Purpose

They all looked incredulously at Harry and the two-way mirror.

"It's not possible, it's not really possible…" Mrs. Weasley whispered almost to herself.

"You're quite wrong Molly. Nothing in the world is impossible," Sirius replied quite clearly, his cheerfulness tangible by his tone.

"Sirius…" Harry's voice stuck in his throat.

"Don't worry, Harry. I'll be heading down to The Burrow soon enough and I'll explain what happened to me in detail. Where's Professor Dumbledore?" Sirius asked rather calmly.

"Welcome back, Sirius," the Headmaster greeted upon the reflection. Although the aged wizard appeared calm, dozens of conflicting thoughts were milling about in his mind. Who found him and saved him?

"Thank you, I believe you want to meet the Fire Master. Would it be all right if I bring her down to The Burrow?"

The Headmaster looked at the Weasleys. Mr. Weasley gave his consent, nodding excitedly.

"Very well," the Headmaster agreed. So, she was the one who had found him. I believe that our lives would get more interesting.

"Harry?" his godfather called and the aged man handed the mirror back to the boy. "You could expect us in about a week; certainly no more than that," Sirius said, his eyes scanning Harry's face.

"Might be earlier!" a buoyant feminine voice echoed in the background. Sirius's reflection smiled dreamily when he heard the voice.

"I'm back. And I'm glad I'm back," he whispered. Harry nodded and the mirror went dark. When Harry looked at it again, the dirty surface was back. It was a good thing the mirror still worked… Sirius…he's back…he's really back…

"Hermione," Harry whispered, his face shocked. His friend quickly got up from her seat and enfolded him in her arms.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Hermione whispered softly in his ear.

"Sirius is alive…" Harry whispered, his voice thick with tears.

Sirius was shaking. He quickly dropped the small mirror safely into Fenix's hands and collapsed on his knees. Fenix crossed the bedroom quickly to first close the door, and then placed the mirror back in the drawer. She quickly switched the lights off and helped Sirius to the bed. There, he hung upon her, shaking uncontrollably with silent tears.

He is so unlike you James…if you were alive…you'll be so proud of him…I'm a fool…I thought that my love for the boy is because he looked so much like you! Dear God, I've been a fool…But only Fenix knew that I blundered…I knew Harry suspected it…but now it is not true… I'll take better care of him now…I am not clouded by misconceptions anymore…I'll be his best guardian…

Fenix held Sirius comfortingly in her arms and caressed his hair lightly. Soon, his need to cry subsided.

: Feeling better, brother? : Fenix asked, her mindvoice echoing softly in his mind.

: Yes, thank you. Don't tell anyone all right? :

: I won't but you'll be surprised on how much the boy do know. And I suspect that ‘howling' friend of yours does too. But then, it isn't the truth anymore. Now, you loved Harry more as a son, and not as someone to replace a lost friend. : Fenix said.

: In a way, I am glad you two took the blood oath. : Silver spoke up.

: Why? : Fenix asked, perplexity traveling down through the bonds of her bondmates and her oathbrother.

: I don't exactly know why, : Silver answered.

: So, when do you think we can move out? And how do you plan to make our way down to The Burrow? :

: To your first question, I think we can move out on Tuesday. The Elves will take care of the Wood and the house, and the Elementals would be able to reach me in case of any emergencies. And to the second question, we'll be going on four paws. :

: Wait a sec--I could change myself to a dog but how about you? :

: Just wait and see. You'll be surprised. : Wind interjected.

: I dare not build a Gate, : Fenix said, looking down sympathetically at Sirius who had shuddered, : so, I guess we'll do it the hard way. :

: Get some sleep. I believe you have several preparations to make in the morning, : Silver suggested.

: How about clothes? :

: I'll worry about that. : Fenix reassured him.

The beginning of the journey…

"You guys take care all right," Giselle hugged her sister tearfully.

"Sis, you're embarrassing me. It's not as if I'm going off to get married or something," Fenix muttered under her breath as her elder sister hugged her for the fifth time.

"Keep in touch with me, all right?"

Derian and Giselle stayed in the house with several other Elves, while Aldren escorted Fenix, Sirius and the two wolves into the woods.

: Stay safe, friends, : Aldren said, hugging Fenix and then squeezed Sirius's right shoulder affectionately.

: You too, Elf, and stay out of trouble, : Sirius said.

Aldren retreated, and Sirius began to blur and finally emerged as a huge, shaggy, black dog.

: I wonder if the communication lines are still open in this form, : her oathbrother mused.

: I can still hear you, : Wind said, touching her nose to Sirius's and he gave the wolf a lopsided grin.

: Your turn little sister. :

: Hang on to your claws, brother-mine, : Fenix said impishly as she began to blur. Suddenly a wall of fog began to form and it separated her from the rest. A silver-black wolf trotted out of the fog. The new wolf had a peculiar, silver dagger mark on her chest.

: Are we ready? : Fenix asked, nuzzling Sirius in greeting.

: You should take this form more often, : Wind said, her mindvoice filled with amazement.

: You are so full of surprises, : Sirius marveled, : anyway, let's get moving. :

The four canines trotted off silently on the ground, with nothing weighing down their backs except for the cold wind.

Wednesday, 2^nd August. At The Burrow…

The Burrow was filled with activity, as anyone who was free was set to do some spring-cleaning. Professor Lupin was going about his tasks with such springiness that made Mrs. Weasley smile every time she came across the man. He whistled almost continuously and they did not blame him. Dear Lady, I'm so glad he is alive. Thank You for watching him…

All of them were in much high-spirits since Harry's birthday. Harry got himself a box full of his favorite candies, courtesy of the twins. Hermione and Ron had shared some money to get Harry a pair of very classical Quidditch gloves. Mrs. Weasley had knitted him a midnight blue sweater. Professor Lupin had given Harry something that looked very odd. It was an almost flat crystal but when Harry looked at it carefully, he noticed that it held a feather. He had asked the Professor about its uses, but the older man just shook his head enigmatically and quite simply told him that he would find out about it when it is time.

They had placed Ron back with the twins and that meant that Harry's bedroom tonight would be a little cramped. Ron's previous room would house the Fire Master and Harry's godfather. Mr. Granger assured Mrs. Weasley that the arrangement would be perfectly safe for the woman.

"Trust me, I don't think she'll let Sirius do anything to harm her."

"Sirius could always share a room with Remus, if Fenix's uncomfortable with the situation." Mr. Weasley said to his wife.

"Or maybe the other way around," a voice said impudently which they all recognized as belonging to the Sylph.

"Fenix would skin you alive if she heard that," a deep voice muttered.

"Well, she isn't here to hear it," the Sylph replied.

"And what makes you think the others won't tell her?" the Salamander questioned calmly. The Sylph shrugged her indifference. The occupants looked quizzically at the invisible air. Hermione shrugged her incomprehension and resumed her sweeping.

"I hope Sirius isn't trying to match me with anyone," Professor Lupin growled. "He used to that when we're students," he explained when Harry looked at him expectantly. "He just don't understand that nobody would care to partner someone who is a werewolf."

Mrs. Weasley was silent when he said that. Except for Hermione, who was staring intensely at the Professor. "I think you will find out soon enough, that that particular statement isn't true," the young woman said, her eyes glowing mysteriously, then she went upstairs with Ron and Ginny trailing behind her.

"Did any of you understand that?" Professor Lupin demanded. Harry shook his head.

"You rotten gnomes! Get out of my garden! Scat!" Mrs. Weasley screamed.

Harry looked expectantly at Mr. Granger who smiled devilishly. Now I know from whom Hermione inherited that particular winsome smile. "Shall we go and pacify Mrs. Weasley, Harry?"

"I believe so… it's better to do something voluntarily than being ordered to, doesn't it?" Harry bantered slyly.

"You'll do all right," Mr. Granger assured him. Harry picked up the de-gnoming gloves, slipped them on, and passed the Fire Mage a pair. The Fire Mage picked his bat and trotted out towards the garden. He sniffed at the air.

"Going to rain this evening. I could smell it coming," Mr. Weasley said.

"Let's hit them hard this time. Maybe the rain would be able to confuse their sense of direction for a bit," Harry suggested, giving Hermione's dad a devilish grin.

The twins who had Apparated in with slightly muffled cracks soon joined them. Fred looked quizzically at the unusual pair and stood awestruck as he watched Harry deftly caught a gnome and instead of hurling it off, Harry passed the now-screaming gnome to Mr. Granger. The Fire Mage struck at it skillfully on its rear.

"Wow!" the twins breathed as their hands began to itch and dashed up to their room to get their own bats.

"Now see what you have done?" Mrs. Granger said disapprovingly at her husband.

"Well, it's really fun!" Mr. Granger protested mildly.

"Boys!" his wife said in aggravation as she made way for the hurrying twins, their face lighting up with their usual mischief.

"Harry, catch!" Mr. Granger called out, tossing the bat to him. "I'll grab a gnome for you."

George suddenly caught sight of a group of gnomes under the peony patch and yelled. "Ginny!!!"

"What?" the youngest of the Weasley siblings poked her head through a window.

"Are you free?" George shouted. "A lot of manifestation down here!"

"All right, I'm coming down!"

"Do you want to know something bro?" Fred said, catching the attention as he watched the Fire Master successfully grabbing hold of a gnome's legs and threw it at Harry.

SMACK!

They squinted as they watched the flying gnome screaming its heart out away beyond the Weasleys' property.

"You're quite a good beater, Harry," Fred complimented him.

"What were you saying?" George pestered his twin.

"Oh, it's a good thing Percy's not with us anymore. He had gotten himself out of his way to make himself uncomfortable with the family. He would feel more like a stranger here than in the Ministry," Fred said, a little sadly.

"It's his own future," George said philosophically and gave his sister a smile as she joined them.

The four canines took shelter in an isolated cave.

: I hate getting wet, : Wind complained, shaking herself off the rain droplets.

: I agree. I hate to think about how I'll smell in about fifteen minute's time. : Fenix acknowledged.

: Are we resting here tonight? : Sirius asked, moving deeper into the cave.

Fenix turned to Silver, her silver wolf-eyes staring intently at the leader. : No, but we'll rest until the downpour ceases, : The big silver wolf replied to the group.

: Suits me, : Fenix said, lying down to conserve her energy. Sirius moved up towards her and cuddled close to her to keep themselves warm.

: This method of speaking is damn convenient I must say. I wonder if Harry could speak in this method too. Could anybody detect this? : Sirius asked Fenix, who was chewing on her forepaws.

: To the second question, quite unlikely except to another Hunter. It would be detected if one forgets to keep the conversation private. It depends on how strong your mindspeech is. I am a pretty strong one so I could talk in this way even if I'm miles away from you. But I have to be careful to only include you and the wolves in the conversation now. This I do by linking in first, before I start to babble… : She paused as she rearranged herself. : And to the first question, unlikely, except if the boy has a kind of mind magic. It usually is much easier on those who have Animal Speech as well. :

: Oh? : Sirius asked, huddling closer to her. : You talked to wolves? :

: No. It all started when I came across an injured eagle. Only when the Elven Lord introduced these two to the Wood did I learn to ‘listen' and in time communicate with them. I guessed that you are what I would phrase as a ‘natural wolf-speaker', : Fenix explained, putting her head down and began to doze.

Sirius woke her up by licking her cheek sometime during the predawn. The downpour had ceased and the air smelled wonderful to her. She got up and stretched, already excited for the long run.

: There isn't any form of civilizations until we come across the Great Elm, : Silver began, : we can start Jumping and move around when the humans are sleeping. :

: Jumping? : Sirius asked quizzically.

: It's a little complicated. The basic theory is that some mages; like me; are able to travel by compressing distances. It's a little similar to Gating. I doubt you would even notice when we Jump, : Fenix explained to her oathbrother.

: I guess this is how we tackle over the need from crossing a large body of water? : The black dog questioned, tilting his head. The wolves nodded. Thus, they began their run for the morning.

At the Burrow…

The four students from the Gryffindor House were playing a game called Heart Attack, which the Grangers' introduced.

"Gotcha!" Ginny screamed with triumph as she won the game for the fifth time, much to Hermione's injured pride.

"How do you do it, Ginny?" Hermione asked with disappointment. "This is a Muggle game and I haven't even won one! You always managed to get the best cards!" she pouted.

Ginny was about to make a reply when two large trunks suddenly appeared from mid-air and much to Ron's horror, the trunks dropped directly on top of him.

"RON!" Hermione yelped and scrambled to her knees to remove the luggage.

"My goodness!" a series of voices echoed. "We're so sorry about your boyfriend, Hermione," the Sylphs hovered mid-air.

"Oh, there you are. And you've brought their luggage t--," Mrs. Granger did not finish her sentence when Hermione shot a furious look at her mother.

"We thought that your mother had warned you to keep out of Ron's bedroom." Arenii informed the female Gryffindor prefect calmly.

"Mother…" Hermione hissed. Harry had managed to lever off the trunks, placed them up on the bed, and inspected Ron for any kind of permanent damage.

"Are you all right?" Harry asked the winded Weasley.

"Yeah…just wasn't expecting the weight…" Ron gasped, massaging his tender chest. "I hope I hadn't cracked… or worse… broke any ribs…"

Hermione was now staring eye-to-eye with her mother. Ginny looked nervously at the Grangers.

"Uhm…I think it's best if we go and call Mr. Granger," she gulped as she felt the air beginning to crackle between the mother and daughter.

"I don't think that's a good idea," a silvery voice whispered. "The presence of the Fire Mage would probably infuriate them further."

Mrs. Granger stared fiercely and muttered something under her breath. Hermione just arched her right eyebrow, something that she had picked up from Harry's godfather.

"You must be proceeding to your dotage then," Hermione said.

"Are you saying that I'm getting senile?" her mother questioned dangerously.

"Why…yes!"

The two began a screaming contest and that attracted Mrs. Weasley to Ron's ex-bedroom. She was about to call out when he caught her attention by waving his hands and shaking his head. ‘Let them have a go at each other' Ron mouthed to his mother. The air intensified and they all looked at the Grangers in alarm. That was because the electrified energy in the air had made both the Grangers' hair stood on ends. In an instant, the air deflated the hair of the Grangers', settling back untidily.

"If you are done," Mrs. Weasley began timidly, "lunch's almost ready."

Mother and daughter shot dagger-looks at each other and slowly began a light chuckle.

"Did you see…Ron's face when your…hair began to…crackle?" Mrs. Granger asked her daughter brokenly, each pause punctuated by laughter.

"You're finally slipping!" Hermione collapsed on her knees, holding her waist tightly as she began to laugh uncontrollably.

"Did you see…how alarmed…your friends were?" Mrs. Granger knelt, hugging her daughter and laughing uproariously.

Harry, Ron and Ginny stormed out of the bedroom with dark faces. Professor Lupin had crept behind Mrs. Weasley to observe the racket and to his delight and amusement, Ron wheeled around, whipped out his wand and muttered ‘Colloportus!' The bedroom door slammed loudly, sealing the hysterically laughing mother-daughter pair inside.

"I'm very proud of you, Ron," Ginny began looking solemnly at her brother. Ron did not turn back as he shuffled down the stairs. His face grew redder by the moment as he heard his best friend and Ginny doubled up with laughter.

"Ron! That was masterful," Harry called out before he was consumed by laughter completely.

"Thanks very much!" Ron yelled out in sarcasm. What the hell! Hermione almost drowned me with panic. I really thought that they were about to have a duel or something. Bloody hell… Ron's lips began to curl and all of them could clearly hear his muffled laughter.

Thursday, 3^rd August. Early daybreak…

: Let's avoid the village, : Sirius advised the silver wolf.

: I think we'll go uphill. Unless you mind that we're coming through the back? : Silver swung his head to look at Fenix, who was sniffing at the air.

: Ha, ha, ha… : Fenix answered sardonically, then began to trot up the gentle slope.

: She doesn't really have a lot of humor, does she? : Sirius asked as he watched the graceful canter of Fenix in her wolf form.

: You'll be surprised, : Wind replied enigmatically.

: How long has it been since she ever went out with men of her own kind? :

: You mean humans? :

: Yes. :

: It's been quite a while, right dear? : Wind answered, and turned to Silver for confirmation.

: I wonder why… : Sirius mused, while he panted as he sought to reach the silver-black wolf ahead of him.

: She's very reclusive. And most men don't really understand her. They think her as a queer. Only the Elven kind was able to see what she's capable of. :

: Then had she ever been in a relationship with them? :

: Yes, as I was told, she fell in love with an Elven Lord. But he was murdered on the same night that her family went missing… and she remained single after that. :

: I am very near The Burrow guys, : Fenix's mindvoice reached the lagging company.

: Where are you? : Sirius cast his thought to his oathsister.

: I'm standing beside a shed. :

: Shed? What shed? The Weasleys' didn't have one… :

: It smells new to me. And I think your ‘howling friend' had used it recently. :

The three canines finally reached the last hill and Sirius found out that Fenix had been right. They were already in the property held by the Weasleys' as The Burrow loomed ahead of them. Sirius trotted towards Fenix, where she sat regally on her haunches and watched with good-humor as Sirius pawed and sniffed at the ground.

: You're right! That means Remus is at the Weasleys too! : He sent his delighted thought to the three wolves, suppressing the urge to howl like a wolf. He quickly changed back to his true form and quickly dusted off his clothes and tried to smooth his wind-tangled hair. Fenix however took her time in returning to her true form. Finally, she stood and watched the wolves, her face glowing healthily with the morning's exertion. Like Sirius, she was clad in black, in her Hunter mode. Her hair was tied back to a strict ponytail and highlighted her fierce, handsome face. Sirius gave an involuntary shiver.

: Might I mention that your clothes really do contrast with your silver eyes, sister? :

Fenix gave a disappointed sigh. : Do I look that intimidating? :

: Kind of. But only if you were not so short, : Sirius managed to jibe before she poked him at his rib.

: Are you ready to make an appearance? :

: Are you? : Sirius asked her back.

: Ho, friend, wake up, : Fenix sent a thought to a slumbering Fire Mage.

: What? Who is this? : He cast his sleepy thought back.

: It is us…my lord of all the dentist in UK… :

: Fenix! Where are you? :

: We are at the shed, where you had contained a werewolf. If the boy is still asleep don't wake him up. Let's not spoil the surprise for the boy. :

: All right! Yahoo! :

Fenix and Sirius casually strode towards The Burrow, with the wolves trailing by their sides. Sirius was a bit surprised when a young woman with bushy hair ran towards them and flung herself at Sirius's neck and squealed with delight. The young woman finally let go of the amused man and gave a smile at Fenix.

"Hello, Hermione. How was the red-haired boy? I hope the trunks didn't do any lasting damage," Fenix greeted the only child of the Grangers.

"I think he's fine," Hermione breathed, and two happy tears streaked her cheeks.

"Do you know how much we grieved for you, Sirius?" Mrs. Weasley, wrapped in her robe strode forward to give Fenix's oathbrother a hug. "Why did you took such a long time to let us know you were alive? You could have spared the rest of us trying to look for you in-between!" she babbled then unexpectedly burst into tears.

"Now, Molly. Stop that," Sirius chided the plump woman gently. "I'm already back now, alive and safe and as you can probably see, I'm very healthy."

"Do not give us such a heart attack next time, Sirius," Arthur pleaded, before giving his distant cousin a hug.

"I don't intend for a next time, Arthur," the Black answered grimly, "how are the twins by the way?"

"They're fine and profiting. They have gone to their joke shop early. Said that there is a demand for more Lemon-wakees, one of their latest invention," Mr. Weasley replied.

Fenix watched the Weasleys' as they greeted the last of the Black.

: This people treated him as one of their family, : Fenix observed.

: Well, you know what they say about absence makes the heart grow fonder. It's true, : Silver remarked, as Fenix gave a nod, watching Sirius with a gentle smile. She shared his happiness as his relief and joy flooded through their bond.

"Arthur, Molly, I would like to introduce you to a person that had saved my life more than once. This is Fenix Ruis Maxwell," Sirius paused as Fenix raised an eyebrow when he mentioned her middle name as well. "The Fire Master, Ally of the Wood and the Elves," and as an afterthought, "and my oathsister as well."

Harry was woken up early by the constant murmur of voices in The Burrow. He looked about the bedroom; his body propped up by his elbows. The twins were already out of bed and his best friend was already beginning to stir.

"What in hell are they doing?" Ron's voice muttered sleepily. "Damn, I would really like to continue sleeping," Ron complained, turning over and sat up. He gave a loud yawn and stretched, then blinked curiously when laughter from somewhere down below reached the bedroom.

"'Scissors, paper, stone' to get to wash up first," Harry whispered to the sleepy-looking prefect.

"As you wish," Ron said and at the count of three, he shaped his fingers to resemble a pair of scissors while Harry went for a stone by fisting his fingers.

"You've gotten yourself blunt!" Harry called to the dazed Weasley as he dashed out for the bathroom.

"Oi! That's not fair!" Ron protested as he struggled to disentangle himself from the nice cocoon of blankets.

"Don't you know that life isn't fair, mate?" Harry's muffled shout reached the still-struggling Weasley.

"I'll get you, Harry!" Ron threatened furiously.

"Not my fault!" He heard Harry's garbled reply as he set about brushing his teeth. Ron finally managed to free himself and ran towards the bathroom only to collide with Professor Lupin.

"Why are you boys shouting early in the morning?" he asked curiously, popping his knuckles unconsciously. It seemed that Harry was not aware of Professor Lupin as he continued yelling from inside.

"And you better stop being so predictable!"

"Hey, Prof.?" Ron tugged at Professor Lupin's sleeve.

"What?"

"‘Scissors, paper and stone' to get to wash up next," Ron offered. Harry opened the bathroom door and watched the wizard and student with interest. Professor Lupin gave a sulky sigh. Harry moved away from the door and watched as Ron counted a signal and gave ‘stone' while Professor Lupin gave him ‘paper'.

"You're wrapped! I'm next!" and the middle-aged wizard slammed the bathroom door at Ron's astounded face.

"You shouldn't have tried to cheat him," Harry said lightly to his best friend.

"What?"

"He had been watching Hermione teaching all the possible Muggle games carefully," Harry explained. "See you at breakfast!"

Harry bounded down the stairs noisily, his face cheerful and feeling very much awake. He had not had time to feel surprise as he was enfolded in a very, very tight hug. Huh? The young Potter looked about the kitchen curiously. Something out of place caught his eye amidst the Grangers' and the Weasleys'. A woman with a pair of peculiar silver eyes smiled at him gently.

"He has Lily's emerald eyes…" The woman spoke softly, staring intently at Harry.

Is that the Fire Master? And how did she know my mother? She doesn't look that old! Harry's mind whirled with confusing thoughts but somehow he realized the important truth. Sirius…

: Hello, Harry. I hope you aren't mad at me. : Sirius's mindvoice coursed gently in Harry's mind.

: Sirius? : Harry's mindvoice was filled with incredulity and surprise. : I'm not crazy, am I? : He stared blankly ahead of him, still hugged by his godfather. : You're not really talking in my head, are you? :

"Well, one thing for sure, brother-mine," the Fire Master spoke up, "he's got mindspeech; and pretty good at it too."

Harry gave the strange woman an incredulous look. Mindspeech? And why did she address Sirius as ‘brother-mine'?

"How could I have been so stupid to miss the obvious?" Sirius said, slapping one palm on his forehead. "He's able to communicate with snakes."

"Ah…that explains his ability to talk and hear mind-to-mind…" Fenix smiled brightly.

Sirius switched to a private mode. : Would you forgive me? :

Harry almost answered him but Fenix stopped him. She tentatively reached a link to Harry, and as he accepted it, he learned how to keep the silent conversations personal.

: Go on, : Fenix ushered him.

: It doesn't matter anymore. What matters most is that you're back alive, and you're with me. Just don't break your promise of letting me stay with you. :

: So you do want me to be your full-time godfather, don't you? :

: Yes. : Harry answered, his mindvoice so full of determination. He reached for Sirius again to give the older man a hug.

: Sirius, what is your relationship with the Fire Master? :

: Fire Master is quite a mouthful. Don't you think it's better if you call her Fenix? And to answer your question; what if I tell you that she's my girlfriend? : Sirius asked his godson slyly. Harry gave a critical look at his godfather before focusing his eyes on Fenix.

: I don't believe that she has bad taste, : came Harry's reply. Suddenly they heard a strangled cough from somewhere behind Fenix. The Fire Master turned curiously and to Harry's horror, were two grown wolves. Harry would have been petrified if not for the fact that the two wolves were huddled closely together and acted as though they were laughing at Harry's observation.

"Were you two eavesdropping?" Sirius demanded. Harry looked at the wolves with a bemused expression when the pair began to tremble and Harry knew they were laughing at Sirius as their laughter echoed in his mind.

: You'll do all right, : said a voice, and the great silver wolf turned to meet Harry's eyes. : I am Silver, and this is my mate, Wind. We're Fenix's bondmates. : The wolves introduced themselves to Harry and from the amazed expressions of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, they had probably heard the voice in their mind.

: Fenix, isn't my girlfriend, : Sirius answered, darting a furious glare at the wolves, : she's my oathsister. :

At some unspoken signal, Fenix stood up from her seat and approached the wary Harry Potter.

: This is my sister, Fenix Maxwell. Fenix, my godson, Harry. :

Fenix tilted her head in acknowledgment. : Hello, : she started shyly before continuing, : I met your mother when I was in a bookstore. I was very tiny at that time and couldn't reach out for a book that I had wanted to buy. Your mother helped me without being asked. And as you can see, I am still short, : she said rather casually, and Harry had to smile.

I guess I would have no problem communicating with her. I think I like her…She was short. Harry estimated that she was several inches shorter than being five feet.

: But don't let her size fool you, : Sirius warned his godson. : She can snap you in two, if she has a mind to. :

The momentary silence that had begun to fall was broken by a cheerful voice.

"Morning, everyone! What's for bre--" Remus broke off. Everyone was expecting that Sirius would strike the man speechless but it was not true as Remus's hazel eyes widened when he met Fenix's unique silver eyes. Sirius glanced from Remus's thunderstruck expression to Fenix's blank face. He sniggered at their reaction.

He intercepted their eye-lock by hugging his best friend, while Fenix blinked her eyes in amazement. I feel as if I had been thrown into an ice-cold river…This must be his ‘howling friend'… Sirius drew back and waited motionlessly at one side. Fenix stared at her oathbrother.

"Name's Fenix," she reached out her right hand and Remus took it and firmly--without testing her-- shook it.

"Remus Lupin," he answered, and he was lost into the depths of her eyes for the second time that morning.

"Oh my," Ron observed from the stairs, arching his eyebrow and began to smile slyly at Professor Lupin's back.