Fred and George and the Toilers of Trouble (Year 1) ✔

Chapter 9:2

As Visible-George and Floating-Head-Fred, the twins explored the treasures of the headmaster's office. Their first real discovery was an ancient stone basin inside a dim, black cabinet. The basin was covered in deep, ashy runes and felt like something a first year student had no right to touch under any circumstances. So they wobbled it about for few seconds to see if anything would happen, then moved on to something more interesting — like the wood framed bird cage by the window. Nestled inside, on a gold roost, was a scarlet-feathered phoenix. The twins recognized it at once from stories they had been told as children.

Fred yanked the invisibility cloak off his shoulders and wound it into a ball. "Whoa...Dumbledore's got a phoenix! They're extremely rare! Don't even have these at the Zoo of Magical Beasts!"

"And they're expensive," said George in awe. "That little bird's probably worth more than the bloomin' castle."

The phoenix tilted its head at them in greeting and waddled to the opposite end of the perch.

A determined grin sprouted on Fred's face. "Do you think we can get him to erupt?"

George nodded eagerly. "Yeah, birdie. Light yourself on fire for us, would you?"

"Burn up into a billion smoking crumbs — c'mon!"

"We'll give you a cracker or something."

After a few minutes, they changed tactics and started making faces at the phoenix. The biggest reaction they received was a slow wink followed by an adjustment on the golden post.

Fred stood back. "Maybe it needs to be in direct sunlight to burst into flames. Here, help me lift the —"

"They're coming!" George blurted.

"Who?"

"Dumbledore and Bagnold! They're at the gargoyle!"

Frantic, the twins closed the door and scuttled around the room looking for an empty place to hide. It wasn't until the staircase started moving that the solution hit them.

"The cloak," they said in hushed unison.

With mere seconds until the door would open, the twins crouched under the invisibility cloak and shimmied into the corner below the phoenix cage. They held their breath and waited, hoping that nothing had been too disturbed.

Dumbledore was the first to enter, his long, midnight blue cloak trailing in folds across the stone floor. The Minister of Magic followed close behind, dressed in more of a suit than a robe. The twins had only ever seen Millicent Bagnold in the newspaper. Her small face and warm hazel eyes were eclipsed by a wide-brimmed hat that came to such a high point that it nearly grazed the top of the door frame. She was wringing her hands and seemed to be in the middle of a troubling thought. Professor Dumbledore took a seat behind his desk and lifted the Daily Prophet, appearing completely at ease.

"If no candidates have come forward, I must insist that we hold open interviews for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job by no later than Halloween," the Minister asserted, her voice aquiver. "Have you considered someone less conventional? Gilderoy Lockhart, perhaps."

Dumbledore exhaled the tiniest hint of a laugh. "I have known Gilderoy longer than anyone and, despite his reputation, I do not think he is equipped for such a responsibility."

"But —"

"Licorice wand?" he asked, lifting the jar on his desk.

"No — thank you — I just simply —"

"Do I have your trust, Millicent?"

"Of course, Albus — but you must recognize the situation we're in — the pressures I'm facing at the Ministry! They expected a vote on my Educational Decrees by the start of term. We are well into September. I have delayed them beyond their breaking point."