Thanks to the fabulous Gemma (aka Waterloo) for the banner

So I had originally started a fanfic titled The Phoenix, but found I wasn't able to go where I wanted to with it. So I have decided to try again, with a similar idea in mind, but slightly different. In my story there is an addition to the trio, and her name is Abby Carson. I hope those who read it will enjoy =)

General Info:
Abby Carson was your typical witch except for one fact, she was a phoenix animagi with the ability to not only read minds but feel the emotions of the people surrounding her. At the typical age of eleven Abby was boarded off to Hogwarts, and found comfort in her three friends: Ron, Hermione, and Harry. Through the past four years at Hogwarts the four had formed a bond, and Abby found a way to deal with the ever-growing power that came with her phoenix animagi condition. However in their fifth year, things at Hogwarts were different: Voldemort had returned, fear and skepticism surrounded the four, and Abby couldn't help but wonder what exactly it was that Dumbledore seemed so frightened to tell her.

Chapter One: Part One:

Hot. A simple three letter word that seemed to be coursing through everyone's mind on that August morning. I was perched on the wooden seat attached to a tree by two ropes that were three times as old as I was. My luggage was packed, my owl was dutifully perched in her cage, and I was waiting for my parents to come outside and tell me they were ready.

I had been doing this for four years already, and yet each time I still felt a wave of sadness come over me as we departed for the Hogwarts Express. I remembered when I was eleven years old, and my parents waving from the train station as the train moved in slow motion around the corner. My parents had insisted that I would find people just like me at Hogwarts; that I would find that I was not really different at all. And in some ways they had been right; I had found comfort and solace in Ron, Hermione, and Harry. But at the same time there was something so familiar and stable about my house and my parents. With Harry's incident and knowledge that Voldemort had returned, there was a cloud of tension and unease that seemed to constantly hover over most of the wizarding world.

I had been preparing myself for the atmosphere at Hogwarts for about two weeks now, and wasn't sure that I had really made any progress. My mom just told me to take deep breaths, and to focus on positive emotions and feelings. I couldn't help but feel that positive emotions were going to be few and far between. In fact, I was pretty sure that Harry was going to make that very difficult. But Harry is my friend, and despite the unfortunate circumstances that may come from that, I was going to stand by him through thick and thin.

"Abby! It is time to go!"

I lightly hopped off the swing, my feet causing the few surviving pieces of grass in my yard to die. I jogged lightly to the door, my dark brown hair flowing behind me as I went, landing softly just below my shoulder blades when I stopped to open the back door. I quickly took in my smooth pale face reflected in the glass, my sapphire blue eyes hesitant, waiting for something to pop out from around the corner. I pulled the door open and walked into our kitchen, before rounding the corner into my living room.

My parents were standing at the fireplace, the pot containing the floo powder in my mother's gentle hands. Her hazel eyes stared at me warmly, the sunflower yellow dress hanging on her thin and fragile frame, the white apron tarnished with flower. My dad was standing next to her, his dark brown hair matching me own, and his blue eyes shining through his wire-rimmed glasses.

"Do be careful, okay?" my mom murmured as I took a handful of floo powder from the pot.

"It will be okay Mom," I said with a tiny smile. "Professor Moody and Tonks will be going with us to the train station along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

"I know, but do send Luna when you get on the train, just so I know."

I nodded as I hugged her and my dad, my dad holding onto me slightly longer than usual. I could feel a similar feeling to what I had felt on the swing penetrating from his body, but he managed to keep his face and smile calm and collected.

I stepped into the fire place and took one last look at my warm living room before dropping the powder from my hands, and firmly pronouncing, "The Weasley's Burrow."

FIRST READER!

That's an awesome start!
You're a pretty awesome writer, haha.

PAMS =D

Thanks Tommy'sgirl. I appreciate it, and am glad you are enjoying it so far =)

I kept my eyes closed as I felt the dust and dirt flying all around me, hearing the occasional muffled voices as I passed by various other stops. Once I felt my feet firmly hit the floor I opened my eyes to see the back of Mrs. Weasley, her flower patterned dress flowing with each curve of her body. She turned around at the sound of my feet hitting the floor, her whole face lighting up when she realized who it was.

"Abby dear! It is so good to see you!" She bustled me out of the fireplace, pulling me into a bear hug before kissing each of my cheeks. Over the years Mrs. Weasley had become like a second mother to me, and I found her home along with the other Weasley's to be like a second home.

I turned around, waiting for my luggage to come through the fireplace. My parents happily found that if they placed my luggage into the fireplace, and pronounced its destination while throwing floo powder on it, that it would go where it needed to go. I pictured my father's "Aha!" face when I saw my luggage land with a thump before falling over into the kitchen.

"Abby!" I heard a cheerful voice called out.

I turned around to see Hermione coming down the steps, her bushy shoulder length hair flowing behind her as she ran towards me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back cheerfully, feeling myself relax as her warm and happy aroma filled the air around me. She let go of me, and stepped slightly to the side so I could see Ron and Harry filing down the steps after her.

Hermione looked the same as she had at the beginning of the summer. She was an inch or two taller than me, but she had the same petite figure that I did; small but still having small curves. Ron on the other hand had obviously grown at least half a foot since I had seen him last. He slapped me on the back and mumbled his usual, "Good to see you mate." I smiled at his red and white, thin horizontally stripped t-shirt that I was sure his mom had made for him.

"It's good to see you too Ron," I said with a small smile.

I turned to see Harry, and tried to not have my face register the small amount of frustration that was lingering just beneath the surface. I had always found Harry attractive; even when we were only eleven years old, stuck at that awkward stage when talking to someone of the opposite gender could be nerve-wracking...especially for someone who could read minds. His jet black hair was an untidy mess on the top of his head, and his green eyes were staring at me from behind his wire-rimmed glasses. Harry was only three or so inches shorter than Ron, which made my head land around his shoulder. He was thin, but toned, his Quidditch muscles visible when he walked or moved in certain directions.

I took a couple of steps forward, my arms circling around his neck while his circled around my waist. I felt his body relax in my arms, and some of his original tension float away. I let go of the hug but kept my hands on his shoulders and smiled.

"Hermione told me about the dementor incident, and I am glad that you are okay."

"Yeah, Dumbledore was able to convince them of my innocence."

"To be quite honest Harry, it is ridiculous that they even had a trial in the first place. It was clearly self-defense," said Hermione, leaning softly against the dining room table.

"Yes, well, no need to worry about it anymore. Harry is going to school with everyone and all is well. Now we best get going...no need to have the order worrying!" Mrs. Weasley said as she bustled everyone outside of the burrow.

Mr. Weasley had gotten a car from the ministry to transport us to train station. We had been planning on going from Sirius' old house, the official headquarters of the Order, but Moody figured it was better to leave from the burrow so as not to draw too much muggle attention to their magical headquarters. So I happily followed everyone outside, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny and I climbing into the second seat; George, Fred, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley climbing into the seat behind. I recognized Tonks' hot pink hair sitting in the passenger seat next to Professor Lupin, our Old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"Everyone ready?" Professor Lupin said, turning his head slightly so his voice would reach everyone in the car.

"Yes sir!" Mr. Weasley's cheerful voice called from the back. I relaxed back into my seat, and felt Harry on my left try to do the same. Without trying to draw too much unnecessary attention, I gently laid my hand against the side of his leg. I was perhaps the only person in the car who knew just how dark and confused Harry was truly becoming.

SECOND READER!

Awesome, the descriptions are perfect! Great job

I am glad to say I have my second reader =) I am glad you are enjoying it!

Harry turned and looked at me, attempting a small smile, but failed miserable. I tried to convey with my eyes that I understood what he was feeling right now, and the small nod of his head told me the message had gotten through. With Cedric Diggory's death, Voldemort's return, and the real Mad-Eye Moody being found in a trunk after Barty Crouch Jr tried to kill him, Harry had been a little on edge and in a state of shock, but honestly who could blame him.

I could feel Hermione on my right looking hesitantly at Harry. I could tell she was still thinking about Harry's burst of frustration three days, Harry yelling in disbelief that they had been depriving him of any news all summer. I myself had disagreed strongly with keeping Harry so sheltered when he was at the core of the issue, but I knew Dumbledore's reasons, and for that I kept my head in the sand.

"I can't wait until we get on the train," Ron's voice trickled from the right side. "I have been craving a nice chocolate frog and a new wizard card all morning."

"Our dear brother," Fred mocked from the back, leaning forward so that his face was on Ron's right side.

"When is he going to grow up?" George asked, coming even with Ron's other side.

"Oh shut up you two. Don't pretend that you don't have a box of wizard cards stashed somewhere in your room."

I saw Hermione roll her eyes and shake her while Ginny chuckled as Ron's face turned red at some comeback Fred had made. The rest of the ride went smoothly, everyone in the car making small, mindless chatter to try and keep their minds off of what was ahead of them. We found Mad-Eye Moody and Hagrid waiting for us when we got out of the ministry car. I was pretty sure several muggles had stood gaping for several minutes, thoughts as to how in the world how many people could fit into one car streaming through their minds.

"Hey Abby, do you mind if I talk to you later?" Harry whispered to me as we pulled our luggage out of the car.

"Sure Harry," I said with a warming smile. I did my best to shut out the thoughts of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other Weasleys. I figured it was an invasion of their privacy, and I had developed over the year the ability to turn their thoughts down to a low whisper, so I could hardly hear them at all.

The walk to the platform was filled with shifty eyes from our "protectors", and forced cheerful conversations from Mrs. Weasley. I couldn't help but feel myself relax as the train pulled away from the platform, the figures of Professor Lupin, Moody, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Hagrid disappearing as we rounded the bend.

"Do you think Hagrid will be alright on the motorcycle?" Hermione asked as the four of us filed into an empty compartment.

"I'm sure he will be fine Hermione. He's Hagrid after all, isn't he?" said Ron, looking at the window to see if the woman with the snack cart was coming yet.

"That doesn't mean he is invincible Ron," Hermione said as she opened a book on her lap.

I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. I hadn't sleep well the night before, the image of a clear crystal ball with a hazy interior had haunted my dreams, flashing images of pain and torture. Trying to prevent the image from haunting my dreams again, I let myself listen to the voices and laughter of my friends around me. Even Harry managed to let out some chuckles as we got closer and closer to the place that we could all call our "home away from home."

Hehe, I like how Ron thought that Hagrid was invincible...

Nice, pams

Sorry for going so long without an update. I have been busy, but here is more of chapter one. Enjoy!

The rest of the train ride went rather smoothly minus the snide remarks from Draco Malfoy and his two goonies. As much as I despised Draco I couldn't help but feel that it was not really his fault. His father was constantly being belittled by the people who's opinions he truly cared about, and in return I believe his father took out his frustrations on him. Still I found it inexcusable the way he constantly referred to Hermione as "The MudBlood", and the way he threw Ron's lower financial status around like a hot potato.

"You know Harry, people might treat you a little differently this year," Hermione said, leaning forward on the seat to whisper it.

"Why do you say that?" Harry asked, coming out of his day dream out the car window.

"Well it's just that I am not sure everyone is quite as willing to believe in what you have to say as we would like them to be."

Harry stared at Hermione as if she had just slapped him in the face. Hermione leaned back in her seat, and took a quick swallow before turning to look at Ron and me for moral support.

"What she means mate is that people are going to be the usual gits that they are," said Ron with a small smile.

"What you both are saying is that I shouldn't get angry at the people who think I belong in a loony bin," replied Harry, keeping a completely straight face.

"No Harry," I said, turning to look at him full on. "What we are trying to say is that people are dense, and sometimes they have to see something with their own two eyes before they can even consider the possibility of it being true. I reckon most are going to whisper about you like they did our second year, but just wait, they will come around."

Harry stared at me for a moment or two before nodding his head, and standing up to get his luggage out of the storage rack above us. Hermione smiled at me appreciatively as we got down our things as well. While Hermione admired my ability to word things exactly how people needed to hear them, I told her the admiration was misplaced. I was at an extreme advantage being able to hear people's thoughts as well as sense their emotions. With Harry I had always been somewhat more in tune to the way he was feelings than anyone else, and because of that I have found over the years the right ways to stand beside him through the difficult times. I knew Hermione and Ron would stand by Harry until their death, just like me, but we all knew that I was the one who could put what we were all feeling into the right words.

"Careful boys, don't want to get too close to Potter. It was already bad enough having to walk past him on the train," came the slimy voice of Draco Malfoy.

Out in the more open space of the woods Harry seemed more willing to make a physical move against Draco. Harry started to make his way towards him when Ron grabbed both of his arms from behind and held him back.

"It's not worth it Harry. A reaction is what he wants," muttered Ron as Malfoy and the goonies speed walked away, chuckling now that they were out of Harry's reach.

Harry shrugged Ron off of him and started to walk towards the carriages. The three of us looked at each other hesitantly before following behind Harry. As we got closer I could see Cho Chang sitting in the back of the cart smiling shyly at Harry as the carriage pulled away. I immediately felt Harry's spirits lift. Try as I might over the years to just see Harry as a friend, it hadn't exactly worked. I had found myself developing a small crush on him at the middle of the second year, and as time has progressed it has only increased. I had nothing against Cho Chang, but at the same time I couldn't but wish that she wasn't interested in Harry at all, but alas that was not the case.

"You should just tell him," whispered Hermione in my ear.

"The day you tell Ron is the day I will tell Harry," I whispered back.

Hermione and I chuckled as her cheeks went red from my remark. It was very obvious that Ron and Hermione should be together, but Ron apparently was a bit slow when it came to seeing the light.

"What is that?" asked Harry as the carriage pulled closer.

"What is what?" asked Ron.

"That thing pulling the carriage," Harry said, stepping closer.

"Harry, the carriage is pulling itself like it always does," said Hermione, starring at him skeptically.

"You're not crazy. I can see it too," came the airy voice of Luna Lovegood from the carriage.

"You can see it?" asked Harry.

"Yes. It's called a thestral."

Luna looked a person who spent most of her time off in the clouds. Her long blonde hair came down in waves, stopping midway down her back. She was extremely pale, and her blue eyes had such a look about them that you wondered whether or not she was both physically and mentally there. Harry and Ron had no idea who she was, but I had seen her around at Hogwarts and found myself chuckling whenever I caught a whiff of her thoughts.

We climbed onto the carriage, Hermione sliding in next to Luna, but still keeping a somewhat safe distance. In light of admiring the eccentric Luna (specifically her dangling beat earrings) we hadn't noticed that Neville Longbottom was sitting on the carriage as well. He was holding a plant that moved every now and then, in a very spastic way, like someone who had the sensation of being jerked awake from a dream of them tripping and almost falling.

Neville was another person who was constantly struggling to live up to another person's expectations, and unfortunately for him I don't think he ever would meet his Grandmother's expectations. However he didn't let that keep him down, and his determination to do his best shone in his somewhat scared looking brown eyes. The rest of the ride was felt with small chat and the occasional strange comment from Luna. I let myself drift, but wished I hadn't when the image of Harry kissing Cho came flashing into my head.

HA! *Stabs the air triumphantly* I knew she liked him! Er.. Well, actually not really, just the thought may have come across my mind once or twice lol.. But still that's sweet, Hermione go tell Ron, awesome, the post great

Sorry for the lack of update! Now that I am back in college I will will mostly only be able to produce an update on the weekends, so I should have more of chapter one by Saturday or Sunday. =)

AWESOME!!! Cool..

Here is the rest of Chapter One. Enjoy!

As we climbed out of the carriage I tried desperately to shake the image that had flashed so unwillingly into my head. Unfortunately it wasn't going very well. So I continued to walk along in silence, distancing myself as far as I could from Harry in the hopes that the further away from him I was, the less likely I was to get more unwanted images in my head.

"You alright Abby? You've been rather quiet this whole ride," said Hermione, coming up on my left side.

"I am fine," I said with a smile, turning away from her as I saw Harry was listening into our conversation.

They all knew what I could do and what my phoenix animagi condition entailed, but the look in Harry's eyes made him wonder if I had been reading in on what he had just fantasized about. Thank heavens I was good at hiding emotion from my face. I made a conscience effort the rest of the walk to try and pay more attention to the conversations going on around me. The most popular conversation was who our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was going to be.

Since my first year at Hogwarts we had had awful luck when it came to finding a teacher who could last in the post for more than one year. So far we were on strike number four, and I couldn't help but wonder if we were about to go on to strike number five. Last year we had perhaps the worst professor next to Professor Quirrell. It is never settling when you find that a teacher at Hogwarts is actually very closely connected it the Dark Lord, or in his case literally connected to the dark lord.

I had sensed all summer that the ministry was definitely going to try and step in at Hogwarts this year. Dumbledore's noble defense of Harry's statement that Voldemort really had returned made many question his sanity, and question whether or not he was getting too old to be in the kind of position he is. While Harry just chose to get angry at those that thought him a loony bird, I knew that really they were just so terrified that after all these years someone so dark and so evil could actually have returned to form right under their noses. It's like opening an old box that had been locked and put away years ago, only to find upon opening it recently that the object within still had the same impact on you. I suppose most could be unsettled by the fact that despite all this time, the people still hadn't changed enough to prevent that tragic leader from ever returning again.

As we walked through the huge wooden doors leading into the castle I couldn't help but smile at the familiar smell and feel of the school. Surrounded by so much magic was perhaps the most comforting place for me to be. It made my abilities and talents seem so small and meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

We filed down the rows to our proper house tables in the dining hall, and I smiled to find Dumbledore sitting calm and relaxed in his chair. I wondered why it was that Dumbledore never seemed to protect his thoughts from me when I was near him. In fact he seemed to change them so they came out as sentences directed specifically at me. As I looked at him and took my seat I felt the familiar "Hello" that he sent my way whenever I passed him, or was seeing him for the first time in a while stream through my body.

"Dumbledore looks calm doesn't he?" said Ron as he sat down across from me.

Hermione sat next to him, smiling at me shyly, and I tried to relax as Harry sat down next to me, his arm brushing against my own.

"Is that her?" asked Fred.

"Is that who?" asked Ron.

"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," replied Dean Thomas, who had seated himself next to Fred.

The woman that Fred was referring to was short, and decked out in far too much pink for anyone...even a five year old girl playing dress up. Professor Snape, our Potions teacher, was fuming inside at how close this woman had chosen to seat herself next to him. Her arm was within milimeters of touching his own, and the idea of so much pink colliding with his black attire made him wonder if he would exit the room looking like a rainbow. I couldn't help but laugh as the image of his robe being splashed with the colors of the rainbow.

"What's so funny?" asked Ron.

"Professor Snape doesn't seem too thrilled with our new teacher invading his personal space."

Everyone chuckled as they drew their focus to his face. We silenced immediately as Dumbledore took his place behind the podium. In the middle of his usual welcome I became aware of the repetitive sound of someone clearing their throat. I kept looking around me until I realized that it was coming from the "pink toad", who had risen from her seat next to Snape, and was heading towards the podium.

"I believe your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has some words she would like to say," said Dumbledore, slightly taken aback. "Here is Professor Dolores Umbridge."

Whispers circulated around the entire room as the new woman began her speech. I could feel myself tuning out, choosing to listen to the stunned thoughts of the other teachers in the room. I could sense Professor McGonagall's desire to lunge out of her chair and transform her into a peanut which she could crush under her shoe for the way she had disrespected Albus.

The speech ended after ten minutes and one basic fact was clear: the ministry was invading Hogwarts.

Chapter Two: Dumbledore's Request

Here is Part One of chapter two =)

There were muffled whispers throughout the entire dining hall as everyone stood up from their tables, and headed back to their common rooms. Professor Umbridge continued to talk to Professor Snape, who sat there with an expression a cross between loathing and boredom. Hermione was talking to a disinterested Ron, and an aggravated Harry as we got up from the Gryffindor table.

I couldn't help but notice that Professor Dumbledore was standing and looking at me with curious eyes. I turned to see if anyone else had noticed that he was staring so intently at me, but by the time I turned around he was making his way towards me.

I took a deep breath as it became very obvious that it was me whom he wanted to speak with. Harry, Ron, and Hermione paused when they realized I hadn't started walking with them. Harry was getting excited that Dumbledore was coming over to them, and like the other two he assumed Dumbledore was coming to talk to him.

"I was wondering if we may have a few words in private," Dumbledore said to me, that kind twinkle in his eye.

"Sure Professor," I said feeling the shock coming off of Harry's body. It was in these kind of moments that I wished I could shrink back and blend into the wall.

I followed Professor Dumbledore out into the entrance hall and up the stairs. I could tell that he was probably going to take me to his office, where there could be complete privacy. Even once the hallways around us were empty he chose to remain silent, looking over at me occasionally and smiling gently. As we approached the huge statue of a bird with its wings spread wide I feel the air change slightly. I turned my head to the left to see that Professor Umbridge had come out of a class room a couple of doors down.

She turned, startled to see the both of us, but the shock slowly turned to curiosity at why Dumbledore was taking me into his office. Surely if she casually strolled over he would let her in on the secret. The sound of her heels echoed off the walls as she came towards us.

"Good evening Professor Umbridge," said Dumbledore, obviously picking up on her intentions as well.

"Hello Albus. What are you up to this fine evening?" Her voice was squeaky and I couldn't help but marvel at how her head was so perfectly constructed to be the exact same shape as a toad's.

"Nothing of concern Dolores. I am merely returning to Abby something she left at Hogwarts last term that I have not had a chance to mail to her. Good night."

Dumbledore turned on the spot and stared at the statue. Without muttering a single word the statue began to turn, revealing a set of winding stairs that led to the door of his office. Feeling disgruntled and astounded at being so rudely cut off, she turned on her heel and stormed away.

He may not tell me what is going on, but I am sure I can get that girl to loosen her tongue.

I rolled my eyes as I followed Dumbledore up the steps and into his office. He continued forward before sitting down in his huge arm chair, and gesturing for me to take a seat in the chair opposite of him. I couldn't help but be fascinated at the number of knick-knacks that Dumbledore kept scattered about among desks and shelves. I took my seat and smiled as his own flaming red phoenix Phawx swooped down and landed gracefully on the arm of my chair. I began to pet the bird gently, its eyes closing in bliss.

"I cannot help but wonder why it is that you rolled your eyes as Professor Umbridge so gracefully exited our conversation," said Professor with a small grin.

"She believes that I might be more willing to spill the beans," I said with a chuckle.

"Ah well. Clearly she does not know of your talents. You are rather good at hiding them," he said with a wink.

"Years of practice," I said with a small shrug.

"Yes...of course you must be wondering why it is that I summoned you here to tonight," Dumbledore said, all traces of casualness leaving the air around him.

I nodded my head, and adjusted myself on the seat. "Do you know what it is that I want?" asked Professor Dumbledore.

"Not really...just that you have a favor to ask me?"

"Yes, I have a favor to ask you. I apologize for it will go against your normal nature of respecting people's thoughts. Can I have your word that you will do this for me Abby?"

"Yes Professor, you have my word."

"Very good. I need you to keep an eye on Harry, and by that I mean I want you to tell me everything that goes through his head. Can you do that for me?"

Both Professor Dumbledore and I knew that Harry's thoughts and head was in a dark place, surrounded by painful memories and feelings, but I could tell that this was something Dumbledore was begging me to do for him.

"Yes sir. I will tell you everything."

OMG!!! LOOOVVVEEEE this storeeee!
PAMS PAMS PAMS!!!
*sits and (not so patiently) waits*

Pams!! Pams!! Pams!! Pams!!!!

Here is part number two of chapter two. Enjoy =)

Dumbledore sat starring at me for a couple of minutes. While I knew I could read his mind if I wanted to, I decided I didn't really want to know what was going through his head at the moment.

"Do you know why I am asking you to do this for me?" asked Dumbledore.

"No sir," I said, looking at the smooth feathers on the phoenix.

"I believe that Voldemort is going to try to get inside Harry's mind using their connection. I am hoping that by distancing myself from Harry Voldemort might be less tempted to pursue that avenue to get information about myself and the order."

I nodded my head. Harry and Voldemort's connection was something that I didn't completely understand, its magic going further than anything that I had learned about in school so far.

"You may not be aware of this, but Voldemort does not know of your abilities, or that you are a phoenix animagi."

"I didn't know that. Do you think he would be able to sense me being in Harry's mind all the time?"

"No. You see that is what makes you more valuable than a wizard who can perform occulmency. Voldemort will not be able to sense your presence as all. That is why even when you enter someone's mind by accident they are unaware of it. Phoenix animagis can enter the mind without leaving a trace."

I nodded my head. I guess that was why Harry hadn't recognized on the carriage that I had seen his fantasy for lack of a better word.

"Abby, I can understand how you feel like you are going to be betraying a friend, but I assure you if there was any other way to keep a tab on Harry's mind without making my presence there known, I would use it."

"No, I understand Professor. If it's going to help Harry or protect him from Voldemort, than I will do everything I can to help."

Dumbledore smiled softly and nodded his head. "Is Harry aware of your interest in him?"

Somehow, unbeknownst to myself, I prevented my cheeks from turning red. I shook my head slightly, turning my gaze back to the phoenix which was now humming a soft song near my ear.

"I do believe Phawx enjoys your company," said Dumbledore with a small chuckle.

I smiled, as I leaned in closer so that I could hear the song clearly.

"You know, if you close your eyes and concentrate, you might be able to understand what the song is all about. It is when Phawx sings that I wish I was a phoenix animagi, just so I could understand what phoenixes sing about."

"Phawx sings about peace mostly," I said, closing my eyes so that the music was all that I could hear. "A world where people wouldn't even think to use magic for dark causes."

"I would love a place like that."

We sat in silence for a couple of moments, listening to Phawx sing. When Phawx finished Dumbledore rose from his chair and gestured that I do the same.

"I am sure you are tired and need to go unpack your things. I will be sending you a letter even Saturday for the time we should meet on Sunday. Use your discretion on what you think I need to know, and what is best kept in Harry's head."

I nodded my head and headed towards the door. I paused, my hand on the door knob, and turned back to Dumbledore.

"Professor what should I do about Professor Umbridge?"

"Ah, yes...Dolores. I would advise that you be somewhat tentative to her thoughts as well, that way if you find her trying to make her move so to speak, you can be prepared."

"Alright sir."

"I am now at a great debt to you Abby, and I don't think I will ever be able to repay you."

I smiled at him softly, before opening the door, and descending down the steps, and back into a world of thoughts and confusion.

OMG first to post YAY!
PAMS!!!
luv,
JENNI XXX

*gasp* I missed so many posts THAT WAS AWESOME! Abby=AWESOME! Lol.. I like using that word, but anyways.. Those were all great posts! I love 'em! pams when you can please!

Hi everyone! Thanks for the comments =). Sorry that I have not updated yet but I have had a stomach virus the past two days, but I will be sure to have an update tomorrow or Saturday.

I continued down the quiet hallways, passing Nearly Headless Nick who merely nodded his head at me before drifting on. It wasn't until I walking down a hallway on the fifth floor, hoping to take a portrait shortcut to the Fat Lady when I sensed that there was something following me. I stopped in the middle of the hallway and closed my eyes.

So close. This is perfect. All alone with no Dumbledore to help her now.

I gently slid my hand into my robe and grasped onto my wand. Clearly Umbridge was not as intelligent as she thought she was. Opening my eyes I took a deep breath and relaxed my stance.

"Hello Professor Umbridge."

How in the world did she know it was me?

I turned on the spot and smiled at her warmly. She had been half hidden behind one of the iron knights, which had turned its head down to start at her skeptically.

"What are you doing roaming the corridors at such a late hour Miss Carson?"

Umbridge stepped out from behind the knight and walked towards me quickly, an air of authority coursing through her entire being. Despite the corridor being fairly dark her bright pink attire allowed for her to stick out like a sore thumb.

"I just got done talking with Professor Dumbledore," I said with a gentle smile.

"Oh yes, that's where you were."

She stared at me for a couple of moments, waiting for me to crack and explain in grave detail what it was that we had discussed. I was able to hide my amusement at how much faith this woman had in her persuasive capabilities. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the kind of person who everyone confused their most desire secrets to, she was a zero.

"Well, what exactly was it that you two were discussing?" Her voice squeaked and went up an octave at the end. She was observing me with that sickeningly sweet smile of hers and had clasped her hands together across her round belly.

"How I need to not be so forgetful. You see I left this valuable little artifact my mother had given me at the end of last term, and he was just returning it to me."

How stupid does she think I am? "Really? Well that certainly did take a long time for Dumbledore to return this artifact to you."

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. "I guess time flies when you're with Dumbledore. Now if you don't mind professor I am going to head up to my bed. I am really tired from the trip and everything, and I don't want to be too tired for my first day of classes."

"Just one more moment. May I see what exactly the artifact he gave you was?"

I've got her now.

"Sure." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small wooden carving of an owl. I held it out on the palm of my hand in case she wanted to hold it for herself.

That's it? That's what he gave her? Well what use is that?! Surely there was something else that Dumbledore had brought her into his office for.

"May I go now Professor?" I asked with another warm smile.

Her face had turned red with frustrated, and she shook her hand violently, signaling I was free to go. I turned around and continued walking, shoving the wooden figure into my pocket and smiling to myself as I listened to the fuming argument going on inside of her head.

I got to the top of the steps and stared at the Fat Lady when I realized I had no idea what the password was.

"Password?" she asked, trying to stifle a yawn in its tracks.

"Well actually I am not sure."

"No password, no entrance. Sorry my dear."

I sighed and sat down in front of the portrait. I was trying to think if I had heard anyone think it before I went off with Dumbledore when the portrait swung open and nearly toppled me over. I stood up and jumped when I saw that it was Harry.

"Hey Abby. I figured you wouldn't know the password so I've been checking every half hour or so to see if you got back."

"Thanks Harry," I said, realizing that even though I didn't want to I should probably start reading his thoughts.

I wonder if she would tell me what they are talking about. I mean I always tell the three of them everything so it would only seem fair that Abby tell me what Dumbledore wanted her for.

"So, how is Dumbledore?"

"He's good. Same old you know." I felt my eyes shift to the ground.

"Do you too mind either going or staying out?"

"Sorry," Harry mumbled and went through the portrait entrance in front of me. Once we had gotten into the room Harry turned around and looked at me hopefully.

Abby is always honest with me. I mean even when Ron and Hermione try to keep things from me, Abby doesn't baby me. I mean she tells me how it is. So I am sure if I just ask her what he wanted she will tell me.

Harry swallowed nervously and smiled. "So what did Dumbledore want?"

"Nothing important Harry. He just wanted to give me back that wooden owl that I left here last term."

You've got to be kidding me. Surely that was not it. I mean, he would have just brought it to dinner if that was the case, wouldn't he?

"Really, that's it? I mean, it seemed like whatever he wanted to talk to you about, it was important."

"Really Harry that was it. Sorry that it's not more exciting. Believe me I wish it had been."

"Yeah, yeah. Well I guess I'll head off to bed now that you're back and everything. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright. Thanks for waiting Harry."

I watched him go up the stairs, his mind reeling with theories about what Dumbledore and I may have been talking about. I shook my head lightly before following him to bed. Everyone in the room was sleeping soundly, so I gently walked to my bed and pulled the curtains closed. Once I had pulled on my pajamas and was under the sheets it occurred to me how difficult this was going to be. I had always found a kind of comfort in not knowing everything about my closest friends and they seemed to appreciate the privacy that I gave them. Now, here I was, violating that trust completely with the very person whose thoughts I tried the hardest to stay out of. But what choice did I have? Harry needed my help and Dumbledore truly believes this is the only way to help him.

With a sigh of submission I closed my eyes and searched through the minds of the people around me, until I landed comfortably inside of Harry's.

Aww... Abby is so awesome! And Umbridge a fool, I like that Harry was waiting for her, Harry's such a cool guy!

OMG! looooooooooooooove this PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS!
luv,
JEN X

Sorry that it has been so long since an update! Here is the first part to chapter four =)

I sat staring out the window, my books slid comfortably into my bag, and Hermione going on about how excited she was for classes to start. I hadn't noticed the sudden stopping of her muffled voice until I felt her sit down on the bed next to me.

"Are you alright? You seem a little out of it this morning."

"No, I'm fine. Just tired you know," I said with a shrug of the shoulders.

Truthfully I was tired, and all I wanted to do was crawl back under my warm sheets and fall asleep, my own dreams and thoughts filling my head rather than Harry's constant replay of Cedric's dead body hitting the ground. The only person I had ever lost in my life was my grandmother, but at the time I was only six years old, and the only thing I could really understand was that the people around me were feeling a ton of pain. But this, this was different. Never have I had to see the life leave someone's eyes before.

"You're sure? This doesn't have something to do with the meeting with Dumbledore last night, does it?"

"No, that wasn't anything important. Really I am just tired, and you know I get a little homesick the first week back." I smiled the best I could and stood up, sliding my bag over my shoulder.

"You know if you need to talk about anything, I am here."

"Thanks Hermione."

I knew Hermione went well, and it killed her feeling like she was out of the loop and behind on knowledge. I wanted to tell her not to worry, that everyone was out of the loop, but I knew Dumbledore didn't want me to tell anyone about this assignment of mine.

Hermione, Ginny, and I tracked down the grand staircase, passing Nearly Headless Nick who seemed to be in a miserable mood, and walked into the rather crowded great hall. Harry and Ron were already sitting at the Gryffindor table, both staring intently at a long piece of parchment paper.

"One moment please," Professor McGonagall called out to us as we walked through the doors. She hurried over and handed each of us our schedules for the year.

"Thanks Professor," Hermione said enthusiastically before leading us to the table.

You know if you need to talk, I am here Miss Carson

I looked behind me at Professor McGonagall who was smiling softly. I nodded my head gently before taking my seat at the table next to Harry. I knew if it was going to be hard to hide this from anyone it would be Harry. He was on edge, and anyone acting the slightest bit different bothered him, and made him feel like an outcast. I knew why Dumbledore was sheltering him, but sometimes I wondered if Dumbledore's attempts to leave him in the dark actually made things worse.

"Busy schedule this year, eh?" said Ron, staring at the piece of paper with a dreadful look on his face.

"Well we do take our O.W.L.s this year Ronald. What did you expect?" said Hermione with a little eye roll.

"I figured maybe they would bring down the course load. Give us more time to study, you know?"

Hermione snickered. I don't understand what it is that I see in that boy. I must be losing it.

I took a bite of my toast and scanned over my own schedule. Of course I had my two usual classes, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Herbology. I knew my astrology class was probably going to be difficult, and I imagined that my Transfiguration class would also be rather challenging. Despite only being in my fifth year I often took a higher level Transfiguration class with the sixth years. At least Fred and George would be in the class with me.

"How is your schedule mate?" Ron asked Harry who had just finished chewing a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"We have the exact same schedule it looks like," said Harry, double checking his schedule in comparison to Ron's.

"We all seem to have the same schedule, up a class or two here or there," said Hermione with a big smile.

Well that's good. Maybe I can get Abby to open up to me about the meeting with Dumbledore. I can't believe she would be shutting me out like this. I wonder if she is telling Ron and Hermione? I wonder if Dumbledure is asking her to leave me out?

"So Abby, what did Dumbledore want?" he asked, leaning forward on the table so only the four of us could hear.

"Really guys, it was nothing important. He was just giving me back that wooden figurine I had left here last year."

So, it looks like she's not telling Ron either. I wonder if she told Hermione. She probably did.

I listened to Harry's mind racing like it had last night after our initial conversation, but the racing stopped when Cho Chang walked past our table. She smiled slightly and whispered her little, "Hi Harry," before continuing on with her friends. I tried to not let it show when I felt Harry's spirits lift. Hermione was looking at me intently, apologetic thoughts crossing her mind.

"We better get going," I said with a little cough. "We have Professor Snape first and I am sure he would love to have a reason to punish us on the first day of classes."

"Yeah, no kidding," said Ron, cramming an entire piece of toast into his mouth and slowly starting to chew. Hermione's mouth fell open slightly in shock and she turned to look at me.

I raised my eyebrows and gave a soft chuckle before we headed out the doors and started walking towards the stairs leading to the dungeons. I'll admit that it is hard not to loath Severus Snape after the way he not only treats Harry for being James Potter's son, but also for the way he lashes out at Hermione for being smart. But they could not see inside Snape's mind the way I could...another perk to me being a Phoenix animagi. Try as Snape might, there was no way he could keep me out of his head. Granted, inside his mind was not really somewhere I wanted to lounge, but sometimes when I would be dazing or letting my wall down some of his thoughts would slip in. I found despite Snape's hatred of Harry, he tried to see beyond the parts of him that were his dad, and into the parts of him that were his mom.

"Well look, it's Potter and his little crew of losers," said Malfoy with a laugh. His two goonies Crabbe and Goyle laughed, along with Pansy Parkinson, who hung onto Draco's arm as if he might disappear forever if she were to let go.

"Shove off grease ball," Ron said, sticking his hand in his pocket to pull out his wand.

"Don't Ron," I said, grabbing his arm forcefully. I could feel Snape's presence coming out of the office a couple doors down from the one we stood in front of.

"Is there a problem Mr. Weasley?" Professor Snape asked in his low, drawn out voice. I couldn't help but picturing the words coming out of his mouth in the shape of a snake.

"No, not at all Professor."

"Wouldn't want to start out the year losing points for Gryffindor already now would you?" he asked, looking down his crooked nose.

Ron merely shook his head, profanities thrown in with the word Snape streamed through his mind, and I wondered if Professor Snape was hearing his thoughts as well.

"Inside, all of you." He looked as several people stood, afraid to move for fear he might strike. "Now," he said, his voice rising in volume at the pronunciation of the "w".

I took a breath as the image of a small boy holding a tin box came streaming into my head. His head was facing down at first, but slowly it turned, to reveal a pale face with dark brown hair and dark eyes. He smiled softly at the little girl sobbing in front of him as he slammed the tin box shut, her small doll falling into the darkness.

Wow.. That's sooo strange her reading people's thoughts! Poor Snape knowing that she can get in there! Harry, uugh! Can't you see that Abby likes you? And not Cho, she just likes you for the money and the fame.. teehehe

2nd 2 posteeeeeee! omg i luv it well done u amazing writer u!
keep up the gud work!!! and PAMS PAMS PAMS PAMS...

Sorry for such a long break before this post, but I was away for Spring Break and didn't have time to get on the computer.

Professor Snape stared at me for a couple of moments, clearly noticing that something was off, but I quickly shuffled past him, and took my seat next to Hermione. Snape followed me in, sneaking another glance at me before he took his position at the front of the classroom.

"Today we will be making the Ravenous potion, which is helpful in healing rashes or burns caused my spells or jinxes. You can find the steps in your potions book."

Everyone flipped in their books to the appropriate page, and several let out moans and sighs of disbelief as we observed the complicated series of steps sitting in front of us.

"This will be a good indicator for me to see which of you have a chance of getting an excellent on your O.W.L.s. I feel that most of you will not be receiving one..." He looked at Neville Longbottom who was eyeing one of the roots skeptically as he finished his sentence.

"He just wants to be cruel, doesn't he? Gets some kind of sick pleasure from it," grumbled Ron as we went to the front to collect our supplies.

"I have to admit this is a rather complicated potion for the first day of class after three months of summer," replied Hermione who was skillfully juggling all her supplies in her arms.

If you are paying attention to my thoughts Miss Carson, look over at me

I kept my body as calm and relaxed as possible as I heard the sound of Snape's thoughts drip into my mind. Since I was keeping such a diligent track on Harry's mind, I was finding it more difficult to tune out the people around me as well as I normally could. I had no desire to talk to Snape, or to hear what he had to say, so I pulled down my supplies and headed back to the table.

I am aware that you can hear me Miss Carson. Do not pretend that you can't.

I continued to line all my supplies on the table in front of me, before bending down to start the flame beneath my cauldron. When I stood up I saw that Snape had positioned himself so that he was right in my line of sight.

I would like to have a word with you after class.

I nodded my head at him reluctantly and started to work on my potion. Unfortunately none of us were wrong about the difficultly of making this potion. I listened to the angry mutterings around me, the curses streaming through people's minds, and the frustrated "why isn't this working?" from Hermione. By the time the class was over most of us weren't finished. Some had completed the potion only to find it was a deep violet color rather than the neon orange that it was supposed to be. Snape walked around looking disgusted by not surprised. I threw in the last ingredient and smiled as it shifted from yellow to orange.

"Woah Abby. How'd you do that?" asked Ron whose own cauldron was holding a vomit green colored concoction.

"Well done Miss Carson. Perhaps you can try and assist your friends next time. After class."

People began collecting their bags and cleaning their potions out of their cauldrons. I pulled out three vials and poured my potion into them before tucking them into my bag. Potion making was like cooking to me, and it didn't seem to matter how complicated the potion was, I made it successfully. I could sense it sometimes frustrated Hermione who usually could make the potion, but found it much harder than me.

"Nice job Abby. That is really useful to have," said Hermione with a smile.

"I can help you with it later," I whispered to her as help streamed through her mind.

"Thanks," she said with a laugh.

"Are you coming Abby?" asked Harry as they all started to leave but I hung behind.

"I'll be there in a minute," I said with a smile.

First Dumbledore, now Snape? What is going on?

Hermione and Ron shuffled Harry out the door and pulled it closed behind them. I turned to see Professor Snape standing behind his desk, staring at me intently.

"Take a seat Miss Carson," he said, motioning with his hand.

I went over calmly and sat down, setting my bag down beside me. I looked around the room, waiting for him to state his purpose for pulling me aside.

"I am aware of what Dumbledore has asked of you, and I am wondering how that is going," he said, his face completely blank.

"Everything is fine," I said, just as curt.

"Is it really? You looked rather disturbed before you walked into class this morning."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm not sure what you are talking about Professor. I'm fine."

"Do not treat me like a fool Miss Carson, I don't care for it."

I stared at him. I leaned forward in my chair. "Just because Dumbledore is so keen on trusting you, that doesn't mean that I am."

Snape's eyebrows went up. "Well Miss Carson it is about time that you said it out loud."

"I think we're done here," I said standing up and pulling my bag over my shoulder.

"Miss Carson may I ask why it is that you will not trust me. I have never done anything but protect Potter despite my intense dislike of him."

I turned and stared at him. "It's not what you've done Professor...it's what you're going to do. Have a good day."

I walked out of the classroom and let the door slam behind me, Snape's confused thoughts and desperate pleas for me to explain running through my mind.