Prelude
~*~*~
The call of some mysterious bird sounded through the dim corridors of an ancient building. An old man with a long silvery beard and a pair of half-moon spectacles gently stroked the birds feathers.
"It is quite alright, my dear friend," the old man said, comfortingly. "Your gem will be very safe here."
The bird cried again.
"I know what you are thinking, but calm yourself. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has no way of entering this place. Your stone shall be as safe as could be. Now, go back to my study. You need your rest. You are such an old bird after all." The man smiled as his bird flew off of his shoulder and out of one of the high windows.
The man moved forward into a circular room. A pedestal stood at the center of the room and a shaft of light shown on it from a window in the ceiling. When he reached the pedestal, he rummaged through his crimson robes for a second, and then drew out something of a tear-drop shaped crystal. He placed the crystal in the center of the pedestal, and, as the light from above shone through it, millions of squares of rainbow light were thrown against the walls.
"I do hope that this place is truly safe from Lord Voldemort. If he ever manages to attain this stone…" he trailed off. His old eyes were filled with worry and doubt. "I dare not think of the consequences."
"Perhaps then, the stone should be destroyed," said a voice from the shadows. A woman stepped out into the light. She wore emerald green robes and a tall, pointed hat. He hair was held back in a tight bun and her mouth was smaller than you would ever think possible.
"Professor McGonnagal," the old man said. "It is really not polite to eavesdrop, nor follow someone uninvited."
"Come now, Albus," McGonnagal said, her tone somewhat harsh. "You cannot let something as precious as this exist. If it were ever used for evil, the entire world would suffer."
"Yes, but if it were used for good, the world would be rid of suffering for good. I believe that the benefits outweigh the consequences."
"But, if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named were to ever acquire this stone, he would surely bring about a second Dark Age."
Worry returned to the old man's eyes. He stroked his long, silver beard and adjusted his spectacles. "Yes, Minerva. That is a possibility. But, a possibility, nonetheless."
"Albus…"
"Minerva, the Phoenix Stone stays. We will simply make sure that its defenses are first rate."
"Very well, Albus. I trust your judgement. Come now, we must get going. The first years are due for arrival any moment."
