Purpose

~ Chapter 41: The White Spirit ~

In Dumbledore's office...

Harry was made to sit directly in front of the Headmaster, much to the youth's personal discomfort. The office was a little crowded by the usual four, Ron, Hermione, and Draco. McGonagall had been waiting for them in the office, along with Moody. The elves were helping to restore the unconscious Elementals with the aid of the house-elves. The Slytherin casually grabbed a stool and remained in the sidelines, watching the Headmaster and his oathbrother with curious eyes, waiting for somebody to speak.

"So... Harry," Dumbledore began, clasping his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly, "what has happened to you?" Snape conjured up a couch and Fenix and the rest took advantage of the furniture, rather than listening to Harry giving an account of what had happened while standing up.

The boy shifted uneasily in his seat and started describing of what had happened from the moment that he had fallen asleep. The room was heated nicely with the fire in the fireplace, and Harry jumped when a pop came out of it, startling him briefly before continuing his sentence. "Then I think I screamed... there were a lot of things that I saw. And I'm sorry that I turned hostile on you." Harry turned in his chair to look at the Fire Master.

: Don't worry about it, lad. However, I am seriously insulted that you had actually mistaken me for Voldemort. He is not a female after all, :

she said rather lightly, looking at him quizzically when his mouth gaped open.

"How did you know?" he questioned her; his voice was almost tinged with hysteria.

: She's an Empath, idiot! :

Draco stepped in, earning himself a glare from the older boy from his slightly offensive term. Dumbledore cleared his throat and Harry looked slightly abashed and went on with his explanation.

"Well, I remembered seeing Drake looking at me, but I was also receiving instructions." Harry took a deep breath. "No one could teach me how to use the Gifts... not even Fenix." He was looking uncertainly at the Headmaster, clearly uncertain of his words. He finally tapped his forehead. "Whatever I need to know is already inside here; it just needs a little more time for me to process all of it."

Snape was about to comment about Harry's slightly arrogant sentence when Fenix gave him a sharp pinch. : That's because it is true. : Even his godson agreed with the Fire Master, and Snape grudgingly kept his mouth shut. The silence that had suddenly descended in the office became oppressive until it was broken by the Fawkes's flight across the room and landed gently on Dumbledore's shoulders.

"As Fenix had mentioned to me and Drake, I possess the gift of the White Spirit." Harry paused when all of them looked at him in bafflement except for the Elven Lord and the two Ancients in the room.

"Skip that," Fenix suggested and looked archly at Sirius who was about to protest. "Bro, even if I were to explain, you would not understand it."

"Not for a few years anyway. I think we will have time for that when you are ready for your retirement," Draco added impudently, earning several glares from the slightly older folk in the office, but he was clearly unaffected by their sour looks.

Harry regained their attention again. "To simplify it, as Fenix had done just now, I have the power of Illusion, Creation and Destruction. The incident that had just happened about half an hour ago was another gift, which is caused by a series of things. Voldemort's backlash, Fenix's instructions in mindshielding, and the power to control magical fields all around me."

"By that, he seriously means that he is able to manipulate the earth energy," Fenix supplied as she braided her hair. "And if you had noticed," she was looking at Mineif as she said this, "his Power is definitely strong, probably because of the fact that he had actually amplified the Power when he thought he was facing Voldemort."

Harry suddenly gave a rueful smile at his godfather. "Maybe the next time something strange happens to me, I shouldn't think of an enemy straight away. I noticed that the results were quite disastrous every time I think about it that way."

: I am absolutely glad that you finally noticed it, Harry. :

Sirius grinned.

"And the Power of Destruction?" Dumbledore asked mildly.

"But should you not question about the Power of Creation, first? Compared to all of my other Gifts, isn't this the more hazardous power?" Harry pointed out. Dumbledore's eyes flared a little in surprise, then turned pensive. "Don't worry about those. As long as those two and Someone are around, I don't think they'll let me take the wrong path." He sighed.

"How do you mean by the Power of Creation?" Dumbledore asked tiredly.

The young wizard gazed at the Headmaster for a long time before summoning his power. The room flared brightly with white light as Harry concentrated on something in his hand. The light died, and the room returned to its normal setting. The boy lifted a dark emerald crystal and placed it carefully on the Headmaster's desk. "Heard that you were in need of a big emerald for some sort of spellcasting," he said calmly.

"Harry used the earth energy all around him to invest in creating that stone. Rather apt actually, since you need the stone to cast a protection spell for the castle and its environments," the Fire Master mused. : Use it wisely Harry. :

: Don't worry. I think if I am going to create something, I would rather create an inanimate object than a living or thinking being. But absolutely nothing like that Philosopher's stone. :

Harry's eyes twinkled, then mercurially hardened as he looked back at her and she nodded in approval. He faced Dumbledore again. The ancient wizard was toying with the crystal, holding it up against the firelight occasionally. "Now that I think about it, if I had been just a little more uncontrolled and unstable just now, those waves of energy could be infused with my gift of destroying things. And..." Harry faltered, his eyes going distant.

"That you might have to use that gift to eliminate the Heliopaths?" Snape hazarded an idea. Harry slumped in his seat and nodded remorsefully.

"It's not the real Heliopaths that I'm worried about. It's the ones that had evolved," he said in a despondent tone. They remained silent and Harry gave another sigh then continued in a more cheerful tone. "I was really losing my grip on what was real and what was not. Drake solved that for me. He rushed at me; he even got through the shield and then he turned black."

"I did not turn black!" his oathbrother said in exasperation and Fenix suppressed her mirth at the Slytherin's indignant expression. Harry looked at them inquisitively and the Slytherin explained in a rather heated voice. "I turned into a Dragon, you nitwit!"

"Oh... What?" Several others echoed Harry's question.

"I successfully turned myself into a Dragon," Draco answered in a bored voice. His eyes went wide when a thought occurred to him. : I wonder if I can fly. : He looked intently at Fenix who chuckled lightly.

: Later, Drake... or maybe tomorrow, :

she said, her mindvoice brushed softly in his mind. : I am too tired to even think properly right now. :

: Just as long you promise not to keep the joy to yourself though. :

Draco's mindvoice was rather excited at the prospect of flying. That seemed to conclude the discussion and Fenix was secretly relieved that none of them were looking at Harry with fear.

: So what do we do now? :

Harry asked, as they walked down to the Hall.

: Sleep of course. That's the only way you get to finish your education. :

Fenix shrugged, holding Remus's hand as they strolled leisurely. The ghosts of Hogwarts drifted in and out of the corridors and Harry turned his thoughts inward.

Build a school... Looks like I have to really work hard so that I have enough money to get a plot of land. And how do I get the money because I don't the money in my bank is going to multiply if I don't get a job? Should I become a jewel merchant?

He mused and found himself laughing at the thought. His godfather opened his mouth to speak to his godson, but decided against it when he watched Harry.

: You're being very observant. Yes, he is thinking about the future, so leave it to him all right? :

Fenix sent her thought to him.

: That somehow makes me feel better. So, he decided he should continue living... I wonder what plans he is making. :

Sirius gave her a charming smile.

: Probably planning on how he should get funds to build up a school, :

Remus interjected.

: He could always extort money from you. :

Snape directed his thought at Sirius and the corridor was suddenly filled with chuckles at Sirius's appalled expression. Harry looked at the group in confusion.

: What? :

: It's nothing, Green-eyes, :

Draco answered, his mindvoice was almost jumping up and down as he tried to control his mirth. Harry frowned at him and then looked at his godfather. They burst into laughter again, and both Sirius and Harry scowled at them in the same way that one could really mistake them for a pair of father and his son.

**********

Monday, 12^th November. At the Hall...

Breakfast was a hurried affair that morning, since Dumbledore had selected some of them to cast spells that would protect the Forest from catching fire. Some scoffed that the Forbidden Forest was unlikely to catch fire on a very damp morning. However, since information on how the Heliopaths worked was still unknown, now that they had evolved, the Headmaster did not want to be responsible for the lives of those that considered the Forest as their natural home.

Fenix looked thoughtfully at Harry as she ate her cereal and he finally could not stand her silent scrutiny any longer. : Fenix, could you please stop staring at me when you're thinking? Couldn't you look at something more inanimate rather than my face? : he requested politely, smiling crookedly at her when she flushed.

: Sorry, Harry, :

she apologized. : Are you sure that the Heliopaths have hearts? :

: I wouldn't really call it hearts. More or less like their fuel tank, :

Harry corrected as he gulped a full glass of milk. He had delved through his new-founded knowledge for two straight nights and finally came up with the answer.

: I wonder why I'm asking this. You're the one in charge of 'demoralizing' the Heliopaths anyway. :

She made a face and he chuckled at her expression.

: Morning, :

he greeted his oathbrother who had just entered the Hall for breakfast. The Slytherin casually strolled over to the Gryffindor table first to greet them and actually absently kissed all three ladies on their cheeks-- Hermione, Ginny and Fenix-- all who were were sitting side by side. : Drake, I think you're going to make more than three people jealous, : Harry commented, as he peeked at the Slytherin table, where Alamanda was looking at them quizzically. The three ladies who had just been bestowed with kisses early in the morning started giggling, especially when all three turned to look how Ron was reacting to the 'brotherly' kiss.

"I swear I would go mad if this guy in front of me," the scarlet-haired Weasley was gazing patiently at the Potions Master, "starts giving kisses to the girls."

"Oh, now... that's a pleasant thought," Hermione said teasingly at both the teacher sitting beside her and her indignant partner. The three erupted with more giggles, with Fenix laughing so hard at Snape's flushed and embarrassed face. Lee, who happened to overhear the conversation came up to the Potions Master with a serious look about him.

"Professor Snape," Lee cleared his throat, then continued, "I wonder... if you had ever kissed anyone before in your youth?" If it were possible, Snape would have turned absolutely crimson at the question. The entire Hall guffawed at the shocked professor, when his innocent expression told all of them that he had not been devoting himself to anything like that. Sirius and Harry almost simultaneous fell off from their seats as they collapsed in laughter.

: Sev! :

Fenix was wiping the tears that came out from the exertion. : Seriously, you haven't been kissed? Or kissed anyone? : The Potions Master scowled at all of them.

: No, I have not. :

His mindvoice was thick with dignity.

: Who would have thought that you're still a v-- :

: Finish that thought Black, and I will kill you, :

Snape threatened, holding his wand out, his face still blushing hotly.

The Fire Master choked down her laughter and stared curiously at Snape. : But I thought you and Giana... :

Snape shook his head, looking sternly at her and resumed to eating his breakfast. : I've got too much respect for Mineif to do that to his daughter. Anyway, that was a long time ago. :

Harry helped Sirius to his seat on the bench; his godfather was still laughing insultingly. : Do you want us to find you a girlfriend, Snivellus? :

Snape snorted and one fireball shot past his ear to hit Sirius's chest. "Owww!" He shot a dirty look at Snape's godson who was hovering behind his godfather's shoulder. : You're lucky you're Sniv-- : His thought was cut off as Fenix aimed a mindslap at him, who was looking at her oathbrother with disapproval. Sirius winced and rubbed his temple before he continued his sentence. : You're lucky you're Severus's godson or I would really inflict some permanent damage on you, : Harry's godfather said seriously. Draco muttered something under his breath and went off to the Slytherin table to join his friends for breakfast. Both Harry and Fenix were hiding their smiles at Sirius's subtle implication of acceptance. Hermione's alert went off when she caught both of them exchanging winks but her curiosity was left unanswered.

Breakfast resumed without further interruptions and the air took on a more anxious setting. The students wandered off to all parts of the castle to practice or spend sometime doing the stuff they had not gotten around to do for the past few days ever since the attack during Hallowe'en night. Sirius looked solemnly at those who were appointed to go into the Forest with them. They had been gathering about the Gryffindor table when they had finished their breakfasts.

"I want you to do a bit of exercise or whatever to get yourselves calmed down before we go into the Forest. We can't afford any of you to go in there with blurred thinking. You know that the Forest is home to all kinds of things. We probably won't have trouble with the Thestrals but we do have a Hellhound running about. And stay close to the elves, especially your leaders that had been assigned to your groups, is that clear?" Sirius looked at the faces of determined students from all of the four Houses.

"Report here at nine-thirty sharp," Snape announced, looking briefly at his pocket watch. He then got up to change into something more appropriate for outdoor trekking and the rest of the students began to clear out of the Hall to change.

Fenix and Remus were slightly behind Snape as they headed up to their offices and she could not help wondering what the students were feeling, living in a precarious time such as they were. They had a maximum of five hours to finish their spellcasting in the Forest since the Sylphs reported that there were two clans of giants heading their way, at a not-so leisurely pace. The army of Heliopaths was still unseen nor were the Death Eaters moving out of their stronghold.

The couple lagged behind Sirius, after Snape went into his own office and she pulled Remus down, quickly scanning the corridor before stealing a kiss. : I'll see you later, lover. : He hugged her briefly and she went into her own room. She and the wolves entered the office, looking around at the sunny room. The quarters strangely reminded her of her own home and she took a moment to stand outside the window, feeling the soothing breeze upon her face. No... silly girl. Don't think of anything ominous right before a skirmish. : I am sorry that you guys have to be left behind. : She looked down at her pair of wolves. Silver shook his mane.

: There's nothing that we could do for you out there in the Forest. We're likely to get trampled by the passing giants before we could attempt to hamstring them anyway, :

Wind assured her. : Anyway, we're better off protecting the rest of the students here. : Fenix turned back to the window, her eyes scanning the dark canopy of the Forest. There was a kind of tension in her but it was normal, she was just getting ready to fight.

: Fenix, try not to show all your tricks all at once though, :

Silver said thoughtfully and she had to smile at his advice.

: Don't worry, Silv. I am going to do it the old, reliable, Hunter way. :

: Should have expected it. She's bloodthirsty enough, :

Wind observed.

: I don't think so. :

Silver examined Fenix casually as she stripped herself to bathe. : I think she's just bored. :

**********

Harry and his friends froze at the portrait that would lead them to their common room. However, none of them seemed to have remembered what their password was, since they have not been to their common room for quite a while now. The passage was getting crowded and Ron yelled out if anyone remembered the password. Lee and a couple of the Gryffindors were rattling off a series of names but the Fat Lady refused to swing open.

"Just great." Ginny sighed. "I guess someone ought to run down and ask Professor McGonagall."

"So it's not the 'Silver Wheel'." Harry frowned. "I remembered that it had something to do with Hallowe'en." All eyes turned to Hermione and she looked at them in disgust. The students began rattling off again with Hermione being the loudest. Still, none of the words was the right password. He moved toward the front and said clearly to them, "I'm just guessing all right, if this doesn't work then someone absolutely has to go down and ask McGonagall. Persephone," he said to the Fat Lady and to their surprise, she swung her portrait open.

Hermione gave him a surprised look then went in. By the time Harry got into the common room, his friend was pinning up a large notice on the notice board of their current password, all the time muttering under her breath that they ought not to change the password too often. "See you girls... here?" Harry asked his friend and she nodded, then pulled Ron up the staircase to go to their dormitory.

"What do you think we should wear?" Neville asked. Months of running all around the Hall or courtyard during the Defence lessons had seen him losing a bit of a weight.

"Dull colors... no red." Harry was looking at his best friend. "No robes."

"Bloody hell... Harry, you know I don't have anything else except red." Ron looked over his shoulder as he opened the door to admit all his roommates in.

"Since the bathroom will be crowded anyway... let's see if we can conjure up something suitable to wear." Harry pursed his lips. He opened his trunk and fished out several of his shirts.

"At least our trousers are all black," Seamus remarked and they agreed with him. Ron was examining his pile of shirts and sweaters when the room flared brightly and in an instant, it dimmed. Ron shook his head and stood up.

"What are you up to?" he asked and Harry flung a black shirt toward him. "Bloody hell!" His friend had created a shirt specifically for him. The four boys got out of their bedroom with toiletries in hand and queued up behind their fellow students, with Ron whistling patiently for his turn to shower.

**********

Fenix was out in the courtyard meditating with a whole circle of elves and was joined later by the three bachelors. Curious students paused over at the side door wondering what the group was up to, while several girls went over to watch them, exchanging whispers on which elf was handsomer or how gorgeous the Potions Master turned out. A pocket watch suddenly screeched out of Sirius's pocket. "NINE-FIFTEEN!"

Several of the elves cursed, then began laughing melodiously. They got up to their feet and headed for the Hall. Aldren and at least half of the group of elves meanwhile went down to the sub-levels to get their weapons that had been stored away temporarily. The students who had been lingering in the Hall, looked curiously at the Fire Master and as if they had never seen her in her severe dark Hunter garb before, they whispered as they commented on how dangerous she actually looked. Their eyes picked out the several small knives that were tucked in at her upper arms and felt that she still had several more hidden.

Snape's mouth curved into a sardonic smile, while Fenix gave a sidelong glance at the amused Potions Master, but otherwise remained silent. A brief inspection informed her that Harry's group was already there, and all seated in a circle. She noticed a familiar figure, but could not put a name to the student who was seating in between Harry and Montague.

"Dear Gods!" Fenix paused, stopping only a few feet from Harry's group.

"Am I in trouble already?" Harry sighed, while Hermione and Ginny snickered.

"Fenix?" Remus questioned her curiously. "What happened?"

"This...is what...happened!" Fenix was pointing to the unnamed student. A pair of familiar silver eyes turned around and looked at the bunch of adults, twinkling outrageously.

"Dear Lord!" Snape exclaimed in disbelief.

"What's up with the hair?" Sirius commented, admiring the strange contrast of the jet-black hair and the boy's pale complexion.

: Contingency planning. My white-blond hair does stand out after all, :

Draco said indifferently.

: Harry, are you absolutely sure you cast an

illusion of black hair? Not inducing the coloration pigments? : Fenix asked the older oathbrother patiently then bit her lip worriedly when he gave her a blank look.

"Alamanda dear," Fenix called out to Draco's sweetheart. "I hope you don't mind if this guy happened to have his hair colored permanently." The young girl's eyes went wide and stared accusingly at Harry.

"Hey! I like his hair color!" She huffed and Harry gave her a guilty look. He turned to his oathbrother, as if expecting the other one to start calling him names but Draco was looking at his girlfriend and oathbrother with controlled patience.

"I don't mind if this was to last," he said quietly and Alamanda looked at him in surprise. The Hall grew uncomfortably silent when most of them finally began to realize that Draco's shunning by his blood parents was still hurting him.

"But then..." Remus bravely broke the silence, looking to Draco then to his fiancee, "you get to look like her... a bit too much." Sirius choked the laughter that threatened to explode. "Well, if it can't be helped... there's nothing I can do about it but don't go out and start to tan yourself."

Harry's godfather took out his pocket watch and left it with Alamanda, since she would not be going out to the Forest with them. The rest followed suit because they do not think that screeching watches would do them any good while they were out in an almost hostile ground. The elves finally arrived with their basket full of arrows and bows. While Cadriel was distributing out the archery stuff, Aldren beckoned to Remus, Sirius, Snape and their godsons and handed them their throwing knives that had been designed for them, all courtesy of the elves. The elves had no qualms of giving them weaponry that was sorely meant for the Fair Ones, because the five were considered 'special'. They knew how to use them, having practiced with the bunch of elves that turned up on Hallowe'en night. Fenix retrieved her bow the elves had brought with them; as if Cadriel knew that she might need it. This was a birthday gift by her mentor nearly a decade ago, and she trailed her fingers on the whitewashed wood fondly. She began to stuff her quiver full of the silver, slender arrows. The group made out of the students from the three divisions: Assailants, Defenders and the Rearguards, and ten elves were finally ready for action.

**********