Prelude:
Hogwarts was quiet. The stream of light that emanated from the moon broke through the thick cloud coverage and was now in competition with the candles around the classroom for who could shine brighter. Footsteps echoed from the back of the room as Minerva McGonagal made her way to the front of the almost empty classroom. All the students had finished their classes and had headed to the end of year feast.
"Stanley Shunpuke, can you explain to me, in as much detail as possible, what happened earlier?" she questioned assertively. Stan continued looking at the wall, noticing gaps in the brick work that was letting the cold air in to the classroom. The breeze was forcing a slight flicker from the candle. Stan shivered as he replied "It's Shunpike it is, Miss". Minerva stopped in her tracks, she stands tall next to him. "Very good" she sarcasticly replied. "Mr Shunpike, it's been a difficult start for you here at Hogwarts, three years and from what I can see you have achieved nothing. Your craftmanship with spells and potions has been underwhelming, you're struggling to understand the basics. I need to know how to help you, I cant keep taking time out of my schedule to keep you behind every evening Stanley." Minerva felt a slight ounce of guilt, she couldn't help but feel that Hogwarts was failing a student and she felt a huge amount of responsibility. Stan struggled for a second, his hands locked and his thumbs were exploring each other. Stan couldn't understand why he was struggling so much. Tears lined his eye lids as he looked at the ceiling. He quietly replied "I doesn't know Miss". "Well then, there is nothing to be done with you. Be on your way, Mr Shunpike."
Stan headed straight to his dorm room. He couldn't bare to face his classmates one more time. Item by item he filled the wooden case, his fathers initials carved in to the side, a black leather handle and four pegs in the bottom to act as feet. Stan filled his case, he picked up the figurine he kept at his bedside and placed it in to his pocket then proceeded to sneak out of the Ravenclaw dorm room.
Stanley grabbed the stone wizarding figurine he had in his pocket and placed it on to a window ledge on the stairs. He took a step back and attempted his first transfiguration spell. "Avifors" he whispered as he pointed his almost warped wand at the figurine. With a slight flash it flew off the window ledge and soared through the air as it headed towards the water surrounding the castle.
Stan sat on the steps, defeated. He sat in silence for a brief moment before he suddenly heard the cry of an unfamiliar from the window. He looked up to see a halfgrown Thunderbird sitting on the ledge staring at him. Stan wiped away the single tear from his eye as he smiled at the bird. "It worked!" Stan proclaimed excitedly. He stood up to figure out how to make his escape, but just as he did, the bird jumped down from the ledge and transformed in to an elderly looking gentleman. The man stood about a foot shy of Stan and had big jam jar glasses that magnified his eyes. The elderly man stood in silence and looked at the confused teenager stood before him. "Wells, that was rather surprising" Stan said as he investigated the gentleman. "Whats your name?" he asked. The man stood silently, staring lifelessly past Stan. "Alrights then! i'm going to calls you Ernie" he stated. Ernie responded by looking up at Stan before transforming into back into the Thunderbird. He began hovering just outside the window ledge as Stan cllimbed through. The bird hooked on to the back of his robe. "Take us away, Ernie."
Stan left Hogwarts for the final time.