A/N: And now, the conclusion to the phoenix trip. It may answer some of those questions about where the phoenix come from, or, it may make more…Enjoy!
Although the characters aren't mine, I would like to take credit for the idea of the phoenix, and being able to change our heroes' paths so that they were guided back on to the right track.
Chapter 30
The Return of Albion
Harry figured that they had been walking for at least half an hour, and despite the lack of wind, he was chilled to the bone. When he had asked Luisa where they were going, she had silently pointed to the jagged mountain in front of them. Harry sighed as he trudged after her. He could appreciate the need for security, but for once he wished they could just Apparate to their destination. Harry was so focused on his musings that he almost ran into Luisa when she stopped at the base of a sheer wall of rock.
"We are here," she said as she smiled.
Harry looked up at the rock face in front of him. He couldn't see any way in. He turned to look at her quizzically. Luisa just smiled again and stepped sideways before sliding into the opening camouflaged in the wall. Surprised, Harry followed. They walked along a thin trail until they came to another opening. When Harry emerged, he was shocked. Before him was a flourishing green valley. In the distance, he could see phoenix flying through the lush green trees. He could hear a waterfall off in the distance, and see a small lake below him. It was a paradise. Harry was perplexed; there wasn't a drop of snow anywhere.
"How?" he asked.
Luisa grinned at him. "You really have to ask?" she said.
"I really do love magic," Harry laughed as he looked around.
They moved down into an open meadow, where Harry found a table and chairs waiting for them. Pumpkin juice and treacle tarts appeared as he sat down. He ate and drank, grateful for the refreshments.
"You can call Fawkes now, Harry," Luisa said as she perched in the chair beside him.
Harry took out the whistle, wondering how Fawkes would know the whistle was for him only. He took a deep breath and blew into the whistle. Instead of the piercing sound he was expecting, he heard the distinct sound of a phoenix song. He looked at the whistle in surprise.
"That sounded just like Fawkes," he said in amazement.
Luisa frowned at him.
"Of course it does, who else would it sound like? He created the whistle for Dumbledore."
Harry nodded in understanding and looked up, searching for the fiery bird. After a few moments, Harry could hear an answering phoenix cry in the distance. He closed his eyes as he let the song wash over him, making him feel content. He had missed that sound.
He opened his eyes when he heard the scratch of claws on the table in front of him. Sitting there, with his head cocked to one side, was the strongest reminder Harry ever felt for Dumbledore.
"Hello Fawkes," he said as he swallowed past the lump in his throat. "I've missed you."
Fawkes bobbed his head once, and Harry leaned forward to stroke the gentle bird. Harry sat like that for a few moments, just enjoying Fawkes' company.
"I suppose you know why I've come," Harry said after a moment.
Fawkes blinked slowly and ruffled his feathers.
"We need you to come back, Fawkes, to re-establish the Order. Voldemort is causing all sorts of problems and innocent people are getting killed. The Order has fallen apart since…since, you know, his death, and…they need you to choose a new leader."
Fawkes trilled sadly and shook his head. He warbled a few notes at Harry and then cocked his head, as though asking for understanding. Harry turned and looked to Luisa.
"He says he can't return. His time has past," she replied.
Harry turned back to look at the bird.
"I don't understand. Why would Dumbledore make me come here if you can't help us?"
Fawkes chirped, bobbed twice and took flight, heading back the way he came. Harry watched him for a moment; panic setting in as he rapidly disappeared.
"Now what?" Harry asked.
"He said to wait," Luisa said.
"For what?"
Luisa just smiled at him.
Harry sighed. He was really getting tired of being kept in the dark. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes under his glasses. He was becoming very irritable and tired, and incredibly hot. It was a lot warmer here than on the other side of the mountains, so he pulled off his heavy coat. He had just finished when he heard a phoenix cry and looked up. Fawkes was returning, and he wasn't alone. Harry wondered briefly if it was his mate, and the reason why he didn't want to return. He watched as the two phoenixes alighted on the table. The new bird was slightly different from Fawkes. Harry noticed that there was a streak of white feathers across the top of its head, and a second streak that seemed to flow down from its beak. The phoenix blinked its blue eyes and cocked its head to study Harry.
"Is this your mate, Fawkes?" Harry asked as he leaned forward and reached out to stroke the other bird.
Suddenly the new phoenix struck out and bit Harry's hand.
"Aah!" Harry cried as he fell back in surprise, his hand throbbing.
Luisa laughed, and Harry glowered at her.
"You wouldn't be laughing if she bit you," he grumbled.
`First of all, Harry, I am not a she, and secondly, I didn't bite you that hard.'
Harry turned back and stared at the bird.
"Did you just talk to me?" he asked.
The phoenix bowed to him.
"How?" Harry asked, confused. "Fawkes has never spoken to me before."
"You have been chosen," Luisa said. "It is quite an honor. It usually takes several meetings."
`I have been waiting for you, Harry,' he heard.
Harry narrowed his eyes as he looked at the phoenix again.
"How do you know my name? Did you have to bite me? Couldn't you have just said hello?" he asked as he sucked on the now bleeding cut on his hand. "Do you have a name?"
`I had to leave my mark, and take your blood in order to connect with you. Otherwise you would not be able to hear me,' the bird ruffled his feathers and stood up straighter. `My name is Albion.'
"So, Albion, why me? Do you know Dumbledore?" Harry asked, as he poked at the wound.
`You could say that. Hold your hand out, and let me heal that cut, since it seems to be a distraction to you.'
Harry held out his hand, and watched as Albion allowed a few phoenix tears to drip on to the cut. As the wound healed, he could feel warmth spread from his hand and up his arm. It seemed to engulf him, and make him relax.
"Thank you," he said.
`You're welcome. Now, to answer your question. Why you? Because we have much work to do, Harry, and you will need my help, I'm sure.
Harry looked at the bird carefully, taking in the twinkling blue eyes and the white chest feathers, and then turned to look at Luisa. Albion, for his part, settled comfortably on the table, as if waiting for Harry to make some kind of a connection.
"The bond is healing, Harry. There will be much rejoicing this night," Luisa said.
"Pardon?" Harry asked, confused. She sounded just like Luna.
"In our world, we make connections with each other. In your case, one of your connections was severed prematurely. Even though you may not see it, there are repercussions. Sometimes, we can reconnect with someone, and heal. When we are able to do that, there is much happiness here."
Harry turned to look back at Albion, still feeling slightly confused. Albion was someone he knew? He stared at the bird, and as they made eye contact, Harry suddenly felt himself being pulled forward, like tumbling into a pensieve. He was somewhere dark; he couldn't see anything. He looked around trying to catch any source of light, to understand whose memory this was, when there was a flash of flames. He cried out in surprise and fear, until he remembered he was in a vision. The bright white flames rose higher and higher, and the white smoke spiraled into the air, calling to him. He felt himself following the dancing smoke, flying joyfully into the blue, euphoric in the thought of being free. He looked down to see people surrounding a tomb, and for a moment, it made him sad, and he warbled his first song.
`The birth of a phoenix'…
Harry fell back into his chair with a gasp as the connection was broken, and he knew where this phoenix had been born; from the heart of one of the bravest men he knew, Albus Dumbledore.
Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry, be angry or happy. The concept was beyond human imagination.
"That is…" Harry trailed off, shaking his head, unable to articulate all the thoughts going through his mind.
Luisa laid a hand on his arm. "There will be more time for discussion later. It is time to go."
Harry looked around and saw that it was indeed becoming darker. He turned back to the table and reached out to stroke Fawkes.
"Will I ever see you again?" he asked.
Fawkes gave a sad little trill, lowered his head, and Harry understood.
"Have a good life, Fawkes," Harry said. "You will certainly be missed." He picked up his coat and put it back on as he turned back to Luisa.
"I'm ready to go. Is Albion coming with us?"
"Albion will take you back, Harry, my job is done," she reached up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for the company," she said.
"Thanks for everything Luisa," Harry said as he touched his cheek. "I hope to see you again some day."
Luisa smiled. "Perhaps," she said. "Who knows what the future will bring?"
She raised her hands over her head, and with a flash, had transformed back into a phoenix. Harry waved as she took flight, and Fawkes followed her, the two of them dancing and singing together in the failing light.
Harry turned back to Albion and gave a little bow.
"Lead the way," he said.
Albion held out one foot. `My way is faster,' he said.
Harry took hold of the talon, and felt himself being lifted into the sky. It was exhilarating, but he still preferred his broom over a bird half his size.
They made it to the cave in record time, and Harry noticed the temperature change as they landed.
`There is a portkey on the shelf on the side of the cave. You may use it to return to the village. Harry,' Albion said, as he settled on the bench, `this partnership is between you and me. It may be for the best right now if you kept what you know about me to yourself.'
Harry nodded in agreement.
`Good. Now Fawkes and I have had a long discussion and decided that the Order has served its purpose in the past, but this war needs something new. I would like to propose a new Order to you; one that I feel may be better equipped for the fight to come.'
"But what about the members of the old Order?" Harry asked.
`They will, of course, be invited to join, and their expertise will be valuable, but, things have changed since the last fight, and in order to win this one, we will need people who have new ideas and suggestions. They need to be heard, not just pushed aside by those who think they know better.'
"Learning from your mistakes?" Harry retorted.
`I'm sorry, what was that?'
"Nothing. Who do you think should be in this new Order?"
`That, my dear boy, is up to you.'
"Me?" Harry said in surprise. What would he know about putting together a new order? He had help when he created Dumbledore's Army, so maybe he needed to talk to Hermione about this. Figure out who would be the best leader to help them get through this war.
Albion blinked slowly at him.
`This is your fight, Harry. You need to decide whom you want behind you. Now it's getting late and you need to get back to the village. We can discuss this more when I arrive.'
Harry was lost in thought while Albion was talking to him. He looked up suddenly at his last statement.
"Arrive? You are going to stay with me?"
`Of course, where else would I go?' Albion pulled a gold chain out from under his feathers. Hanging on the end was a whistle. `You may call me if you need me in the next day or so. Otherwise, I will come next week.'
Harry thought about the repercussions of having the bird in his bedroom. He flushed as a few thoughts about Hermione skittered through his mind.
"We, uh, have a really nice common room and I could get Fawkes' perch, or create one for you…" he trailed off as Albion cocked his head at him while he rambled.
After a moment of silence, Albion bowed his head at him.
`As you wish, Harry. I am, after all, your familiar now.'
e tuHe
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