counter spell removing the concealment. The windows brightened and the sounds in the rest of the castle could be heard again. Snuffles bounded for the door amongst farewells, and was gone.

It seemed to Harry that his meetings with Sirius were always bittersweet. Harry hadn't really noticed that his Godfather had a few gray hairs till he mentioned it. 'Saving lives', Harry thought, 'Yeah… but I couldn't save Cedric, could I?'