Prophecies and Perils

So! This is a story that goes through the book the Order of the Phoenix. (Before anyone says anything, yes, I know there are 6 books out) This time, it will have helped to read the books (and I'll say there are spoilers for that book – and all the books before it) but if you haven't read the Harry Potter books, you can still follow along, because Jack hasn't read the things, either, and I'll do my best to explain things as we go along. No promises on how long or short this is going to be – or even where it's going to go – but stick around and I'll try to make it worth the read!

OOOOOOOO

"You've got to be kidding me."

"No."

"I'm not eating that."

"If you don't you're going to offend the High Priest, and that would be bad."

Jack scowled, and looked down at the plate that had been put in front of him. On it was a large pile of what looked like fuzzy spaghetti. It had been offered to him and SG-1, but since Jack was the leader of the team, he was expected to take the first bite. The only problem was the spaghetti was moving.

"How bad?"

Daniel looked at the group of people – most of them spiritual leaders of the small city that they'd gated close to only a few hours before. They were waiting for O'Neill to eat of their offering, and where a moment before there had been welcoming smiles, there were now frowns as they watched the hesitation of the leader of the strangers.

"Really bad."

"Carter?" Jack held the plate towards his second in command, a hopeful look in his eyes.

Sam shook her head. She looked green. Really green.

"Sorry, sir… I just can't…"

"The High Priest wouldn't like it if you passed it to Sam…" Daniel whispered. "Just eat one. It's not going to kill you. It's an honor."

"It's a caterpillar, Daniel. A twelve inch caterpillar."

"It's a delicacy."

"You don't know that."

"The High Priest ate one."

"I'm not-"

"Colonel?"

They all looked up as the High Priest's acolyte approached, his blue eyes wary.

"Ba'ndri…" Daniel said, nodding a greeting and looking at Jack.

"Is there a problem with the offering?"

"No. It's great." Daniel gave Jack a nudge, but O'Neill looked at the plate once more, and swallowed weakly. "Colonel O'Neill is just… uncertain he is worthy of your offering, that's all."

"It is a great honor," the acolyte agreed, smiling in relief. He'd been worried that the offering wouldn't be accepted, and that would cause strife that he wanted to avoid – especially since he was the one who had prepared the offering in the first place. "But all visitors who come through the Ring of Stone are given the honor of eating the First Delight…"

"What's the Second Delight?" Jack asked, curiously.

OOOOOOOO

Alarms sounded in the control room, and at the same moment the Stargate began to dial. Hammond came pelting down the stairs from his office, concerned. They only had one team offworld just then, and they hadn't been gone all that long. By the time he reached the main computer bank, the gate was active and techicians were already checking signals that were coming through.

"It's SG-1, sir," the sergeant at the computer said, looking down at his screen. "They're coming in hot."

"Open the iris."

The metal shield that protected the SGC from any would-be intruders swooshed open, and less than an instant later, three forms emerged from the event horizon, and tumbled down the ramp, head over heels, coming to a sudden stop at the bottom.

Hammond was already on his way out the door, and by the time Jack and Daniel managed to untangle themselves from Sam, the General had hurried over and looked down at them.

"Are you all right?"

Jack nodded, looking back over his shoulder towards the gate – as if to make sure that they hadn't been followed.

"Fine, sir."

"What happened?"

Daniel pushed himself to his feet.

"Nothing much. Jack just managed to insult an entire religion in less than fifteen minutes – it must be a record."

"I didn't insult them, Daniel."

"You refused to-"

"It was a twelve inch caterpillar."

Hammond reached down to help Carter to her feet.

"What are they talking about Major?"

She rubbed her shoulder – which was pretty sore from having Daniel land on it as they'd taken their tumble.

"The Loa'a probably won't want us to return to their planet, General."

Hammond scowled and looked at the others.

"I'll want to hear all about it in debriefing."

"Yes, sir."

"As soon as Doctor Fraiser has cleared you."

Jack sighed. All roads in the SGC led to the infirmary.

"Yes, sir." He stood up, dragging Daniel to his feet at the same time. "You know, this wouldn't have happened if Teal'c had been there to-"

He was interrupted by a cry of alarm and surprise, and a shrill noise that sounded like nothing Jack had ever heard. Reaching for his gun, he looked over – at the same time everyone else did. And saw a large… bird… swooping into the embarkation room, feathers trailing behind him in a scarlet plume that made Jack realize he'd seen something like that before.

Daniel recognized it even sooner than Jack could, and he stared in amazement – and just a little excitement.

"Fawkes!"