Charming a Phoenix

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Chapter 4

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Paige was having trouble getting to sleep. She looked over at the other bed and saw Phoebe was sound asleep. Sighing heavily, she got up and found the special tea blend she had brought from home. Sleep was an elusive thing lately. Worrying over Wyatt and what demon or other may be coming to try to kill them next. At least when the ruler of the underworld was a man, so to speak, you could expect head on confrontations. But Lilith was too smart for that. She skirted the edges until she saw her opportunity to strike. She was also the most ancient of creatures they had come up against. Even so, the Book of Shadows contained little information about her or how to vanquish her.

Not even bothering with a robe, Paige started down the two flights of stairs heading towards the kitchen. She felt respectable enough in her flannel pants and loose tee. Though most likely everyone else would be asleep by now.

As she went into the kitchen, she marveled at the magic candles that were all over the house. They burned constantly, though never dripped any wax. Padding softly to the range, Paige took the tea kettle and filled it. Placing it on a grate, she looked around for the burner control knob to turn it on. Feeling silly, she sighed deeply and crossed her arms over her chest.

“You need to use your wand” a voice said sharply behind her. Paige spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. A teenage boy was sitting in one of the dinning chairs, one leg bent with his foot up on the seat, his arms hugging his knee.

“I ….. I ah…. don’t have a wand” she stuttered out. He stood up, acting a bit put out and walked over to her.

“What kind of witch doesn’t have a wand?” he said in that same sharp tone.

“Me!” Paige said, finally getting annoyed with him. He looked at her then, his sharp green eyes seeming to take her in for the first time. After lighting the fire under the kettle, he sat back down in the same chair by the cold hearth. Paige pulled up a chair opposite the black haired youth. He looked away from her, staring at the floor. She let out an audible shiver, as she huddled in the chair. He looked up at her, then pointed his wand at the hearth, said a few words and a blazing fire erupted.

“Sorry. I guess I don’t know how to act around people anymore” the young man said, though his gaze never left the fire, the light dancing off his glasses. Sensing his tension, Paige scooted her chair a little closer to the fire and to him.

“That’s alright. We could start with names. I’m Paige Matthews.”

“Matthews? I thought you were the Halliwell sisters” he said, turning his body towards her, appearing interested for the first time.

“Long story. Short version is I was adopted, Mrs. Halliwell couldn’t keep me. And your name is?”

“You mean you really don’t know?” he said, but the thought appeared to brighten his mood. “Harry, Harry Potter.”

“Oh.” Was all she could say.

“Don’t tell me you’ve read the bloody books as well.”

“Well yes, I have. I suppose I thought you were younger. How old are you?” Paige asked as she got up to stop the tea kettle whistling. She poured the boiling water into the tea pot in the counter.

“I’m sixteen today or yesterday, depending on what time it is now.” Harry had come over and put out the fire, then reached up into the cabinet and pulled down two cups and saucers. Standing next to him, she noticed he was a little taller than her. He was in that charming stage boys go through on their way to manhood, where their large hands and feet don’t seem to fit the rest of their bodies because they haven’t finished filling out yet. Though, she would say he was lean, not skinny, his broad shoulders were just waiting for the rest of his muscles to mature.

“Happy Birthday” Paige said, leaning over and impulsively kissing his cheek. As she pulled back, she saw his eyes were wide and a blush was rising to his cheeks.

“Um …. thanks.” Harry mumbled.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ….”

“No, no, it was great… really. Thanks” he said, still blushing through his half smile. Paige poured the tea and they each took their cup back to the seats by the fire.

“So why is it you say you don’t know how to act around people?” She asked. Harry took a sip of his tea and grimaced, though he tried valiantly to cover it up.

“Since Sirius died, everyone acts funny around me. Like I might blow up any minute.” he set his tea down on the floor next to his chair. “Guess I’ve been biting back at them lately.”

“Who was Sirius? Was he a friend from school?” she asked, taking another sip of her tea. She had to admit the tea was an acquired taste.

“Sirius Black was my godfather. This is his house.”

“I see why you would be uncomfortable here. Were you and he close?”

“Well, yeah. As close as we could be with him being a fugitive and all.” Harry said. Paige’s eyebrows shot up. “Long story.”

“Maybe you can tell me sometime. I understand your anger, more than you know. People have an innate need to ‘fix’ things. They want to find a way to make you feel better, when what you really need is time. Not to forget Sirius, but to remember him without the pain getting in the way.” Harry was leaning forward in his chair now staring at her.

“Yeah, that’s it exactly. How did you know?”

“My parents died in a car accident. I remember all too well how I felt” she said, setting her tea cup on the floor too.

“How old were you?”

“Fifteen. I had just had an argument with them. For a long time, I felt it was my fault.”

“Sirius’ death was my fault. He went there to save me. I was so stupid. Dumbledore warned me.”

“Harry,” Paige said with a sigh, “I don’t know the circumstances, but I can tell you without a doubt it was not your fault and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.”

“How can you be so sure?” he said, staring at the floor again.

“We’ve had dealings with Death before, Death as in the tangible manifestation. Leo took me into the past, so I could find out why I survived the accident and my parents didn’t. I tried everything to change the outcome of that day. Nothing made a difference in the end.”

“You went into the past? Can you take me into the past? I could warn Sirius.” he said excitedly. Paige sadly shook her head.

“As I said, it wouldn’t make any difference. If he had not died that day, it would have been the next. Death will not be denied.” Harry brought his knees up in front of him and Paige thought she saw tears glistening behind his glasses. “There is no sense holding onto guilt, Harry. I’m sure your godfather would want you go on and keep his memory alive.” He nodded. After a stretch of silence, he stood up.

“You’ve been really great, but I gotta say … that tea… is horrid! It’s ruddy awful. Would you like a butterbeer?” he asked, walking over to what must have been the icebox.

“I don’t drink.” Paige said. Harry burst out in laughter. It was good to hear.

“They wouldn’t let me drink alcohol either. It’s not that kind of beer. Try it.” Getting two bottles out, Harry opened them, handing her one. Then he went back to his chair and took a long swig. Paige took a small sip. Mmmm, it was interesting and it sent a wave of warmth down to her toes.

“Before we get off this conversation, I would like to give you some advice.” Paige said and Harry nodded. “Don’t turn your friends away. Remember they’re hurting, too. Whether they knew Sirius or not, they see you in pain and it hurts them. Putting on a brave face for them, will only hurt them more.” Harry nodded slowly, thinking this over.

“I suppose I’ve been a right bastard to them. And they did know Sirius, as well as I did. I wonder if they would come here for awhile before school starts” Harry said taking another drink. They sat in a companionable silence for a time, the only noise was the crackling of the fire.

“So tell me what it’s like to be a Charmed One. At least most people don’t know you on sight.” Harry said, looking her over more carefully.

Paige laughed.

“No they don’t. I’ve only been a witch a little over a year. It still takes some getting used to. But having my powers has been cool” she said with a smile.

“Powers?” Harry asked. Paige nodded and held out her hand.

“Glasses” she said and Harry’s glasses materialized in her hand. She stood up and returned them to him.

“Wow, that’s great. It’s sort of ‘Accio’ without the wand.” he said putting his glasses back on. “So what will you be doing up at Hogwarts?”

“I don’t know. Professor Dumbledore said he was going to get back to us on that” she said, taking the last swig of her drink. She was feeling so warm and comfortable, she felt sure she could sleep now. Yawning tiredly, she stood up, picked up her cup and headed to the sink.

“I’m so glad I got to meet you, Harry.” she said, emptying the tea down the drain from both her cup and the teapot. He was right, this is horrid, she thought. Harry was beside her emptying his tea also. He pointed his wand at the dishes in the sink and said ‘Scourgify’, then put the clean dishes away.

“I think I should thank you. I’m feeling a bit better than I have been.” He turned to her and looked into her eyes. The intensity she saw in his vivid green eyes was far beyond his years. They gazed at one another for a long moment, then Harry leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “You’ve been my best birthday present this year,” he said smiling.

“Good night. I hope we can talk more tomorrow.” Paige said, then left the kitchen making her way upstairs. Somehow, he wasn’t at all what she had expected. But then, a lot had happened in his life she hadn’t known anything about. He wasn’t the idealistic dreamer she had imagined he would be, life had apparently not been kind to him, but then it never had been. He was intriguing, in a way. There was a mixture of maturity and innocence about Harry that made him approachable. At least, I might have one friend at Hogwarts, Paige thought.

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Phoebe woke up and rolled over, for a moment, wondering where the hell she was. The sight of Paige huddled under her blankets brought back the prior days events. Best to get up and greet the day, Phoebe thought. Getting up, she laid out her clothes, then looked around for her bra.

“Damn!” she whispered quietly, knowing exactly where the bra was. Well, she thought with a wicked grin, let’s see if he’s more of a morning person. Throwing on a pair of shorts and halter top, she headed out to the room and down the hall.

At the door, she stopped for a moment, wondering if this was such a good idea, but the need for revenge, however small, was too strong. She burst through the door with no warning to see the occupant of the room still in bed. Phoebe glanced in the direction of the bed to find Snape watching her with dark threatening eyes.

“Don’t mind me, I simply left my bra here last night.” she said, going to the chair where the bra still lay and picked it up, slinging it over her shoulder. Turning around, she gave herself a moment to appraise the man in front of her. He was pale and slightly muscular. Fine black hair dusted his nicely developed chest and stomach, disappearing under the sheet draped across his hips. Which brought her attention to the rather nicely proportioned area tenting the sheet from underneath. He raised his arms, placing his hands behind his head and gave her a challenging look.

“Have a nice day.” Phoebe said, as she started towards the door. “You should really have one of your tarts take care of that for you.”

“Miss Halliwell.” Snape said in a silky drawl. “I do hope you enjoyed the view.”

Phoebe burst into laughter as she went out the door. This was one interesting man. He gave as good as he got and she couldn’t help wondering, if he was the same way in all things.

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