Sky full of stars {Harry Potter Fanfiction}

18. Old friends and New opportunities

Without realising, I had drifted off to sleep. Behind my eyes I saw two phoenixes dancing, golden light and a feminine whisper of you are in control of my powers now. Use them wisely. My golden nap only ended when Dumbledore lightly shook my shoulder.

"Hmm..." I stretched and through sleepy eyes I saw Dumbledore leaning over me, holding a golden bracelet. "What's that?"

"I had it made a couple of months ago. What with all the.... Petrified students, I had a feeling soon Fawkes would deem you well enough to be awoken soon."

Dumbledore placed the bracelet into my out-stretched palms. It was a small golden bangle and encased in a thin layer of glass in the centre of the gold was a single golden feather that wound in on itself. It glittered in the candlelight of Dumbledore's office.

"It's very pretty, but what does it do?" I asked sheepishly, putting it on my wrist. It fitted perfectly, as I had suspected.

Dumbledore smiled kindly. "It's almost a.... barrier, so to speak. That is one of Fawkes' tail feathers that he donated. If you are in a situation like tonight or... a year ago where you need to harness a lot of power, Fawkes can lift the burden for you. So, you don't burn out like you did before."

Lightly stroking the gold at my wrist, I smiled at Dumbledore. For the first time since I'd woken up, I didn't feel the slightest bit confused.

"Thank you. Can I go home now?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I shall apparate you myself—a perk of being Headmaster means I can bend where you can Apparate in the school."

As I got to my feet I realised something important. "Professor... I missed my entire second year. Does that mean... I'll be kept behind?"

The thought of returning after a year but not being able to see my friends every day in class, was honestly a bit terrifying to me. Anxiety rose to my throat at the mere thought of having to make new friends.

Dumbledore placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Lyra. I wouldn't dream of putting you out of your comfort zone. Your mother will help you catch up on the essential spells and potions. But don't forget, if you feel a bit out of place next term... Help is always given at Hogwarts to those who ask."

Dumbledore was such a lovely Professor. It was no wonder he was so loved. "Thank you, Sir. You've really made me feel better."

"A pleasure," Dumbledore replied. "You have of course, saved two of my students lives. I'm in your debt. Now, let us go to Remus' home."

A year unconscious had not erased how horrible it was to apparate. Within mere seconds we appeared with a pop outside Remus' childhood home that I now considered my own home. We'd barely taken a few steps when Sasha, Mum and Remus appeared.

Remus looked un-changed from when I last saw him, though he looked a bit more frazzled than usual. "Thank you for bringing her home, Dumbledore," he smiled. He looked relieved to see me. "It's so good to see you, Lyra."

For the third time this evening I ran into a family member's arms and allowed Remus to envelop me into a tight hug. He smelt of old books and wolfsbane, and it made me realise how much I'd missed this man who was close to a father to me.

"Lyra," Dumbledore said, and Remus released me. Dumbledore looked pleased. "I hope you have a good summer."

Then he disappeared with another pop.

"Right," Mum clapped her hands together. Happy tears were in her eyes. "I think we should all go to bed. It's been the longest day."

I couldn't agree more.