Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor

Chapter Eighteen: Flight of the Phoenix

"My Dear Voldemort. It has been much too long."

Harry could see Voldemort's face flicker-- it even looked as though he had, ever so slightly, flinched.

Harry had never seen Dumbledore as incensed as he looked at that moment: his eyes focused and menacing, the usual soft, gentility about him completely gone. No-- Dumbledore looked every bit as dangerous as Voldemort.

Snape and Harry, from their fetal positions on the ground, watched and listened intently.

Voldemort turned around to face Dumbledore ever so slowly.

"Albus."

"You didn't think I'd leave myself as such an easy target, did you? I thought you were smarter than that." His eyes drifted down to Fawkes' limp body.

"Thank you, Fawkes. That will do."

And upon that, Fawkes immediately screeched a reply and rose from the ground, flapping his wings happily next to Dumbledore.

"Very useful," said Dumbledore, "to have a pet who just happens to be immortal." He smiled. "It looks as though I missed quite an impressive show tonight. Sorry I was late." He looked down. "Seems you've been having another chat with Harry tonight. Harry, Severus, it's quite all right-- you may get up."

Snape and Harry exchanged a look of momentary hesitance and then obeyed wordlessly.

"Fawkes will take you home."

Voldemort glared at Harry and Snape.

"Voldemort, times have changed since you've been gone. People have been given a taste of what peace of mind feels like and they like it. They love it. And they will do anything to protect it. I warn you now, Voldemort. If you intend to carry out your plan, be aware that the fight will not be an easy one. as dedicated as you are to your own selfish cause, we are just as dedicated, if not moreso, to our cause."

"You are still the foolish old man you've always been, Albus."

"And you are still the disillusioned little boy that you have always been, Voldemort. I should have thought that by now you would have realized your entire creed can not prevail--"

"We shall see about that, Albus."

"Indeed, we shall." He paused, "Fawkes-- please take Harry and Snape back. I shall be right behind you."

Harry and Snape each grabbed a tight hold of Fawkes' tail feathers.

"We will meet again, Albus," Harry heard Voldemort say as Fawkes rose gently off the ground.

"I am counting on it," was Dumbledore's answer-- they were now too high off the ground to hear anymore-- Voldemort and Dumbledore were nothing more than two specks in a field of grass-- and then they were nothing at all. Fawkes was happily soaring though the soft clouds into the middle of the night-- the air was cold, but Fawkes' body was warm and comforting.

The second Phoenix appeared at that moment, next to Fawkes, flapping his wing proudly. Even in Phoenix form, Dumbledore still held that twinkle in his eye. His head turned to face Harry and Snape-- they held their gaze-- and then he returned, focused, on the horizon.

Harry turned to face Snape: his eyes were closed and he suddenly seemed older. His face was tired, lines visible around his mouth and eyes, his hair mangled and robes soiled--souvenirs of the past two days. Harry knew that he must have looked just as disheveled as Snape-indeed, his own hands were covered in dirt.

"P-Professor Snape," Harry said quietly, his voice rather hoarse from all the yelling and screaming of the past few hours. Snape's tired eyes opened and looked at Harry, waiting.

Harry was still uneasy when talking to Snape alone and stumbled over his words, "A-are you okay?"

Snape kept his stare on Harry and then finally answered, "Yes. . ." he paused. "Although. . . I doubt I'll be able to walk for at least a week."

Harry smiled-as did Severus! Professor Snape had smiled at Harry!

"Yeah," he agreed, "I think that all five of us are going to be with Madame Pomfrey for a couple days!"

Snape let out a low, soft chuckle.

And then Harry frowned. "Professor Snape . . . Draco-"

"Draco's father is a very controlling man. Draco doesn't have the freedom that you think he has, living with someone like Lucius."

"He tried to come with us-"

"Yes," Snape said slowly. "Yes, he did. I was surprised . . . even glad to see it. But-"

"Draco doesn't have a choice, does he. Because of who he father is."

Snape took a breath. "We all have a choice. It's just that for others that choice is much more difficult to make."

After that, it was only the wind that made any noise between them. The gentle flapping of Fawkes' wings and the unbearable softness of the air below him reminded Harry just how tired he was, and soon he was drifting into sleep.

*

Harry woke with a start from a very restless sleep. He was sweating, his heart pounding and for a moment he almost thought that everything had been one horrendous nightmare. Then his eyes focused on Professor Snape about five feet away from him, curled up tightly in a blanket, sleeping soundly.

He rubbed his eyes and found that he was sitting on a grassy hilltop, the moon was incredibly bright and the world below it glowed a bluish-black. The wind was frigid and Harry pulled his own blanket closer around him-where were they?

"You're supposed to be sleeping, Harry."

It was Dumbledore who was standing overtop him, putting to ease his growing sense of panic.

'Where are we?"

Dumbledore laughed softly. "Well, I'm not as young as I used to be. Fawkes could have lasted the entire journey, but not myself-I needed a moment to rest. We aren't far from Hogwarts now- we will be there by daybreak." Dumbledore nodded towards Snape, "And Severus said he wouldn't mind a nap." His eyes came back to Harry. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted. . ." he said plainly. "absolutely exhausted."

"Little wonder with everything that you've been through these past few days. I received word that you were in the Cove, heading to see Orod and I knew that I had to reach you as soon as possible. Word was that with the freeing of Azkaban, they were headed for the Caledonian Forest directly--you were not safe there. Fawkes and I reached Orod's den too late and he told us what had happened. I sent Fawkes ahead as a decoy-"

"Because Voldemort knew your animagus is a Phoenix?"

"Correct. He'd most definitely love to get rid of myself more than all of you combined, I should think. I wish we would have arrived sooner-we cut things a bit too close for my blood."

"And. . . now what?"

"You mean Voldemort?" Dumbledore couldn't shake the sadness that had appeared in his eyes. "I must be honest and say. . . I don't know, Harry."

"I . . . I heard what you were saying to him about being ready to fight for our cause. It sounded like you were talking about war. . ."

"And so I was. A war is a conflict, isn't it? One side trying to conquer the other? That is precisely what Voldemort is waging--a war against everything decent and kind and good. I. . . don't know what Voldemort is thinking right now. But I do know that whatever he devises, his efforts will fail. He will not win this war, Harry."

Harry tried to be confident, but the memory of Voldemort -- his red eyes his shrill voice, seeing his friends suffer, watching his friends die-- it was all too much. For the moment, the situation seemed completely hopeless.

"How can you be so sure," Harry asked quietly.

Dumbledore appeared momentarily surprised that Harry should even find it necessary to ask such a question. "Harry- the simple fact is that evil can not prevail over good. It may seem that way, oh yes, it may most definitely appear that way. But never, and I mean never, has evil ever completely triumphed over good." He smiled and lowered his voice to whisper, "It's in the stars, you know."

Harry and Dumbledore both laughed-- Snape stirred, mumbling in his sleep, pulling the blanket overtop his head.

"What did you think of Orod?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh, he was beautiful!"

"Yes, stunning creatures, Gryphons. Tremendous strength."

"So I've heard."

"Noble and loyal. Loyal right down to death, and many times even after."

Harry nodded, remembering Orod's words about Godric Gryffindor. Dumbledore seemed to be on a similar vein. "Godric Gryffindor was just such a man--fearless and brave, but most importantly, he was loyal. Loyal to his friends right down to death. . ." he paused. "Much like you, Harry."

Harry cast his eyes downward, not wanting to hear himself compared to Godric Gryffindor in any way, shape or form. The very idea of drawing similarities to such a great man was, in Harry's mind, completely ridiculous.

"And really," Dumbledore was saying, "like your father before you. . ."

Harry looked up at Dumbledore--his eyes were staring directly into Harry's.

". . . and his father before him. . . and his father before him. . ."

Harry's heart skipped a beat. Exactly what was Dumbledore getting at? He sat, perfectly still, unable to move. There was an inkling gnawing away in the back of his mind, but. . . no . . .

"Professor, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying, Harry, that it's time for the truth."

"The truth?"

"About who you are."

Harry's stomach churned and he felt like he was going to be sick, suddenly mortified of what he was about to hear.

Dumbledore sighed. "I just didn't realize it would have to be so soon. Your father didn't know until he was already a man--until he was ready."

Harry was starting to sweat.

Dumbledore took a seat upon the soft ground, his stare wise gaze fixed most keenly upon Harry. "You know, of course, the history of our school. Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor being such fantastic rivals. . . and of course a few years ago you found out just who Slytherin's heir was."

"How could I forget?" said Harry, the memory of the chamber of secrets sending a chill through him.

"Well, did it not occur to you that Godric Gryffindor would likewise have an heir?"

Harry sat perfectly still.

"Someone descending directly from his bloodline? I knew such a man--years ago."

Please, make him stop staring at me like that . . .

"A man who went by the name George Potter. He had a son, James. But George died before he ever got to see his son James marry- he did not know that he would one day have a grandson named Harry."

Harry couldn't breathe let alone say anything. This is some sort of joke. A very terrible joke--Dumbledore should know better than to joke around with things like this.

"Yes. . . you, Harry. It's you."

Harry was feeling lightheaded-like he was going to faint on the spot.

" That's why Voldemort wanted only to kill your father and yourself--you are Godric's heir. James never knew of his lineage until his father told him upon his deathbed. It was difficult for James to accept and he was in his twenties! But Harry, this is important for you to know now. So you know that this battle with Voldemort doesn't go back just a couple of decades, but for centuries. Back to the founding of Hogwarts itself."

"I know you can't grasp this all right now, but--Sirius and I both agreed it was best for you to know. Your father never had to deal with this as you have."

Finally, his voice found him again. "But . . . I didn't ask to. . . I didn't want --"

"You didn't ask for this, yes, but nonetheless it is in you, Harry. In your blood, which is something no one can change. It's who you are. Just as Slytherin's blood is in Voldemort. Only . . ." Dumbledore's face darkened, "Voldemort hopes to be the last heir--"

"Meaning he's still trying to find a way to become immortal?"

"Indeed. More than ever. He knows who you are, Harry. You are the last of an entirecreed. The last of Helga Hufflepuff's descendants died centuries ago and Rowena Ravenclaw's heir, well, of course you remember my dear friend Nicolas Flammel? He was the last of her bloodline."

"So he was using the Philosopher's Stone to stay alive so that he could keep her line going . . ."

"Amazing the way everything fits, eh Harry? So of the original Hogwarts Four, there are only two descendants left: Voldemort and yourself." He leaned closer, "but I will let you in on a little secret: Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's heirs wouldn't have stood a chance against Voldemort. But you do."

The words couldn't be true. Of course Dumbledore would never lie to him, but. . . oh how he wished this really was just a lie. He didn't want to be Gryffindor's heir anymore than he wanted to be 'famous Harry Potter.'"

"Professor, I don't want to sound horrible, but. . ." against his will, his eyes were tearing up. "I don't want to be this. I want nothing more than to be able to live life like Ron or Hermione -- free and not having to constantly worry about how much longer I have until he tries to attack again."

The tears fell and out came everything, "And my friends Dumbledore, they're in danger for even knowing me! First Cedric's death and then this year with Imelda, I almost got Ron and Sophie killed--Ariah and Snape-"

"HARRY," said Dumbledore firmly.

Harry sniffled and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"You saved your friends. They did not nearly die because of you, the nearly died because of Lord Voldemort's deplorable, obsessive grudge. If the grudge weren't with you, it would be someone else. You are the reason that Ron is at this moment arriving at Hogwarts and will sleep in his bed safely another night. And do not forget that." He spoke with utmost urgency.

"You can not doubt yourself. It is then that Voldemort can easily overcome you. Remember that your power is in your friends-you are not alone. That is the truth of it."

Harry nodded and Dumbledore brushed his hair with his fingertips. "We will see you through this. Myself, Sirius-" he smiled, "I even understand that you have had time to bond with our dear Professor Snape."

Harry coughed. "I wouldn't call it bonding. . . but. . . well, did you know that Professor Snape has a sense of humor?!?"

Dumbledore laughed. "Yes, he does keep it rather well hidden!"

Harry was laughing now, remembering that hilarious night spent in The Cove. "Yes, well I have to admit, we did make a great team tonight. It was more him than me, of course."

"He told me the opposite."

"Oh?"

He nodded wisely. "He accredits it all to you. Said he was merely helping." Dumbledore could see the shock on Harry's face. "You see Harry, people are not always what they may seem."

"Yes. So I've begun to notice." And then he remembered!

"Oh!" He cried, reaching into his robe and pulling out the long, dark wand that so resembled his own. "I. . . I don't know how to tell you this, but. . . I have Voldemort's wand."

Dumbledore removed his spectacles and stared in disbelief. "Are you . . . certain?"

"Yes! I . . ." he paused, "Er. . . I disarmed him, got his wand and, well, he never had a chance to get it back-"

"Then he must have yours?"

"Well, I left it behind somewhere."

Dumbledore laughed. He threw his head back and let out a roar of laughter--Snape stirred irritably in the background. "Oh," he said, wiping a tear from his eye, "Oh Harry--that is the best news that I've had for a long time."

"But Dumbledore! I can't . . . use it! It's, well, it's bad!"

"Nonsense! There is nothing wrong with the wand! It's only a wand after all. It's the holder of the wand who determines its worth."

Harry lowered his eyes, the wand suddenly feeling heavy in his hands. "It's the wand that killed my parents. . . and gave me my scar."

"It's safe with you, Harry. Never again will it work evil now that you have it."

There was still something else bothering him. "Did . . . did Snape tell you how I disarmed. . ."

"Yes. Severus was most anxious to tell me. And Sirius had told me earlier about your possibly being a Free-Hander." His voice was soft and understanding. "Voldemort inherited his gift of parselmouth from Slytherin and you have inherited the ability of being a Free-Hander from Gryffindor. You realize that doing something of that magnitude-- disarming someone at voice command only-- takes a great deal of strength. Most fall faint after merely attempting it, let alone attempting it successfully. And I understand you next produced a Patronus, did you not?"

Harry nodded.

"Well, I should think that perhaps now Voldemort will think twice about picking a fight with you." Dumbledore winked. "Now I think it's best if we get on our way once more. Minerva will be in a frightful panic until we return-as will Sirius and Hagrid. Sirius was especially angry that I would not let him accompany me-hasn't had one wink of sleep since you've been away."

Everything inside of Harry lit up. "Sirius! Then he's alive!"

Dumbledore nodded wisely. "Yes, quite. Thanks to Hagrid, the rest of the students made it back to Hogwarts safely and after spending the night under Madame Pomfrey's supervision, his leg is quite healthy."

Harry smiled upon hearing that-- it had been the perfect remedy for everything that was ailing him. He was going home now! Sirius would be there waiting for him. He took hold of Fawkes' tail feathers once again, Professor Snape following suit, still in a sleepy stupor, and they took flight once more into the horizon, the sun rising ever so slowly in the distance.

*

Harry woke up in his dorm room, daylight shining through the window.

"All right, Harry?"

It was Ron, sitting on the edge of Harry's bed.

"Ron," Harry cried and sat straight up, throwing his arms around his friend. Harry was weak, and his body ached, but he'd never been more thrilled to see anyone in his life. "Thank goodness- you all right then?"

"Yeah," he said smiling. "Sore as hell, though. Not exactly the most comfortable ride, Gryphons."

Harry couldn't help his silly grin--Ron was alive. It was enough to make him want to cry!

Ron was staring at Harry with a similar smile. "But apparently a lot faster than Phoenix's. What took you lot so long?"

"Oh, we took a breather," he said dismissively, "but you're okay, that's what's important! And Sophie? Where is she?"

"Oh, Minerva put her up for the night in a guest room and Hermione stayed up with her."

"How is she doing?"

"Sophie? Oh hell, Harry, she looked horrible when I saw her. I mean. . . last night was a nightmare."

"That's putting in lightly."

"Is this . . . what it's like for you."

Harry raised his brow.

"You know what I mean. I haven't slept a wink all night--all I could think of was him. Harry, those eyes. And all I could hear was . . . the screaming. And then I remembered that you've been through this before. Is . . . is this what it's like for you every day? Trying to live with it all?"

Harry nodded slowly. "Yes. You never really forget it."

And then Ron got out what he really wanted to know. "How. . . did you do that? With Voldemort? Disarming him without a wand?"

Harry looked down. "I. . . don't know. I didn't ever realize what I was doing until it was already done."

"Yeah, but how? You didn't have a wand!"

Harry couldn't look at Ron. Everything that Dumbledore had told him during the night was still fresh in his mind-- being the heir of Godric Gryffindor. . .

But Ron wasn't to know anything of this. Harry could barely admit it to himself let alone anyone else.

He shook his head. "Ron, I honestly don't know how. Believe me, I wish I did. I suppose it was just . . . the energy of the moment."

"Like adrenaline?"

"Yeah-that's right."

Ron seemed to accept this, although Harry could tell he was still turning over ideas in his head. "Er. . . I was supposed to come in here to let you know that Sirius wants to see you. He was here at your bedside all this morning, but you didn't wake up."

Harry jumped to his feet. "Where is he?"

"His classroom, of course."

Harry threw on some trousers and a shirt. "He was here this morning?"

"Yeah. So was Hermione-- she wanted so much to talk to you, but didn't have the heart to wake you up."

"How is Hermione," he asked, running a comb through his hair.

"She seemed to be . . ."Ron paused and them grinned deviously. "she seemed to be very happy to see me."

Harry grinned and punched Ron on his shoulder. "You sly dog. I'll catch you in a bit-- gotta talk to Sirius!" And with that, he bolted down the corridor, out of the common room, down the staircases and made a beeline for Sirius' office. He burst in through the door, huffing, and spotted Sirius sitting on the side of his desk.

"Sirius!" Harry cried and ran to his side, throwing his entire weight on top of him. Sirius' arms held Harry tightly and protectively--

"Harry," he said warmly, "thank heavens you're all right! Let me look at you!"

Sirius studied his Godson. "Oh, you look a fright--"

"I'm fine Sirius, but you! Your leg--"

"Still a bit stiff, but Madame Pomfrey really is a miracle worker."

"I was worried sick! I didn't know if you'd--"

"I was perfectly fine, thanks to Hagrid here."

Harry looked up and found Hagrid smiling down at him. In Harry's excitement, he hadn't even noticed Hagrid who'd been standing there plain as day (which is really saying something since Hagrid wasn't exactly easy to miss!)

"Hagrid!" Harry shouted and landed him with a similar bear hug.

Hagrid chuckled. "There, there, Harry."

And then it hit him-- Hagrid still thought Sirius Black wasserial killer! He hated Sirius Black! Harry broke away from Hagrid, looking at Sirius apprehensively. "Er. . . Hagrid, d-do you know about who Professor Gray is--"

"Oh, aye, o' course! Dumbledore told me when term started! Told me the whole story, he did. Have to tell ya, I was dead relieved to hear it. 'Specially because it means you have real family, Harry."

Harry sighed in relief, and then turned back to Sirius. "I really thought I'd lost you, Sirius."

"You? Harry, I was the one who was worried sick! I thought I'd lost you!"

"Well, I promise that I'll never leave you, if you promise the same."

"It's a bargain," said Sirius and they hugged again.

"Well!" said Hagrid, "I have ter get goin'-- gotta finish up preparin' all yer finals, Harry!" He winked and then left the two alone.

Sirius' smile was soft, and his gaze was fixed on Harry. "Dumbledore-- he told me everything. And I am sorry to hear about Imelda. She was a wonderful lady."

Harry's throat tightened at the very mention of that name.

"And, I also hear that he. . . told you. About . . . well, about you know what."

Harry nodded.

"I just want you to know that I'm here, if you ever need to talk. It's not an easy thing to deal with. . ." he paused. "I was the first person that James told once he found out about who he was and I remained the only person-- save for Lily, of course."

"I will, Sirius." And then he paused, "Does. . . this mean that you're staying on as the Defense professor?"

Sirius bowed. "At your service. Finally putting to rest that silly superstition about the position, eh?"

"Oh everyone is gonna be thrilled! You're the best we've had since. . . Lupin!" He lowered his voice, "actually, you're better than Lupin, but don't tell him I said that!"

Sirius laughed and there was a knock on the door. Professor McGonagall entered.

"Oh!" said Harry, smiling upon sight of her, "Hello, Professor!"

"Good Afternoon, Harry," she said brightly. "It is indeed good to have you back with us!"

"Thank you, Professor."

"I'm here to tell you that Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you in his office, Mr. Potter. I hope you'll pardon the intrusion, Professor Gray?"

"Oh course," he said.

Harry waved good-bye to Sirius and followed McGonagall outside and down the hall towards the great Gargoyle entrance to Dumbledore's office. She announced the password ("Dillweed Pepper"), the Gargoyle moved aside, and Harry walked up the escalator-like staircase alone. He entered Dumbledore's charmingly untidy office and found him to be already waiting-- as was Sophie.

"Sophie!" Harry cried, his heart breaking upon seeing her face-- tired, drawn and eyes devoid of their usual magnetic spark.

"Hi Harry," she said, standing up, somewhat unsteadily.

It was the most unbelievable sensation: everything around him seemed to disappear into unimportance upon sight of her. And his pulse-- it was beating just as rapidly as it had last night when he was face to face with Voldemort! Not knowing or caring what was appropriate for such a moment, he came to her side and threw his arms around her.

Sophie's body fell comfortably into his embrace-- as though it had always belonged there. He buried his face into her soft hair and whispered quietly, "I'm sorry, Sophie. I'm so sorry. . ."

He could feel her tighten her grip upon him and her voice trembled as she spoke. "I'm just s-so glad you're here-- you have no idea--"

"No, I do," he said, pulling away to get a look at her face: her eyes were red and it looked like she must have been aching from fatigue. "I understand Sophie, and-- I'm here for you."

His own eyes were welling with tears and he cleared his throat, turning his attention to Dumbledore who had probably anticipated such a meeting and had been waiting patiently.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

"Hello, Harry. Feeling better today?"

"Oh yes-- thanks."

"Harry, I've called you here to ask you if you would perhaps accompany myself and Miss Banbury tomorrow morning. I am coming with Miss Banbury to inform her father of the situation and I understand that he is quite fond of you and you are of him?"

Harry nodded. "Yes-- yes and of course I'll go."

"Excellent. Then please meet us here at half past nine tomorrow morning. I have already sent an owl ahead to Mr. Banbury and he is expecting us there." He turned to Sophie. "That is all, Miss Banbury. Professor McGonagall is waiting downstairs to take you back to your room-- I believe Miss Granger will be up for a visit soon."

Sophie nodded and managed a smile-- albeit weakly-- and then turned to leave.

"Harry," said Dumbledore once she'd gone, "Have you read the news today?"

He handed Harry a copy of the morning's Daily Prophet. The headline read:

MINISTRY TO PREVENT POSSIBLE DISASTER.

In a bold move, the Ministry of Magic stormed a cave in the Caledonian Forest, which was housing a meeting of Dark Lord supporters. The meeting suggests that the dark movement is once again on the rise. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, is quoted as saying "the re-appearance of the Dark Lord himself is not only possible, but probable." He was quick to add, "however, the deplorable attempted deeds of the death eaters were thwarted thanks to the ministry, and we are currently launching a massive campaign to squelch all dark activity. There was one casualty to the Ministry: Imelda Banbury who served the ministry Special Investigations' department for over twelve years."

"Unbelievable," Harry breathed. "How can they print this rubbish?"

"It's called saving face." Dumbledore sighed. "At least Fudge knows that now the truth is undeniable. He has even asked to meet with me."

"I bet he's scared out of his wits."

"He's brought it upon himself. Everything that happened this weekend could have most likely been avoided had the ministry been on top of things. Now they'll be running to catch up." Dumbledore shook his head and then said, "Tomorrow. Half past nine, Harry."

"Yes, of course. Thank you sir."

**