Charming a Phoenix

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Chapter 5 - Pedagogy

Piper rocked Wyatt gently in the rocking chair. The move to this new location didn’t seem to disturb him at all. He appeared more alert and interested in his surroundings. She had a sneaking suspicion it was because of the high levels of magic in the house. Magic candles, paintings and other objects. Not to mention the other people around all being wizards and using magic in their daily lives.

“What do you think, little man?” Piper asked Wyatt as he cooed loudly. “That’s what I thought. You’re having the time of your life, aren’t you?” Looking up, she saw Leo orbing back into their room.

“So what do the Elders say?” she asked with some trepidation.

“It’s just as Albus said. Lilith has made a deal with the Dark Lord. The Elders are particularly worried about him. He is very powerful and has a lot of followers. Their advice was to work with the Order,” Leo said, taking the baby in his arms, bouncing and cooing at him.

“Then I guess we’re stuck here.”

“Is it so bad?” Leo asked, as he took Wyatt to the changing table.

“No,” she drawled out, “not as long as you can go back and check on the club occasionally. We are going to need some means of support when this is all over, since Phoebe will probably be fired from her job. We can’t even call. The newspaper will think she’s disappeared.”

“We’ll be alright. Don’t worry about that kind of stuff now. If these two evil powers join forces, life as we know it is over. All your energies need to be spent on this problem.”

“They will be,” Piper said getting up. “Right after we get rid of that painting! I wrote the spell this morning, I just need Paige and Phoebe,” she said, heading out the door and up the stairs, when a person descending them ran straight into her, knocking her to the floor.

“Well, that was a rude awakening!” Piper said from the floor, after having landed hard on her butt. Looking up, she saw a dark man was offering her a hand up.

“Forgive me, Miss Halliwell. I am unused to so many people here,” the strangely dressed man replied.

“Honey are you …..?” Leo started to say from the doorway, but upon seeing the man he stopped. The dark man glared back at him.

“Leo,” the man said coldly.

“Severus,” Leo replied in the same coolly formal manner.

“It has been a long time,” the dark stranger growled between clenched teeth.

“Yes, it has,” Leo said. The two men stared at each other, then the stranger continued down the stairs in a billow of black cloth. Piper looked at Leo for some kind of explanation, but he turned his back and went into their room, closing the door behind him. Wonder what that was about, she thought.

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After breakfast, Piper dragged Phoebe and Paige up to the first landing to the nasty portrait. Piper held the spell she had written in front of them. Paige hoped this wouldn’t take long, she was worried about Harry. He hadn’t come down to breakfast. Remus said that was nothing unusual, but still it worried her.

“Ready ladies?” Piper asked, then all three read the spell aloud together.

“In this time and in this place,
remove this blight, this sad disgrace.
No more to scream and curse and grouse,
Remove this portrait from this house.”

Mrs. Black let out an ear piercing shriek, then the painting exploded in a huge puff of grey smoke. All three sisters had been knocked backwards and were now sitting on the floor. The only reminder of the painting was the scorch mark on the wall.

Paige looked towards the stairs and saw Remus rushing towards them, a very anxious expression on his face. Then he looked at the wall and smiled broadly. He looked as if Christmas had come early.

“You’ve done it!” Remus said happily. Turning to them, he offered Piper and Phoebe each a hand to help them up. Paige felt two strong hands go under her arms, helping her to her feet. She turned and saw Harry giving her a lopsided grin.

“Good morning,” Paige said. By the look of him, Harry had just rolled out of bed.

“Good morning,” he answered shyly.

“Ah, Harry, there you are,” Remus said. “I would like you to meet the Charmed Ones. Piper, Phoebe and Paige,” Harry nodded to each sister, but his eyes lingered on Paige. As Remus began chattering on about plans for the day. Harry took the opportunity to take Paige by the hand and lead her upstairs. They went into a bedroom on the floor above hers. This must be Harry’s room, she thought.

“Sorry I missed breakfast. Last night was the first good night’s sleep I’ve had in . . . well I can’t tell you how long,” Harry said, as he straightened out his covers, so they could sit on the bed.

“Glad I could help,” Paige said, as she too sat on the bed.

“Sorry I was such a prat yesterday, too. Not coming down to greet you properly and all.” Harry said, looking down at the bed cover and picking at it.

“You’ve been through a lot. I think you earned the right to be a jerk for a while,” Paige said with a smirk, watching him. He seemed very nervous for some reason. Then she looked at the situation. Harry had a woman in his room, sitting on his bed, who he was trying to talk to. She grinned at the thought he might be trying to, as the Brits say, ‘chat her up’.

“Do you have any plans for the day?” Paige asked. He snorted with laughter.

“Dumbledore won’t let me go anywhere. I have to stay here.”

“So do we,” she replied, not sounding much happier about it..

“Would … um … would you like to learn to use a wand?” he asked looking hopeful.

“Do you think I could?”

“You’re a witch, aren’t you?” Harry chuckled. “I’m sure with a few pointers you’ll be a natural.”

“Sounds fun. Breakfast for you first, though. I’ll meet you in the kitchen after you get dressed,” she said standing. Harry nodded with a grin.

On her way to the kitchen, Paige laughed to herself. Two days ago she thought the boy, no young man, was a fictional character. In a way, it was the same way she felt when she found out she was a witch. Suddenly the fictitious, became real. Learning to use a wand could be fun, she thought. She would have to watch herself though, as it seemed Harry might get the wrong idea about her attentions. Though he was certainly attractive, she thought, letting her thoughts wander a bit. Definitely have to be careful.

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Phoebe, Piper and Remus were sitting in the parlor watching Wyatt play on his blanket on the floor. Phoebe would take his rattle away, he would giggle and the rattle would appear in his hand again.

“You are very good with him,” Remus said from the arm chair. Phoebe looked up laughing.

“He loves playing with his Aunt Phoebe. So how is it you came to work for the Order, Remus?” Piper asked.

“Well with my special circumstances . . . ” he said, trailing off.

“What circumstances?” Piper asked, looking at him expectantly. Remus looked quickly at Piper, then at Phoebe. Phoebe shrugged.

“I didn’t say anything. I didn’t feel it was my place. You hadn’t offered the information, after all,” Phoebe said.

Piper looked between the two. “What information?”

“I am a werewolf, Piper. My kind is heavily prejudiced against in our society. The Order is the only place I can be of use. I am not permitted to work, so am therefore ideal to stay here, as I have nowhere else to go.” Remus said, folding his hands in his lap. Phoebe’s heart went out to him. Such a proud and intelligent man and he was not allowed to make a living. Remus’ eyes met hers briefly, then turned away. She felt a change of subject right now might be a good idea.

“What can you tell me about Severus Snape?” Phoebe asked. Remus looked at her curiously.

“How do you know . . .? Oh dear, was that his room I put you in?” he seemed mortified, but Phoebe laughed.

“It’s okay, really. I think we came to an understanding,” Phoebe said.

“Is that the guy I ran into this morning?” Piper asked.

“Tall, dark and gloomy? That was him. Seemed to think I was a present left in his bed” She said. Piper laughed, but Remus looked scandalized.

“What did he do?” Remus demanded, his eyes suddenly cold. Phoebe thought there might be some old wounds between the two men and she didn’t want to add to them.

“Nothing really. I went to bunk with Paige and let him have the room. That was all. Who is he?” Phoebe asked.

“He is the Potions Master at Hogwarts. He can be a nasty bastard when he wants to be, which is most of the time.”

“Sounds like you two have issues,” Piper said.

“Severus and I were at school together.” And that appeared to be all he was going to say on the subject. “I am going to check in with Dumbledore, if you will be alright.” Both women nodded and he departed. Piper looked at Phoebe.

“What was that all about?” Piper asked.

“No idea. So you ran into Severus this morning?”

“As I said, literally. He knocked me down as he was coming down the stairs. And it seems my dear husband knows this guy, too.”

“Really? I wonder how?”

“When Leo gets back from the club I’ll ask him, but I can see I won’t get much out of him.”

“Maybe I can get something out of the yummy Potions Master, when I see him again,” Phoebe said with a wicked grin. Piper pointed an accusing finger at her sister.

“Watch it. We have to work with these people. You had better keep your hormones in check. Besides,” Piper went on, “what about Remus?”

Phoebe looked at her sister sideways and smiled broadly.

“I thought maybe you had a thing for him. And you have the nerve to talk about MY hormones, Mrs. Wyatt” Phoebe said laughing.

“I’m married, Phoebe, not dead. I can notice an attractive man,” Piper said, picking up her son and leaving the room with Phoebe’s laughter following her out the door.

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Paige sat at the kitchen table reading the book Harry had given her when he came down to eat. It was apparently his first year Charms book. Very interesting spells, she thought, but had no idea if she would be able to perform them.

Harry had gone by the floo network to talk with Professor Dumbledore, leaving Paige to read and wait for his return. Suddenly, green flames erupted from the fireplace and a moment later Harry stepped out covered in soot. He looked around the room and smiled when he saw Paige sitting at the table.

“Have a good talk?” Paige asked. Harry nodded, pointed his wand at himself and a moment later he was clean. Paige noticed for the first time his hair really did have that fly away quality all the time. Like slightly rumpled just-got-out-of-bed hair. It was charming and a little sexy. Wait! Squash that thought before it goes any farther. Sixteen, he’s sixteen Paige, get a grip!

“Dumbledore was pleased I wasn’t yelling at him. I told him I owed it all to you.” Harry said, as he sat down next to her. “I also sent letters to Ron and Hermione to see if they wanted to come see me before school starts.” He sat back, a serious expression coming to his face. “I would understand if they didn’t want to see me.”

Before she could stop herself, Paige laid her hand on his bare forearm in a comforting gesture.

“They will want to see you, Harry,” she said reassuringly.

“Guess I’ll know soon enough. Ready to try some wand work?” he asked enthusiastically.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. But I don’t have a wand.”

“You can use mine.”

“Isn’t your wand attuned to you?” Paige asked.

“Mmmm, yeah, I guess so, but with the simple spells we’ll be trying, it shouldn’t make any difference,” he said, standing her up and placing the book on the table. Holding his wand out, he stood next to her. “I thought we could start with something simple. Wingardium Leviosa,” Harry said, moving his wand through the air, then pointing it at the book on the table. The book began to rise, floating off the table and into the air. He was flying it around the room effortlessly. Setting it back down on the table. Harry handed Paige his wand.

“Remember to swish and flick, and aim your intentions on the target,” he said, then stood back to give her some room.

“Wingardium Leviosa,” Paige said while swishing and flicking, but she only managed to push the book off the table and onto the floor with a loud slap. Harry encouraged her to try again, but the results were the same.

“The power is there or you wouldn’t be moving the book at all. I think it might be your wand technique. Here.” Harry stood close behind her with his hand wrapped around hers holding the wand. She couldn’t help but notice his hands were very warm and slightly moist. And as his chest pressed into her back, she could tell just how fit he was. Her breathing had sped up involuntarily. Get a hold of yourself, she yelled in her head, you are NOT a cradle robber.

“Swish and flick. Can you feel the difference?” Harry said. His warm breath tickled her earlobe and neck, causing a shiver to run down her spine. If Harry noticed, he gave no indication.

“Let’s try it together once. Wingardium Leviosa,” he said, guiding her hand and the book rose from the table. Paige laughed as she could feel his magical power flowing through her hand. She turned to look at him as he was laughing, too. Uh oh, that was a mistake. Harry’s face was very close to her, she could see the flecks of gold and black in his vivid green eyes. The amused look receded from his face as he regarded her. He looked into her eyes and she felt a knot twist in her stomach. Must get out of this now before it is too late.

“Do you think I could try it on my own?” Paige said. Harry blinked, then stepped back, letting go of her hand. The book fell to the floor with a slap.

“Of course.”

Turning her attention back to the book, Paige was having trouble concentrating. Her hand was shaking, her whole body trembling at what she had almost done. What the hell is wrong with me?, she thought. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to make her body remember the movements Harry had taught her.

“Wingardium Leviosa,” she said with a swish and a flick. The book slowly rose from the floor. Harry whooped behind her, startling her and the book fell to the floor. Harry came up and hugged her in his excitement, Paige’s arms going around his neck automatically. She became painfully aware of how good his body felt against hers. Harry had stopped laughing, but had not released her. Pulling his head back, he looked down into her eyes.

“Harry,” Paige said breathlessly. It was the only thing she could think of saying. His eyes searched her face, landing on her slightly parted lips. She held her breath as his lips moved closer to hers. I shouldn’t, she thought, closing her eyes. Harry’s warm soft lips met hers in what could be considered a chaste kiss, but soon she was kissing him back, moving her lips against his. When she ran the tip of her tongue over his bottom lip, he shivered and a soft moan escaped him. That was what finally brought her mind back to reality. Paige pulled away slowly, but firmly, stepping away from him. Harry was panting slightly, looking at her with a confused and hurt expression.

“Good afternoon, you two,” Remus’ voice sounded from the doorway. They both turned to him. Paige went over and picked up the book, but when she turned around she noticed Remus was looking at them both with a mildly amused expression. “Had a good morning?”

“I was . . . ah . . . showing Paige how to use a wand. Show Remus what you can do,” Harry said, but never looked her in the eye. She set the book on the table and pointed the wand at it.

“Wingardium Leviosa,” Paige said and the book floated in the air for a few moment, then she set it back down. Remus applauded.

“Very good. I don’t believe any first years could have learned it that quickly. I hope you will continue to work together. Knowing how to use a wand could be beneficial to you,” Remus said. “I just came down to make lunch. I could use some help” he said, raising an eyebrow. Harry and Paige both agreed to help.

While they were making sandwiches, Remus stepped into the panty. Paige took the opportunity to talk to Harry.

“We need to talk later,” she said, putting a hand on his arm. He just barely got to nod before Remus came back into the kitchen. What am I doing? The words kept running through her mind. Logically she knew Harry was sixteen and she was twenty-three, but when he was close to her all logic flew out the window. Paige couldn’t be another person to cause Harry pain. A pain she knew too well.
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