Phoenix Lestrange

Chapter two

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Phoenix was lying in bed, she was scared. Last night's events still sitting in her mind. She couldn't sleep and she had dark circles under her eyes. When Phoenix finally made her way out of her small room, Snape was waiting for her in Dumbledore's office. He was standing a few feet away from his desk, scowling angrily as she came closer. She felt a slap over her right cheek, which instantly turned a few shades darker. She brought a hand up to where she felt the stinging pain. She was looking down at her shabby and old patched shoes, concentrating on not letting her tears spill over. Her dark hair falling in front of her face and shame swelling itself up in her stomach.

Snape however stood there, taking in the girl, still with an angry facial expression. "If it wasn't for Dumbledore- Trust me you would have regretted it." He said sneering, pointing a finger at her and swallowing the urge to slap her again. "Is that clear?" He barked, making her step away. She nodded desperately, afraid what would come next. "I want you to look at me when I speak to you!"  He ordered and slowly she met his gaze, one single tear running down her face, but she quickly wiped it away before it could fall down. It made Snape's scowl a little bit softer, before he sneered threateningly, cursed something under his breath and left stamping out.

Phoenix sank down on the floor, encircling her knees and looking up at Dumbledore's phoenix. It's read and gold feathers looking magnificent where it was standing proudly. It's face heartbreaking beautiful. The bird met her gaze and they sat there staring at each other for a few moments. Meeting it's black eyes could be compared to being lost in another world, before it broke eye contact and you were brought back to earth. Except Phoenix didn't mind being in the trance for the rest of her life.

Phoenix sat on the floor looking at the Phoenix admiringly, until someone entered. In came Dumbledore with a woman probably in her 70's and a prim expression on her face. She looked angry, why did everyone look angry? Phoenix brought her feet up to her chest, looking down and hoping they would just ignore her. That would be impossible since she was the matter of the conversation. "Is this Ms Lestrange?" McGonagall asked looking at the small creature. "Phoenix actually, and yes it is."

"Well we must inform the Ministry, headmaster." She said as it was the most obvious thing. "I don't think that will be necessary." Dumbledore said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But- You are not planning on letting her stay here?" She asked strictly, but with a great deal of respect in her voice. Dumbledore gave her a twinkling smile, before whispering so low that Phoenix couldn't hear. "She doesn't speak you see, nor can she write."

He cleared his throat before saying. "I hoped you would take the liberty of teaching her the last?" McGonagall looked a little taken aback, but returned to herself pretty fast. "Well, I suppose I can."

"Good! Excellent." The headmaster clapped his hands together and said. "Phoenix come here." The small figure got up from her spot and made her way towards the two grownups. "Fallow Professor McGonagall, please would you."  He half ordered. McGonagall had her wand ready, but not directly at Phoenix. "Come on." She said leading the way out of the headmaster's office.

They entered a large classroom and she sat down in the chair in front of McGonagall who was eyeing her closely. "Very well, begin to copy these letters." She ordered and handed Phoenix a feather quill, together with a piece of parchment. Phoenix did her best to copy the prim looking woman's beautiful handwriting. They didn't get any longer than that in the first lesson, since Phoenix, never did manage to get through the alphabet. Trying to copy McGonagall's beautiful handwriting was hard.

She was escorted back to Dumbledore's office later on that night. Fawkes was looking proud as always. "I'll leave you here then." McGonagall spoke when seeing Phoenix didn't pay attention. She walked over to the bird and extended her hand hopefully. Not aware of Dumbledore standing behind her.