Celestial Ascendancy

Celestial Ascendancy.

Chapter 10: A promise of help.

Elias Blake.

Hogwarts.

Finishing the last touches with my robe, I smiled, seeing Iris and Hermione cooing over the little bird.

"Well, I think it's time to get moving if we wish to get Dumbledore before breakfast is over," I said out loud, trying to get the girls moving since they were completely ignoring me over my precious familiar, not that I could fault them.

Ash was a beautiful thing to see, and if I wasn't trying to avoid any problem with the Ministry, I would also love to spend my time playing with my baby; it was a shame that the danger the Department of Magical Creatures was significant for a no-name like me.

For the Ministry and everyone else in wizarding Britain, I was an upstart who managed to befriend Iris in his first year. That's how every single pureblood saw me, and until the quidditch World Cup, it was true. But even the knowledge that I could be connected to the Black family did not help me in this case. It was a meaningful name, one of the most prominent families in the whole country, maybe even the world, but I had no one to support me.

If the Ministry really wanted, they could try to force me to give Ash away. Not that I would, obviously, but they could make life difficult.

That was why we needed to talk to the headmaster as soon as possible. My relationship with him could be said to be a simple acquaintance. Still, I was important to Iris, which meant much to him. Now, being bonded with a phoenix would work even better.

"Hey!" I repeated myself, but they ignored me completely, too busy playing with Ash to pay attention to their surroundings.

"Huh?" they asked in unison, finally lifting their eyes and looking anywhere away from my Phoenix.

"We should get going. Dumbledore can be hard to find when the day starts," I said once more, but I sighed in relief as they nodded and stood up.

Hermione flicked her wand, and the bed made itself clean once more. Happy that we could move without gaining Madam Pomfrey's ire, we opened the curtains.

Iris carried Ash in her hands and was in her own world.

"What are you doing, young man?" the shrill voice of the Mediwitch could be here all the way to the owlery; I was sure of it.

"A lot happened in the last ten minutes, Madam Pomfrey," I laughed, showing my skin.

Her mouth dropped in shock, and she started murmuring some spells. I had no idea what they did, and her frown deepened the longer she did so.

"You are all right… how can this be possible?" the mediwitch asked, amazed and confused in equal measure.

"It's all thanks to this baby," Iris exclaimed in a soft voice, avoiding waking the sleeping bird.

Madam Pomfrey turned her head mechanically and gasped at seeing the baby in all her glory, even with snot coming out of her beak.

"That's a phoenix," she said, dumbfounded.

"Her name is Ash," Hermione pipped in with a grin.

"That's a phoenix," Madam Pomfrey repeated once more, confused as hell. "Where did she come from? What exactly happened? Explain at once," she said hysterically.

I snorted, finding her losing her composure quite funny, even if it was understandable. After all, Ash, or any Phoenix, was one of a kind, like… as rare as a phoenix feather, like people said; in the whole of Britain, the only one bonded was Fawkes, and I think I remember reading that it was the only one in the past century in the whole wizarding world.

There had been sightings of them in the wild, but poachers could not get them thanks to their innate ability to fire travel. Wards to prevent Phoenix from traveling were hard to cast, and since they were rare, no one bothered to learn how to put them in place.

The only one I expected to learn something like that was Voldemort since his biggest enemy, before Iris, was the only one with that kind of mythical creature.

"She appeared in the window," I smiled softly, seeing the snoring bird in Iris's arms, "She came when I needed it the most,"

"Elias, did you bond with her?" she asked frantically, her eyes looking between the entrance and our group in quick succession.

"Yes?" I asked, confused by her reaction. "Is there something wrong with that, Madam Pomfrey?"

The mediwitch sighed in relief, her shoulders slumping as she took a seat,

"That's good, that's good. I was afraid for a moment there."

"We were going to search for the headmaster," Iris said seriously. "We know how the Ministry likes to get its noses where it doesn't belong. Maybe with the headmaster's help, we can avoid future problems."

"That's a splendid idea, my dear," Madam Pomfrey sighed, "Can I check her? Just to be safe?"

I looked at the Mediwitch seriously, but remembering that Ash had pushed herself to get that tear out of her, I sighed.

"Please, she looks like a babe and even teared up to heal me. I don't know much about their biology or needs, but I don't expect it to be without danger since she fell asleep as soon as she did so," I said softly with a smile.

Iris and Hermione nodded, softly rubbing the top of Ash's head.

"That's quite something," Madam Pomfrey said, "I didn't think a young Phoenix could cry. I remember hearing from the headmaster that Fawkes can only do so when he is older."

"My Ash is special," I puffed out my chest, much to the chagrin of my best friends, who snorted.

"Our Ash," Iris pouted with her bright eyes, looking into my soul, Hermione, and her trembling upper lip. Those were weapons of mass destruction for me.

Conceding with a nod, I sighed, "Our Ash,"

They nodded happily. As Madam Pomfrey finished waving her wand around the chick, she looked serious, even more so than when she was checking up on me with my burned body. I did not know if she found it more interesting since she did not have the opportunity to check on something so rare, like a phoenix or something, but I was grateful for it.

I would never forgive myself if Ash harmed herself for me.

"Everything I can see is good," Madam Pomfrey nodded, and we all sighed in relief.

"That's good to know," Hermione nodded as her shoulders slumped, "From what I have read about phoenixes, young ones like this one should not be capable of producing healing tears."

"That's what I was afraid of," the mediwitch nodded with a smile. "But she is as healthy as she can be, just exhausted. I believe that she forced herself to heal her bonded companion, but she should be all right after some rest."

Thanking her profusely, we left the infirmary with smiles on our faces, walking side by side.

"Dumbledore should still be in the great hall if we don't have trouble with the stairs," Iris said, shaking her head. "I want to get over with this before long. I would not trust the Ministry to not try and take her away from you, Eli."

"I know," I nodded, "Let's go, then."

After five minutes of walking in silence, I broke it with something that had been on my mind since before Ash's arrival, something that, if I were sincere, had my heart racing like nothing before.

"Are we going to talk about what happened before Ash joined us?" I asked with something I was sure was an embarrassment; I could practically feel the blush on my face.

Iris and Hermione blushed in unison, something that I knew would work as a memory for the Patronus, a spell I still could not cast.

Iris smiled sweetly, and still blushing, she replied, "Is there any need to?" She murmured, linking her arm with mine and getting closer to me.

Hemione, on the other hand, looked at us with a blush but a happy smile, but I could feel her racing thoughts.

"I would like to, but… Its not like things need to change with us, right?" I replied with a smile, draping my arm behind her back.

"Un," Iris bobbed her head, "You mean a lot to us, Eli. Please don't do something so stupid in the future. At least speak with us before doing so."

Hermione, who was just a couple of centimeters away from us, got closer at that, with a scared face but firm in her beliefs.

"Indeed," she nodded as she hit me in the back of my head. "You are an idiot, but you are our idiot." She pouted but continued looking at my eyes with utmost seriousness.

"I'll be careful, and of course, I will speak with you both before doing something like that. I swear." I replied just as seriously.

"Good."

With that said and done, I hugged them both and linked my arms with theirs.

The great hall of Hogwarts.

Entering the doors, we sighed in relief to see that Dumbledore was still at the Professor's table and that many of the students had already left.

I knew it was impossible to hide it, but even so, the fewer people could see it now, the more time we would have to make everything happen. I never even dreamed of having such a mythical creature. Still, I expected that the paperwork needed for it would be extensive.

Walking rapidly, I thanked my lucky stars that Iris had the great idea to hide Ash under the invisibility cloak before entering the hall. Thankfully, the corridors had been empty since we took a bunch of secret passages to make it in time. Honestly, the Marauders map was one of the best inventions of this world.

"Hello, professor," Iris greeted the headmaster.

"Iris, my girl. What brings you here," Dumbledore asked with a smile on his face, his eyes shining like stars. At his side, Professor McGonagall was in her seat, looking at us with pursed lips and sharp eyes.

I could see that her eyes were locked in my arms behind both girls, and I was not sure if I imagined it, but I believed that her lips quirked into something like a tiny smirk.

"For what reason did you not attend the breakfast?" she asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"It's a long story, professor," I chuckled awkwardly, "That's why we are here. We wanted to ask if we could speak with both of you in private if possible."

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows lifted to her hairline, probably wondering what happened to warrant such secrecy since we never asked for much help after the adults "failed" to help in our first year. It had been mostly my fault, and I was ashamed of it.

"Why don't you eat some sandwiches or something as we finish speaking of the tournament between us, and then we can go to my office."

Dumbledore nodded, looking at us inquisitively.

Iris's stomach grumbled at that, and I chuckled, earning a slap in my arm.

However, she did not separate much from me to do so, preferring to keep my body closer to hers.

I did not know how this would affect our relationship, but I loved what was happening. I wasn't sure what made me happier, Ash's arrival or Iris's kiss. We had not spoken about it, but something clearly changed between the three of us.

We nodded at the headmaster, and I finally noticed the goblet of fire next to us. I wondered what had changed since we had not seen Mad Eye Moody the day before, but I could see him looking at us in silence from the corner of my eye. I was unsure if things were the same as canon, but that was easy to check; I would take the Map after eating to see the name that appeared. I was unsure what the best move for now was, but I would not let him stay here long if I could help it. I was done being passive.

We walked toward the almost empty Gryffindor's table and sat in the corner without anyone close.

"I'm dying of hunger," Iris whined, "Its all your fault, Eli."

Hermione took a seat next to us gracefully and started serving plates for all of us with a warm smile.

"Sorry," I grumbled.

"You will make it up to us later." Iris grinned, with Hermione snorting.

Before I could answer, I felt the almost welcomed feeling of my grimoire stirring up.

100 CP awarded, 250 CP Total.

Deciding to roll now that I had time and some privacy, I mentally commanded the Grimoire.

The Great Book of Gummi [Gummi Bears] - 600 CP, Roll failed.

Engineering, cooking, history, magic. This gigantic (to a Gummi) book has it all written down in these pages. In future worlds this book will update itself, adding in the local history, cooking recipes and any engineering blueprints and magic spells/rituals.

The book itself is magic-proof and is indestructible while closed, the book also closes and locks itself when it detects unauthorized access.

You get a Great Gummi Medallion, which unlocks the book for free with this purchase.

Huh… Damn, this was probably the best roll I and Hermione could ever wish for, it was a shame that it failed. Access to every piece of knowledge, even if there were only four categories, made my mouth water.

I was not a bookworm like Hermione, but even a troll could see the value of something like this. I hoped that getting it in a future roll was possible, even if the probability of that happening was minimal.

"Did something happen?" Hermione asked sharply but in a low voice.

Looking at her, I nodded and replied just as low, "a failed roll, was it noticeable?"

Hermione shook her head, "you were just lost in thoughts, nothing more."

Sighing in relief, I smiled, "You would have loved it," I murmured.

"Oh?" Hermione asked, interested.

"A book that has every single knowledge of the world about cooking, history, magic, and engineering," I smirked, enjoying the dumbfounded look that appeared on her face.

Hermione utensils dropped onto her plate, attracting the attention of the remaining Gryffindors at the table.

"Why did you not get it?" she asked shrilly, and I snorted. At least she remembered to keep her voice low, even if her mannerisms were not.

"Oh, I forgot that I did not explain properly how that worked. I get a currency I'm able to spend for a completely random roll, but if the thing that provides me with is more expensive than what I have, I get nothing, but get to keep the currency," I grumbled softly, "I still don't understand how it works, since it appears to be completely random, but meh… I can't do anything about it."

"That's interesting," Iris said when she finished chewing her food, thankfully.

"I know," I grinned, "Sometimes it is upsetting, but I mean, I can get almost anything you could imagine. Maybe we can spend some time later in the room of requirements trying to find out how it works."

"I would love to," Hermione gushed while Iris rolled her eyes looking at our bookworm with fondness.

"Let's finish eating then. I want to talk to the headmaster," I said, starting to eat the mashed potatoes and a turkey sandwich.

Twenty minutes later.

Iris still had Ash cradled in the invisibility cloak; she did something like a hammock and draped on her shoulders to make herself comfortable since I was sure taking care of the baby chick was challenging.

Now we were sitting in the headmaster's office, along with Professor McGonagall.

"Now talk, Iris, what happened?" The head of our house asked with a raised an eyebrow, and Iris pouted.

"Why do you think I'm at fault," Iris whined, "It's all Eli's fault."

Her gaze locked into mine, and I tried to keep my seriousness as I heard the headmaster and Hermione snort in unison.

"I mean… She makes sense, Iris," Hermione laughed, "Most of our adventures happen because of you; we just tag along."

Iris stuck her tongue out but kept silent and looked at me, motioning to start explaining.

"I had a problem in my daily training," I shook my head, taking the hand of Iris and Hermione in mine.

"You know that I'm more powerful than most kids my age, right?" I asked rhetorically, and continued without waiting for an answer, "I was in a bad headspace, and the spell grew out of my control. Thankfully, it was only incendio, and I had enough potions to treat the worst part, but my body was in quite a bad state."

"Young man, how are you here then. Should you not be with Madam Pomfrey?" McGonagall asked sharply, and Dumbledore's eyes dimmed slightly, looking disappointed.

"I know, I know. It was a mistake, believe me, these two already made sure to chew me a new one," I grumbled and lifted my hands seeing that the Professor was opening her mouth once more.

"We went to the infirmary as soon as I could walk down the stairs, we were there during the breakfast," I nodded at her, sighing in relief, seeing that she calmed a bit.

"It wasn't that serious, then?" The headmaster spoke for the first time, "Since you are here, after all. And from what I can see, you seem to be in good health."

"It was quite serious," Hermione snorted in dark humor, looking at me sharply and digging her nails into my hand.

Thankfully, Iris was more careful, just squeezing my hand hard.

Wincing in discomfort, I laughed weakly, seeing the amusement in both adult's eyes.

"As they say," I nodded, "My body was quite burnt, eighty percent, according to Madam Pomfrey,"

McGonagall gasped, and the headmaster's bushy eyebrows lifted in unison.

"It's best if you start explaining, young man," McGonagall said sharply.

Shaking my head to focus, I looked at her in the eye, "I'm getting to that," I laughed weakly.

"As I was saying, I was badly burnt, so Madam Pomfrey told these two vixens to help me with the treatment, rubbing a salve in my body," I blushed, and I could not hear the whisper coming out of McGonagall mouth since she was a bit far away.

"While they were helping me, we heard a thrill form the window, and this cutie was perched in there," I smiled softly, motioning to Iris to take Ash from her temporary bed.

Iris's hands worked fast to unfasten the invisibility cloak from her shoulders, and both professors gasped at seeing the sleeping phoenix.

"That's a phoenix," said McGonagall with a breathy whisper.

Dumbledore had the first crack in his composure for the first time in my presence; it was that big of a deal.

"Yes, it's a phoenix," I smiled, "Funny… Madam Pomfrey had the same reaction."

"Are you two bonded?" Dumbledore asked seriously.

I just nodded in silence, carefully caressing Ash's beak with a smile.

"I can understand why you came to me, then," Dumbledore shook his head in wonder, "You, young man, have no idea what this means. Quite a marvelous scene if I were to be honest."

"I can imagine," I snorted, "But yes, we came here since I don't wish to have problems with the Ministry, I'm just a muggle born, and I'm afraid they will try to take Ash away from me," I frowned.

"Oh, I'm sure a group of the Ministry would love to do so," Dumbledore shook his head, "I'm sure you know whom I'm talking about."

"The purebloods," Iris spat without bothering to suppress her disgust at the word.

"Indeed, my girl," Dumbledore shook his head sadly, "They are greedier than ever before, and I cannot do anything to stop them without ruffling some feathers."

Iris grumbled in her seat before her beautiful green eyes brightened behind her slightly askew glasses.

"But you will help us, right?" She begged with moist eyes.

Dumbledore laughed out loud, "That will not work on me, young Iris,"

Iris and Hermione pouted, and I laughed at them, but I was grateful beyond words.

"There is no need for that, young ladies. Of course, I will help." Dumbledore chuckled, "If I did not do so, I'm sure Fawkes would never forgive me. Besides, young Elias is a student under me; my duty is to help with everything I can."

The three of us sighed in relief and turned to each other with smiles on our faces, hugging each other in victory but being careful with the sleeping Ash.

McGonagall looked at us with a smile, and her eyes were quite misty. I wasn't sure if it was the light.

Before we could say our thanks, a bright orange flame appeared out of nowhere, and with it came a song louder than the one Ash had greeted us with before.

Fawkes, Dumbledore's bonded Phoenix, appeared in his perch and looked at the sleeping Ash in Iris's hand.

He flew toward the baby, and we all watched with bathed breath; Fawkes ignored all of us and sang a song different from the first one. Instead of filling us with courage and happiness, a sense of calm enveloped our very being.

Fawkes, standing on his talons on top of Ash, cried a single tear that dropped directly into Ash's beak, and the baby let out a cute squawk of

Surprised at being awoken, she lifted her head up and up, seeing the much bigger Phoenix in front of her.

She ran toward me and hid in my robes, and I could not help it, I burst out laughing, it was an overdose of cuteness.

"Fawkes," Dumbledore addressed his Phoenix with a deadpanned voice, "Maybe you can be less enthusiastic about it next time."

Fawkes squawked something that appeared to be filled with bashfulness as he thrilled softly toward me, especially toward Ash, who peaked her head through my robes.

"Go on, Ash." I prodded her, "He is a friend, and I'm sure he can teach you a lot."

According to our bond, Ash softly thrilled back with something akin to fear, but she still was brave and got out of my robes, walking timidly toward the much bigger Phoenix.

They started singing to each other, and we all were watching them with smiles on our faces, even the usual impeccable McGonagall could not hide her smile this time.

"They will be good friends," I smiled brightly, happy to see Ash enjoying the company of Fawkes.

"They are beautiful," Hermione said in a whisper.

"Ash is the cutest one," Iris smiled, and Fawkes squawked in outrage.

They both glared at each other, and we chuckled at the scene.

"As I was saying, I still have some friends in the department for the regulation and control of magical creatures, and I'm sure I can get a friend of mine to come here to teach you how to take care of Ash. Was it?" Dumbledore continued with a shake of his head but a happy smile, nonetheless.

"Can't you teach him?" Iris asked, "You are closer after all and the only one with a phoenix in the last century or so."

"My girl," Dumbledore sighed, "I'm quite busy with all my duties, and the tournament does not help my schedule at all. But I promise you that my friend will know even better than me, and you can be sure of that."

100 CP awarded, 350 CP total.

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