So, we've made it to the end of the first year. Year two is currently being re-written. I won't do a mass upload once I'm done, I'll probably get started on year three afterwards before I start posting year two on a regular schedule. I do hope those old-time readers and first-time readers liked this little...I guess teaser of the new Phoenix Malfoy story. This has literally been in the plans since the last time I finished the story. I went through two or three different versions of Phoenix's kidnapping and honestly felt like this was the best path. Feel free to disagree, but I've spent so long on this story now I probably take what you say with a grain of salt. Anyways, here is the last chapter of The Philosopher's Stone.

More at the bottom.

Phoenix wasn't sure how she got through her exams. Harry's emotions were practically boiling over with anxiety, it even seeped into Ron and Hermione. Everyone was so anxious, Phoenix could hardly keep her letters steady as she wrote about Emric the Evil. Or maybe she was thinking about Elfric the Eager. Phoenix pressed the heels of her palms to her forehead. Just another hour was all she had to answer all these questions. Phoenix wanted to put her head down and sleep. Ever since her night in detention Phoenix couldn't stop thinking about that hooded figure. It was Voldemort. She was sure of it, Harry was sure of it, but who would believe them? Certainly no professor, not without proof.

The weather wasn't helping her nerves either. Somehow it had gotten out of her control and was sweltering hot. Slowly final exams ticked by, and Fluffy was still alive behind the locked door on the third floor. Phoenix just had to survive her last exam and she'd be free for a whole week until the exam results came out. Narcissa and Lucius did nothing to ease her troubles. They'd sent a letter after the incident in the forest making threats against Dumbledore and the school. Then, they'd gone on to make Phoenix worry about the final exams, even though there was no saving her now. She knew what she knew, and what she didn't know she didn't. It was too late now to worry about what she didn't know, and she could only hope that what she did know would be acceptable enough to get into the next grade and get Narcissa and Lucius's constant worrying off her back.

"Those exams were far easier than I thought they would be." Hermione said as they joined the crowds of students walking out onto the sunny castle lawn. The whole school seemed to sigh with relief. All the tension in the air was gone, and Phoenix could breathe easily for the first time in weeks. "I needn't have learned about the sixteen-thirty seven werewolf code of conduct." Hermione was most relieved of all, having over-studied, but memorized everything.

Ron told Hermione to stop talking about the exams and enjoy the rest of their day. The four sat under a tree just at the line between grass and sand on the edge of the Black Lake. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were there as well with their own group of friends. The three boys tossed rocks at the tentacles sticking out of the water, and tickled the tentacles when they reached towards the shore.

"No more studying." Ron stretched out on the grass, he kicked off his shoes and wiggled his socked feet in the sunshine. Hermione sat next to him, her body in the shade, but her legs in the sun. She laid a book on her lap which cause Ron to gag and roll over. He looked at Phoenix and Harry who sat in the shade of the trees.

"You both could look more happy, we've got a week before we find out how poorly we did." Ron joked.

Phoenix said nothing, her mind was numb from stress, and she laid her head on Harry's shoulder. She was content with taking a nap on his side and did just that until he reached up to rub his forehead. Phoenix opened her eyes.

"I wish I knew what this means." Harry whined, pressing his palm to his scar. "My scar keeps hurting," Phoenix pulled his hands away from his forehead to see if it was perhaps irritated or red in some way. It wasn't. She looked at him confused and he answered her unasked question, "It's hurt before, but never like this."

"Relax." Ron settled back into the grass, he yawned, "the stone is safe as long as Dumbledore is around."

With that said, the four fell into a comfortable silence. The hot day made Phoenix light headed and she closed her eyes once more. She let the sound of the lake, Fred, George and Lee Jordan's laughter, the distant murmur of different student groups talking, and the wind between the trees lull her to sleep. She dreamt she was flying over clouds, she wasn't scared, and everything was glowing softly. Phoenix dipped her hands into the clouds as she soared. It was soft, and wet, but also somehow sweet.

"I've just remembered something!" Harry popped up suddenly. Phoenix was jolted awake. Her skin felt tense and there seemed to be a blue filter over her eyes. She blinked a few times to adjust to the sunlight. "Something important!" Harry continued, "We've got to go see Hagrid! Now!" He said. He pulled Phoenix along behind him, and she turned to see Hermione following and Ron further back, putting on his shoes as he hopped after them.

"Why?" Hermione panted, she'd caught up with them, but was struggling to keep up.

"Don't you think it's odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon?" Harry asked, Ron had now caught up, "and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? Why didn't I see it before?"

"See what?" Phoenix asked. But Harry didn't answer, he just kept running towards Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was on the front steps playing a flute into the warm breeze.

"Hagrid! Who gave you the dragon egg?" Harry asked urgently. Hermione and Ron caught up, completely winded and out of breath.

"I told ya, a chap I met at the pub." Hagrid set his flute down and looked at the four with concern.

"But what did he look like?" Harry specified.

Hagrid seemed taken back by this, "I dunno," he answered honestly, "he had his cloak on the whole time."

Harry grew frustrated, "What did you two talk about?" He pressed.

Hagrid was confused but obliged, "Well he was askin' if I was in the market for a dragon, and I says I am, and then he goes askin if I'm able to take care of one," Hagrid burrowed his bushy brows as he remembered that night, "And I says after Fluffy, ain't no beast I can't handle. Just play some music," he held up his flute, "and he'll go right to sleep."

"Oh no." Harry breathed, he turned on his heel and ran back towards the castle.

"Now, hold on," Hagrid tried to call after them.

"Sorry, Hagrid!" Phoenix called over her shoulder as she raced after Harry. Her shoes slapped hard on the stone floor and echoed through the empty hallways. No one else even had an inkling of what was to come if Snape got by Fluffy.

"Professor!" Harry called out as he raced into McGonagall's classroom. Phoenix, Ron, and Hermione all came skidding to a stop behind Harry. "Professor, we have to speak to Professor Dumbledore now."

"Well I'm afraid you can't do that." McGonagall looked at the four with wide concerned eyes. She was grading finals and looked genuinely shocked to be disrupted.

"But it's an emergency!" Harry insisted. Phoenix could sense his urgency and nodded when McGonagall looked at her.

"Well," she breathed out, "Professor Dumbledore was called to the Ministry of Magic for an emergency and left immediately. I'm afraid he is no longer here-"

"Professor, someone is going to steal the Philosopher's Stone." Harry interrupted.

McGonagall paused, "now I have no idea how you four know about the stone, but I can assure you it is perfectly safe." Her words were sharp and tight. "And you should be glad I don't take points for snooping around and barging in while I grade finals. Now I would like the four of you to return to your dormitories, immediately." McGonagall added as the four dragged themselves out of the room.

"We've got to get by that trapdoor," Harry said once they were out of the room, "tonight."

"But we've already lost so many points." Phoenix pointed out. She'd never survive the summer if Slytherin got the House Cup. Draco would make sure of that. They were almost to the Gryffindor Tower.

"If Voldemort comes back," Harry whispered low so the Fat Lady couldn't hear him, "House points will be the least of our worries." He was right, but it didn't stop her stomach from doing flips. They stayed in a back corner of the common room to plan their attack on the trap door. Not that it mattered where they sat since most students were out celebrating the end of exams.

The plan seemed simple on paper. Use the invisibility cloak to sneak down to Fluffy. If he was already asleep then they could just get to Snape quicker. If not, Harry had a flute Hagrid carved for him for Christmas that he would attempt to use to lull Fluffy to sleep. From there it was a matter of catching up to Snape and getting past whenever tricks the professors had set up. Simple.

What they didn't account for when they all came down to the common room at midnight was Trevor, Neville's toad croaking on an armrest.

"Oh no, Trevor." Harry was first to spot the toad.

"Trevor, shh!" Ron hushed, "you shouldn't be here!" He hissed under his breath.

"Neither should you." Neville leaned forward from a chair turned away from them. He stood up and advanced upon them, "You're sneaking out again, aren't you?" He accused.

"Neville, please," Phoenix tried to step between everyone. Neville was angry and upset, he felt betrayed, and Phoenix didn't blame him. But, she concentrated on his emotions, "maybe," she thought, "I can get him to calm down."

"No!" Neville shook his head, Phoenix felt like her magic was thrown back in her face, "I won't let you. You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again! I-I-I'll fight you!" He held his fists up in a poor attempt to start a fight.

"Neville," Hermione stepped up behind Phoenix, "I'm really, really sorry about this." She pulled out in wand and in one fluid motion said, "Petrificus Totalus." Neville's body seized up, his eyes wide, arms stiffly at his side. He fell back with a thud!

"Neville!" Phoenix ran over to make sure he was fine.

"You're a little scary sometimes." Ron mumbled, "brilliant! But scary." He added.

"Let's go." Harry moved by Neville, helping Phoenix up as he walked, "sorry."

"Sorry." Phoenix apologized.

"Sorry." Hermione stepped around him.

"It's for your own good, you know?" Ron said and they gathered behind the portrait.

"Alright." Harry said, unfolding the invisibility cloak, "remember the plan. But if anything goes wrong, go find help." They nodded. Phoenix kept her hands curled up in her sleeves. They'd either stop Voldemort, or lose so many house points that they'd be in the negatives clear until their seventh year! They walked slowly, making sure their feet didn't make a sound when they walked. Hermione and Phoenix led the way, both quicker and wiser with spell casting.

"Ow, you stepped on my foot." Hermione breathed under her breath.

"Sorry." Ron called up. They were now in the third floor corridor. The only thing they'd come across on their slow journey was the occasional ghost flitting by.

"Alohomora." Hermione whispered, she poked her wand out from under the cloak at the door holding Fluffy back. It unlocked.

So far, it seemed like the Stone was safe. But perhaps Snape had simply locked the door behind him. Phoenix hated how twisted her stomach felt. They slipped inside, closing the door behind then as quietly as they could. Fluffy was breathing deeply, and hadn't seemed to notice them.

"Wait a minute," Harry said, "he's," Fluffy blew hot air out on them, blowing the cloak off, "snoring."

Sure enough all three heads were dozing away, and if Fluffy wasn't a beast hell bent on eating every living thing in sight he'd make one adorable dog. Phoenix briefly remembered a time when she tried convincing her mother to get her a dog. She gripped her wand tighter, "now is not the time to daydream!" She scolded herself.

After looking around Phoenix pointed to a harp in the corner, "Snape's already been through." She said. The harp was playing gently in the corner by itself, enchanted with some self-playing spell.

Fluffy breathed out again, "ugh," Ron griped, "he's got horrible breath."

Fluffy's front paws were on top of the trap door, "come on, let's move it." Harry said, bending down and gripping the paw that was nearly four times his size. Ron groaned, but bent down with the other three to slide Fluffy's paw to the side. One of the heads adjusted and flopped against the wall, one of its ears sticking up in a silly way. Hermione pulled the trap door open and they looked into the pitch black hole.

"I'll go first," Harry said, kneeling down, "don't follow until I give you a sign." Phoenix nodded. Her whole body felt frozen, yet she knew she had to push forward. "If something bad happens," Harry continued, "Get. Yourselves. Out." The three nodded in agreement and Harry turned to Phoenix in confusion, "does it seem a bit quiet to you?" He asked.

"The harp," Hermione realized, she and Ron turned to look at it, "it stopped playing."

Ron gave out a loud cry of disgust and Phoenix saw a trail of slime leading from his shoulder up. The four turned their heads upwards to find three angry heads growling down at them. Fluffy had woken up!

"Jump!" Harry shouted, he tossed himself into the hole, Phoenix followed, and she could hear Ron and Hermione do the same. For a moment she felt weightless! Phoenix decided she'd never fly or jump from a height again. She hated the sensation! Then, just as suddenly as the feeling came it was knocked out of her by landing flat on her back. She rolled out of the way just in time to avoid being squashed by Ron and Hermione.

Only a single beam of moonlight came in, but she could no longer hear Fluffy, so they must have fallen a great distance. "Lucky this plant was here." Ron breathed deeply. It was lucky. Thick dark vines twisted around the room. There seemed to be no end to them. Some vines were thick, others were thin, but they all had the same distinct soft, springy feel. Phoenix furrowed her brow, running her hands over the vines in a desperate attempt to remember where she'd felt this texture before.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats as they tried to calm down.

"Whoa!" Harry backed away from Ron. Several tendrils were now moving towards the four. Phoenix let out a scream when two tightly wrapped around her ankles and stomach. She pulled at the vines around her stomach when two thicker vines wrapped around her shoulders, snaked down her body, and pinned her arms to her sides. More were wrapping around her and Phoenix squirmed uncomfortably. It was getting harder to breathe!

"Stop moving!" Hermione suddenly cried out, "this is Devil's Snare, you have to relax. If you don't it will only kill you faster." Phoenix could see Hermione sitting still, buried in a cocoon of vines.

"Kill us faster?!" Ron shouted and yanked against the vines. "Oh, NOW I can relax!" The vines gave a great groan and Phoenix saw Hermione slip under the plants.

"Hermione!" They all screamed. Phoenix heart was pounding wildly! A vine cover her eyes and wrapped tightly around her throat. She took a few deep breaths before her mouth was covered and then she felt herself falling.

"Phoenix!" She opened her eyes to see the plant suspended above her, Hermione was kneeling beside her. The boys were now screaming.

"Now what do we do?" Ron shouted.

Hermione helped Phoenix up, "just relax!" She shouted, "trust me!"

Just then the vines opened up and Harry fell down. Phoenix ran over to him, "are you alright?" He landed on his side.

Harry stood up and shook his head to clear his thoughts, "I'm fine." He reassured her, "He's not relaxing is he?" They all looked up at the plant. Ron was screaming his head off.

"We've got to do something!" Hermione said.

Phoenix tried to remember what Professor Sprout had taught them about Devil's Snare.

"What?" Harry asked urgently.

Phoenix squeezed her eyes shut and mumbled Professor Sprouts lectures under her breath when suddenly, "Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare," she thought back to Herbology, "is deadly fun, but will sulk in the sun!" She looked up at Hermione and Harry who looked at her in confusion.

Seconds later Hermione's eyes widened with realization, "Devil's Snare hates sunlight!" Both pulled out and pointed their wands up at the plant.

"Lumos Solem!"

The plant seemed to roar as it dropped Ron at their feet. He landed on his shoulder and Harry helped him stand. "Whew, lucky we didn't panic." Ron brushed himself off.

"Lucky these two pay attention in Herbology." Harry corrected.

They stood around in silence collecting their breath when a small skittering and screeching sound became audible from the next room. They went silent straining to listen to the sound. What would be waiting behind the next door? Spiders? Killer pineapples and teacups? Enchanted furniture? Phoenix dreaded finding out. "Pull yourself together! We've got to stop Snape." She told herself.

"What is that?" Hermione fearfully asked. Phoenix stepped closer to her, ready to hightail it and run. Run where? She didn't know. Escape how? She didn't care. Her thoughts of stopping Snape had disappeared by the time they reached the door.

"I dunno." Harry stepped closer and closer to the door. The door opened with ease and the four stepped into a large empty chamber.

Moonlight filtered in from windows high on the wall, there were stone pillars and arches supporting the room, and glistening tiny creatures flew lazily around the room.

"Curious." Hermione mused, "I've never seen birds like this before."

There was a beat of silence where they just watched the creatures for a moment. "They're not birds." Harry realized, "they're keys. He walked into a pool of moonlight, pointing ahead, "and I'll bet one of them fits that door."

Ron marched over to the door, Hermione behind him, "Alohomora!" Ron yanked at the door but it was no use.

Hermione groaned and turned back to look at the flying keys, "what are we going to do? There must be a thousand keys up there!"

Ron turned back to the door and looked closely at the lock, "we're looking for a big old fashioned one." Phoenix scanned the keys above her, but they all looked the same. "Probably rusty like the lock."

"There!" Harry pointed up, Ron and Hermione ran over to see where he was pointing, "I see it! The one with the broken wing!"

Phoenix spotted the key flying lower and slower than the rest. It's wing was crumpled and it had an odd fluttering limp that made it seem like it was bobbing along. Phoenix turned to look at Harry when he lowered his hand slowly. "What's wrong, Harry?" She asked.

Harry looked at the broom, then at Phoenix, and then Ron and Hermione, "It's too simple." He warned.

"Oh, go on, Harry!" Ron encouraged, "if Snape can catch it on that old broomstick, you can-You're the youngest seeker in a century!" Hermione and Phoenix nodded in agreement.

Harry took and breath and nodded. Phoenix ran over to stand beside Ron and Hermione to watch. Harry gripped the broomstick and instantly the keys seemed the shriek at him. They swarmed downward and the three watched in horror as Harry swatted the keys away, desperately trying to mount his broom and take off. Once he was in the air, it was a race to catch the broken key (which had suddenly started flying much faster) and avoid the swarming keys.

"This complicates things a bit." Ron glanced at the girls.

Phoenix bounced on her toes, her eyes not leaving Harry for a second. He weaved between pillars and pulled backwards over arches, climbing and diving after the key. Ron was right, Harry was the youngest seeker ever! If anyone could catch the key it was Harry.

"Catch the key!" Harry shouted.

He came down low, pulling up in time to avoid crashing as he threw the key down. Hermione leapt into the air, catching the key, and running to the door. Phoenix and Ron were right behind her looking fervently between Hermione struggling with the key, and Harry slowly losing space between himself and the keys.

"Hurry up!" Ron seemed to voice Phoenix's concern.

Finally after what felt like ages the key stopped wiggling and the door swung open. Phoenix and Hermione stepped further into the hall, pressing themselves to opposite walls while Ron stood by the door. Harry whooshed by in a streak of red and Ron slammed the door shut. They could hear the keys slamming into the door, some sticking and splintering the wood and others bouncing off. Harry pulled back on the broom at the end of the hall and jumped off of it like it was poisonous. It fell inanimate to the ground.

Phoenix ran over, grabbing Harry's shoulder, "are you alright?" His sweater had a open cut by his collarbone, and aside from a few scratches he seemed fine.

He nodded and swallowed hard, "you?" She nodded back. "Ron? Hermione?" They caught up at the end of the hall.

"Alright." Ron answered truthfully.

"I'll be much better if the next room is turning a mouse into a matchbox." Hermione sighed tiredly.

Phoenix rubbed her eyes, realizing how tired she was. She wanted to stop and sit for a second, but knew the others were too wired to sit still. She carried on and walked through the next door with the other three, her feet feeling heavy.

The room was dark, with torches scattered on the walls being their only light. Several statues were scattered around the edge of the room, and more stood in the center in several rows.

"What is this?" Hermione breathed, they could see their breath, "some sort of graveyard?"

"No." Ron stepped forward, a distant sound of realization in his voice, "It's a chessboard." Just then torches along the board lit up and a skylight allowed moonlight to beam directly overhead. They were standing behind the black team, and there were several empty spaces. Across the room, blocking the door, was the white team with all of their pieces in place.

"Look!" Harry pointed, "there's the door." They all stepped up to Ron and began walking across the board together.

"It can't be that easy." Phoenix thought to herself. Just as they reached the white line, all of the pawns drew their two swords and crossed them over with their neighbors swords. They were blocked off from crossing on foot. The four stepped back, tense as the statues made no other sound or move. Once they were across the halfway point of the board the pawns returned their swords to their sides.

"Now what do we do?" Phoenix asked.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Ron asked, "we play our way around the room." Ron stood before the other three and took a breath. He was in his element. "Alright, Harry, you take the empty Kings square. Phoenix the Bishop, Hermione the queen." He instructed.

"What about you?" Hermione asked.

"Me?" Ron scanned the black team's side, "I'll be a knight." He said confidently. The four stood in the back row, Ron on the knight's horse, Phoenix in the Bishop square beside him, Hermione next to her, and Harry next to Hermione.

They waited for a moment. Nothing happened. "Now what?" Phoenix asked.

"Well," Ron gripped the metal reigns, "White goes first and then," he swallowed hard, "we play."

A white pawn slid forward on the board. It's stone body scrapped along the floor until it came to a stop. "Ron?" Hermione spoke up, "do you think this will be like actual wizards chess?"

Ron chewed on his lip, thinking. "You there!" He shouted and pointed to a pawn, "D-five!" The black pawn moved forward and came to a stop catty corner to the white pawn. Suddenly, the white pawn pulled out its swords and swung out at the black pawn. The black pawn did nothing to defend himself, shattering to pieces as the swords cut through him like hot knives through butter. The white pawn then grabbed the pedestal the black pawn was on and the four watched in horror as it flung the base off the board. The white pawn returned to its inanimate state.

"Yes Hermione." Ron swallowed hard, "I think this is going to be exactly like wizards chess."

The game began and Ron did his best to keep the four of them out of harm's way. Their rook destroyed the white rook. White took down their other bishop. Slowly, piece by piece fell until it was just a single pawn, Ron, Harry, Phoenix, and Hermione standing for black.

Ron was taking an awfully long time with his next move, studying the board carefully. "Phoenix, I'm going to move the other knight to protect you."

Phoenix nodded, "okay."

"Just be careful. The queen could either go after you or me. She should go after me since I'm closer to Harry and her whole goal is to get Harry and Hermione." Ron explained. "Knight to Bishops front." He ordered. The stone and metal horse slid in front of Phoenix and blocked her view of the board. White made its move.

"Look out!"

Phoenix stretched her body, feeling her muscles pull to their limit until she felt like she would pop. She snuggled back into bed before realizing she was in fact in a bed! She sat up with a start, looking around for Snape or any of her friends. Her vision grew fuzzy and her head felt light, but she quickly regained her vision and realized she was in the hospital wing. Ron was on a bed similar to hers across the aisle. Turning, she saw Harry in a bed next to hers. They were both bandaged pretty badly. They had cuts and bruises on them, Harry had his arm in a splint and Ron had bandages around his head. What happened after she blacked out? She remembered the chess game.
One of the moves Ron made- "ow!" Phoenix whispered, pressing the palms of her hands to her forehead. It hurt to think about it. Her heart was pounding like a beast trying to escape a cage, she could feel cold sweat on her back and silently prayed that she didn't leave a stain anywhere. Phoenix took a few deep breaths trying to calm her heart and stop her hands from shaking. She was relieved that everyone was okay, but what had happened to the stone? Did Snape find it and give it to Voldemort? Were they too late?

She looked up and nearly choked on her breath. Dumbledore was at the end of her bed silently staring at her. "Pr-professor," she stumbled, scooting back in bed so she could sit up properly. Dumbledore smiled at her.

"You know, I never took you for the mischievous kind, Miss Malfoy." Dumbledore spoke gently, holding the edge of the bed. Phoenix gripped the bed sheet, she wasn't sure what she was anymore. "Though i should have expected it." Phoenix looked at her lap in shame. "Especially," Phoenix looked up through her loose and tangled hair, "considering who raised you." Dumbledore whispered just loud enough for her to hear. He winked one of his twinkling blue eyes.

"Mom?" Phoenix whispered back, feeling the cold sweat down her back again.

Dumbledore gave her a knowing nod, "She's safe. For now." Dumbledore walked around the side of her bed and sat in one of the chairs between her bed and Harry's bed. "Though I think it best you don't hold out for a letter just yet."

"Is everything alright? How far is she?" Phoenix fired off her questions, "will I ever see her again?" She thought to herself.

Dumbledore held out a hand, which Phoenix took, "Mary is doing some very important work for me." He explained in a low whisper, "one that will change everything." He nodded to one side, motioning to the sleeping Boy Who Lived behind him.

"She's okay?" Phoenix asked.

"She is." Dumbledore answered with a nod. "And will no doubt love to hear your tale of mischief once she is done with work." He stood to leave.

"Professor!" Phoenix latched onto his maroon and sapphire robe. She sheepishly let go when Dumbledore turned back to her in surprise. "What happened to the stone?"

"Ah," Dumbledore hummed in response, "I'm sure you will hear it eventually." He mused, "Professor Quirrell was acting as a host to Lord Voldemort. Together they seeked the stone to return Lord Voldemort to his former self. The stone has been returned to Mr. Flamel, and will be destroyed."

But I thought Professor Snape," Dumbledore winked and Phoenix closed her mouth. Something told her that Snape was a secret for another day. "But Flamel-his life, and his wife," Phoenix thought about how scared they must be. To have lived such long lives, seen nations rise and fall, creatures that no longer existed, magic no longer practiced, or languages no longer spoken! To have lived through everything only to come to the decision to die. "What will happen to them?" Phoenix asked.

"I'm sure Mr. Flamel will have produced enough Elixir of Life to get his affairs in order." Dumbledore pondered aloud.

"I hope so." Phoenix said.

"And at least Nicholas and Perenelle will have lived a long and fulfilled life." Something twinkled in Dumbledore's eyes and Phoenix felt her sadness drip away. The old man smiled at her, and Phoenix smiled back. "Now," he gave her shoulder a pat, "I think you should rest up some more before rejoining your classmates." And with that, Dumbledore was walking out of the hospital wing.

Phoenix let go of the breath she'd been holding and snuggled back down into the bed. She still had no clue what happened after the chess board, but she figured the others could tell her once they all woke up. She dreamt of towering chess pieces pushing her to the edge of a cliff where an open grave was waiting below. But, before she could fall, someone whisked by and scooped her up. "It's okay, Nixy," Phoenix couldn't see Mary but she could feel her smile. "I'm here." Phoenix smiled in her sleep.

When Phoenix woke up hours later it was to Madam Pomfrey placing bottles down by her beside. "Ah, good, you're awake." Madam Pomfrey said. She poured a strange liquid onto a spoon. "Can you sit up?" The spoon levitated next to the matron.

Phoenix pushed herself up on her elbows, "I think so." She nodded and she pushed herself up to a sitting position. "What is that?" She asked looking at the spoon.

"Medicine. To help with your concussion." Madam Pomfrey took the spoon out of the air. "It will taste horrid." She warned, holding the spoon out. Phoenix took a breath, prepping herself for the worst.

The moment the liquid hit her tongue Phoenix wanted to gag. It tasted like a disgusting mixture of chalk, vinegar, mold, and something that was pretending to be a fruit! Not that Phoenix had ever tasted mold, but she was sure if she did, it would taste like the medicine. Madam Pomfrey made sure Phoenix swallowed every drop before handing her a glass of water. Phoenix greedily drank all of it in one go, despite Madam Pomfrey's protests, wanting the taste of the medicine gone.

"So," Phoenix gasped for air after drinking a second glass of water, "I had a concussion?"

"Yes," Madam Pomfrey answered, "took a nasty hit," she reached into the drawer of her bedside table and pulled out a small hand mirror. Phoenix thanked her and carefully took it, bracing herself once more for the worst. When she turned the mirror towards herself she found that she couldn't quite focus both eyes on her reflection, and she had a large patch of gauze on the side of her head.
"Whoa," Phoenix breathed. It was probably the worst injury she'd ever received. And she couldn't even remember what happened. Phoenix thanked her again and handed the mirror back. "Where's Hermione?"

"Miss Granger only suffered minor bruising and cuts from your little excursion." Madam Pomfrey glared down the end of her nose. "She was healed up almost immediately and sent to bed."

Phoenix nodded, feeling only a little ashamed for going after the stone. After Phoenix was allowed to go to the bathroom, wash her body off with a washcloth (Madam Pomfrey didn't want to expose the wound for another twelve hours, so Phoenix couldn't soak in a bath or shower), and put on a clean pair of pajamas Madam Pomfrey allowed Phoenix to go back to sleep.

The next morning, Phoenix was greeted by Ron and his brothers. "Mum's in a tizzy, she is." One twin said, "said she had half a mind to come here and shake Dumbledore by his beard."

Phoenix kept her eyes closed, she wasn't ready to talk to anyone just yet. "It wasn't that dangerous." Ron grumbled, he sounded like he wanted to go back to sleep. "Just some plants, keys, and chess. But I guess you could say we are the heroes of Hogwarts." Ron sounded pleased with himself before he yawned and grew quieter.

"Regardless of how 'heroic' your deeds MAY have been." Percy huffed, "not only did you and your friends get hurt, but you lost Gryffindor an immeasurable amount of House Points. Slytherin is going to win the House Cup. Again." Phoenix squeezed her eyes shut in annoyance. She'd never hear the end of it from Draco if Slytherin won the House Cup over Gryffindor.

"How are the others doing?" One of the twins asked.

"I dunno." Phoenix could almost hear the shrug in Ron's voice. "Madam Pomfrey said Phoenix was awake yesterday."

"What about Harry?" The other twin asked.

After a long pause Ron sighed out, "Dunno." Phoenix could tell he was disappointed with his answer.

"Alright you three, move aside." Madam Pomfrey came whisking down the aisle. "Mr. Ronald needs a good breakfast to help get him back on his feet."

"Better than back on his face." One of the twins snickered.

"Honestly, this is an improvement on his normal face." The other twin laughed.

"Laugh all you want, Mr. Weasleys." Madam Pomfrey said. "But you and your brother have spent many nights here with worse injures from Quidditch. Mr. Ronald's cuts and bumps can easily be healed." She set a tray down, "permanent brain damage cannot." Phoenix wished she was sitting up to see the look on everyone's faces. Ron laughed as he ate.

"Ah." Madam Pomfrey sighed and she loomed over Phoenix, "you're awake. Good. How is your vision?"

Hermione was sitting next to Phoenix's bed, sleeping with a book on her lap. "Still a little blurry." Phoenix answered.

"And it probably will be for another day or so." Madam Pomfrey replied, she sat a tray of food down next to Phoenix's bed. She brought the tray onto her lap. There was a glass of orange juice, two eggs, bacon, seasoned potatoes, and two slices of buttered toast.

Before Phoenix could even take a bite, Ron asked, "how's your head Phoenix?"

Hermione stretched and yawned. She looked around and smiled at Phoenix when she noticed she was awake. "It's fine." Phoenix looked at the four Weasley siblings. "Just feel a little woozy."

"I don't blame you." Hermione said, looking unhappy.

"It wasn't my fault!" Ron defended himself before Phoenix could ask what was wrong.

"What happened?" Phoenix asked. Ron and Hermione looked at her in surprise.

"You don't remember?" Ron asked.

"No." Phoenix answered. She dug into her eggs and potatoes while she waited for an answer.

"Ronald, the self proclaimed chess master," Hermione began, "made a move where the other knight protecting you was checked. The whole horse,"

"It wasn't my fault!" Ron interrupted. "It looked like that pawn was between the knight and the rook!"

"You dropped a horse on a bird?" One of the twins asked.

"No!" Ron protested. "The rook for the whites was closer than I could see! I didn't know our pawn wasn't there protecting the knight that was protecting her!" He argued.

"So you not only broke a thousand school rules, lost Gryffindor any chance of winning the house cup, got yourself injured, but you also messed up so bad," Percy was ticking things off his fingers, "that an entire horse fell on Phoenix?! She could have been killed!"

"It was made entirely out of metal." Hermione added. That wasn't entirely true, Phoenix was sure they were also made of stone. The ache in her bones said so.

Percy stuttered for words, "an entire metal horse?!"

"It was hallow inside!" Ron added.

"Still, mate, an entire horse?" One twin asked.

"It's okay, Ron." Phoenix said above the growing fight. Everyone stopped to look at her, "I'm fine. And Dumbledore said that everything was going to be okay." Ron and Hermione looked relieved. Madam Pomfrey came back to take Ron's empty breakfast tray and usher his brothers out.

"They're mental." Ron huffed once they were gone.

"Yeah," Phoenix absentmindedly agreed. "Wait, you dropped a horse on me?" It was as if all the pain the medicine was blocking was fading fast. Phoenix remember a looming shape falling towards her, then pain and darkness.

"It was an accident!" Ron groaned, sinking back into his pillow, "I didn't mean for it to happen!" Hermione and Phoenix giggled at his frustration. Ron sat back up, "and a horse fell on me too!"

"No," Hermione corrected with a grin, "you fell off a horse."

"Because it was stabbed!" Ron argued.

"Enough!" Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, "none of you will feel better with all this arguing." She marched towards them, towels floating behind her, "Now, Phoenix will go wash up, then report right back here for another dosage."

After cleaning and being rebandaged Phoenix, Ron, and Hermione played a game of exploding snap, which was hard to play when Madam Pomfrey explicitly told them not to play it. Phoenix felt woozy from the fumes the exploding cards gave off and her reflexes became slower and slower. Hermione left around Lunch time and told Phoenix and Ron that she would try to come back before supper. She kept her word, and brought Seamus, Dean Thomas, and Neville with her.

"Heard you bit the dust something good." Seamus joked. Phoenix was steady enough to sit beside Ron's bedside, Hermione sat at the foot of the bed, Neville on the other side of the bed, and Seamus and Dean Thomas in chairs they pulled over.

"Guess so. Lucky for You-Know-Who." Phoenix joked, "I would have sent him running to death." The six played Gobstones, switching out when someone lost.

It was an uneventful day after Hermione and the others went back to Gryffindor Tower. It was just Phoenix while Ron cleaned up, and she had to keep her head tilted at an odd angel so Madam Pomfrey could re-bandage her head. By supper the next day Phoenix was given a clean bill of health and was dismissed from the hospital wing. "How long until Ron gets better?" Phoenix asked as the matron walked her out of the hospital wing.

"Oh, he'll be fine by morning." Madam Pomfrey reassured her. Phoenix waved goodbye to Ron, who was turning away from the spoonful of medicine floating in front of his mouth. She turned and walked towards the Great Hall. Most everyone was already seated in the Great Hall, waiting eagerly for supper to start.

Phoenix had a moments silence and peace to think about her last school year. She paused by a window looking out on the grounds. Phoenix never expected when she got on the train in September that it would be the last time she saw her mother. Mary. "Where are you?" Phoenix whispered to the woods in the distance, hoping Mary might hear her one day. She slowly continued on her way to the Great Hall.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked once Phoenix sat down at the table.

"I'm fine." Phoenix answered, she looked around. Everything was so perfectly normal Phoenix could have guessed that the sorcerer's stone had never been in any danger in the first place. She spotted Neville glancing at her and Hermione, she smiled and waved to him. Being caught, Neville quickly attempted a glare before turning away.

"He's trying to play 'upset' because everyone is still mad." Hermione whispered.

"They're all mad," the Weasley twins slid down to their bare part of the table.

"Because of you four we've lost all chances of the House Cup." The other said.

"But we also saved the school." Phoenix pointed out. It apparently didn't matter. Neville, Seamus, and Dean Thomas only gave Phoenix and Hermione passing smiles if no one else was around, but they didn't dare approach the girls.

Ron was not released the following day and when they went to Madam Pomfrey she snuffly turned them away with, "He needs more rest." Bored out of their minds, Phoenix suggested they go to the lake and sit in the sun with everyone else enjoying the weeklong break from classes. Hermione agreed under the condition that they borrow second year books from the professors and get a head start for next year. Phoenix and Hermione sat where the shade met the sun and warmed their bare toes where the grass met the sand.

Phoenix barely concentrated on the words on the page, she kept looking up at the people on the shore who were relaxing or splashing in the lake.

"Fascinating." Hermione would mumble occasionally. Phoenix was sure the book was fascinating, but she could save it for another day.

"Look out!" Phoenix turned and saw a barrel hurtling at them at top speed.

"Hermione!" Phoenix shoved Hermione sideways and threw herself backwards. Hermione let out a startled scream and looked at Phoenix like she'd gone mental.

Just then the barrel went flying between the two and down towards the water, tearing up sand and dirt. One of the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan came running down after it. Their eyes were wide and they stopped near the girls to catch their breath.

"What was that?" Hermione demanded.

"That," Lee took a breath, "Was Fred."

Phoenix turned in time to see the barrel crash through through another group of friends before splashing into the lake. "Is he alright?" She asked.

Phoenix and Hermione stood, George put his hands on his knees breathing heavily, and Lee had his hands on his hips, his back slightly curved back, and was breathing roughly through his teeth. For a moment, nothing happened, the barrel just rolled with the small tide on the shore, then a thumbs up came out of the open part of the barrel.

"Yes!" Lee clapped his hands over his head.

George let out a sigh of relief.

"He could have gotten hurt!" Hermione said, following George and Lee. Phoenix didn't give her book a second glance as she dropped it and followed the others.

"Ah," George shrugged off her concern, "he's fine." He made it to the barrel and turned it sideways so they could see Fred curled up inside. "How you doing Freddie?"

"Swimmingly." Fred joked. His eyes were unfocused and water had splashed into the barrel making him cough. He was drenched and disoriented, but he managed to pull himself mostly out of the barrel before he fell into the water. Lee and George howled with laughter and Phoenix gave a light laugh. Hermione's lips were tight.

"Honestly, what were you thinking?" Hermione out her hands on her hips.

"Lighten up." Fred closed his eyes tightly. "Didn't think I'd go so fast."

"You could have gotten very hurt." Hermione said.

"Georgie didn't get hurt." Fred mumbled. Phoenix looked at George, sure enough, he too was soaked. Water dripped off his hair and nose, and his clothes were drenched.

"Now it's Lee's turn." George grabbed the barrel, ready to roll it back up the hill. Lee suddenly looked very interested in the girls by the shore, and pretended like he hadn't heard George.

"No." Hermione put her foot on the barrel, stopping George, "You're taking this back where you found it and-"

"Relax!" Fred slapped his hand down on the water and splashed them both. Phoenix and Hermione both gave out screams of shock, jumping away.

Hermione growled under her breath, "Oooh Fred Weasley!" She stomped her foot on the shore and splashed pebbly sand and water on Fred. Fred coughed the sand out of his mouth and George and Lee doubled over with laughter. Phoenix laughed with them, and tried to hide her glee when Hermione glared at her.

"Think that's funny?" Fred asked Phoenix.

"What?" Phoenix asked, wide eyed. Her laughter had stopped.

"I'll show you!" Fred pulled himself up and scooped two big handfuls of water up with him. He tossed it at her and Phoenix closed her eyes in time to avoid getting water in them.

She took a bug breath and looked at herself, her head and shoulders were now drenched.

"Fred!" She kicked water at him in retaliation, but her kick wasn't controlled enough because she also splashed Lee.

"Oh it's on!" Lee beamed. He splashed Phoenix back, causing her to shriek with glee. She splashed back and ran towards Hermione.

"No! No no no!" Hermione protested, but Phoenix got behind her just in time to be shielded by Fred's splash. Hermione stood stiff and blew the water away from her lips. She rubbed her eyes and glared at Fred, George, and Lee.

"Uh oh." George whispered.

Hermione took off her school cloak and discarded it in the sand (Phoenix wasn't even sure why she still wore her cloak, and was one of the few people to still have hers on). She took one step into the lake and then spun her leg out in a semi-circle, splashing all three boys.

Phoenix splashed along with them, not caring that her uniform was getting soaked. At one point it was Lee and the girls versus the Weasley twins. George picked Phoenix up from behind, his arms around her stomach as he carried her deeper to the lake. Hermione clung to his waist in a pitiful attempt to get him to stop. Phoenix and Hermione were both squealing with laughter as George waded up to his waist. He dropped Phoenix into the lake and laughed loudly. Phoenix, underwater and planning her revenge splash undid her hair from her braid and launched herself out of the water. She flung her hair back, flicking water onto George. Hermione laughed and jumped on his back. The two went down and Phoenix jumped to the side to avoid being squished.

The water was warm and the five stayed in the shallows playing until the sun began to dip below the tree line.

"Alright!" Fred hoisted a sleepy Hermione up on his back, "let's get up before Ron eats all of the Great Hall."

Phoenix completely forgot that Ron should have been released that day! She grabbed Hermione's cloak and both of their books, socks, and shoes, and ran to catch up with the others, her heart still pounding wildly.

Fred carried Hermione all the way to the Common Room, but sat her down so Phoenix could take her to the girls dormitory. "Thank you!" Phoenix waved to the boys as she helped Hermione climb the stairs.

"Oh no," Hermione yawned, "I forgot the books."

"I grabbed them, no worries." Phoenix smiled. She hadn't seen Hermione have so much fun, and was glad the school year ended on a better note than it started. The two got cleaned up and walked down to the Great Hall together. Ron was already there, sitting alone and stuffing his face, unaware that no one wanted to sit by him.

"It's alright, Ron." Phoenix joked, "The castle won't run out of food."

"I'm starving!" Was what Phoenix was sure Ron had said. He had so much food in his mouth it was hard to tell.

"Wonderful." Hermione sat down across from Ron and started forking food onto her plate.

"Was Harry awake when you left?" Phoenix asked.

Ron swallowed and wiped his mouth off on the back of his sleeve, "No. he hasn't stirred at all."

It'd been three days. Or had it been four? Phoenix touched her head where she'd had a bump. Maybe she wasn't one hundred percent better yet.

"I hope he's okay." Hermione somberly said to her lap.

Phoenix didn't feel like eating now. Even when their friends decided to slide down towards them she ate nothing they offered. She crossed her arms on the table and laid her chin on her arms.

She tossed and turned in her sleep that night, barely managing to fall asleep as the sun came up.

After a light breakfast Phoenix sat on the stairs leading towards the hospital wing. She didn't dare go see Harry for fear of Madam Pomfrey snapping at her again, but she waited for him.

Something in her gut said today was the day! Harry would wake up and join the land of the living. Ron and Hermione joined her before lunch.

Hermione talked about how excited she was to get exam results back after the weekend was up. Ron talked about his summer plans of not doing their over-break homework and playing quidditch with his brothers. Phoenix was neither excited for exams or looking forward to summer vacation with the Malfoy's.

Just before lunch Phoenix thought she heard distant footsteps. She raised her head to see Harry step out of the hospital wing. The three of them stood up. He smiled when he saw them.

"You alright, Ron?" Harry asked.

Ron nodded, "Yeah." He shrugged.

"Hermione?" Harry modded towards her.

"Never better." Hermione beamed at him.

"Phoenix?" Harry asked.

She ran down the steps and through her arms around his neck, "don't ever go saving the day again." She whisper. Harry nodded and hugged her back.

She passed! Phoenix couldn't believe she passed all of her classes! Even potions! She couldn't help but do a small dance after McGonagall proudly handed her a scroll with her final grade on it.

"Well done, Miss Malfoy." McGonagall beamed with pride. Hermione joined her little jig when she saw her own grades. Ron and Harry passed as well, not across the board, but enough to advance to year two. The four sat by Percy, Fred, George, Neville, Seamus, and Dean Thomas at the end of the year celebration feast. Banners holding Slytherin's colors and emblem crest hung from the ceiling, but it did nothing to dampen the mood. Everyone wore their pointed hats and Phoenix felt giddy from the buzz in the air. She glanced across the Great Hall and even Draco had a smile on his face, and it didn't immediately drop when they made prolonged eye contact.

Before glorious amounts of food appeared on the table there was a tapping from the professor's table. Professor Dumbledore stood up. Phoenix turned slightly on the bench, smoothing her uniform out and sitting up straighter to see him through the sea of hats.

"Another year gone." Dumbledore announced, "and now as I understand it the House Cup needs awarding and the points stand thus," Phoenix clasped her hands together tightly, twisting her fingers around each other, "in fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points."

Phoenix gave a few pitiful claps along with the rest of the hall. "Third place: Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty two points." Dumbledore kept his hands overlapped by his stomach. There was a slightly louder round of applause for Hufflepuff. "In second place: Ravenclaw, with four hundred and twenty six points." A few older Ravenclaw students whooped in the back and Flitwick looked tickled pink. "And in first place, with four hundred and seventy two points: Slytherin." Phoenix saw Draco and his friends stand and cheer. The rest of the hall unenthusiastically clapped for them.

"It's the polite thing to do." Phoenix took a deep breath, letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Yes, well done Slytherin, well done Slytherin," Dumbledore cheered, "however." the hall grew silent. Phoenix looked at Dumbledore with confusion, all the buzz from earlier drained and there was nothing but shock and confusion left behind. "Recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last minute points to award." Phoenix shifted uncomfortably. Would Dumbledore seriously take even more points off for them breaking into the third floor? "To Ms. Hermione Granger." Phoenix glanced across the table at her friend. Hermione tried to look down at her plate without drawing attention to herself. "For cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril. I award Gryffindor house, forty points." Phoenix cheered and reached across the table. She shook Hermione's hand and got her to smile.

"Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley." Ron looked at Phoenix wide eyed.

"Me?" He mouthed.

Phoenix nodded with a wide smile, "You!" She mouthed back.

Ron looked around bewildered before looking back up at Dumbledore, "for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen these many years: forty points." Phoenix cheered, although not as loudly as Percy, Fred, or George.

"Third. To Ms. Phoenix Malfoy." It was Phoenix's turn to have her stomach drop to her feet. "For staying loyal and true to herself when the world came crashing down. Forty points." Phoenix couldn't see Dumbledore through her tears, but she knew his eyes were twinkling. She dried her eyes on the back of her sleeves. "To Mr. Harry Potter, for pure love and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house forty points."

The table roared with cheers. "We're tied with Slytherin!" Hermione whispered.

"And finally!" Dumbledore drew the attention of the hall again, "it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom." Phoenix looked at Neville who looked as though he might faint. Neville looked completely caught off guard by the attention he received.

"Now," Dumbledore said over the cheer of Gryffindor table, "assuming my calculations are correct, I think a change of decoration is in order." He clapped once and spread his hands wide. The Slytherin banners billowed wildly, changing from their emerald and silver to their new ruby and gold colors! Snakes turned into lions and the whole place roared with cheers that Slytherin had lost the House Cup! "Gryffindor wins the House Cup." Dumbledore announced, but no one was listening anymore. Phoenix joined her housemates in cheering, they all threw their hats up in joy and screamed wildly at the top of their lungs. Fred and George came over and picked Ron and Phoenix up on their shoulders. Lee Jordan did the same with Harry on the other side of the table and Percy held Hermione's hands as she jumped gleefully up and down. The rest of the feast was a blur. Phoenix stuffed her face with delicious foods and desserts. She raced Seamus and Dean Thomas back to the common room, plopping down in the first years corner with hands on their full bellies.

Neville's gran had sent him a package of sweets that he shared with the rest of them, and even though they were full they ate more. Even Nearly Headless Nick joined in the celebration, he had taken the Fat Friars goblet and was drinking merrily. When asked what kind of drink a ghost drinks he joked, "Spirits!"

Most of the older students went to bed early, and Percy advised everyone do the same, "We have an early day tomorrow. Pack your belongings tonight so you don't miss breakfast."

That's right! Phoenix had completely forgotten she had to go home with Draco tomorrow. Phoenix smiled to herself, "at least we won the House Cup." She thought to herself, enjoying the company of her friends.

After everyone had gone to bed it was just Harry and Phoenix with the dying embers of the fire. They sat before the fire, watching the last logs crackle, pop, and hiss. "I'm going to miss this." Harry said, popping a Bertie Bott's bean in his mouth. He passed Phoenix the half empty box and she took it from him.

"Miss what?" She asked, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Hanging out with you." Harry answered. Phoenix puckered her lips. Lemon.

"Well I'll write you, everyday." Phoenix assured him, "and Mrs. Malfoy says I can go wherever I want at the end of summer break. I can come visit you."

"I doubt Uncle Vernon would let you." Harry glumly replied.

Phoenix had forgotten about the Dursley's. She frowned, "well maybe you could come visit me?" She suggested passing the box back to Harry.

"Maybe." Harry agreed hesitantly, "but you will write?"

"Everyday." Phoenix reassured him.

The following day Phoenix was pulled into many hugs.

Mr. And Mrs. Granger invited Phoenix over, "Our house is your house, Phoenix." Mrs. Granger smiled at her.

"Mom," Hermione dragged out the word. Her cheeks were pink and she paused before throwing her arms around Phoenix, "promise to write?" She asked.

"Everyday." Phoenix hugged her back.

Mrs. Weasley also gave Phoenix a tight hug, "It's so nice to meet you, Phoenix." Phoenix was surprised at how quickly Mrs. Weasley had taken to her. Mrs. Weasley smelled like fresh baked bread and sugared fruit. "You let me know if your brother does anything to you," Mrs. Weasley held her shoulders, "we'll come get you in a jiffy."

"Thank you." Phoenix smiled. She was sure after snatching Slytherin's House Cup that Draco wouldn't be a problem.

"So, I guess we're all writing each other." Ron said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He'd just gotten back from saying goodbye to Hermione.

"Yup." Phoenix nodded. "Have a happy break." She said.

"You too." Ron answered.

The two hesitated before giving each other a quick hug. Percy shook Phoenix's hand and reminded her to behave and study hard. Fred and George squished Phoenix between them and made her promise to give Draco one of their puking pastilles. They tried stuffing the candy into her cloak, but Mrs. Weasley grabbed them both by their ears and wished Phoenix a safe holiday. She stood with four Weasley candies in her hand and watched the red haired family leave.

Phoenix looked around and saw Harry bump into a woman. They apologized to each other and Phoenix ran over before Harry could leave the platform. "Harry!" He turned just in time to catch her. "I'll miss you!"

"I know." Harry hugged her back tightly.

Phoenix watched him leave the platform and turned back to see Crabbe and Goyle walk away from Draco. She joined Narcissa and Lucius, walking towards the fireplaces.

"And how did your finals go?" Lucius asked.

"I passed everything with excellence." Phoenix announced proudly. She saw Draco's exam results in Lucius's hand and added, "my results are in my trunk, but I can show you them at home." Lucius smiled and nodded.

"Very well," he held out a hand, "shall we go then?" He asked.

Phoenix only paused for a split second before she grabbed his hand. The Malfoy's walked to the fireplaces hand in hand.

Just incase anyone is worried, and I'm sure I mentioned this in the first chapter, but, I DO plan on keeping MOST of what's happened in the previous stories the same. Phoenix will end up with the same person, she'll still save other characters from death, she still has Weather Magic (although you can see I've expanded upon it a little). This re-write is more or less because I was not satisfied with the quality of the previous incarnation of this story. As mentioned, I started re-writing this story the moment I finished it last time in 2016, so this has been two-three years in the making. I am excited to see what people think, I know I have changed A LOT from previous versions of the story and I hope people aren't TOO upset with me.

That being said, it'll probably take me a while to get to the rest of the story, but any feedback, kind words, anything really, would be appreciated. Don't want a particular scene to be left out? Let me know. Like I said, I have the series planned up through Goblet of Fire, so I probably won't add anything that would derail this current story, but if there's a particular bit you remember and want to see again, let me know!

Don't remember what happened? Don't worry, not important, just try to enjoy this new story!

Thanks!

~Acro111