The Wand Makers Apprentice

Chapter 34

"Will you stop going on about that girl!" I laughed, tears dripping down my face as I hunched over in hysterics for what felt like the hundreth time today.

"But she's pretty." Cedric grinned, as he threw another rock into the lake. It skimmed the water and we both watched it flicker across the water. It was freezing cold, but that didn't stop the two of us sat with our feet dangling in it.

"You said you liked that smell of her farts." I laughed.

"They smell beautiful, like Rosie's." he joked, making a farting noise.

"Rosie's? Are you saying I smell like farts?"

"Why indeed I am!" he said, grinning like an oversized monkey.

"You could have any girl in this school and you know it, mister." I said, regaining my breath.

"Except the one I want." he said, not looking me in the eye.

"Ced..." I said, knowing he meant me.

"Shut up you miserable cow." he grinned. "Anyway, enough about me. Who're you lovin'" He ticked me when he said the last word, sending me backwards snorting with laugher again.

"Nobody, noody, NOBODY!" I skriecked as he ticked me.

"Tell me or I won't stop." He sniggered, ticking me more.

"CEDRIC!" I screamed, uncrontolably laughing.

"Awww, Roz." he said, sitting back again and grinning. "You love me?"

"Course I love you, frogspan." I breathed, as I sat up too after the attack of the tickles.

"I love you too." he said, kissing me on the cheek before standing up and sighing, offering me his hand. "but only as a friend!" he said, in a voice immating me.

"You're ugly."I said, narrowing my eyes a wiggling my tounge jokingly.

"You're uglier." he said, pushing me lightly and then running off down the lawn back up to the school.

I ran after him, screaming his name and laughing.  He didn't stop until we go back into the grand entrance, and by that time we were both well and truely out of breath.

"I need to go see Dumbledore." I said, as we walked down towards the staircase.

"Fair enough." he grinned. "I'm off to lesson, see you Troll face."

"Bye bat bum, see you in transfig."

I heard him run off upstairs, before skipping off to Dumbledore's study.

"Sherbert Lemon." I said, and the two stone gargoyles, who hoped aside to let me past.

"Ahh, Miss Gryffindor." shouted Dumbledore's raspy, old voice from the top of his stairs. He swept down them, until meeting me at the bottom, and linking with my arm. "A walk around the grounds would be subseqent."

We walked down to the great hall, still arm in arm, but in silence, until we reached the edge of the forbidden forest.

"It's a most lovely afternoon." he said, sitting down on the floor in the shadow of a oak tree. "What's this, Rosetta?" he asked, bringing out a small glass falsk full of dark blue bubbling liquid.

"Animagus Liqu... No Dumbledore." I said, realzing what he wanted me to do. He always said that I would be at a great advantage if I could turn myself into an animal, but I at an advantage against what? I knew the Great Rosetta Gryfffindor had made a prophercy about me, but what it concerned was of loss to me. I didn't understand the task Dumbledore had set for me, and I didn't want to become an animagus. It was dangerous and not to mention if the ministry found out.

"It will help you in the future Rosetta, I promise you." I knelt down beside him, taking the bottle carefully from his grasps.

"I'll do it." I said, not sure what I was thinking. "If, you tell me everything."

"Everything?" he said, tilting his head to one side and looking innocent.

"Yes, everything." I whispered, gazing towards the lake. "Why I can read minds, why I have this eye thing, what this prophercy is, why I'm so important."

"I thought they were obvious." Dumbledore said. "You must learn for yourself, but all will be revealed in time."

I groaned, taking the stopper out of the potion and downing it all in one. It tasted sour to begin with, but then sweet as it trickled down my throat.

I felt my body changing, shrinking and shrinking, until I was tiny. My body felt alien and different, like I didn't have everything I used to. I opened my mouth to talk, yet the only thing that came out was a high squak.

I scream, but this time I was back to myself. What the hell?

"Take this every full moon, at this time, for the next three lunar cycles." Dumbledore said. "You will be in my company when you do so, so do not be afraid. What is your patronus?"

"An eagel." I whispered, shock still fizzing through me.

"You're more a Ravenclaw than you know." he smiled. "Come, I have to show you something before you're transfiguartion lesson this afternoon."

We made out way back up to the castle. It felt like only seconds until we were both back in school. Professor McGonagall came dashing towards us, a terrified look plastered across her face.

"Albus." she said as she grew closer. "Justin Finch-Fletchly has been petrified, and I don't think Professor Snape will be able to product the mandrake potion when the plants are ready."

"Rosetta can help him." Dumbledore said, nodding in my direction.

"What..?" I said blankly, flickering my eyelashes in confusion.

"Rosie, yes." McGonagall smiled. "Good girl, yes."

With the she walked away, leaving Dumbledore with a sombre look on his face.

"Come, Miss Gryffindor." Dumbledore said. "Sherbert Lemon's"

Before I knew it, we were back at the top of Dumbledore's stairs, entering his office.

"Professor," Harry gasped, my eyes darting over to were my little cousin was stood, "your bird- I couldn't do anything - it just caught fire -"

To Harry's astonishment, Dumbledore Smiled.

"About time, too," he said. "He's been looking dreadful for days, I've been telling him to get a move on."

He chuckled at the look on Harry's face.

"Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry." I said. "Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes, Watch him..."

Harry looked down in time to see a tiny wrinkled, new-born bird poke its head out of the ashes. It was quite as ugly as th old one. I reached out to pet the small bird, carefully as not to break it.

"It's a shame you had to see him on a Burning Day," said Dumbledore, seating himself behind his desk and ruffled through his draws. "He's really handsom most of the time: wonderful red and gold plumage. Fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensley heavy loads, their tears have healing powers and they make highly faithful pets.. Right Rosetta, here you are. Have a read through that a tell what you think next full moon."

"Ermm, ok." I said, taking the velvet bag, which must've contained a book inside. "I'll see you then, you too Harry."

"Professor Snape will need you, for the matter Professor McGonagall discussed earlier." he said. "Goodbye."

"Bye Professor." I said, closing the door quietly behind me.