Previously
Every head swung to Dumbledore with looks of fury and disgust. Dumbledore paled at Snape's confession. He knew his time was up. All of his plans were gone.
Fawkes gave a trill, but it was not the normal happy or calming trill. Harry looked at the majestic bird as it narrowed its eyes at Dumbledore. They were having some kind of silent conversation. Dumbledore stood as he stared at Fawkes, but Fawkes let out an angry screech. Dumbledore looked shocked. Fawkes rose swiftly into the air, hovering over Dumbledore's head. All was silent, until Fawkes burst into flames, surrounding himself and Dumbledore.
Fawkes hovered over Albus Dumbledore. The others in the office remained frozen as they stared at the scene.
Suddenly, Fawkes screeched, a sound akin to nails scratching a blackboard. Still no one moved. Dumbledore stared up at the phoenix with wide eyes. Fire surrounded them, intense heat causing a breeze to blow out of nowhere. The old man suddenly screamed in alarm and pain. Soon the fire died away, the phoenix still hovering over the old man. Dumbledore dropped to his hands and knees. He looked up confused.
"Why, Fawkes?" Dumbledore asked weakly as his body shook.
"What in Merlin's name?" Sirius gasped.
"What just happened, Albus?" Amelia Bones asked.
"Fawkes...Fawkes has severed our...our bond as familiars," Dumbledore answered, sounding weak and tired. Everyone exchanged astonished looks.
Fawkes trilled again before he flew down, landing on Harry's shoulder. Without thinking about it, Harry reached up to stroke the phoenix. Fawkes leaned down, nipping Harry's finger. Harry flinch slightly as blood ran from the wound. Harry stared at the blood, holding his hand very still. Fawkes tilted his majestic head slightly, crying tears onto the cut. Taking flight again, once the cut was completely healed, Fawkes hovered over Harry. Flames sprang up, surrounding both of them, but with a blinding flash, they were gone.
Fawkes then looked up, giving a screech that was very high pitched and loud, as if he was calling to someone or something.
"Did he just bond with you?" Sirius asked with eyes as large as Galleons.
"Yes," Harry supplied quietly.
"What in the name of Merlin was that last screech about?" asked a flustered McGonagall as Fawkes landed on Harry's shoulder once more.
"You'll see in a moment," smirked Harry as he held his hand out to Ginny.
A flash of red-orange fire appeared over Harry and Ginny as they joined hands. The already astonished faces became shocked looks as a second phoenix appeared above Ginny. Everyone had to stare in utter disbelief at the rarity of what they were seeing. Phoenixes were rare, but to have two of the Magical birds in the same room at the same time was unheard of! The second phoenix flew in a circle for a moment before landing on Ginny's shoulder. Ginny looked up at the phoenix with a smile as she repeated the actions Harry had done with Fawkes. The phoenix nipped her hand, drawing her blood, then healed the wound with its tears. It rose above her, bathing her in the same red-orange flames it had appeared with, before returning to her shoulder.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Dolfia," Ginny smiled as she stroked the phoenix. "She's Fawkes' mate and now my familiar."
"Merlin...Godric...Oh, bloody hell!" McGonagall stammered.
"Quite right!" agreed a still wide-eyed Amelia.
"Molly is going to have a heart attack," Arthur breathed.
"So much for my position as coolest Weasley sibling," Bill shook his head. Ginny giggled.
"Well," Sirius spoke after a deep breath. He stepped forward, extending a hand to each phoenix with a smile. "Welcome to our family, Fawkes, Dolfia."
Both phoenixes trilled happily as he stroked their feathers.
"Right," Amelia shook her head. "Back to business! Albus Dumbledore, you are hereby under arrest!"
"Wha...what?" Dumbledore looked at her with shock and fear on his face.
"You heard me!" Amelia growled. "You are under arrest for multiple charges of negligence, endangerment of minors, conspiracy to commit obstruction, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities to the welfare of a minor, and if I can prove it, I will nail you for accessory to murder! Mark my words!"
"Oh, and just so you know," Sirius stated as he pulled the old man to his feet. "The Governors send you two words: You're fired!"
"Wand, please," Arthur demanded. Dumbledore hung his head as he handed over his wands. Arthur raised an eyebrow to this but didn't comment.
"Minnie," Sirius grinned at her. McGonagall sighed as she narrowed her eyes at him. "The Board would like to inform you of your promotion to Headmistress, effective immediately."
"I...well...thank you, Lord Black," McGonagall stuttered as she sat down in one of the chairs.
"Minnie can join Molly with a heart attack," grinned Sirius. Arthur snickered. Everyone turned as the large portrait of Armando Dippett cleared his throat.
"Headmistress, I wish to address your predecessor," he announced.
"Very well," McGonagall waved, still looking shocked.
"Where did I go wrong with you, Albus?" Dippett asked in dismay. "Maybe some of Riddle's evil could have been avoided had you stepped up and not let him run amuck. Even if you had told me your suspicions early, maybe Myrtle would still be alive. The Potters, the McKinnons. Merlin, the Longbottoms! All that blood is on your hands, Albus! You should have done something before any of this happened!"
"May I quote you on that, Headmaster?" Amelia grinned coldly at Dumbledore.
"Yes, you may, Minister," Dippett replied.
"Thank you. I'll be in touch for a more official statement," Amelia nodded. She turned to the Aurors who had just arrived. "Take these four away. Lock them in the holding cells at the Ministry, solitary confinement."
"Yes, Minister."
McGonagall shook her head as the Aurors and Minister left. She turned to the few who were left in her office. Her office. She shook her head once more, knowing that would take some getting used to.
"Well," she finally managed. "I believe that is enough excitement for one night. I do believe you have family and friends waiting for you in the Hospital Wing."
"That we do," grinned Bill as he led the way to the door.
"You just want to get back to Fleur," Ginny grinned impishly at him.
"Maybe," Bill put on his best look of innocence. Ginny snorted as she rolled her eyes.
