Charming a Phoenix

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Chapter 3


The house in London at Grimmauld Place had a dreary, little used feeling about it. The small party of people was gathered in the entryway. A man with brown hair flecked heavily with grey came down the stairs, smiling at them in welcome. Piper nearly gasped at the man’s eyes, they were golden and intense, though his smile was genuine. Dumbledore hugged him briefly, then introduced him to the group in hushed tones.

“This is Remus Lupin. He will be staying here with you while I make the arrangements at the school.” Dumbledore said quietly. “Remus, this is Piper Halliwell and her husband Leo Wyatt. This little bundle is their son Wyatt.” Remus peered in at the sleeping baby. “This is Phoebe Halliwell and Paige Matthews. Remus will find you rooms and take care of anything you need. He will also know how to reach me, if necessary.” The old wizard turned to go, but stopped and turned back. “I cannot stress enough the need for all of you to stay inside this house. Leo, of course if you need to go …..” Leo nodded. “Otherwise, this is the place you will be safest until you are at Hogwarts. I will return in a few days.” With that Dumbledore left.

Unfortunately, Wyatt picked that moment to wake up and let everyone know he was hungry. His crying was quickly drowned out by screeching and wailing and cursing coming from the next floor up. Remus ran up the stairs, but was not having any luck quieting the noise. Piper ran up the stairs and faced the portrait of a nasty old woman. Piper was gobsmacked at being screamed at by a portrait. She speedily regained her composure after being called ‘a no account filthy mudblood whore’, and promptly froze the painting. Allowing her and Remus to close the curtains in front of it.

“I am very sorry about that. We have tried everything to get rid of that painting of Mrs. Black.” Remus apologized.

“Nice mouth on that one.” Piper said, indicating the painting. “Maybe the power of three can take care of it. We better try, since we’re staying here for a few days.”

“Nothing would please me more. Would you like to see your room? I thought one on this floor would be easier with the baby.” Remus said, opening the last door on the right. “There isn’t much furniture, but I thought with all the baby things ……..”

“This is perfect. Thank you, Mr. Lupin.” Piper said with a grin.

“Oh please, do call me Remus.” he said. “I can help you set up the room, if you like. Not that I do not think you could do it yourself … I mean … you are one of the Charmed Ones. I mean ….. Sorry, I do tend to prattle on when I’m nervous.” Piper laughed.

“It’s fine, Remus. Our ways of doing magic are a little different from yours. I would be very grateful if you could re-enlarge the things we brought.” she said. Remus nodded once and walked back out of the room and down the stairs to help settle everyone in.

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Phoebe looked curiously at the man at the head of the table. Those eyes, she thought, and they were only rivaled by his smile. Remus had been explaining exactly who this Dark Lord was and why he was such a threat.

“Voldemort has been back in body a little over a year.” Remus went on.

“Any weaknesses we can play on?” Piper asked.

“His arrogance is surely one, but also the spell he used to create his new body.” He said.

“What about it?” Paige asked.

“It did not go as the Dark Lord planned. He used Harry’s blood and failed to kill him.”

“Harry was supposed to die? Why?” Paige asked.

“For the spell to work properly, Voldemort needed the life essence of the person whose blood he used. The Dark Lord had not planned on Harry escaping.”

“Does that mean Voldemort is still trying to capture Harry?” Phoebe said, finally speaking up. The man nodded.

“I am afraid it does. Keeping Harry safe has been our main concern, that is until the threat against you three came to light.”

“How did you find out about that?” Phoebe said curious.

“We have an informant within the Death Eaters inner circle. From what I understand, Albus made it to you just in time.”

“Yes. We had a visit from one of these Death Eaters. An experience I do not wish to repeat.” Piper said with a yawn.

“I am so sorry. What a horrible host I am. You must all be very tired. I had forgotten the time difference. Please, go up to bed. I will be here to answer any questions for you tomorrow.” Remus said, standing up.

Piper said good night and left the kitchen, followed by Paige. Phoebe stayed behind a moment.

“I just wanted to thank you for all your help today, Remus.” Phoebe said sticking out her hand to shake his. Remus smiled and clasped her hand and Phoebe quickly drew in her breath. Images began to flash through her mind of running quickly in the woods, low to the ground. Looking up at the light of a full moon. A child wandering outside being tackled and bitten by a large animal. Screaming, pain, watching fur grow through the skin, bones altering, shifting.

When the images stopped, she looked up into Remus’ eyes and realized why they were so different. She went to pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let go. Her breathing quickened as she stared into his eyes with fear.

“You must be the sister with the gift of premonition. I take it you saw …… what I am.” Remus said, with a sad, but serious expression on his face.

“I ….. yes…… I think so.” she breathed out.

“I am a werewolf, Miss Halliwell. The full moon is three weeks away. I assure you, you are quite safe with me.” Remus said releasing her hand. Phoebe took a moment to collect herself.

“I saw it ……. The attack. How old were you?” she said distressed.

“I was five. I had left my favorite stuffed dragon outside and snuck out to get it. So you see I have been a werewolf a very long time. There is no need for you to be pained by the memory. I do not recall much of it myself. Mostly I remember what others told me growing up.”

Phoebe stared at him, still conflicted in her feelings.

“Truly, Miss Hal…”

“Phoebe, call me, Phoebe.” Remus smiled.

“Phoebe, then. I imagine you have run across much worse things than werewolves.”

“And married them.” she said with a self deprecating laugh. Remus’ eyebrows lifted in surprise. “No need to get into all that now. I just meant that I understand. I’m heading up to bed. See you in the morning.” Remus bade her goodnight as she left the kitchen.

Phoebe had just started up the stairs, when the doorbell rang. Remus came quickly out of the kitchen, but not before the screaming and wailing portrait on the next floor started up. Before reaching the top of the stairs, she saw Remus opened the door to a cloaked figure that barreled past him and straight to the kitchen. Remus looked up, giving her an apologetic smile, then followed the figure.

As she turned back to the source of the din, Phoebe saw Piper come out of her room and freeze the painting, then draw the curtains in front of it.

“We have got to do something about this portrait!” Piper said, turning back to go comfort a crying Wyatt. Shaking her head, Phoebe continued up the stairs to her assigned bedroom.

The room was fairly small with only a bed, a chair and a small wardrobe. Phoebe stretched tiredly. What a weird day this has been, she thought, and in our lives that’s saying something. Remus had told them this house was the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, so they could expect to see people coming and going at any time. That would explain the cloaked person and their rush.

Phoebe took off her shirt and jeans laying them on the bed. Then she unhooked her black lace bra and threw it into the chair. She stretched again, yawning deeply, when she heard the door burst open behind her. Grabbing her shirt quickly and clasping to her chest, she turned around to see who the invader was. The figure all in black she had just seen arrive was standing in the doorway glaring at her.

“Are you supposed to be a gift from Dumbledore to help me ‘relax’? That nosey old man can mind his own business and you can tell him I can find my own tarts, thank you very much. Now, go.” The stranger growled out as he removed his cloak.

Instead of getting angry, Phoebe walked over to him with her hand extended, her shirt still clasped across her bare breasts. “Phoebe Halliwell. So nice to meet you, too.” He only stared blankly at her offered hand. “Now,” she said opening the door. “get the hell out of my room.”

The dark man’s eyebrows shot up in surprise before he could stop them, then a scowl darkened his face.

“Forgive me, Miss Halliwell. I did not realize you and your sisters had arrived. These are my usual quarters. I had no idea you were in here.” Though in words it was an apology, the snippy tone with which it was delivered did little to appease Phoebe. She closed the door again, and walked away from him, giving him a view of her bare back and black lace panties.

“In that case,” she said, putting on her shirt, “you stay here and I’ll go bunk with Paige. I’m sorry. I don’t think Remus thought you would be here tonight.” She had put on her jeans, grabbed her purse and shoes, then made for the door.

Turning to look at the dark man again she said, “Have a good evening ……um..’ Phoebe raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Snape, Severus Snape.” the dark man offered.

“Good evening then, Severus. Hope you enjoyed the view.” She was very gratified to see the blush rising to his cheeks before she went out the door.


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