Silver Eyes

Chapter 6- Wings in a Pocket

The days passed easier now that Aurelius had someone to talk to, someone to connect with. He and Siva would meet every day ether in the airy library where they had first met or at the secret place Siva had shown him. They talked about all sorts of things, easy things that didn't stir up emotions too much. They never talked about their parents or what their home lives had been like.

Once when they were in Aurelius' Library (they called it his library seeing as he was the sole person who ever used it) Siva was recounting to him one of Beetle The Bard's tales. He liked to hear about the stories he should have learned about if he had grown up in a Wizarding house. She was just getting to the part when the three brothers met death when she stopped and stared at something over his shoulder. He silver eyes were filled with wonder and awe. Aurelius turned and there it was; the phoenix, his phoenix. The once tiny bird that he had recused in France, brought with him to Numengard Castle and that's true form had been revealed by Grindelwald. Just like he had revealed Aurelius' true form to himself.

"Is, is that what I think it is?" Siva asked quietly, her eyes never leaving the legendary bird.

"It's a phoenix." Stated Aurelius.

Siva gripped her hands tightly and was beside herself with joy. She stayed still as though she didn't wish to scare it away.

"I didn't know there was a phoenix in the castle!" She exclaimed in a whisper.

Aurelius turned to Siva and caught he eye.

"I brought it here, I found it in France."

Siva's eyes became even wider as she once again asked her questions rapid fire.

"How did you get it here?" "Where did you find it?" "What's it's name?"

Aurelius looked back at the phoenix then to Siva.

"I found it in Paris, at the circus." "I thought it was a falcon chick."

"Ah yes the circus, that's where Grindelwald said you were staying when he was going to fetch you." "Why were you at the circus in France of all places?" She asked.

"I was trying to find my birth mother, or at least the woman on my adoption paper." "The ringmaster needed laborers and didn't ask many questions. 

Before Siva could launch more questions at him Aurelius continued.

"I had it in my pocket when we escaped the Circus, it didn't make a peep through the entire trip.

"We?"

"At this Aurelius paused and was pensive for a moment. He looked wistfully out the door and then told Siva.

"Me and Nagini, my friend from the Circus."

"Nagini... you've never mentioned them before." She questioned. "You said you had to escape from the Circus?"

"Yes she was the main attraction, she's a Maladictus."

Siva felt herself droop at the word she, but she perked up again at Maladictus.

"She's a Maladictus?" Siva gasped. "You met a Maladictus?" "What animal could she turn into?"

"She is a person." Aurelius said with a disapproving frown. He didn't like the way Siva would occasionally get too excited over her magical "Oddities." 

Siva's grin faded somewhat as she calmed herself.

"Yes, she is." She replied.

"I caused a distraction and we ran." Aurelius continued. "We found the woman who put me up for adoption and then she..." Aurelius stopped at this and clenched his fists looking to the side. Siva could see him physically swallowing his rage, afterwards only despair was left in his eyes.

"She was killed by a man, a bad man who wanted to hurt me." He endured.

"I'm so sorry Aurelius." Siva said quietly, catching his eye.

The phoenix made a low cry and swooped down to Aurelius' chair. There it perched in all it's magnificence, as though it were protecting Aurelius.

It's presence seemed to calm Aurelius a little and he half smiled up at it.

"Grindelwald says  there's is a legend that says a phoenix will come to any Dumbledore in need." "This phoenix came to me when I was on the run and needed a friend."

Siva was about to say something when the door to the library swing open with a bang. The two young adults turned to see who it was. Gellart Grindelwald stood in the doorway with some of his most trusted followers; Krafft, Macduff, Vinda Rosier, Carrow and Abernathy . Aurelius didn't know them very well but he could tell that Siva did. She stood when the group entered and smiled one of her brilliant smiles at Grindelwald. 

"Siva my dear, it's so good to see you." "And Aurelius my boy I see that you are settling in well."

Aurelius stood too. He was nervous being around Grindelwald, he still remembered the harsh slap he had been given a year ago. He was still unsure how he felt about Grindelwald. He simply nodded at the great man who had given him so much.

Grindelwald seemed pleased by this and nodded in return his eyes flicking to the phoenix momentarily. He then turned his attention back to Siva. 

"Siva, I have a job for you and your gift." "If you would come with me it shan't take more than a moment to sort out."

Siva hesitated for a fraction of a second then stepped towards Grindelwald's outstretched hand. 

"Of course." She said demurely.

When she reached Grindelwald he hovered a hand to the back of Siva's shoulder and the rest of his followers circled around them. Siva looked back at Aurelius as they walked out as one and managed to quickly say; "I'll be back later." And then she was gone, with the door shutting magically behind them.

Aurelius was alone in the library once more and he sat back down in his chair to wait for Siva to return.

She did not come back that day. Or the next, or the say after that. Though Aurelius looked all over for her he couldn't find Siva anywhere. It seemed to him as though she was avoiding him for some reason. This hurt Aurelius deeper then he thought it should have. What could she possibly be hiding now?