Purpose

~ Chapter 28: Another Addition ~

Sirius quickly put on a robe and shook Remus the werewolf lightly. Silver and Wind instantly woke up as Harry's godfather illuminated his bedroom brightly. : What's up, Padfoot? : the werewolf asked him, his mindvoice sounding very tired.

: We're going to the hospital wing. Harry's woken up! : Sirius impatiently tugged on Remus's neck.

: Padfoot! Don't do that! : Remus winced at his friend's insistent tugging.

: Sorry, Moony, but can you please hurry up? : Sirius said, struggling to wear his trainers. The three wolves loped off from the bedroom with Silver taking a moment to unlock the door with his will. They walked on the corridor silently and waited for Harry's godfather calmly. Sirius then ran softly and the wolves followed.

: I'm not sure if I should come along, Padfoot. It's all well and good that Harry's awake but I am a werewolf. Snape and probably Pomfrey won't trust me to be... safe, : his friend pointed out casually, loping forward. The corridor was echoing with the metallic clicks of the wolves' toenails, attracting the attention of several ghosts who were roaming about the castle. They reached the staircase that would lead to the hospital wing and Silver instructed Sirius to keep running. Harry's godfather felt the strange tingle and knew that the wolves were probably going to make a Jump. He was right, when they suddenly came to a familiar corridor, with a silver-black wolf waiting patiently for them. She gave a wolfish grin to the new-arrivals, her lupine silver eyes twinkling merrily in the dim light of the corridor.

: Just to reassure the healer inside, : Fenix said lightly, pacing forward to greet her partner fondly. Remus did give her a lick across her muzzle and she giggled in their minds, following a very anxious oathbrother inside. Snape was back sitting beside Malfoy's bed, his black eyes watching Harry eat his gruel slowly. The young man gave a weak grin as Sirius slowly and calmly gave him a hug, trying hard not to act sentimental in front of Snape.

: Do you want me to go make myself invisible? : the Potions Master suggested, sniggering a little but Sirius ignored him. Remus the werewolf gave a distinct wink at Harry just as Fenix nipped his side lightly and ushered him over to Snape.

: Call us when you're ready to hear the details, : she informed Sirius and Harry as she created an opaque and soundproof shield over her oathbrother and his godson. The wolves all curled up together and fell into a light doze. Snape gave a crooked smile at the curled wolves and wondered if he should take a nap too.

**********

Inside the shield...

Harry had finished his bowl of porridge and Sirius passed him the glass of juice to his godson. The green-eyed youth drank it slowly, being careful not to upset his stomach that had been empty for days. His godfather helped him to place the empty glass of juice on a side table, then sat back beside him. Sirius tilted his head to a side when Harry looked at him with a peculiar expression on his face.

"Are you all right?" Sirius asked carefully, putting on a mere concerned face and hid the sense of fear and helplessness that he had felt ever since his godson had collapsed.

Harry felt a little disappointed at his godfather's reaction but concealed it and gave a false bright smile at the older man. What were you expecting? A small voice inside Harry's head demanded and he wondered why his godfather had acted more like a concerned stranger. Harry felt himself growing detached again and he was suddenly pulled back into focus when Sirius grabbed him and held him tightly. For just a brief moment, Sirius showed him just how desolate he had felt ever since the failed attempt on Harry's life. The uncertainty of his importance to his godfather vanished instantly and he returned his godfather's hug gladly, taking comfort in Sirius's warmth.

: I am not really good at expressing my feelings, Harry, : Sirius said in a rueful mindvoice.

: It's all right. I had sort of figured that out myself. : He smiled although he doubted that Sirius would be able to see it. : And I am sorry that I had made you all worry. That action of retreat was sort of unintentional. :

Sirius's shoulders shook. Harry thought his godfather was chuckling but he gripped Sirius tighter when he realized that the sudden warmth he felt over his right shoulder was his godfather's tears. Sirius spoke up softly. "God knows how terrible I made you feel when I fell over the Veil," his voice tight with emotion. "Please, Harry. I'm not getting younger by the second. Please tell anyone if something strange happens to you, all right?"

"Just like old times?" Harry said contritely as he pulled away from his godfather and touched the lightning scar on his forehead briefly. Sirius nodded vigorously at his godson's answer before pulling the young man back into his embrace. Harry gave a blissful sigh, knowing that his world-- no matter how dangerous-- would be all right for as long as Sirius stayed with him. Though I probably couldn't depend on him all of the time if I'm to be training as an Auror. Harry stared blankly at Fenix's opaque shield. I somehow get the feeling that things won't be quiet for much longer. That would happen inevitably but what about the students who will be taking their OWLs and NEWTs this year-- if war breaks out? "I wonder if it would be better for all the students to concentrate on their spellworks this year..." Harry muttered, disengaging from Sirius's embrace. His godfather looked back at him quizzically.

"What made you say that?"

"I dunno..." Harry mumbled, then continued in a clearer voice, "Won't Voldemort be attacking the School?"

Sirius narrowed his thoughtfully and pursed his lips. "There's a grain of truth on what you're saying. I'm sure that Dumbledore would call for a meeting soon. Now, I'm ready to hear what my oathsister's got to say about how she rescued you. She had been crying herself out in frustration because she couldn't get through you."

"I'm not sure if you will like what Fenix is going to tell you though," Harry said in a nervous voice. Sirius looked at him archly and sent a thought to his oathsister to take the shield down. When it dissolved, they found her standing calmly and trotted forward followed by Remus. Sirius sat himself on a chair while Harry rearranged himself on the bed to allow Fenix and Remus to sit up on the bed.

: We probably might get ourselves skinned by Madam Pomfrey if we leave any fur on the sheets, : Fenix commented as she curled herself up against Remus comfortably. Sirius smiled crookedly at his oathsister, then turned to look at a dozing Snape. Fenix switched to a private mode. : No smart remarks from you, brother-mine. Leave him alone. : Sirius looked down at her with surprise.

"I wasn't going to!" he protested softly, feigning innocence. Harry looked at his godfather and Fenix with mild amusement, propping his back with his pillow as he watched them quietly.

: Yeah right... : Fenix replied, her mindvoice thick with sarcasm. She turned her bright silver eyes to Harry. : Do you remember how you happened to have that scar? :

Sirius helped her by pointing to a diagonal scar just beside the scar that had been caused by the arrow from a random fire. Harry took a moment to think, then slowly nodded his head. "I couldn't seem to remember what happened to me back in here," he tapped a finger on his temple. "But somehow after that brief merge with Malfoy, I did remember--" Harry was quickly interrupted by his godfather.

"What merge?" Sirius suddenly spoke up harshly, and a startled Snape shot a disgusted look at him.

: I request you to be considerate toward my student, Sirius. After all, he was the one who showed Fenix the way to Harry's mind, : Snape stated firmly, then settled back down to nap. Sirius and Harry were staring at Fenix with mingled surprise and incredulity.

: All right, Fenix. Explain. : Sirius had switched to mindspeech, his mindvoice rather cold.

: All in good time, bro. So, : she addressed Harry, : you had just gone out of the library and was walking toward the Gryffindor Tower. :

Harry then continued from there, telling his godfather what had happened before he got down to the common room to read. He remembered that Neville had mentioned that he was bleeding and the next thing he knew, he found himself standing on the edge of a cliff. Fenix then explained to Harry what had happened to the Slytherin prefect. Harry listened to Fenix's narrative calmly. Somehow, he was not surprised of Malfoy's possession by his own father. The Fire Master informed him that Malfoy had also been unconscious, although he awakened earlier than Harry.

: Why was he unconscious? : Harry asked curiously. Three pairs of eyes turned to Fenix expectantly.

: I don't really have to answer that, Harry. How would you feel if Sirius had used you to assassinate someone? Without your knowledge that you would be doing the dirty work for someone? : she spoke up and the young man fell silent. : That bit of news was a blow to him, Harry. :

: I can imagine that, : Harry replied, and Sirius stared at the solemnity that Harry portrayed.

: So that's what happened to Malfoy. Now, what happened to you? : Fenix turned the tables onto the young man. Harry confessed that he did not know why he had retreated behind the black shields but suspected that he felt that he was a bit vulnerable while he remained invalid. He was not counting on Voldemort to be waiting for him inside his own mind. Harry also mentioned that flicker of light at the bottom of the chasm and Fenix conceded that she had no idea what the light meant. Sirius pestered his oathsister to explain what Malfoy had done to Harry and Snape chose that moment to join in the discussion. The Potions Master told Harry in a barely civil mindvoice that Malfoy had gained his consciousness early in the morning. Then he told him how Malfoy had suddenly woke up from his sleep, getting out of bed instantly to go to Harry. Fenix nodded from time to time and enlightened the young man that his savior was a Mindhealer. The unique ability of Malfoy had helped her unravel the secret to Harry's blank mind and Sirius took a moment to tease the Fire Master lightly that she seemed to have a gap in her studies.

: What does a Mindhealer do? : Harry could not help asking. He could not believe that a guy like Malfoy had been gifted with a sensitive and humane gift.

: A lot of things. It could work both ways, for good or for ill. A Mindhealer is sort of like an Empath, but unlike the Empaths who heal hearts-- meaning emotionally-- the Mindhealers heal the psychological parts of the human, : the Fire Master informed the young man and he shuddered a little.

: Could he influence the mind of another? : Harry asked in a worried voice but Fenix shook her head.

: He could manipulate the mind of another but not in the way you're thinking. I'll give you an example. Malfoy could erase your thoughts completely or he could transplant false memories into your mind and you would really think that memory is completely true. This is usually done for someone who's been through a very drastic trauma that the truth would probably damage his or her lives to a severe extent. :

Harry looked thoughtfully at Sirius and commented in a serious voice, "Sometimes she sound just like Hermione."

: Thanks very much, : Fenix said dryly and the room was filled with muffled chuckles. : You know, : she turned her eyes on the sleeping Slytherin, : I bet on a Galleon that Draco can tell you what that flicker of light at the bottom of the pit signifies. :

**********

At the Gryffindor common room...

Hermione blearily came down to the common room and stopped as she saw some of her juniors looking up at a giant banner that was being hung by Dobby. It wrote 'Harry has awakened!!!!!!!!!' She blinked incredulously and Ron bumped into her quite accidentally when Dean pushed him gently.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked her. She did not say anything but pointed up at the banner. "Bloody hell!"

Harry's friends quickly bounded off to the Hall and pocketed as much food they could possibly handle and went straight up to the infirmary. They met a very sentimental Hagrid who had just came out of the room and gave them a thumbs-up sign. Hermione squealed with delight like a seven-year old kid in a candy store when she saw Harry sitting on his bed, grinning widely at her as he ate his breakfast. His godfather, who could not sleep, stayed with Harry all the way through morning to accompany him. She flung her arms around Harry enthusiastically and let Ginny hug him, clapping her hands gleefully.

Malfoy stared impassively at them as he ate his breakfast and listened to their conversation while he read the Daily Prophet that the Potions Master had passed to him. Hermione was asking Harry in an excited voice, "Did Fenix helped you?" Snape looked archly at the exalted girl and Sirius decided it was time for her to be pulled down to earth.

"Why do you make it sound as if she's the answer to everything?" Harry's godfather asked gently and Hermione gave him an inquisitorial look. Sirius chuckled lightly at her facial expression. He leaned in to whisper with a roguish highlight of his face., "Even she had to depend on Malfoy for help."

"What?" several of Harry's friends yelped out in unison. Ron stared at Harry, before turning to look at the Slytherin prefect who was watching them with a lofty expression. "I don't bloody believe it," Ron said flatly, after deciding that the information that Sirius had given them was true.

"I know what you mean." Harry nodded his agreement. He gave a sly grin at Hermione when he caught sight of her new silver bracelet. "Hermione," he motioned her to lean slightly closer and whispered, "happy Belated Birthday by the way." She treated him with a bright smile. He saw Alamanda standing frozen at the doorway. Every head turned to watch the girl curiously.

"Draco helped to get Harry back?" she asked in a soft voice, almost dreamily. Harry nodded, not seeing the danger that was about to happen in the hospital wing. "He really did?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. Sirius's and then Snape's accompanied Harry's nod. Alamanda took a deep breath and strode forward over Malfoy. Bravely she placed a hand on his collar, pulling him down and delivered a kiss, right in front of Snape. The Gryffindors stared at the kissing duo, suddenly filled with embarrassment. Ginny choked as she stared at the Slytherin girl in disbelief. Sirius smothered the laughter that was about to explode as he looked at Snape's face.

Alamanda pulled away, her eyes staring at Malfoy's with a mystified expression. She suddenly blushed; not daring to look at the Potions Master and quickly fled away from the infirmary. Malfoy raised his fingers to touch his lips with a moony expression. Harry took that moment to make a comment to his best friend. "He certainly looked like how you did when Hermione first kissed you last year. All baffled--" Hermione quickly clamped his mouth shut, blushing furiously.

Ginny gave a whistle and looked accusingly at Hermione. "Last year, Hermione? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Who needs to be told, Ginny?" Dean hugged her familiarly, making Ron narrow his eyes as he stared at his roommate. "It was kind of obvious. For years, in fact." Ginny gave a snort and looked at Malfoy in amusement. He was still wearing that bemused expression but his face turned red when he saw Snape stare at him.

: Chill out, Snivellus. Let the youngsters enjoy their childhood. :

: I solemnly swear that if you call me that again, I'll Transfigure you into a cockroach, : Snape threatened. Sirius looked at him suspiciously.

: Why a cockroach? : Sirius sent a wary thought.

: Maybe not just a cockroach. A flying one. Fenix is absolutely frightened of flying cockroaches. That way I have absolute confidence that she will get you with a broomstick. : Snape leaned back against his chair, and wore a contemplative expression before he finally gave the handsome Black a sneer, at the Black's uneasy expression.

: No wonder you fell into Slytherin, : Sirius replied laconically. He lifted his nose up when he smelled something delicious wafting about the room. Fenix entered the room with the Defence teacher carrying a basket in one arm while Remus held a couple of paper plates in another.

"Extra treat for you guys," she announced cheerfully and systematically began cutting up a green-looking cake and swiftly placed each piece on paper plates while Remus distributed them to the people in the room.

"What kind of cake is this?" Sirius asked curiously, lifting his portion up to smell.

"Something I learned... somewhere. I think it was a recipe I found from the Internet." Fenix muttered a 'Forget it' when a handful of them looked at her in bafflement.

**********

At the Hall...

There was another delivery of letters and parcels by the post-owls that morning. However, one owl hovered above the Slytherin table and finally managed to catch the attention of Professor McGonagall. The owl flew straight for her and dropped a red envelope. It was intended for Draco Malfoy.

**********

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked the healer, who was giving Harry a check-up, "how long do Harry have to stay here?"

The healer pursed her lips and replied thoughtfully. "I think he could go back to his classes by Friday but absolutely no Quidditch. And the same goes to your student, Professor Snape." The Potions Master nodded to indicate that he heard her and helped himself to one more piece of cake. Professor McGonagall was standing in one corner of the ward, then cleared her throat to gain the attention of all, holding Malfoy's envelope gingerly in between her fingers.

"You have a..." she halted, looking uncertainly at the Slytherin prefect.

"I don't think we should be in the same room when that goes off," Neville said in a hushed voice but his warning came a little too late.

"YOU USELESS HUMAN BEING! I AM ABSOLUTELY ASHAMED OF YOU!" The voice of Malfoy's mother shrieked out. It was almost as bad as having the portrait of Sirius's mother. "WE SPENT SO MANY YEARS AND GALLEONS ON YOU! AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US?! YOU DENIED HIM OF POTTER!" Several obscenities followed and even the Potions Master blanched at the offensive words. Mrs. Malfoy shrieked again. "I, NARCISSA BLACK AND MY HUSBAND, LUCIUS MALFOY DECLARE DRACO AN OUTCAST! YOU ARE SHUNNED AMONG US!" The tray that Madam Pomfrey was holding fell from her grasp, the teapot breaking into several tiny fragments. The red envelope stopped shrieking and began to self-destruct.

No one dared say anything. No one dared make a move. Fenix stared at the spot where the red envelope had burst into flames and disintegrated into a small pile of ashes. Malfoy, white-lip and pale, began to shake uncontrollably. The room began to heat up suddenly. Harry acted instinctively. He got up from his bed and delivered the belligerent Slytherin prefect a stunning blow. The room went back to an ambient temperature.

"Why on earth did you do that?" Hermione gasped in disbelief.

"Potter..." Snape hissed out angrily. Harry looked at the Potions Master calmly.

"Malfoy was losing his temper. He was getting ready to self-destruct himself."

"Then I'm glad you knocked him into sense again," Fenix strode forward and lifted Malfoy who was rubbing his swollen cheek. "You're being foolish, Draco." She laid a hand on his cheek and the pain gradually lessened.

"They disowned me," Malfoy spoke in a hushed voice, looking baffled.

: Guys... : Fenix spoke to the rest of the students, hoping that they received the small hint. Ron waved goodbye to them, promising Harry that they would be back during their lunch time. Professor McGonagall felt uneasy being in the room and left with the rest of the Gryffindor students. The healer left the rest alone after she had gathered the broken pieces of the teapot.

Malfoy bowed his head, trying to control his grief and anger. He joked feebly, trying to distract himself from the way his emotions were boiling up inside him. "That was quite a powerful blow, Potty. I think you ought to go back to the classes."

"Reserves," Harry replied in an off-handed manner.

Fenix stared penetratingly at the Potions Master. : What? : Snape asked her in irritation. However, she remained silent, staring deeply into his eyes and waited. He did not like the way she was looking at him, feeling as if she was measuring something so obscure. The silence grew so intense that Remus, Harry and his godfather could not help but stare quietly at the Fire Master and then Snape.

"All right," Snape grated out in disgruntlement. "Draco," he spoke in a commanding voice and that made the Slytherin prefect stare up at him. "Your parents should have been more specific when they had sent that Howler. They should have remembered to severe a contract that your father had made with me. But in this case--" he was quickly interrupted by Fenix.

"That contract is still valid," she spoke in a severe tone. Remus, Harry, his godfather and Malfoy stared at the other two, trying to figure out what they were saying.

"What contract?" Harry asked in a puzzled voice.

"Lucius Malfoy had named me as his godfather," the Potions Master snarled, looking at the small woman with an unfriendly expression.

"Oh," Harry responded, taking Snape's answer casually. "So, Fenix," he gave the Fire Master a sly grin, "one more addition to the family..."

"Yeah. It's complete now." Malfoy was staring at her incredulously when she said that. She winked broadly at Harry as she exited out of the infirmary.

"Snape, do you have something for migraines?" the werewolf who had been silent, finally asked the Potions Master in a rueful voice.

"No help for it I guess," Harry exchanged a dry look with his godfather. "What do you want for a family reunion, Draco?" The Slytherin prefect threw a fireball at him but it impacted uselessly on Harry's shield.

: Fenix is being cruel. Bad enough that she had made us like Snape, who happened to be a person I hate most, and now this one? : Harry asked his godfather helplessly, although his face remained expressionless.

: God. She is one hell lot of a complicated woman. : Sirius gave a sigh, looking at Draco with sympathy, as the boy groaned and quickly covered his face with his pillow as he lay back on the bed.