DISCLAIMER: Mars is bright tonight.
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to jbfritz, for motivating me to get another chapter online. I haven't updated forever, because I've been too busy with school.
Chapter Six: The Legend of the Phoenix
September passed quickly, and the leaves began to change. Classes were continuing, and many students were spending hours studying in the common room. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were not a part of this trend. Their housemates were amazed that they could do all their homework in a few hours in the library. Of course, they weren't going to the library, and Tonks always gave them plenty of time in their nightly training sessions.
In the Room of Requirement, they were studying for their NEWTS. It involved a lot of memorization, but sometime in mid September, Hermione discovered the solution. If they organized their minds, they could store memories off in separate categories, and with their meditation, they could file the numerous facts and incantations away in their brain, and could access them at any time. Harry was progressing far faster than the others, because of his occulmency practice, but they were all progressing nicely. By the time Christmas break rolled around, they should have gotten all the facts they need to know for their NEWTS filed away.
The first week of October found Harry looking out the library window. Out on the Quidditch pitch was the Ravenclaw team. The first match of the season would be Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, and Harry wanted to be aware of what techniques the other team was planning to use. Gryffindor actually didn't have a team captain at this point. They were to vote on it the day before the match, but for now, everyone was just working together just fine, and there wasn't a need for central leadership.
Harry turned back to the bookshelves. For the first time, he noticed a red book, with a picture of a phoenix on the spine. He pulled it off the shelf, noting that it was titled The Legend of the Phoenix. He opened it to the first chapter.
The phoenix has been and always will be a creature of the light. Phoenix song is magical; it is reputed to increase the courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the impure. The phoenix is an immortal bird, and is the only know creature that has survived the Avada Kedavra killing curse.
To date, only five phoenixes have been discovered. It is rare for one to find a phoenix egg, and since no known phoenix have ever laid an egg, it is impossible to purchase a phoenix. The phoenix will choose its master.
Harry remembered the dream he had had back during the summer. Sliding the book into the pocket of his robe, he walked rapidly out of the library. Before long, he arrived at the gargoyles, which guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
"Canary Creams," said Harry, and the gargoyles opened. Harry climbed the revolving staircase, and knocked on the door.
"Come in," called Dumbledore.
"Professor," Harry began. "What do you know about phoenixes? I found this book—"
"The Legend of the Phoenix?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir, how did you know?"
"I found it too, many years ago, shortly before Fawkes joined me. The book is charmed. Only those worthy of being paired with a phoenix can see it."
"Worthy?"
"The phoenix is a creature of the light, as I'm sure you know. Only those strongly dedicated to the light can be paired with a phoenix. The phoenix chooses it's master, much like the wand chooses the wizard."
"Anyways, at the beginning, it says that there are only five phoenixes in existence. I didn't know they were that rare. I had a vision about all this, which brings me to the conclusion that there will only be seven phoenixes in total."
"Indeed, I have heard that theory before. Did Professor Binns ever teach you how wizards came to be?"
"I'm sure he did, but I don't remember," replied Harry.
"A long time ago, back when humans were created, Zeus also created another race of men: wizards. Zeus put Merlin in charge of these people, giving him more powers than any other wizard. It is rumored that Merlin is still alive today, watching over our world from another realm."
"So he is immortal?"
"No, no man can become immortal. Merlin died many thousands of years ago. We do not know much about death. In fact, we know nothing about it. Ghosts know a little, but they don't tell anyone about the next realm."
"How many phoenixes have been discovered so far?" Harry asked.
"Six so far. We know the properties of some of them better than others. The first phoenix is extremely special, as it is the only phoenix whose tears can counteract the basilisk poison. Anyways, I believe you will understand soon enough." Dumbledore ended the conversation, and Harry stood up.
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Potter Reader: Thanks for your review.
jbfritz Thank you for the motivation and reviews. Updates will be sporadic, and this is all I have now. I have some severe writers block now, so I need to figure out where to go with this.