Harry Potter and Salazar's Talisman

Chapter 22

The Love of a Phoenix

"Harry?"

Harry opened his eyes. Draco stood at the entrance of the tent, a worried frown stretched across his face. He moved further into the office and approached the chair Harry was sitting in, or rather occupying. It was a large wing-backed chair that should have been quite comfortable. Harry didn't feel comfortable. He felt very little - nothing actually.

He gazed up at Draco. "He's insane," he said softly.

Draco nodded. "Not something we didn't know."

"Is Ron all right?"

Draco nodded again. "He made it back to the Ministry."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What is Dumbledore going to do?"

Draco sighed. "Unknown," he said. "The aurors have regrouped and convened."

Harry snorted. It was an ugly sound even to his own ears. "Fools," he murmured. "Nothing can stop him now." He met Draco's eyes again. "Nothing."

"Harry-"

"Except you," said Harry.

Draco blinked. "Me?"

Harry nodded and straightened. "I've been thinking."

"Oh no."

"You have to kill him."

"I beg your pardon."

"Draco, I can't be a ghost," Harry said. "I can't simply exist like this. I can't touch my wife or hold my children. I can't fly anymore or fence." His feelings of frustration and helplessness compelled him up. He moved closer to Draco. "I can't sit back and simply watch life go on. I'd rather be dead. You have to kill him."

"But you'll die too."

"I don't care," Harry insisted. He had made up his mind. This was the only way to stop Voldemort and free himself. "He gave me an addition eight years with his 'noble gesture.' I should be dead anyway. Don't you see? The heirs are born, I don't have to live anymore. Especially like this. I can't - I won't."

"Harry, I don't have the power to kill him."

Harry's frustration grew, allowing him the natural ability to pace. "All you have to do is get close to him. Shoot him. Stab him. Strangle him. It doesn't matter how. You don't need magic, in fact, you can't use magic. You must know a muggle way to kill someone. Poison him if you have to."

Draco stared at the floor. "I-I can't."

"Damn it, Draco. Why not?"

"I-I won't be responsible for your death."

Harry couldn't help his irritated growl. "The longer he lives, the more people will die. That's my fault, I know, but I can't do anything about it now. You have to do it."

"He really doesn't trust me that much," Draco pointed out. But it sounded to Harry as if he were just grasping for excuses.

Maybe it was too much to expect of Draco.

"What about your father then? He owes me. Maybe he'll do it."

"My father is still in Bulgaria," Draco said. "You know he's dead if he leaves the house."

Harry figured as much, but Voldemort could still... He lifted his gaze. "What do you mean if he leaves the house?"

"I mean that Voldemort tried to get in, to get to my father," Draco told him. "To see why he didn't come when the Death Eaters were called. Or so he says."

"And?" prompted Harry.

"And he couldn't get in."

"It was his bloody house," said Harry. "What do you mean he couldn't get in?"

"He couldn't get through your wards." Draco actually smirked.

Harry blinked.

"What ever you did, the Dark Lord couldn't figure them out," said Draco. "And he didn't have the power to simply blast through them."

Harry continued to blink. I hadn't been that complicated. Privacy and protection spells although it was one of the few times he had used his wand to do magic.

"He was furious at first," Draco went on. "But then he seemed inordinately pleased - proud even."

Harry couldn't help his smirk. "I'll bet."

"Ah Harry, my pet," Voldemort declared as he entered his office. His pleasant expression was replaced by outrage when he noticed Draco. He lifted his hand. "Crucio."

"Voldemort, stop," Harry begged.

Voldemort held the curse for a few moments before lifting it. He moved to stand over Draco's writhing, panting form. "Mr. Malfoy," said Voldemort. "I thought I told you that I did not want you in here without my consent."

"Voldemort-"

"I'm sorry, my lord," Draco choked out. "I just wanted to-"

"Crucio." Voldemort circled the thrashing body. "You knew my wishes. You heard my direct commands yet you disregarded them."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Crucio."

Harry watched helplessly as Voldemort tortured Draco. His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest and he couldn't seem to catch his breath.

"Voldemort," he pleaded.

"Now go," Voldemort told Draco. "And do not disobey me again."

Harry couldn't even help as Draco struggled to his feet and staggered out of the tent with a quiet, "Yes, my lord."

Only then did Voldemort turn his attention back to Harry. Voldemort gripped his chin and turned his face to view. "He knows better than to displease me," said Voldemort, his eyes moving over Harry's pained expression. "They all do."

Voldemort let go and moved away. Harry pressed his palm to his scar watching Voldemort closely. The pleasant expression was back.

"My order is finally coming together," he announced.

"Dumbledore conceded?" said Harry, unsure if he really wanted to hear.

Voldemort sent him a glance. "Good heavens no. Dumbledore would never openly concede to me." He chuckled. "We have the Ministry though. Ron was an excellent messenger. With his testimony and a little help from several of my 'friends' in place at the Ministry, it was taken with very little difficulty."

Harry wondered how much death was involved in 'very little difficulty.' "Feel free to gloat," Harry muttered unable to stop himself.

Voldemort chuckled. "Always the cynic, my Harry."

"So what's next?" said Harry. "You've covered murder and mayhem. Chaos and anarchy would be moot."

"Oh Harry, calm yourself," said Voldemort. "This is the beginning of a whole new world. A better world. My world."

"What makes you think it's better?"

"It will be better, because it will be mine." He shot Harry another look. "Just like you, Harry. And like you, the world will be-"

"You're crazy if you think everyone will simply-"

"The change in the government won't even effect most people, Harry. They will go on living their mundane little lives. The only change will be that I am the one who runs it."

"And if someone doesn't conform?" Harry challenged. "Someone disobeys?"

Voldemort waved it off. "A small price to pay," he said.

"To live in fear?" Harry was incredulous.

"You have nothing to fear anymore, Harry."

"I'm not talking about me," Harry snapped. "My life is over. You saw to that."

"You're wrong, Harry," Voldemort said seriously. "You are still very consequential to the lives of many. You just can't do anything about it."

Everything came crushing in on Harry. All the deaths. His fault. He could only watch helplessly as Voldemort brought down everyone in his way. Just as he did the first time.

And Harry could do nothing, but watch and listen to the screams. Just as he'd watched Draco scream. Voldemort was controlling all the people Harry cared about. And he could control Harry. And Harry could do nothing.

Total helplessness. That trap door that had followed him around since he was 15, always lurking, waiting to swallow him whole, opened, entrenching him in more guilt.

And anger. God such anger.

Harry wished he could wrap his hand around-

Harry's brain locked up on the thought and he launched his form at Voldemort, his hands becoming substance at contact. Emotions tore through him. His anger became hate.

Voldemort flew back onto the floor at the impact, and Harry's hands tightened around his throat.

"I won't be helpless anymore," Harry seethed, squeezing with all his might.

Red eyes grew wide. Voldemort couldn't 'talk' his way out of this now.

Harry's rage drove him on. He was vaguely aware of the pain racking through his body like currents of fire but he ignored it. His sole intent to squash the evil that had plagued him for so long.

And it was evil. Only something so vile would have gone through such extremes, such deliberate cruelty. And it was cruel, because he had made Harry care.

Betrayal twisted like a knife in his heart.

Harry had believed him. Every damn thing Voldemort told him, Harry trustingly believed. Harry had wanted to believe, needed to believe.

Not anymore. Harry was taking control of his life finally - even if it killed him. And he was sure this time, it would.

But damn it, he was taking Voldemort with him - for good.

Voldemort's face started to blur - no - fade. Harry could feel strangled reverberations of screams under his fingers as he clutched the throat. Bones cracked under pressure, muscles tore.

Harry gasped for breath. His hands trembled as his knuckles turned white.

Then there was no air left in his lungs. Darkness clouded around him like a heavy blanket. The substance in his grasp became soft, spongy.

Then there was nothing.

********

Harry groaned or at least made some semblance of sound in response to the pain his body was currently experiencing. He found it odd that even in death, pain was to be his constant companion.

"Problem, Potter?"

Forcing one eye to open, he focused on the face hovering over him. Snape? He blinked in surprise, but should have realized that for everything he'd done, he'd be damned.

"Surprised to see me?"

Harry wondered how much it would hurt to speak.

"A little," Harry managed without too much pain. As long as he didn't move too much, it seemed to be tolerable. "You redeemed yourself. I thought you'd be spared."

Snape looked at him, clearly puzzled. "Spared?"

"Yes," said Harry. "This is Hell, is it not?"

Snape snorted. "Ever observant," he said in one of his more mildly derisive tones. "I presumed you'd recognize the Hogwart's infirmary by now."

With tremendous effort, Harry turned his head to look around.

"I dare say, they'll be renaming a wing after you."

"But," Harry returned his gaze to Severus. "But."

"And as eloquent as ever as well," said Snape.

"Damn it, Snape," snapped Harry and was instantly sorry. Once he had a firm grip on the pain, he turned a glare back to Severus. "Just tell me, please." He swallowed. "I saw you die." Harry couldn't help his voice from choking slightly.

"Yes, but you had already been sucked away by Voldemort when the old coot called Fawkes and 'ordered' him to save me," said Severus.

Harry blinked. "And what saved me?"

"The love of a phoenix is a treasure in itself," Severus explained.

"Rowan?" Harry choked.

"Indeed. She sacrificed herself."

"But." Harry swallowed, fighting to get the words out. "How?"

"Honestly, Potter, how long had you had that bird?" Severus sighed and sat down on the bed beside him. "As soon as your body became substance again, she was able to find you."

"But I didn't call her."

Severus nodded gravely. "She could hear your silent cries of agony, Harry."

Harry blinked back tears that pooled in his eyes. Rowan? He didn't want anyone else to die for him.

"Draco said it was quite a show."

Harry refocused on Severus and lifted his blows expectantly.

"As you know, a phoenix flying at peak is a magnificent sight."

Harry nodded.

"A sight such as that did not go unnoticed by those in the compound. Draco informed me that as soon as the Death Eaters noticed you back in corporeal form and the Dark Lord no where to be found, they fled.

"Gone?"

Severus nodded. "Whether Rowan banished him in ghost form or he no longer exists in any form is a mystery."

"Was I dead?"

"Oh you were indeed," said Snape. "Draco, as well as your little Gryffindors can now verify that they have seen a very pissed off phoenix."

"Then he is gone," Harry managed. If they were both dead, then there couldn't be a way for Voldemort to still exist. "Tell me-"

Snape's further explanation was cut off by a commotion at the door.

"You have to let us in."

"Madam Pomfrey, please-"

"We were there. We have to see Professor Potter."

"Now see here."

"Get out of my way."

"Mr. Malfoy, really. Come back here."

Snape stood up as another figure, unmistakably Draco, drew next to Harry's bed. Harry was still having a hard time focusing but he couldn't miss the crowd that gathered around his bed.

Harry closed his eyes. He really wasn't up to this.

"God it was so cool."

"Amazing."

"Bloody brilliant."

"At least there wasn't any blood this time."

Harry opened his eyes after that last one. He met Draco's gaze.

"Was it tragic enough?" croaked Harry.

Draco smirked. "Actually it was rather spectacular," he said mildly. "On the phoenix' part."

Harry nodded.

"So what happened before your bird came to your rescue?" Draco asked.

Harry closed his eyes and swallowed. "I lost my temper," he said.

"Talk about tempers," said Sean. "Rowan lost hers as well."

She picked you. She is like you.

Harry could only nod.

"By the time we came in," Draco told him, "she was already tearing the office apart. Most of it was on fire."

"And she was making the saddest noises," said Cindy.

"Mr. Malfoy tried to go to you, to see if you were breathing but Rowan wouldn't let him," said Missy.

"And she was crying and screeching."

Draco cleared his throat. "She finally landed on your chest and laid down on top of you with her wings fully opened."

"Then the light show started," said Sean.

The other two nodded. Harry lifted his gaze again to Draco and raised a brow.

"Well she started glowing," said Draco hesitantly. "First her own sapphire and silver colors and then it became more random, covering all the specters. And the air around you and her misted over."

"It was like watching the aurora borealis," said Cindy softly.

Missy nodded exuberantly.

"Then she turned all red and finally burst into real frames the way a phoenix does when it renews itself," Draco continued. "And when the pile of ashes settled on your chest, you sucked in a deep breath and well, nothing came out of the ashes." Draco looked away. "I'm truly sorry, Harry."

Harry nodded his thanks. He wasn't sure how he felt. Rowan had been a part of his life since he was fifteen. She had always been there to scold him, to comfort him, to ease his pain.

"You were her wizard, Harry," said Draco as if following his thoughts. "It was her job to take care of you."

Harry looked up at him and noticed the others had been ushered out. He nodded.

Draco sat down on the edge of the bed beside him and peered around. "Before I get kicked out," he said softly. "I know Ginny and her family are waiting to get in here now that they are here and you're awake." He pulled a small parcel from his robe, keeping it between them so only they could see. "What do you want to do with this?"

As Draco unwrapped the cloth, it was obviously a large chain with-

"The talisman," Harry said softly.

Draco nodded. "It was laying on the floor beside you," he said. "I picked it up before anyone noticed it." He laid it in Harry's hand. "I tested it for magic but it doesn't seem to-"

He cut himself off as the eyes of the engraved phoenix started to glow.

"But then again," said Draco with a snort. "I'm not an heir."

"Take it Draco," rasped Harry and Draco pulled it out of his hand and quickly wrapped it up again. "You take it. Turn it over to that museum and get credit for finding the Amulet."

Draco shook his head. "It's yours, Harry," he said. "You should-"

"It's a curse, Draco. It's safer in a museum. No one but an heir can use it, so it will be safe."

Draco sighed and stuffed it into his pocket. He looked as if he wanted to argue more about it, but a tirade of voices rose from the door.

"Harry! Oh, Harry!"

Draco moved away from the bed as Ginger and Ron and Hermione descended on Harry.

************

Epilogue

Approximately 11 years later

Harry looked up at the sound of scuffling feet. Several 1^st years came skidding to a halt in front of his desk. He surveyed the panting delinquents, all donned in green robes. The starting feast was long over and all three of the Slytherins should be tucked safely in bed down in the dungeons. He'd have to have several words with the head of their house for letting them 'escape.'

A small smile graced his face at the thought of taking Severus to task for not being able to control the students in his own house. But then Severus would take great satisfaction in reminding Harry that said 'escaped Slytherin' was a Potter and everyone knew how Potters felt about rule-breaking. Severus tended to turn a blind eye on all his Slytherins, even Harry's daughter. Of course, to even out the field, Harry had given his son the Invisibly cloak.

Harry sighed.

"Taylor, what are you doing up here?" said Harry, trying to mask his amusement with exasperation.

"Daddy, look," Taylor Lily Potter practically squealed as she opened her robe and pulled out a rather ugly looking bird. "Isn't he cute?"

Harry eyed the half-dead looking bird until-

"Joanie says it's a phoenix," Taylor went on breathlessly. Said Slytherin cohort nodded enthusiastically. "Have you ever seen one?"

Harry could only stare at it. "Were did you get it?" said Harry, almost afraid to hear.

"Oh, it was so cool," the third wandering Slytherin girl announced. "It flew into the dorm, landed on Taye's bed and burst into flames."

"Then it started singing," Joanie went on.

Harry's eyes were now riveted on his daughter who was stroking the little fur ball lovingly.

"And," prompted Harry.

Taylor looked up and her deliriously excited green eyes met his.

"Oh, Daddy," said Taylor breathlessly. "He said his name is Marvolo and I am his witch."

Harry's jaw went slack. "Marvolo?" choked Harry.

"What is going on in here?" said Snape from the door. "You three should be in bed. Let's go. Off with you now."

Harry vaguely felt lips press his cheek.

"'Night, Daddy."

The three girls noisily left his office, chattering about Taylor being adopted by a phoenix.

Harry stared after them. Taylor's long black braid swinging down her back.

"Problem, Potter?"

Harry slowly lifted his gaze to Severus'.

"A phoenix just adopted my daughter," said Harry softly.

Snape leaned against the corner of Harry desk. "So," said Severus. "Shouldn't surprise you."

"Severus, a phoenix named Marvolo just adopted my Slytherin daughter," said Harry.

Snape blinked at him.

Harry lowered his head to the desk, slowly banging his forehead on the surface.

"Harry, I'm sure it's a coincidence."

Harry looked up. "Severus, what in my life has ever been a coincidence?"

Severus sighed. "Look," said Severus. "Even if it is in anyway shape or form, some manifestation of Voldemort, he can't hurt anyone - not even you. It isn't in the nature of a phoenix."

"Maybe," muttered Harry. "But why do I feel a nightmare coming on?"

The End