The Girl who Vanished

Chapter 31

Room of Requirement

Lara is in the middle of brewing some advanced potions when Deek comes over.

Deek: "Excuse Deek. Deek knows that you want to learn about all sorts of beasts - and Deek recently heard rumours of a phoenix nest in a nearby mountain!" This got her attention immediately. A phoenix! This is too good an opportunity to pass up. Now that I think about it that note I found at Falbarton Castle, the poachers are looking for a phoenix, perhaps I can bring it back here and release them in one of the vivariums.

"Aren't phoenix very rare?" Elizabeth asks.

"They are Miss Potter, there are severe repercussions for those who hunt them."

Lara: "A phoenix nest? I wonder if it belongs to the phoenix Natty mentioned; the one Harlow and the Poacher Pack are after."

Deek: "Deek would not doubt it. If Deek has heard of it, surely the nasty poachers have as well. Which means it could be in danger."

Lara: "Well, I'd better go and rescue it then, hadn't I?"

Deek: "Deek thinks so. So majestic a beast should not fall into such vile hands. Deek is not sure why, but Deek feels that saving a phoenix might help to make amends for what happened with Deek's prior master. Deek hopes that you are able to find the phoenix and bring it to the Room, where it will be safe."

Deciding that time is of the essence Lara pulls out her wand and applies an auto-brewing charm she found in Ravenclaw's journal to her cauldron.  

Those who struggled with brewing potions glared jealously at Lara. Snape also glared muttering something along the lines of typical Potter cheating.

Poidsear Coast

In order to reach the coast where the nest is located Lara has to fight her way through a large goblin outpost based in the tunnels separating Hogwarts valley from the coast. Several goblins and trolls stand guard over the entrance and surrounding camps while additional goblins patrolled the tunnels. Once through the tunnels she hops on her broom and heads toward the location the map in her Field Guide shows. As she flies around she spots a dragon flying in the distance. I wonder how that Hebridean Black is doing.

A few people are on edge, expecting the dragon to suddenly attack her but luckily it just keeps on flying.

Phoenix Mountain Cave

The cave Deek mentioned appears to show signs of Rookwood's poachers, immediately after entering the cave she encounters a wooden barricade which is easily destroyed. They're already here! I need to hurry, I won't let them get their hands on another beautiful creature. She grips her wand tighter while trying to control her anger, at the same time her eyes turn blue and stay blue for the entire time she is in the cave.

"I want to know why her eyes keep changing!" Lily growls in frustration, James just hugs her while trying to get her to relax.

She eavesdrops on some of the poachers talking about how much money they are going to make when they get their hands on the bird. She swiftly takes out this patrol.

Lara: "It's shameful what you've done to helpless beasts." She snaps.

Hagrid smiled, it's nice to see someone care about magical creatures as much as he does.

Another poacher patrol, another silent takedown only this time she decides to add insult to injury. She spots a spider nest nearby and using Depulso she blasts one poacher into the webs, she then binds and silences him so his screams don't alert any poachers deeper in the cave. She watches as he thrashes around as some spiders carry him away, one of them looks back at Lara and makes a gesture almost like a nod. Did that spider just nod?