House: Slytherin
Category: Drabble
Prompt: Phoenix
Word Count: 488
Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office, staring solemnly at the blank piece of parchment sitting in front of him. All he could see was the faint, smiling face of his sister, Ariana. Her eyes showed her deep affection, reminding Dumbledore of the dear memories he had with her.
Dumbledore took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. The harsh memory of her death was still fresh, even though it had happened years ago. For some reason, Dumbledore had woken up with the haunting thought of her, which seemed to follow him throughout the day.
He couldn't shake the daunting and accusing thoughts that kept popping into his head. He decided to stay in his office for the day, not wanting to worry any of the Professors or students. On days like these, no one would really question him. Everyone mostly assumed that he was out of the school or just simply busy; no one doubted him since he was the Headmaster.
Dumbledore had been pacing around the room, deep in his shady thoughts, when he heard a slight flapping noise. It sounded as if it were a bird, or something bigger. Dumbledore carefully walked towards a high window, and slowly peered outside. After a few seconds of silence, he decided that it was probably just a pigeon or something. Heading back to his pacing space, he heard a more booming noise. It was the sound of heavy flapping; this time he knew that it belonged to a big creature.
As he turned around to face the window, a shadow blocked the way. Its wings were fully stretched out, revealing crimson and glimmering golden feathers. Dumbledore recognized at once what kind of creature it was.
The beautiful, yet intimidating creature, was a Phoenix.
The Phoenix slowly flew down, perching itself on top of a stack of books. "Oh, my," Dumbledore said in dismay. "What a peculiar time to have a visit from such a wonder." He gazed at the wonderful sight in front of him, asking himself why a phoenix had come to him.
After a few hours of observing the Phoenix, Dumbledore resumed to his pacing. He had been muttering to himself when he heard the cry from the Phoenix. "Did you want to say something?" Dumbledore asked.
In response, the Phoenix flew over to a hanging portrait of Ariana. It perched on a coat rack, sitting with a straight posture. It outstretched one wing and covered her face.
"Now, why would you do such a thing? That's my sister," Dumbledore told the Phoenix. The creature caught the portrait into its clawed feet and moved it to a spot where Dumbledore couldn't see it.
"Hmm… smart Phoenix," he said. Dumbledore placed his hand on top of its head,
gently stroking it. "Thank you, my friend. I guess you know what's best for me than I do."
"I'll call you Fawkes," he said, naming the creature in gratitude.