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🕑 Added 2022-07-14 18:47:34 +0000 UTCChapter 24- Rescue bird
The house was bland. There was a foreboding sense in the huge manor. Narcissa felt repelled by the air in the surroundings. It was ….sad.
She rushed upstairs and burst into his bedroom.
At the exact same moment, an ear splitting scream filled the air, taking her by surprise. She noticed her Aunt and Uncle over there. They were sitting by Harry’s head. Dorea was running her wand over Harry, who was screaming his throat out. She watched horrified as Harry began to spout something black.
That certainly was not blood. She rushed towards Harry. “Harry?” She shook him. She flinched once more when another pained scream left his mouth. “What is wrong?” She asked Dorea.
Dorea wiped her eyes, trying to stem the tears that flowed. Narcissa noticed that her eyes were red and puffy.
Dorea went on to explain everything she had observed to Narcissa. Narcissa’s emotions ranged from one of sadness to fear to anger to fear once again.
"Can we…can we do anything?" Dorea choked on her breath as she shook her head. "In all my years as a healer, I have never seen something like this. There just seems to be no cure to this. I am not able to identify what is happening in his body."
Narcissa couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She took hold of his hands. It was cold. Almost lifeless. His breathing had grown slow. He had lost his glow. He seemed like a statue.
“How much more, should you endure?” She asked him, as she brushed his hair away from his face. She leaned down and kissed him on his lips.
“I will do anything possible, Harry. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that you will be fine." She promised.
The remaining youngsters arrived with Arcturus just in time when another pained cream rang through the manor. Narcissa reeled back in shock. She closed her ears to stop that pained scream. She trembled under the noise.
Everyone of Harry’s friends flinched under the screams that struck them. Narcissa stood up and rushed out of the room.
James was horrified to see this condition of Harry. Gone was the proud and powerful looking Harry, his brother and Lord Peverell. The boy that lay there was a poor shadow of his former self. He was almost unrecognizable.
“Mum?” Dorea had enough.
“Stop it.” She snapped. “Will you stop it?” Her voice was hard and shaky.
“Every one of you go in and out and ask the same stupid question. ‘Is he alright?’
‘How is he doing?’ Again and again and again.” She breathed heavily and her eyes became sad and painful.
“He is my son. Why are you pestering me again and again?” She questioned.
“It hurts.” Her voice broke and she began to sob into her hands.
“Please….” She begged.
Everybody became quiet at the outburst from the usually calm and prim woman. She was not a snob by any sorts. Dorea was a very warm woman. This was a surprise to them.
Dorea felt someone wrap their arms around her.
“I am very sorry, mum.” James soothed his mother. He had grated the woman’s nerves with all his shenanigans, but she had never lost control this way. He was worried for his mother.
Despite him being her grandson in reality, they had come to accept him as her son and he, his mother.
He was like that. Harry was just a wonderful guy. Loved by everyone. He just had this ability to worm his way in their hearts. Now, he could see just how much he meant to this family.
Dorea held onto his robes, fearing that he would go and come back like this, if she let him go.
“Everything will be alright.” He assured the woman.
“We will do everything, Dor. We will do everything possible to help our son. Trust me.” Charlus assured his devastated wife with a hug.
—-&&&---
Sirius immediately rushed in search of his cousins. He knew they would be in a lot of pain at the moment. He just wanted to know if they were alright.
He couldn’t find the girls anywhere. Narcissa, he wasn’t worried about. He knew that the girl is very strong and level headed at such moments. He was more worried about Bellatrix. Bellatrix was not a weak woman by any means. Merlin no. They would have to be fools to think that Bellatrix was weak.
No. It was just that, she wears her emotions on her sleeve. She was quick to anger and people who were so quick to emotions are hurt very quickly too and no matter how good an occlumens they are, they tend to become weak and give into lesser thoughts.
Bellatrix could take someone head one with nary a thought nor distraction, no matter who the opponent might be, but when it comes to things like this, it was a whole different game.
Harry was a turning point for Bellatrix. Bellatrix had never been so open to a boy before. Nor to her family for that matter. This guy came around and she was attracted. Moreover, she felt attracted to the boy. The Potters and Blacks came to witness a Bellatrix they never knew existed. A Bellatrix that behaved like a teenage girl with a crush.
Everybody knew how much the arrival of Harry helped Bellatrix. Now, he needs to understand the gravity of the effect that this situation had on the girl. He sincerely hoped Bellatrix was alright.
He looked into the one place that he expected Bellatrix to be and sure enough, he found her in the training room of Potter Manor. He had expected the girl to be venting. He was right, but he underestimated that level of venting he expected.
A carnage could have struck inside the training room. It looked no different than a warzone. The room was burnt and charred in many areas. The walls were destroyed, the ground had craters. The training dummies burnt viciously and gruesome to witness. Bellatrix was in the exact middle of the room, with nary a drop of sweat for Sirius to see that she had exerted herself in some way.
It almost seemed like she was not responsible for any of this. Sirius cautiously stepped inside the room. He expected a spell heading towards his way, and sure enough a red beam was speeding towards him, but it was not the spell heading towards him, more as the kind of spell coming straight on that took him by surprise. He had to leap out of the way from the cruciatus that Bellatrix shot.
“Bella..?” He tried to reach out to the girl desperately, but he had to hastily erect a shield to stop a bone breaker. Bellatrix seemed to be blinded by her anger, and was shooting all manner of spells towards Sirius. But it was not just Sirius. The walls, the dummies and the ground suffered much more from the angry young woman.
Sirius knew that he had to do something. If not, she would hurt herself and would hurt very badly. He thought for a while. He knew that he had a gap when she would use wide area spells. She had forgone her shielding and Sirius knew from that that Bellatrix was still in there. Bellatrix would never be so slack as to ignore shielding herself in between spells. In fact, she was extremely good at that.
She still remembers that she is here. He just had to stop her from casting. He received what he was looking for when she sent a wide area blasting curse. That lull in her spell casting was enough for Sirius to sneak in a disarmer before the girl could think. Thankful that his spell struck through, Sirius rushed to the girl. Before she could respond, he gathered the girl in his arms.
“Let me go.” She screamed, struggling in his arms. “Listen to me Bella.” Sirius’s voice was so loud that Bellatrix stilled in his arms.
“Hurting yourself or exerting yourself, will not be of any use to anybody, Bella. Not to me. No to you and certainly not to Harry.” Sirius whispered. Bellatrix stiffened in his hug when he mentioned Harry.
She was silent for a few moments. “It hurts.” Her voice was meek and emotionless. Sirius comforted the girl, just by letting her vent. He himself couldn’t stop crying a little. Seeing Bellatrix this way was not easy for him nor for anybody in the house.
“Harry will not want this, Bella. Harry will hate to see you this way. You are the bravest of women he has ever met and I think that is how he would love to see you everyday. Even in the face of the hardest of scenarios.” Sirius explained gently, making sure that every word of his sunk in.
“I know it is difficult Bella. I can’t begin to comprehend what you are going through. I know it is the hardest for you too. But, we must not lose hope Bella. We men, we can somehow push around and try to forget it, but when it comes to our family, you are the strongest girl I have ever known.” He smiled softly.
“Don’t let Narcissa, Andi, Aunt Dorea nor grandmother for that matter hear that. I might as well run away from home.” He joked. He smiled in relief when Bellatrix grinned softly. It was a start. This was not over by any means, but for now, he would take this partly level headed Bellatrix over the crazy one any day.
“My point is that, if you get weak, there will be none to comfort Cissy or our Aunt for that matter. And Amelia still doesn’t know of it. You probably can imagine what she would react like.” Bellatrix nodded. She sighed.
“What about me, Sirius?” She asked. “I will console them, but what about my heart?” Her voice cracked slightly. “I feel empty already. Aunt Dorea is not finding anything to cure him. What should we do? If Aunt Dorea doesn’t know about this, who else would ever know about it?”
Her reasoning was true. Dorea Potter was one of the most widely recognised and respected healers in the world. Her knowledge was second to none when it comes to healing.
“I can’t live without him, Sirius. I won’t live without him. If anything…and I mean anything happens to my Harry, I will not spare a single person. I will destroy the entire world if they take away my Harry.” She promised. “I will make every one of them pay.” She finished.
“But now, we need you. We need you Bella. Don’t lose yourself in these silly thoughts.” Bellatrix nodded. “For Harry, I will do anything.” She finished.
—-&&&-----
Narcissa had returned to the Peverell Manor. She had no time to waste. She had to begin looking for a cure. There had to be something in this place. She knew not about the magic of the Peverells. What she did know was that they had an essence of Death in their magic.
A house older and more powerful than hers or the Potters, the Peverell Manor was a treasure trove of knowledge.
She had a feeling, a vague feeling that she might find something interesting in this place.
She wasted no time and now, for the past fourteen hours, she had been going after every book she can. She took no breaks. She needs no breaks. Not until he is next to her.
She felt a new urge overtake her body. She decided that the moment he is all good and healthy, she would cuddle with him for the next year. Until then, she would keep her word. She would do anything possible to help his cure.
Matty popped in. "Does Mistress be needing breakfast?" Narcissa noticed that the elf had become very dull from his usual jolly self. His ears had drooped and he had become sad.
“Matty?” The elf looked up at the woman. “What is the matter?” She questioned. The elf almost seemed to be dropping onto the floor. “Poor master is being injured badly, Mistress. Matty feels the bond weakening. Matty is very sad.” The elf began to cry.
Narcissa felt the tears pooling in her eyes. “What do you mean?” She questioned the elf gently.
“Master Harry be injured badly, Mistress. Matty knows that. Matty knows. Matty can feel drain in his bond. Master Harry be very powerful and now, his magic be weak.”
“Now, Matty becoming weak with her master. Matty is not scared, Mistress. Matty be worried about poor Master. Matty feels Master’s pain and it is bad.” The elf explained.
“Harry will be fine, Matty. We will do everything in our power and save him. We can and I will promise that.”
“Mistresses be very good for Master. Mistresses make wonderful partners to Master.” The elf replied smiling at the girl. “Matty be fixing food for Mistress. She is looking hungry.” The elf popped away.
Narcissa was lost in her search when she heard an all too familiar trill. “Hedwig?” She looked around, waiting for the beautiful phoenix and the majestic creature flew in from the open windows. She landed on Narcissa’s shoulder rubbing her cheek with its head.
“Hello Hedwig.” The phoenix’s trill was sad and empty. There was no singing lilt to it that Hedwig usually had.
“Don’t worry girl.” She soothed the poor being. “I will save Harry. I will save him, come what may.”
The phoenix trilled again and Narcissa could feel her relief. The phoenix flew to the side of the room and picked up something from the table over there. She dropped it into Narcissa’s hands which she identified as a vial. Narcissa was about to raise a question when the phoenix landed on her arm and to her surprise began crying into the vial. She watched as Hedwig filled the vial and her white skin began to glow slightly. Narcissa watched in surprise as the glow filled the room and the phoenix flew to the table in front of her.
She almost screamed as Hedwig was set on fire and right in front of her eyes, burst into ashes.
“No!” She exclaimed and just at that moment she heard a small trill.
She watched in wonder as a small head reared itself from the ashes. Narcissa held out her hand and picked up the little thing.
"Hedwig?" She questioned cautiously. The trill was all the answer needed for Narcissa to confirm her questions. She had just witnessed Hedwig's burning day.
She stared at the little Phoenix with awe. Burning day of a Phoenix is not something that everyone gets a chance to watch. She knew that apart from Dumbledore, there was no chance anybody might know of it.
She felt bad that Harry was not here to see this rare phenomenon. She stared at the Phoenix who was watching straight back at her. She then bobbed her head towards the ashes and tried to convey something.
"What is it Hedwig?" She looked at the ashes. Hedwig trilled. She failed to understand what the bird was excited about. She was telling her something but she failed to get it.
Matty popped in with a plate and placed it on the table. He was surprised by a trill from next to him, and almost jumped on his feet.
Hedwig went about telling something to the elf. Trilling continuously as if to make a point.
The elf was confused for a moment. Narcissa almost smiled at the comical face of the elf. Matty's eyes went wide, more so than usual and he bounced a bit on his feet.
"Master's phoenix be telling us to take the ashes, Mistress.” Matty replied. “Ashes?” The elf nodded. “Yes, Mistress. Matty doesn’t know how, but according to Master’s Hedwig, Master be cured from his condition.”
Narcissa turned back to the phoenix. “Are you sure?” The little bird bobbed her head as if assuring Narcissa with her decision, a little trill accompanying its agreement.
Narcissa asked Matty to collect the ashes in a container. She quickly collected the container and left for Potter Manor immediately. She had to speak to Aunt Dorea.
—-&&&----
“Are you sure about that, dear?” Charlus questioned, eyeing the container warily.
“Not that I doubt your words, but we need to know what we are doing before we employ it. It is a matter of life and death, Narcissa.”
Narcissa had explained everything that happened at Peverell Manor. The others had heard about it and were frankly in a dilemma. “We do that and if anything untoward happens, I will kill you.” Bellatrix growled.
Narcissa glared at her sister. “I am not going to be doing something like that when he is in this state on the words of his elf and a bird.” Hedwig squawked indignantly. Bellatrix shook her head.
“No offense, Hedwig.” If looks could have hurt Bellatrix, Hedwig’s glare would certainly have. The phoenix hopped away and close to Narcissa.
“Hedwig is his familiar, Bella. She certainly knew what she was talking about.” Narcissa explained. “We must give it a try.” The family was still apprehensive to talk about this. It was a very important matter.
“Why don’t we ask Dumbledore?” Lily who had remained quiet for all this while piped up.
“It makes sense. If there is any person who can tell us about phoenixes, Dumbledore might be just the person.” Charlus apparently was not so enthusiastic about that and Arcturus too for that matter.
“Now is not the time to think about your squabbles, Charlus. Please go.” Dorea begged.
Charlus could not disagree with her. The situation demanded that too.
“Fine. I will.” Charlus agreed.
“Good. I would have certainly given the two of you a piece of my mind, if not.” Melania muttered.
“Go. Go and find out what we can do.”
—-&&&----
Dumbledore had been in an extremely somber mood since the fight in the ministry. He had arrived at the school and had shut off himself in his office. None knew what had happened until the arrival of the newspaper the next day. If the Headmaster fighting had become big news, with a picture of the duel to go by, Harry Potter’s spell that saved the ministry from the dementors had become bigger news. But what hit most of the castle hard was the state of Harry Potter and his state after he was stabbed.
Harry Potter was a well liked man in the castle from his time at Hogwarts. He was a favorite among many of the younger years and even among the professors. The news that he had been stabbed had been bitter for many to swallow.
But most of all, Dumbledore was the one who was feeling down. He did all he could. If only he had been quicker. If only he had been more alert. If only he could reverse time.
A lone shed of tear escaped at the fate that had befallen the boy. Dumbledore respected the boy. He was awed by what the boy could do. Magics that he nor anybody could do at that age, the boy did without a sweat. He was a wonder, the young man. A credit to his father’s legacy. A man he had seen growing into a person strong and powerful that Dumbledore had come to respect.
Harry Potter, he believed, will grow to make an even bigger legacy than Charlus Potter. He was broken from his contemplation when he sensed somebody outside his door.
“Come in.” He gathered himself, thinking it was somebody on the staff, but he was genuinely surprised when he watched Lord Potter and Lord Black along with the two young Ms Black and James Potter step in.
“Lords Potter, Black?” His tone matched his surprise. “We had a few questions, Headmaster.” Bellatrix Black spoke at once. “I am all ears, Ms Black.” He nodded.
“Harry’s phoenix had her burning day, today.” Dumbledore smiled softly. “A very rare and beautiful phenomenon.” He replied. “I had the luck to witness many such days with Fawkes and they were wonderful to witness. Fascinating creatures, phoenixes.” Dumbledore whispered.
“Hedwig suddenly went up in flames and then, she pointed out that we had to use her ashes to treat Harry. She even provided me with a vial of tears.” Narcissa explained.
Dumbledore was silent for some time. “A bonded familiar is not just a pet owl, my dear. They are the essence of their companion. And let me tell you, they would never lead them wrong. A familiar is very protective of their companion. They would defend them, comfort them and frankly shed every inch of their life for them.” He had stood up and was now standing next to Fawkes as he watched the bird lovingly.
“If Mr Potter’s phoenix has informed you of something, I encourage you to follow it.” He finished.
“You would certainly be better off with that.”
Just when the others were to leave, Dumbeldore held a buzzing noise and bang in one of his drawers. He sighed. The others had stopped too.
“It has been doing that since I came back from the ministry. I think it has something to do with Mr Potter.” He opened the drawer and a gold glow filled the surroundings.
He waved his wand and the others watched as a wand rose in the air. He placed it on the table.
“I believe that belongs to your brother.” Dumbledore told James.
“That is not his wand.” James frowned.
“Oh no. Not right now. But it does belong to your family.” Charlus and Arcturus glanced at each other and looked back at the wand.
“The Elder Wand.” The two intoned. James and Bellatrix’s eyes went wide as they stared at the wand. “You are kidding.” Dumbledore chuckled.
“I assure you, I am not.” He promised. “I won the allegiance of that wand from Grindelwald all those years back. When your brother returned, the wand became dead to me. I guess it felt its master back and went dead for me. It has been behaving that way since he was injured, I guess. Take it. There must be some reason for its behavior.”
“Why did you not return it before?” Arcturus questioned. Dumbledore shrugged.
“I have no idea.”
TBC—-----
Comments
Jakub Kiss
i must give it to you, on of the best and worst ending u could make at once :D but now im reallz hyped for next chapter. Keep on good work.
