Charming a Phoenix

.

Charming a Phoenix
Chapter 7 - Tutelage


Life at number 12 had quickly fallen into a routine over the past few days. Different members of the Order passed in and out of the house, many the sisters never got to meet, but they were busy with their own work.

“Now concentrate, Piper. Remember your wand movements and direct your energy at the target. I imagine it is much like using your Charmed powers,” Remus said during their morning ‘class’. Piper took a deep breath, ran the spell through her head again, then she was ready. She waved Remus’ wand, pointing it at the hearth and spoke ‘Incendio’. Suddenly, a blue flame erupted in the fireplace. The other members of the ‘class’ applauded and congratulated her.

“That’s great, Piper. You’re picking it up almost as quickly as Paige,” Harry said, as he came forward to put the fire out for the next attempt.

“Am I?” the oldest sister said, as she threw the youngest sister an amused look.

“You are all progressing beautifully. Phoebe, it is your turn next,” Remus said, indicating where she was to stand. Piper watched the man as he instructed Phoebe. He really was a wonderful teacher. Harry had told them about Remus teaching at the school and his subsequent resignation. The man should not be punished for the creature he turned into once a month. From what Piper had been able to gather, Remus took a potion that helped his mind remain in control at the full moon and he locked himself away. Maybe Phoebe was right, Piper did have a thing for him, or maybe she felt she understood some of what he goes through on the full moon, after her stint as a Windigo.

“Incendio,” Phoebe said, but nothing happened. Phoebe gave Remus an apologetic look. He stood behind her and helped her with the wand motions, casting the spell once himself to show her how. As Piper watched, Phoebe glanced at her and …. winked. That little brat, Piper thought. Phoebe was doing it wrong on purpose to get closer to Remus. Piper put a hand over her mouth to keep the others from seeing her mirth. Well, at least Remus was a good guy, deserving of attention. Who knew what that Goth prince Snape was like?

Making sure her mirth was not discovered, Piper looked over at Harry and Paige. Those two seemed to be deep in conversation again. Paige had told her she had a talk with the boy. Harry was going through a very tough time right now, but Piper worried Paige may not be aware of how he was looking at her. Her little sister had better be careful or she would be dealing with a teenager with a crush on her. A complication no one needed at the moment. She made a mental note to talk to Paige about it later. Harry looked up and saw her watching them. A blush began to rise to his cheeks, but he walked over to Piper to show her the next spell.

“So what’s next, Teach?” Piper asked Harry. He laughed and showed her a spell in the book called ‘Accio — a summoning spell; with various amounts of power and skill, it can retrieve things from anywhere.’

“Sounds useful,” she said.

“Yeah. Paige doesn’t really need it because of her power, but for you and Phoebe it might be very useful,” Harry said, as he set the book down on the table. He demonstrated the spell by summoning an apple from the counter to him. Piper followed his directions, with a few pointers from Remus, who had finally turned his attentions from Phoebe.

“Accio apple.” An apple came flying fast at her from the counter. Piper put up her hands quickly in fright and froze the apple in mid-air.

“That’s a useful power!” Harry said, in awe as he grabbed the apple out of the air.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the fireplace, as a green flame erupted and the wizened figure of Albus Dumbledore stepped out holding several items.

“Good Morning, all,” the old wizard said cheerily, smiling at the group. As his morning greetings were returned, Albus set his bundle down on the table.

“Harry, I have letters for you,” Dumbledore said, handing them over to the youth, who thanked him. Harry took the letters off to the side of the room and opened them.

“I have good news for you ladies. I have brought the special order wands from Mr. Olivandar’s shop. He won’t tell me what is in them, but I take it they will help to focus and increase your power with the wand,” the Headmaster said, as he handed them out. Each box was labeled. Piper’s box said ‘oldest sister’. She found this funny and chuckled as she opened the box to look inside. There was a long thin smooth wand made of a light colored wood. But unlike Remus’ wand, Piper noticed it had the Triquetra or Trinity Knot symbol, like on the cover of the Book of Shadows, burned into the end of the wand with a dot in the upper link. Looking at her sisters wands she saw they were the same, but for the dot. Phoebe’s was on the bottom left and Paige’s was on the bottom right. Interesting, we’ll always be able to tell who’s wand in who’s, she thought.

Paige walked over to the hearth, pointed her new wand into the fireplace and said ‘Incendio’. A huge plume of blue flame burst forth from the fireplace, knocking Paige back several steps. Harry caught her before she fell, then put the fire out with his own wand.

“These wands are attuned to each of you. You will not need to put forth as much effort as you had to using another’s wand,” Dumbledore explained, with what Piper would have called a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

“Now he tells me,” Paige complained.

“I also have letters for each of you,” the old wizard said, handing each sister and Remus a scroll. Piper noted Remus appeared very surprised. Piper opened her scroll and read it.

‘Miss Piper Halliwell . . . blah blah blah . . . great honor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to offer you the position of Assistant Potions Mistress for the upcoming year. Your duties . . . blah blah blah . . . will report directly to Potions Master Severus Snape. . . Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore.’

Piper looked up at the Headmaster with confusion. “Assistant Potions Mistress?”

“I understand potion making is one of your strongest areas,” Dumbledore replied.

“Well, yes it is, but …..”

“Not to worry, my dear. You will teach the first and second years, nothing too difficult and I’m sure Severus will be glad to help you with his curriculum. You will also assist him with any other potion demands that may spring up.” Piper was still staring at him, with her mouth open. Dumbledore turned his attention to Phoebe. “And how about you? Are you up to the task?”

Phoebe nodded her head, rolled up her scroll and set it on the table. “I think it’s a good idea. From what I’ve seen, wizards rely too much on their wands. Learning to defend themselves without it will be necessary in the days to come.” She smiled at the old man. “I accept the position of Self Defense Mistress.”

“Paige?” the Headmaster asked, turning to her now, but Remus interjected.

“Albus, you cannot be serious,” Remus said, holding his letter out with a look of disbelief. “There will be too much of an uproar if I come back to the school.”

“There will be nothing of the kind. The Ministry has been rather apologetic and …..accommodating after their treatment of me last year. I need a qualified Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in these dark times. I would consider it a personal favor, if you would accept,” Piper smiled at the old wizard’s tactics. How could Remus refuse a personal favor? She was secretly glad the werewolf would now have a job. The children needed him and he needed to feel useful.

“Very well,” Remus said, shaking his head. “When do we need to be in the castle?”

“The fifteenth will be soon enough. Now I must leave you. I will be back for the Order meeting tonight. Good day,” he said, turning back to the fireplace, but Paige stopped him and pulled him to the side.

“Honey, Wyatt’s hungry,” Leo said, appearing at her elbow. Piper put down her wand and took the crying fussy baby, trying to calm him.

“I’ll take him upstairs to breastfeed him,” she told her husband. So, Piper thought, I’m going to have to work with this Severus Snape. Wonder what Leo will think about that?


~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Paige grabbed Professor Dumbledore before he could leave. “Sir, can I speak with you?”

“Of course. You do not like the position offered?” he asked, raising his white eyebrows at her.

“It’s not that, sir. I …. um …. Is there a rule that prohibits staff from ……. fraternizing with the students?” Paige could feel her face begin to flush at having to ask the Headmaster this. The old wizard studied her face carefully, then his gaze landed on Harry. He knew, or had some idea, she thought.

“Yes, there is,” Dumbledore said slowly.

“Then ….. I‘d rather not accept a paid position. I don’t mind helping to counsel the students, if I’m needed, but ….. Well, couldn’t you just tell the rest of the staff I’m there as sort of a nanny for Wyatt?” Paige asked nervously.

“I … could,” he said slowly. “Is there something you wish to tell me?”

Paige glanced at Harry and looked back to see the old man’s gaze had followed hers.

“I think you already know. I know this is . . . unconventional, but for now it’s working for us. I hope you can understand,” she said.

“If that is your wish …,” Dumbledore said, holding out his hand for the scroll. Paige gave it to him, breathing a sigh of relief.

“I must caution you, though. As fond as I am of Harry, letting others know how important you are to him could be dangerous for you. Be careful.”

“We’re in so much danger now, what’s a little more?” Paige said jokingly. Dumbledore was not amused however. He patted her kindly on the shoulder, then exited through the fireplace.

Paige went to sit at the table with Harry, as everyone else had left. He was reading his letters with a grim expression.

“Bad news?” she asked. Harry looked up from scowling at the parchment in his hand. Paige could see the hurt in his eyes.

“Hermione won’t come,” he said, slapping the letter he had been reading face down on the table.

“What does she say?”

“She says it would be too painful for her to come back to this house. This is where she knew Sirius best,” Harry said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I can understand that.”

“Well, I can’t,” Harry said loudly, standing up abruptly. “This is where I knew Sirius bloody best too, but I had to come back here. Does she think this is a ‘turn around the pitch’ for me? He was my godfather. The closest to family I’ll ever have. Now he’s dead and it was all my fault,” Paige was getting worried. Harry was pacing frantically back and forth with his arms crossed so tightly across his chest, his skin was turning white. Looking at him, she could see there was no use in reminding him Sirius’ death was not his fault. Paige picked up Hermione’s letter and read it over.

“Hermione says she misses you very much,” Paige noted.

“Not enough to come see me,” Harry sulked.

“Harry, that’s not fair. You of all people should understand how she feels. I’m sure it hurt her to tell you no,” she said. Harry had stopped pacing and was now staring at the floor, his body still tense from the conflict within him. Paige went over and embraced him, feeling him grasp her tightly. After a couple of minutes, he sighed and kissed her neck, nuzzling her in the affectionate way she had gotten used to.

“What does Ron say?”

“He’ll be here this afternoon with his mum. I can’t wait for him to meet you,” he said, as he pulled back to look at her. She smiled.

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

“I never heard what your job will be,” Harry said.

“I . . . um . . . well, I won’t have a paid position. I’ll be taking care of Wyatt,” Paige said.

“I thought that was what Leo was going to be doing.”

“Well, he can’t be there all the time. It’ll be great, really,” she said, but Harry was searching her face, his brow furrowing.

“It’s because of me, isn’t it? Dumbledore knew. Somehow he knew about us,” Harry said.

“The Headmaster offered me a position as School Counselor and I turned it down, “ she said, squeezing him a little tighter. “I don’t want any problems with staff regulations. Now I’m free to help if I’m needed and to be with you. And I won’t change my mind, so don’t even try.”

Harry shook his head, but a smile played at his lips. “Thank you,” he said, before leaning down to kiss her. Paige melted against him. Harry had gotten very good at kissing and could make her mind go completely blank just by the press of his lips and the workings of his talented tongue. Ooo, that brought on inappropriate thoughts, making her wiggle uncomfortably in her jeans.

“Want to go up to my room?” Harry asked, in his husky bedroom voice. Feeling a shiver run through her, she thought, ‘God yes’, but in the state she was in, she thought better of it.

“We better not,” Paige said. Harry pulled back looking at her, still tickling the back of her neck with his finger tips. God help me, he is so intuitive. He seems to know exactly where I like to be touched, she thought, as tingles ran down her spine and straight to her crotch.

“Why?” Harry whispered.

“Harry…,”

“Don’t you trust me?” Harry asked. Paige laughed, she couldn’t help it.

“I think it’s me that can’t be trusted,” she said, looking at him. Harry’s cheeks began to flush. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we write a letter to Hermione?” Harry stiffened, then relaxed again with a sigh.

“We can write the letter, but then I want some time alone with you before the house is full of people.” Harry released her and summoned some parchment and a quill. Paige knew he was getting frustrated with her. She had tried to spend no more than a half hour a day alone with him. Nightly dreams about seducing Harry plagued her, but she was determined not to rush him.

“What should I tell her?” Harry asked, when he sat down to write the letter.

“You could tell her you understand how she feels. Maybe invite her to come up to the school early, before the other students arrive. You will be coming with us, won’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess I will. This’ll be great. There’s no way she can say no to coming to Hogwarts early. I hope …,” he started to say something, but stopped.

“What do you hope?” Paige said, sitting next to him at the table.

“I really hope you and Hermione get along. She doesn’t have many girl friends. And . . . well I just hope you get along.”

“I think I’m pretty easy going, there shouldn’t be a problem. Are you going to tell your friends . . .about us?” Paige asked.

“I’d like to. I care about you, I don’t want to hide that,” Harry said with all sincerity. Paige was touched.

“Dumbledore did warn me that it may be best not to flaunt our relationship.”

“But surely I can tell my friends. They’ll figure it out anyway, believe me,” Harry said with a laugh.

“I would say tell only the people you really trust.”

“What about you? Are you going to tell your sisters?”

“I … uh …… yeah, eventually,” she said evasively, suddenly finding a knot in the wood of the table very interesting.

“Are you ashamed of me?” Harry asked, with a hint of embarrassment.

“No,” Paige said, her head snapping up to look at him. “No, of course not. My sisters just may have a hard time understanding. I could never be ashamed of you, Harry. Never,” Paige said, leaning forward to kiss him softly.

His green eyes were searching her brown ones. Harry whispered against her lips, “Let’s get this letter written. I want to be alone with you somewhere more private.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.