Purpose

~ Chapter 40: The Black and The White ~

Saturday, 10^th November. In the late afternoon...

Fenix and Draco were alone in the courtyard as both of them tried to awaken the Slytherin's true form, the Great Dragon. The task was not an easy one however. Draco was still unable to channel his Fire into the Form, accidentally scorching the Fire Master once in a while. An hour ago, Alamanda and her group of friends had gathered to watch but after they had seen Draco's frustrating tries, they themselves felt frustrated and had gone off in search of something to do. The rest of the School was training themselves in full combat mode, for Dumbledore had decided that they would commit themselves fully in fighting Voldemort. The Elementals had offered to act as sentries and had been posted to every part of the castle and the Forest. The Greater Nymphs, Dryads and other Earth Elementals were constantly giving feedback to her Air Elementals, particularly about the movements of the centaurs.

They were disastrously running out of time because Voldemort will be attacking the School within the week. That was what her Elementals who had been sent to spy reported to her, but they were unsure of how he was going to deploy his body of fighting units. That was understandable as he was not playing host to the existing clan of giants, or the mysterious newly evolved type of Heliopaths. The unknown creatures were making more than half of the School edgy because they lacked the information of how the Heliopaths attack, or the weaknesses of the creatures.

The elves, Madam Pince and even Peeves were helping out in scouring the library for details of the Heliopaths, but so far they had found none. Aberforth had gone down to Hogsmeade, much to his brother's consternation via the use of the humpbacked, one-eyed witch statue, to find out if he could get anyone to give a description of the elusive creatures and if he could, information that would be extremely useful to them. Of course, only Dumbledore, Fenix, her partner and her oathbrother knew that he had gone by the secret passage, and the Fire Master had also sent some of the Elementals to follow the man around, to give the man backup protection, should he need them. Almost as if the witch's statue had brought them memories, Sirius and Remus had pulled her away and requested that she post more sentries, preferably the Earth Elementals to the many secret entrances that lead into the School.

Fenix halted her exercise with Draco for the sixth time. : Take a seat, Drake, : she said as she sat on the damp ground. She gave a long sigh and stared penetratingly at the panting Slytherin. She summoned for any of her helpers to get the boy a drink and one of her Sylphs returned with a big bottle of ice-cold water, which the boy gratefully took and gulped the cold liquid down. : Do you think it will help you if you were to merge completely with me for as long as it takes for me to show you how I cultivate the Fire and send it back to my soul to take on another Form? : she suggested as she stared unblinkingly at him.

: I'm sorry, :

the Slytherin apologized, making her smile warmly at him.

: What on earth for? :

: It takes a bit of time for me to get the hang of an idea. I'm basically a visual learner, :

Draco explained.

: Humans are such complex creatures. :

Fenix rolled her eyes dramatically.

: What do you mean by that? :

Draco protested and her silvery laughter filled the courtyard and they set off to work again. This time, Fenix had created a huge shield to shelter them both from intrusions and also to protect the environment around them.

: I really hope you'll be able to get the idea, Drake, because if you don't I think I'm going to cry because I had failed to make you understand. :

She gave a rueful smile. Like Harry, she had begun to call by his nickname, giving the excuse that it was easier on her tongue and also because it was short. : Take my 'hand' and we're off. :

**********

Harry, Ron and Hermione squeezed in through the side door to watch the two people undergoing their own practice session. Hermione suddenly sneezed, making the two boys jump in surprise and immediately answer, "Bless you!"

"Sorry," Hermione said sheepishly and wore her scarf tighter about her neck. "I wonder how those two are able to work in weather this cold."

"I don't think they feel the cold," Harry said and at his friends' puzzlement, he continued. "Drake is being their primary heater," he explained, pointing to the circle of ground where the two were seating as they meditated.

The three turned as one and walked through the corridor slowly. "It's hard to believe that Draco is actually one of the--" Ron peered about carefully before whispering, "Ancients." A cold wind from the side door entered and drifted into the corridor and the three shivered.

"Yeah..." Harry agreed, suddenly feeling strange. "You want to know something?" he asked both of his friends casually, as they sought for the warmth of the Great Hall. "I can't believe that he is my oathbrother either."

"Don't mention that," Ron said almost sourly.

"Are you jealous?" Hermione suppressed a cheeky smile, staring at the path forward and not looking at either her partner or her friend. Ron halted then quickly lunged at her, tickling her sides.

"What on earth for?" Ron shouted as the corridor was filled with Hermione's clear laughter and Harry shook his head, shoulders trembling with chuckles. "I have enough brothers to keep me on my toes!" His partner took an opportunity to gouge him between his ticklish spot then fled but only after she had given him a lofty look. "What did I do?" Ron asked his best friend in bewilderment.

Harry casually clasped Ron's shoulder as they neared the Hall and whispered confidentially to his buddy. "I think she was expecting you to say that at least you are not single... like me!"

Ron lifted a bushy red eyebrow. "And since when had you gotten better at deducing the complex mind of a girl?"

Harry laughed heartily. "Probably after I've seen those dumbfounded looks that both Fenix and Remus had when they met for the first time at The Burrow. If you had not noticed, I've been watching all the couples ever since school started," he said as they entered the Hall. Thankfully, both of them had their personal shields up when a Tickling Spell zoomed off toward their faces.

"Oi!" Ron yelled, jumping back in surprise when his copper-colored shield began to sparkle madly. The two boys scanned the crowd for the culprits and Ron's eyes lighted up upon seeing Hermione's glowing face. "Hermy!"

"Hermy!" his partner screamed, her face reddening in indignation.

"You are going to get yourself into trouble, you know," Harry commented with a straight face.

"That's the whole idea, isn't it? If you don't sparkle your relationship with a bit of silly arguments, it would be pretty dull I tell you." Ron shrugged indifferently. The Hall was preparing itself for dinner and the pallets vanished and were replaced by the huge tables and benches. "So what about you?"

Harry gave his friend a perplexed look. "What about me?"

"Not going after Cho again?" Ron asked him with a sidelong look as he sat himself beside his partner, who was giving him a sullen stare. "Oh... come of it, dear!" Ginny made a vomiting noise while the Gryffindor table erupted with laughter at Ron's cloying expression.

"A bit of advice here, Ron," Charlie spoke up, feeling right at home at the table. "I don't think it's wise for you to get so familiar with each other while you're still young."

"I understand that, but I wish this one," Ron squeezed Hermione affectionately by the waist and she blushed, "has a nickname. Hermione's kind of long..."

"The original's the best..." Lee said sententiously.

Ron's stomach began to growl and Hermione sighed. "Dinner's in half an hour. Maybe someone ought to bring Draco and Fenix in. If they're not successful by now, they might as well take a real rest and sit down with us for dinner."

"I don't think we need to." Sirius casually sat himself beside Ginny. "Saw both of them going up to shower." He carefully examined Harry's hair and then at the Potions Master beside him. "Any of you want a haircut? Fenix's going to trim mine tomorrow." Harry and Snape nodded. A group of the elves came in and the Hall fell into a hushed silence. They headed straight for the Gryffindor table and most of the girls from the other tables sighed in disappointment, as they watched Aldren and his companions mingle with the Gryffindors.

Hermione leaned forward to whisper to Harry, as a comment to Ron's forgotten question. "Don't bother about Cho, Harry. I'm sure you would rather wait until you get older than 'going steady' with someone who is fickle about her choices."

He nodded solemnly. "You're quite right."

Ginny was looking speculatively at him and he tilted his head to a side in silent inquiry. "Something had just occurred to me. Now that you two are oathbrothers... which of you is older?" the girl asked.

"Why would it matter?" Harry questioned her, shrugging lackadaisically just as Fenix came in, freshly dressed, her hair still damp from her bath.

"Does anyone know when is his birthday?" Ginny asked the company, looking at the Potions Master in particular but Snape shook his head.

"Yo! What are you guys discussing?" the Fire Master spoke up, taking her usual seat beside Remus.

"We're wondering when is Draco's birthday," Hermione informed her.

"Why don't you ask me?" And the Slytherin appeared, with Cadriel following closely behind him. Ginny exchanged a glance with Hermione, while Fenix looked at them with interest. Draco gallantly sat down beside the Fire Master, who was sitting opposite to Harry.

"Okay, so when is your birthday? Is it over?" Ginny pestered him eagerly.

"December, on the seventeenth."

Fenix shifted so that she was looking at him, her eyes twinkling cheerfully. "Arrow in full flight? Not bad... that means teaching would suit you nicely."

"Wow! We have at least two born under the Sagittarius! Fiery lot, you two!" Ron whistled, then he gave an oblique look at his best friend. "Now we know that this bloke is younger than us... except for Ginny."

"Yeah, what a surprise... really!" Hermione said. "I mean... given his... ah... behavior... I had really expected him to be born somewhere around earlier in the year. Anyway Fenix," she looked curiously at the Fire Master, "what do you mean by arrow in full flight?"

"It's part of the Druid readings. It describes part of our main character, hidden strengths and otherwise. So other than Draco being born under the sign of Sagita, whereas I am born under the sign of Aquilla, both of us were born under the Elder Tree. I seriously do not know how much of this stuff is true, but... well being born the Elder Tree, you tend to have memories of your past." She was looking carefully at Draco, who had a pensive expression.

"Really?" Sirius was giving her a thoughtful look. "How about Harry?"

"Druid reading says he is born under the Crater, can be a good or bad ruler," Cadriel piped up in slightly accented British, ignoring the surprised looks of both Ron and Harry. "He is also born under the Holly Tree. Most probably will hold the strengths relating with the Earth."

Dishes miraculously began appearing on the tables and Ron's face lit up with great enthusiasm. Normal conversation sprang up again and Harry somehow thought that the easy atmosphere surrounding them was a mockery since the world was anything but safe. He remained silent, listening to his godfather's soft comments that those from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic might consider joining Hogwarts.

: That is likely to get messy, wouldn't it? :

Harry remarked.

: It's possible. I wonder if we could condense the four-year war contract... :

Sirius mused as he ate his chicken chop.

: I think it all depends on all our small moves and see where it leads us. I think the major confrontation will take place when I'm ready... though I wonder when that would be. :

His godson fell silent, and Sirius narrowed his eyes. He did not like the way Harry had sounded. Talking in mindspeech had a distinct feature in that the users-- if one knew what to look for-- the intensity of the responder's thoughts. Is he falling into depression? Sirius looked at his godson carefully before answering Snape's question about their patrol.

Harry seemed to shake himself out of his reverie and communicated with his oathbrother via the silent mode. : So, how did your training go? :

: It was bad at first, but I think I finally saw the trick. Though I was not able to concentrate much for the past hour or so since my stomach was complaining like hell, : Draco answered, quickly devouring his meal and was the first to go for the dessert. : Maybe that's why my tries were so lame... I certainly hope my hunger was the reason in the delay of the awakening. : He quickly chewed down his mango pudding heartily. : What did you do? :

: Believe it or not... we've been practicing archery. Not all of us though, mainly the group of Defenders and Assailants. The elves reckoned that since we would be up against giants again-- probably-- the arrows would cause more damage that a spell could. Faster and it takes less effort, : he answered, finally finishing his chop then took a moment to finish his pumpkin juice before he went for the pudding.

Draco frowned for a moment before the look vanished from his face. : Do you mean we're going to the front line? : His green-eyed oathbrother looked at him carefully before giving a slight nod. : So it's just a matter of time before Dumbledore gives the orders. : Then he turned his attention to the Fire Master sitting beside him. : Are we having another go later? :

: I don't want to push you, but if you think you're fine then I guess we could give it a two hours' worth of tries, then we'll call it a night. Fine with that? : she answered, smiling gently at him.

: Yeah. :

**********

Early evening...

The Hall had dimmed, as most of the students preferred to get some sleep, while there were still gentle murmurs occurring in all corners of the mass of students. Harry and his group had already fallen into an exhausted sleep while Draco was still out with Fenix in the courtyard. Sirius, Remus and Snape were talking silently as they watched their sleeping wards, and Remus occasionally checked his pocket watch since Fenix had requested him to call her when it was time for them to stop the practice.

In the courtyard, the two were standing in the middle of the space. Draco was showing vast improvement and it would not be long when he would successfully take on another form. Fenix stared impassively at the Slytherin, who had successfully manifested a high amount of Fire and he was already directing them back to his own core. She had advised him earlier, since both of them had no idea of the Slytherin's true form, he should just think of a general type of dragon. His subconscious intelligence would take it from there.

Draco's pair of silver eyes held the same haunting quality that she possessed, green fire flickering steadily. His pair of eyes examined his surroundings carefully. Only the slight tingling in his entire body alerted him that he was using his Magick. The environment suddenly turned lighter, and his sense of eyesight and smell began to sharpen. He felt the Fire rush back into him, and then he felt a 'click' at the back of his mind. The Fire Master grew excited because he had managed to get this far without any further prods from her. Their exhilaration vanished when both of them were suddenly filled with intense pain and collapsed to their knees. Both were clutching their heads and were gasping for breaths. Despite the tears that were flowing out of her eyes, she desperately tried to shield both of them, but the magical power that was radiating out from somewhere in the castle was too strong and impulsive. Draco screamed his agony, and another echoed his screams from inside the castle.

**********

Harry shifted to his side, feeling uncomfortably warm and opened his eyes slightly to watch Snape's bent form over a chessboard with his godfather. Then he fell back into his restless sleep, feeling his mind going into the blackness that represented slumber. That scene changed almost abruptly as he found himself standing in a world filled with white, incandescent light. He knew he was immobilized and did not fight; instead he turned his neck to his sides to study the surroundings. I hope that what I see is not because I don't have my glasses on. That was his inconsequential thought as he looked around the environment.

The place held not even a glimpse of a shadow except for the white light. What is this place? Where am I? He thought to himself, somehow not occurring to him that he should have been panicking. This place is so barren... Just as he formed that thought in his mind, the scar on his forehead started to burn. What... He did not get to finish his thought when thousands of images, impressions and sensations totally filled his mind. The burning sensation of his scar was nothing compared to the intense agony in his mind. He felt something broke loose inside him but he had no idea what it was, then he felt himself opening his throat and a deathly scream broke out of it.

**********

They were so deep in their silent conversation and their chessboard that they had not noticed that Harry was floating his way up to the high ceiling of the Hall. Only when Nick and a couple of the elves returned to the Hall were they disturbed by the horrified gasps all around them. A couple of the Sylphs zoomed in to bring the boy down, but they were blocked by what seemed to be an impenetrable shield covering the boy; more than that, it produced a shock wave that knocked the Elementals senseless. The commotion seemed to have wakened most of the students and they stared at the floating boy. Sirius stared with a horrified expression when waves of pure white light emanated out of Harry. Chaos erupted in the Hall then, as most found themselves flung onto the brick walls but the elves and those with the ability of mindspeech found themselves having to deal with something else.

: Father! :

Aldren managed to send his plea before he was totally overwhelmed by the energy. He dimly heard the screams of Draco and Fenix, then Harry's, high up above their heads. The elf also heard the incredibly shrewd Montague yelling for the students to clear out of the Hall-- if they could. The incapacitated Potions Master, Sirius, Remus and the two wolves were being dragged by Ron's group, staying close to the walls when another wave of energy hit them.

The students fled down into the narrow staircase leading to the dungeons, and the elves gasped with pain, most of them collapsing on their knees and holding their aching heads in their hands. Dumbledore and Mineif quickly strode out of their office after Feqzu informed them what had happened. The house-elf however stopped the two from entering the 'danger-zone' after warning the Elven Lord that he would be severely affected by the waves of energy. Both of them stared at the walls of energy flowing out of the Great Hall impassively. The Headmaster turned grave eyes at the elf and questioned the Elven Lord softly. "What is happening?"

Mineif studied the waves of white energy calmly. "All I can tell you that this is not brought on by Voldemort. This magic that I feel is somewhat primitive." He smiled at the Headmaster who was looking at him archly. "I know... but perhaps Fenix knows about this form of manifestation than I. Where is she by the way?" He stared at a Sylph and found out from the Elemental that the Fire Master and Draco were struggling to get up on their feet.

Dumbledore saw the two people leaning against each other for support as they worked their legs hard against the waves of energy to get into the Hall. : Fenix, it's too dangerous,. : Mineif warned her but her silver eyes glinted with determination and he saw that she was shaking her head slightly.

: This was bound to happen. I was not expecting his gifts to be awakened this soon. Anyway, I am not supposed to be the one to help Harry this time, :

she told him, her eyes looking up at the Slytherin who was supporting her.

: But is the boy ready? :

: Trust me, :

the Fire Master answered as both of the Ancients disappeared into the Hall.

**********

Pallets and blankets had been strewn messily everywhere in the Hall. The two leaned against the wall as they tried to catch their breaths. Both studied Harry and the waves carefully, shuddering at the intensity of the energy. Harry's form suddenly shifted and he descended very slowly. His eyes were opened, but unseeing as if there was something else controlling him. This is not good...

: This is just like the time when we had to search for Harry in his own mind, isn't it? : Draco observed and she nodded. : God... he is such a troublesome fellow. : Harry was walking slowly toward them, his face impassive.

: Well, you know what to do. I'll deal with the waves. :

Fenix finally broke away from him and walked slowly over to Harry. The boy's unseeing eyes turned hostile and he sent a wall of power to block her. In an instant, the Fire Master had turned into her true form and began sucking the wild energy about them like a vacuum. : Now! : she ordered the Slytherin, who was sprinting toward his oathbrother at a high speed.

Draco was really gambling on the fact that he could use his specialty in penetrating shields and hoping he would not get incinerated in the process. He felt resistance against all sides as he neared his oathbrother but extending a hand before him, seemed to part the shield that Harry was using to block him. Using his speed, he broke past of all protections and flung himself at his oathbrother. Then everything went black as a huge form took place in the middle of the Hall. The Phoenix scrutinized the scene carefully as her fiery silver-blue eyes took in the fiery, black wings of the Dragon. The energy about them was dissipating as Draco helped to his struggling oathbrother to control the Gifts that had been activated.

Fenix returned to her own form and studied the magnificent form of Draco's with pride. Minutes went by and all was silent. A gust of wind suddenly blew about them and when she opened her eyes, she saw both of the oathbrothers standing, facing each other. : I really hope that this would be the last time that you have to get me out of trouble, Drake, : Harry said contritely.

: One can hope. You are all right now? :

his oathbrother said worriedly, the green fire still dancing in his eyes.

: Yeah, I think this would be the first and the last time that I went absolutely out of control. It really took me by surprise. And Fenix, I'm sorry about your shields, :

Harry spoke up as she approached the boy. The Fire Master frowned and hoped that he was not talking about the shields protecting Hogwarts. She hugged the boy with relief when she found out that he was apologizing for giving her a hard time when she tried to build shields to protect herself and Draco from the overwhelming Magic.

: So what exactly is going on with you? :

Draco interrogated his oathbrother.

: It's this... :

Harry's form suddenly was engulfed with white energy and Fenix felt the room grew cold. The light pulsated about Harry and began to brighten. Fenix began to sense joy and respect for the Power that was with him. Harry had been gifted with a Gift so rare and sacred, sometimes feared by others.

: It's what we call the White Spirit. Harry has the gift of Illusion, and the power to Create and Destroy, :

Fenix spoke softly into their minds, her eyes looking deeply into Harry's deep emerald eyes. : Your life will get harder, Harry. I hope you had seen... :

Harry chuckled when Fenix began to lecture him. : Fenix, I know... what having these powers mean... and believe me, I understand the dangers of possessing the power of creation and destruction. I might get tempted to be a second Voldemort-want-to-be. : The smile Harry gave the Fire Master and his oathbrother was ill suited for a boy of only sixteen years in age.

Fenix hugged both of them, and tiptoed to give Harry a kiss on his cheek. : That's good then. And do you know how we might send the Heliopaths back to where they belong? : she asked, looking slyly at him.

: You're cheating, :

both boys answered her and ended up in chuckles when she gave a snort.

: Why not? That's probably why your Gifts manifested, :

she said loftily before summoning the rest back into the Hall. Fenix eyed the room critically then snapped her fingers when she realized that she had to give something back to Harry. : Hey, take this back. I don't need it. : She began to establish a mind-link and began pouring the energy that she had confiscated back to him. The students of Hogwarts peered apprehensively at the door and their faces lit up into smiles when they saw that everything was all right. The godfathers and Fenix's partner made their way and were the first to reach them, and all three were given anxious hugs.

: Somehow I think my life had gotten far too interesting than I can handle, :

Draco remarked privately to Harry and the Fire Master. His mindvoice was tinged with embarrassment, shock and bafflement as the Potions Master gave him a tight hug.

: I couldn't agree more, :

Harry answered, gasping for air as Sirius gave him a one tight hug. The School crowded about the boy who had suddenly went berserk in his sleep, faces demanding an explanation and Harry sighed, looking apologetically to the crowd.

"Really Harry," a Hufflepuff spoke up, "next time you want to do something like this, do it when you're alone."

"Forget it," one Ravenclaw piped up. "What's gotten into you?"

The Hall was filled with questions and Harry's magnified voice as he apologized profusely to them and just told them that something that was supposed to happen had happened and left it at that.

"You're evading our questions!" one Slytherin remarked.

"The less you know what had happened, the better off you would be. Maybe when you're older, I will tell you. Don't forget to give me your addresses though," Harry said flippantly, though his eyes signaled the Headmaster that he would give a clearer explanation, when he could.

"Okay, to pacify your intense curiosity," Fenix said lightly, "Harry had suddenly come up with another Gift that would help us in stopping Heliopaths. Okay?" Comprehension dawned on their faces and they stopped asking questions. While the rest of the students began to pick up their blankets and rearranged their beds, Harry's company walked out of the Hall to gather in Dumbledore's office so Harry could fulfill his promise in giving a clearer explanation.

**********