Chapter Four: Setting the Board
Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Fawkes sat upon his porch, watching the sunrise. After returning from the meeting, he reluctantly went to bed at Dumbledore's insistence. Even though he was reaching the older man's age, he still was bossed
around like a child, which in a sense he still should have been. The sunrise was always there for him, in his darkest hours, and on his happiest days. It was always there. He remembered holding his grandson on a morning just like this not five years ago. Five years ago before all of this had happened and he hadn't disappeared.
"He'll be here in the next few days," Fawkes said as Dumbledore floated next to him.
"Do you expect a warm welcome for him?" Dumbledore asked but they knew the answer. A moment of silence lapsed as they heard Remus and Tonks approaching, angry looks upon their faces.
"You were here," Remus said. Fawkes smiled at the tone of his voice. He was angry with him yet that didn't matter. Remus didn't understand and maybe never would. "You could have changed history, you could have saved Sirius. You could have saved your parents!" He yelled at Fawkes at this point, and Dumbledore looked away. "They would have been alive, and living
"Could I have?" Fawkes said, still seating. "How do you know that things didn't change already, and they are a result of me changing them?" Remus stopped his rant as Fawkes looked back at the sunrise. "Eighty years, eighty fucking years I've been gone. I've had a lot of time to change the world."
"Then why didn't you?" Remus asked. There was still an edge to his voice.
"Do you ever wake up and wish you could relive a day? But then you realize, that things have to be that way, so you can become the man you are today?" Fawkes asked. He let out a soulless laugh. "Its odd being a grandfather, and yet knowing you technically are younger than your daughter."
"What?" Remus nearly fell over, and Tonks did. "You have daugther….but….but?" His voice trailed off as both of them tried to grasp his comment.
"Yeah," Fawkes said, standing from the porch. "I'd rather leave that alone right now. If you don't mind." He did not wish to drag through those thoughts again, as the haunting of them returned to him.
"Why didn't you do anything though to stop this from happening?" Remus asked.
"Because it had to pass," Fawkes said. "I don't know how else to explain it."
"Time marches on and FATE has in store for us certain things," Luna said as she walked over to them. "Morning, brother." She said, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek. He smiled down at her as she took his place on the porch. "She decides on certain things that must happen, and they do. Oh they may come earlier, or later, but there are certain things that must happen. Falling in love is one of them."
"Did you know about this Luna?" Tonks asked, regaining her voice.
"Know about what?" She cocked her head to the side, a vacant look to her eyes.
"Not all things are of this world," Fawkes said, scratching his head. "Moony, you really don't understand do you?"
"What's there to understand? You could have saved them. Being able to save them and not is as good as killing them, H-!" His voice was immediately cut out as Fawkes held him above the ground. He felt the curses and spells hitting his back as Tonks fired them at him. They were painful and would have stopped a lesser totem.
"Let's get this straight." Fawkes said. There was a fire in his eyes and he felt his body warm at the magic beginning to flow through it. "You have no idea how much hell I went through, knowing that I could have saved them but didn't. You stand here and accuse me of doing nothing? I could say the same of you. Five fucking years, Remus? How long does it take before you lose faith in me and decide that it might, just might be a good idea to start looking for another way?" He dropped Remus to the ground. "You ever want to speak again to me, you will drop this. What I have done and haven't done this last seventy years are not and will never be of your concern."
"How can you say that?" Tonks asked. Fawkes waved his hand, disarming her easily. He stalked towards her, daring her to try and take him on.
"Because you where not there," Fawkes said. "Just like I barely have the right to ask you about these past five years, you have no right to ask me about mine."
"What gives you the right to ask us?" Tonks said, turning on him.
"Because you need me," Fawkes said in a quiet voice. "I can go on living without all of you, it'll hurt like hell, but I can do it. If you all, if she wants me to leave after this, I will disappear, forever." He walked off, not needing to hear anymore. They had heard enough from him. "Lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself." He said as he walked toward the lake. He was not sure if they heard him, but it sounded like Luna had rounded on Remus, which he could not help but smile at her defense of him.
He walked slowly, taking in the air. There was an evil taint to it, making it muskier than it really should be. Already his work with the garden had taken root, and seemed to be cleaning some of the area, but he needed to cleanse the area first for the real growth to begin. Too much dark had happened here these last few years.
Taking a deep breath, he concentrated upon his voice, his method of cleansing. It was tiring, yet relaxing at the same time, something he found that helped him when he worked in the third world for while.
"Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound." He lifted his arms as he sang, letting the music and magic flow across the lake. With everything he had, he sang. From depths he felt the sound echo against the magic inside of him before being joined as it left him. With each word, the sun was little brighter, the grass a little greener, and the hope surrounding him was a little stronger.
He felt the taint in the air disappearing, shuddering away from the land as his magic spread. His song was lifting the land up, away from beauty that had captured the land when he was here.
With the final notes of the song, as he closed his mouth the sound echoed across the now clear lake. The cloud cover had disappeared and what remained gave an ethereal beauty to the lake, even more than that had been there when he attended.
"Wow." Fawkes turned to see Hermione walking up to him. He gave a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he noticed the difference in the grass. One was brighter than the other, and was softer to the touch.
"I didn't work all the way," Fawkes said. He pointed the grass out to Hermione, who just shrugged.
"I'm just amazed you manage to cleanse this area so much," she said. "We've been looking for a spell to clean this area for so long. And you just walk up and do it." She shook her head as she walked closer. "I feel so useless sometimes."
"Being useless sometimes is better than being useful none of the time." Fawkes said with a smile. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"I'll trade it for some company on my walk," she offered. He nodded and walked beside her. Shoving his hands in his pockets only kept the urge to hold her hand at bay. They walked in silence once around the lake, letting them take in the changed beauty.
There was peacefulness that had returned to the lake, one that he hoped to return to the castle over time. It would take time, but as always, the best things do.
"I want to thank you for the lunch yesterday," Hermione said, breaking the silence.
"Well, I need the brains of the outfit working at all times," he said with a smile. She blushed at his compliment. "Don't worry about it, I look out for my friends."
"I found that spell you were looking for," Hermione said with a smile at the thought of being his friend. "I can perform it later this afternoon."
"Good, just after the Order meeting sounds about right," he said. He kept wlaking knowing that she had stopped. "Oh, you think I forgot?"
"No," she said, catching up to him. "You just seemed exhausted yesterday."
"I was, that's why I slept in today," he said. He let the silence spread between them, yet found no discomfort in it. It was some time before they spoke again, and Fawkes could only guess that she was thinking, the biting of her lip being his only clue.
"Why don't you use magic?" Hermione asked as they finished a lap.
"Well, I guess its because magic royally screwed me out of a chance at a normal life," Fawkes said. "I mean, before I became who I am today, I was relatively normal teenager with a few twitches of excitement each year." He could barely contain the smile on his face as he thought of how minor those incidents of excitement were in relation to the rest of his life.
"I guess I can understand that, but why give it up?" Hermione asked again.
"Because magic is meant to be a part of a person, not the person," Fawkes said. "While I may be called a hypocrite for this, I believe that every person that is gifted with the use of magic has to learn to live without it completely before they can understand the value and assist that magic is."
"Why would you be called a hypocrite?" Hermione asked as he stopped walking. Fawkes looked out into the lake, wondering if the merpeople were still there. While he doubted it, he began to wonder if the changes he had brought were only on the surface. He'd have to check this out later, right now Hermione seemed to becoming increasing irritated with him.
"Because of what I am," Fawkes said with a smile. "A bond between magic and man, so permanent, even death would not separate us. Well maybe, but I don't plan on testing that theory." He gave her a grin as he stared back into the lake. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live another life, away from this all?"
"Everyday," Hermione said. She looked away at this, which only peeked his interest even more.
"What do you mean?" Fawkes asked.
"I mean that I sometimes wish that Harry had never left, that he had let me come with him," Hermione said. She turned away from him, not allowing him to see her tears. Which was for the best as he felt his body shudder in agony and regret. "I don't understand; why did he leave without me?" She turned to face him, and Fawkes drew upon everything he had not to hold her in his arms. He did this to her. He did that and so much more.
"If he left, he must have meant to return," Fawkes said, calmly. She nodded, hugging herself. "He did send you letters at least, right?" He knew that he did, sent two of them with Hedwig before he miss-stepped through time. She shook her head before letting his arms wrap around her. He did not recall telling them to, they did it upon instinct and care. While she sobbed into his chest, his mind tried to grasp upon the fact that he had sent the letters, she just did not receive them.
They stayed like that for a moment before Hermione jumped back blushing. Fawkes just smiled, happy to feel young again. Younger than he had felt in years. "I'm sorry, I must have stained your shirt."
"Not a probably," he said. "Let's head back to my hut for lunch, Luna and Remus should be done arguing by now." He had to figure a way to get those letters to her without showing who he was. It was too soon for that, and Remus was almost ruining everything he had planned just by telling Tonks. It seemed inevitable that everyone would find out eventually, just how soon was the variable. Too soon was wrong as was too late. Everything had to happened, but when was the question. When?
"What were they arguing about?" Hermione asked.
"Me," Fawkes said with a smile. "Remus took offense to something I said, and Luna is straightening him out. Trust me, you don't want to know." His smile grew across his face as he saw them still arguing.
"It has to be this way," Luna finally said. Remus looked ready to retort, yet stopped when Fawkes returned.
"Yes it does, but things change," Fawkes said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "I believe it is time to hold a meeting of the order." He left them at that, knowing they would follow him. What surprised him the most was Hermione was the first to catch up to him, walking beside him. He gave her a smile, slowing slightly to have her walk next to him. "Wouldn't care to tell me where Grim is would you?" He asked as they walked.
"Lazy mutt, stole my bed from me," she mumbled causing him to laugh. Grim was certainly living up to the name of his predecessor.
"Just tell him that if he wants to stay with you, Fawkes says `get the hell off,'" he said with a laugh.
They made more idle conversation as they walked, but Fawkes's mind was not with it. He kept running through what he needed to get down. What needed to be accomplished before he could reveal himself once again. He had too many secret identities, like a bad superhero comic. The thought made him chuckle.
I0I
Hermione sat next to Fawkes this time, surprisingly at his request. Luna was on his other side, reading a book upside-down. The fear wasn't growing as much this time, sitting next to him. She felt safer, though she never would be able to explain it.
"Thank you all for coming," Fawkes said. "I believe it is time to reevaluate what this order has been doing."
"We were doing just fine," Mrs. Weasley said. "Everything was going just fine."
"Really," Fawkes said. He waved his hand and a ledge appeared next to him. "Hermione could you please open to the marked page and begin reading?" She took the book, finding a list of dates and names on the page.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, realizing what the names and dates were. Fawkes nodded, though his glare never left Mrs. Weasley.
"Sprout, Pomona. Died on August 1st, 1998." She paused gathering her breath as she read. "Slughorn, Horace. Died on August 1st, 1998. Pince, Irma. Died on August 1st, 1998."
"Stop," Mrs .Weasley said. Hermione looked up from the book over at her. Tears were beginning to well in her eyes as Hermione spoke.
"Zabini, Blaise. Died on August 2nd, 1998. Parkinson, Pansy. Died on August 2nd, 1998." It was difficult for her, but also cathartic in a way. She had never accepted their deaths, especially of those that were among the first to fall. Even the ones that they had thought were Death Eaters had fought with them, which surprised Hermione. However, that battle had relinquished to the history books as had the reading of the deaths. "Linder, Charles. Died on October 31st, 2000. Thomas, Dean. Died on-"
"Shut up!" Ginny screamed. Hermione looked up from the book, finally noticing the tears along her own cheeks. "They died like heroes, defending us."
"And you remember them by hiding." Fawkes said. "Where is the honor in that? They died for a conviction, and you do nothing for them in return. That is the legacy of your order Molly. And its high time that it changes."
"How dare you?" Mrs. Weasley said, standing up from her seat.
"I dare because it is the right thing, not the easy thing to do," Fawkes said. "No matter what I say today, unless you get over your petty belief that you are always and forever right in your ways, I will ask that you not return to an Order meeting." The way he spoke convinced Hermione that he was not asking Mrs. Weasley anything, more like threatening her. "Now, we start with moving the soldiers out of my school."
"Your school?" Mrs. Weasley asked more confused then anything else. Fawkes nodded, and Hermione grabbed a quill, taking notes of the meeting. She didn't know if she wasn't supposed to, but the smile from Fawkes as he spoke made the decision seem all the better.
"Well, that is if you do not mind me taking over it, Headmistress?" Fawkes asked.
"Not at all, it hasn't been much of a school since the attacks," McGonagall said with a smile.
"Very well," Fawkes said. "We will be taking back the castle, and reopening the school by Christmas." Hermione could see his fingers counting down against his arm. She almost laughed as they hit one and everyone burst into outrage, rage and just surprise. "Yes, this is first and foremost a school. A school that will not fall again. It was a mistake for me to leave, and it was a mistake that closed down this school, not any more."
"But what will stop You-Know-Who from attacking?" Flitwick asked.
"Why else would be have an army, if we do not use it?" Fawkes responded. "Now, I open the floor to suggests on what to do with the school."
"Expand the boundaries," Hermione said, as she was writing. At the silence, she looked up to everyone staring at her.
"What would that accomplish?" Charlie asked.
"Everything," Mad-eye said. "It would give us more ground to protect, but it would also allow for more land to be integrated into the wards."
"We could even let people come here as refugees, offering protection for them and their families." Lupin added. Hermione had begun to make a chart of the advantages.
"Wouldn't this attract Voldemort even more?" Arthur commented.
"It might, but no more if we also go after his cells across England," Fawkes said. "But one thing at a time. Fred, George, Charlie, Neville, and Mad-eye, I want you four to be working on wards of the castle. Research and implement them. I don't care how horrible the enemies of mine are hurt, but they will be. My enemies, and my enemies alone, understand. That is my only stipulation." The four that he assigned nodded, but Hermione caught the twinkle in Fawkes's eyes. Now was not the time to bring up that question, but he was hiding something else from them. "Professors, Moony, Tonks, I need you all to start fixing any problems within the school. Simple put, this place needs to be fixed completely before we start allowing students to be taught here. Any problems, come to me, and I'll see what I can do about it."
"What should we do?" Arthur asked.
"I need some help with contacts outside of Hogwarts, I need you to work on that, Mr. Weasley." Fawkes said. "Mrs. Weasley, if you wish to help your husband, you may, or you may help with the cleaning of the school. The choice is yours; please notify me in regards to the choice by the end of the week.
"Ron, Luna and Hermione, I need you three to start prepare a list of not only possible spells for us to be trained with, but also on the Horocruxes," Fawkes said to them. "We will begin training shortly after the first of October, but until then, please prepare whatever you think will be necessary, concentrating on different areas."
"What about me?" Ginny asked.
"You have been very vocal about my actions here," Fawkes said leaning forward. "Now, I like the fiery spirit, yet you are sorely misguided if you think I will falter under your will. You will be rebuilding our potions stocks of healing potions and such, until the Potions Master I have recruited returns. At that point, I will decide where your skills are needed the most." He looked around the table, and Hermione felt his magic echo through his stare as he moved from person to person. "Each of us has a job, a job that is of the utmost importance. I expect that you all act with the proper regard and respect that you would place into any other task you take. I will be assisting where I can, but for the most part will allow you all to work together or alone in the groups I've assigned."
"What about me and my wife?" Bill asked.
"You two have more important things to worry about at the moment and I will speak with you afterwards." Fawkes said. "Now, that brings us back to the orphans we have here. They do not deserve to be living in the dungeon. Not as long as I am here." His glare moved around the room, as if searching for the person who allowed this to happen. If Hermione had to admit it, she would have said they all did, with her playing the role of anger without reaction. "I will be speaking with the leader of the army, whoever the hell that is, and he will be out of the Gryffindor tower by the end of the week."
"How do you plan on doing that?" Remus asked. Hermione had an idea, but knew it would be discarded immediately. Though it was the only way she knew that wouldn't result in a death.
"I was hoping you could tell me," Fawkes said. "I mean there is a the traditional way of asking politely, but I doubt that would work with these people."
"You could formally challenge him," Mad-eye offered. "You'd have to duel him, with his stipulations, but that would work enough to gain their respect."
"We need all the strength we can get, and these people are going to have to be strong to provide it." Arthur said. Fawkes nodded and stood from his seat. The meeting was coming to a close. Hermione finished up recording, surprised at how short the meeting was, but more condensed than the others they had.
"If that is all, then I ask for you to leave, Bill, if you would stay please?" Fawkes said. He placed a hand upon Hermione's shoulder, preventing her from standing. She looked up at him confused at his actions. He just smiled and held her down in a firm grasp. Her confused look matched everyone else's, but she could not help but feel slightly giddy and excited at this privilege from Fawkes, whatever it may be.
"Bill, she is just recording the meeting, and technically this is still apart of the meeting." Fawkes said. "Now, how is Fleur?"
"Fine," Bill said stiffly. Hermione watched him, pausing in her notes. Bill hadn't met with anyone much over the past few months, and Fleur hadn't been seen. Hermione knew they were keeping to themselves, but she really didn't understand why. There was a pause in the conversation, one that Hermione took as Fawkes looking for answers.
"How far along is she?" Fawkes said, leaning against the table. Hermione's head snapped over to Bill who looked away.
"Eight and a half months," Bill said. "We didn't want a repeat of last time." Hermione stood from her seat and wrapped him in a hug. She and Fleur had gotten closer since the beginning of the war, much to Ginny's chagrin. One of the reasons she had begun training in the healing arts was to help Fleur with her delivery. Their first child died from a miscarriage after Fleur had gotten into an argument with Molly over Molly's treatment of Hermione. Bill wrapped his arms around her, hugging her slightly.
"Your mother would love a grandchild," Fawkes said evenly. He seemed to know already what had happened.
"I don't know what she wants anymore," Bill said with a shake of his head.
"I'm so sorry, Bill," Hermione said, pulling away.
"It isn't your fault, the blame falls squarely on my mother's shoulders for agitating Fleur like that," Bill said. "It was my idea to keep her out of Mum's way. She had been fussing over Fleur as it was, and she doesn't need any more excitement."
"How rough was it last time?" Fawkes said. Hermione realized he had moved into his doctor mode for lack of a better term. "Any complications?"
"The umbilical cord choked the child," Bill said. "It nearly killed Fleur too when she was trying to give birth. She lost so much blood, I had to, to save her." Fawkes nodded, understanding what Bill had meant.
"He would have understood," Fawkes said. "The death of a child is a horrible thing to have to experience." There was a pause as Fawkes stared at Bill, as if making a decision. "I wish to offer my services to you, as a doctor."
""What?" Bill looked like he had been slapped.
"You need a doctor there," Fawkes said. "And while I do not know anything in regards to the magical aspect that healers use, as a doctor, I have help women with births over a score of times. Which is why I'm asking Hermione here to assist with the magical aspect. We want to cover all of our bases."
"You'd do that for me?" Bill asked. He looked from Fawkes to Hermione, staring at her in surprise. Although she had no idea of Fawkes's plan, she would have been there the first time if Bill had asked her.
"In a heartbeat," Hermione said, smiling.
"Before you thank us, there is one more thing," Fawkes said. He removed a small vial from his belt. "Tell Fleur to drink this, it should help with any repairs magic may not have been able to fix." With that he stood, and moved toward the door. Hermione felt tears well in her eyes, torn from Bill and Fawkes.
"What is it?" Bill asked as he swirled it in the vial. Fawkes gave them a disarming smile as he stopped at the door, staring back at them.
"My tears," he said. "For your lost son. I will be by to see her this weekend. A check up is in order. Make sure you keep doing what you have been, but see that she is relaxed." With that, he left them in shock.
"The man knows how to leave them asking for more," Bill chuckled, still staring at the vial. "Why would he give me his tears? There isn't even that much here."
"I don't know," Hermione said. She took the vial carefully from Bill, the silver tears moving like mercury. "No, he couldn't have." Her voice was almost a whisper as she spoke. She didn't want to test it, but if Fawkes had given Bill his tears…. "Bill, these are phoenix tears. They're said to heal all ailments, most current and old ones to anyone. If drunk, the potency of the tears is decreased to newer problems, but scarred tissues and damaged muscles are repaired in a way that magic can't fix it."
Bill took the vial and held it in his hands almost reverently. Tears form in his eyes as he held onto the tears. "I'll talk to you later, okay Hermione?" She nodded, still surprised at Fawkes actions
Phoenix tears were not given freely and rarely were they held. Most often they were too magically acidic for the tears to be held in any type of vial or cauldron. Yet Fawkes had managed to harvest his own tears, and hold them. The tears themselves looked to have been settling for quick some time, increasing the potency of the tears. That was in theory at least.
She let out a sigh, as she gathered her own books. She was glad she had taken notes, and heading toward the library, she'd start to go through the books. She felt a sense of pride begin to surround her as smiled at her idea. While it wasn't as good as a pensive, it was an immediate copy of the events of the meeting. Now though, she wanted to begin looking for the spells that Fawkes asked them to find. It was a reasonable request, one she knew that she could easily accomplish.
Fawkes had been right when he said she had stored some of the books, but he would never know how right he had been. She managed to save every book in the Hogwarts library, hidden from even McGonagall, but she suspected that she knew to a degree. With one last look down the hallway that Fawkes walked away from her, she smiled, knowing that her new friend would return. Giving her hope that Harry would return as well.
I0I
Fawkes had left them all to their own devices, planning on preparing a bit more of his magic for the duel against the leader of the army they had stationed here. Charles Nathaniel Jacobson the Fourth. A pureblood if Fawkes had ever heard of one. It disgusted him to know that such loyalties were still around, despite the attacks of Voldemort. Some men bow to no one.
Others think they are the ones that need to be bowed to.
Still, there were advantages to his totem. Age seemed to just remand him for defying her. It was odd for him to personify the abstract such as age, time, and fate. He had started to personify the abstract when he attended the monastery. Now it was one of those habits he did not think about. Such was the reward for living so long.
"Why did you trust him?" Fawkes turned to look at Dumbledore. His form was fading, the blue lines harder to determine than they were a month ago. He still had a great deal of time left though.
"I asked you the same question," Fawkes said. "And I remember being told to trust you." Fawkes smiled at the headmaster. They walked toward his hut, knowing the privacy in the school was only safe in the room they met with the order. For now at least.
"Because of his love for Lily Evans," Dumbledore said. "Love does blind people from time to time." He gave Fawkes a knowing look. "It clouds even the clearest of minds at times."
"And makes bonds stronger than steel, more flexible than rubber," Fawkes said. "Yes, on more than one occasion, love has hurt as much as it has helped me."
"That still does not answer my question though," Dumbledore said with a smirk.
"Then trust me this once," Fawkes said. He turned to look at Dumbledore, needing to get his point across. "There are things between us that need to remain hidden for now. He saved the lives of several people very important to me, and I manage to hide him away long enough for my return."
"Why did you hide him?" Dumbledore asked. Fawkes shook his head, smiling at the question.
"He asked."
"I meant why trust him before that," Dumbledore asked.
"I had to trust myself first," Fawkes said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"A wise decision no doubt." Dumbledore moved to let Fawkes stare out into the sunset. Neither spoke, but both sensed the approaching of someone. Traits marked to living so long, both had decided.
"Hello Hermione," Fawkes said, still staring out at the sunset. He turned to see the telltale signs of a blush on her face. She must have not expecting him to respond to her right away. "Ready for the spell?"
"Yes, if it is alright with you," Hermione said.
"I will always have time for you," Fawkes said. He stood up from the seat. "Albus, we'll need to prepare for that soon I think."
"What was that about?" Hermione asked as Fawkes led her away.
"Preparations for my potions master to arrive," Fawkes said. "Ginny may know a thing or two, but not enough for what we need." He stopped at the edge of his field, looking at the plants and vines waiting to grow. "I need to cleanse it first." Hermione's eyes lit up at this, a smile spreading across her face.
"Does this mean you'll sing again?" Hermione asked. Fawkes gave her a smile, missing the blush on her cheeks as he turned away.
"Any suggestions?" Fawkes said, smiling lightly at her.
"Well, my mother used to sing to me a song from an old Disney movie. I never saw it, but the song was still one of my favorites back them." Hermione said, looking away. "I mean, if you didn't know it that was okay, and you could sing something else."
"Okay," Fawkes said. "Which song is it?" Hermione looked down, her cheeks red as she mumbled something. "What was it?"
"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," Hermione said, as if gathering courage. Fawkes could only smile as he remembered the song, and the movie. "It's an older song, so if you didn't know it that's okay, and you could just sing something else if you wanted to."
"No, I think that song will be just about perfect." Fawkes said. He began to whistle lightly, getting the song into the air around him. Walking down his garden he let the words flow outward, the magic simply following. "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a. My, oh my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine, headin' my way. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a." He did not look back toward Hermione as he walked, letting his smile grow as he felt something land upon his shoulder. Her giggle was enough for him. "Mister Bluebird's on my shoulders. It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactual." He looped toward Hermione, continuing the song. He closed his eyes, not trusting his heart to look at her, and change songs. The bluebird began to whistle with him as he sang, bringing a lighter feel to the song. "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a. Wonderful feeling, wonderful day. Yes, sir" He felt the air around him become lighter, the burden of magic being removed, and almost replaced by good again. "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a. My, oh my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine, headin' my way. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a." The dirt beneath his feet felt lighter, softer if that made sense. "Mister Bluebird's on my shoulders. It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactual. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a. Wonderful feeling, feeling this way." His smile grew as he heard Hermione humming like the bees flying beside him did. He laughed lightly, never breaking the music and magic the flowed from him. He walked along, huimming to himself as the bees floated by, and back to their hive. Each would carry a bit of magic with them, cleansing the air and land as they went. He smiled as magic began to work the way it should. To help, not to become. "Mister Bluebird's on my shoulders. It's the truth, it's actual." He paused, the whistle disappearing for a moment. "Where is that bluebird?" He nearly fell over as the bird popped out from behind him, whistling brightly. He chuckled as Hermione giggled again at the bird. "Everything is satisfactual. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-a. Wonderful feeling, wonderful."
The sound of clapping filled his heart more than he thought the music and magic ever could. As the bluebird left his shoulder, he watched the trail of magic follow it, cleansing some of the areas it flew over. "Why, thank you," Fawkes said turning around. He gave a slight bow to Hermione, causing her to blush.
"I don't think I've every heard something so beautiful before," Hermione said. There was a dreamy look upon her face, and he felt a sense of something well inside of him because he had put it there.
"I try my best." The field looked brighter in the sun then it ever had before. His song had carried far beyond the field as well, reaching past his hut and near the school and lake as well.
"Is it alright for me to cast the spell now?" Hermione had her wand drawn, ready for her part.
"Please, be my guest." Hermione walked over to his side as she stared out across the field. He heard her muttering strings of words, building up her confidence. He placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze before letting go. Her stance was stronger as she stood, staring out onto the field.
"Fons seges!" Her wand cut across the field horizontally. Fawkes felt the magic ripple outward as a wooden crate appeared, stretching the end of the field on the opposite side. She waved her wand, the water coming out of several holes that lined up with the trenches.
"Now that is amazing," Fawkes said, kneeling down to touch the water as it reached him. It was cold, but not so cold that it would damage the plants. He was going to use some magic to put a green house like dome around them. Maybe she could help with that, letting him conserve some of his energy for other magical endeavors, like the wards he needed to expand. Or even set up.
"Thank you." Hermione turned away, the blush on her cheeks definitely not from the wind. "It felt….good to accomplish something like this."
"I think what you've done for those kids though, is a hundred times better than what you did out here today," Fawkes said.
"How did you know?" Hermione's eyes grew wide as he smiled at her. "I didn't think anyone knew."
"Well, know that your work is never disregarded or forgotten," Fawkes said. There were times when he cursed everything that had happened to him. He cursed how he was older than anyone here, older than maybe the other's parents as well. Today, when he looked down at the smile upon Hermione's face, he knew that hell or high water, he would give up everything for her, or die trying to make her happy again.
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