Albus Dumbledore and the Phoenix Feather

Disclaimer: this work is a fan fiction based on the worlds created by JK Rowling

"It is fear that drives us all our lives"

Please note: I originally called the first chapter "Prologue" and then numbered Chapter 1, 2, 3… This has caused confusion. So I am going to start numbering the chapters the way that they appear on This should make matters simple. This chapter follows on directly from "Chapter 8 – Aberforth's Secret"

Chapter 10 – Hogwarts' Christmas Present

Albus woke up the morning after he had overheard Professors Black and Fudge discussing what had sounded like evil plans; to the sound of the most beautiful song he had ever heard. He sat up at once, tearing open his curtains to find Fawkes on the window ledge, singing a glorious ode to the dawn. All four of the other first year boys were also awake, sitting up in bed and listening to Fawkes with rapt attention. The song of the phoenix rose and fell like a melody of a thousand voices, all in perfect harmony. It warmed Albus to the very core of his soul and seemed to vanish away the fears that had been biting away at him in his dreams.

'That was like a fire inside me,' Edward said when Fawkes had finished singing, and vanished in a ball of flame. The scrawny redhead climbed out of bed and virtually hopped into his clothes. The other boys did the same. Albus felt like he was bouncing on the rooftops of clouds. If only Fawkes woke him up this way every day, he thought; then he would start every day in the best of moods.

But, as Albus realised on the way down to breakfast, Fawkes had probably sung that lullaby to cheer him up after what he had heard last night. The heavy feeling in his stomach returned and Albus decided that he would have to tell the Pirates today.

Unfortunately Albus could not get a word in edgeways at breakfast. The owl post came with messages for most of the Gryffindor first years from their parents, detailing plans for Christmas. Albus himself got a letter from his beloved father Archaeon. It read:

To my dearest Albus,

Your mother and I gladly await your homecoming for Christmas in a few short weeks' time. We would welcome any of your friends, should their parents be unable to have them for the holidays. Do let us know by Cleopatra.

With all my love,

Your father

Archaeon

Albus fondly patted the spotted Dumbledore family owl, which was lapping at the milk in Albus' bowl. He listened as his friends avidly discussed their plans.

'I cannot wait to get home to the estate,' William said. 'I miss my home comforts.'

'And Hogwarts' isn't good enough for you, William Potter?' Victoria exclaimed. 'What, do you live in a mansion or something?'

William seemed to go red at this point and buried his nose in finishing his porridge.

'My house is not quite as posh as William's,' Alabastor was explaining to Edward, 'but we have plenty of space for Quidditch, and seeing as you and I live close together you can come and visit.'

'Do you have icy slopes at your house?' Edward asked. When Alabastor nodded, Edward said, 'I can teach you how to go sledding!'

While Edward started telling Alabastor about the muggle winter sport of snow sledding, Albus noticed that Mars had been decidedly quiet during the discussion. He leaned over and tapped his friend on the shoulder.

'What are you doing for the holidays, Mars?' Albus asked.

'Oh, me?' said Mars, giving Albus a sad look with his green eyes. 'I am staying at Hogwarts.' He said this very fast, went red in the face and busied himself in a piece of toast.

'Are you not going home?' Albus asked.

'No, my parents do not want me back,' Mars said. He immediately seemed to regret what he had said, going an even brighter shade of red. As if to cover up, he started babbling. 'I am the youngest by ten years, bit of an inconvenience to my parents really … father wanted to retire from the Ministry but having me held him back. I do not blame them for it …'

'Say nothing further,' Albus said, making up his mind in a trice. 'You are coming to the Dumbledore's for Christmas, you hear?'

'Oh, Albus, I could not impose on your parents,' Mars protested half-heartedly, but the relief was evident in his shining green eyes.

'Think nothing of it,' Albus said. He pulled out a spare scroll of parchment and wrote a quick note to his parents; informing them that he and Mars would be there for the Christmas holidays.

'Thank you Albus,' Mars said, looking like all his Christmases had come at once, which, Albus supposed, they probably had. He realised that breakfast was over and he did not have time to tell the Pirates about last night's conversation between Professors Fudge and Black. He would have to wait until later.

To make Albus feel even worse, the Gryffindors had Defence against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins and their housemaster that morning. He really did not want to spend an hour in the same room as someone who was plotting to do something with him to make Professor Black powerful, but he had no choice.

Professor Fudge gave Albus an unnaturally friendly smile when he entered the class with the other Pirates. Albus noticed that his teeth were the colour of tobacco, with patches of black. He was unlucky enough to catch a whiff of Professor Fudge's breath. It smelled like dog breath. Which, Albus supposed, was quite normal for someone who; for all intents and purposes, looked like a dog.

'Good morning, first years,' Professor Fudge growled, leering at the Gryffindors and baring his teeth in a smile at the Slytherins. 'I have a very special lesson for you today … about some very, very dark creatures.'

A shudder of excitement passed around the Slytherins in the class. The Gryffindors shifted in their seats. Professor Fudge had progressively been teaching them about darker and darker creatures, and he rarely so much as covered how to defend against them. The Gryffindors knew the reason why; it was the reason why Professor Prewett was taking them for nightly lessons in Defence against the Dark Arts: Professor Fudge did not want the Gryffindor first years to be able to defend themselves. Albus was starting to believe that it had less to do with the other Gryffindor first years than himself. After what he had heard last night, he could only begin to imagine what Professors Fudge and Black had in store for him.

'Today we learn about Dementors,' Professor Fudge said. 'Who can tell me what a Dementor is?'

'A soul sucker!' cried Noxious Black. His Slytherin cronies laughed, and Noxious turned to grin at them all. Professor Fudge smiled paternally at his star student.

'Not exactly the term I would use, Noxious,' Professor Fudge said greasily, 'but good enough for ten points to Slytherin, nonetheless. Does anyone else care to illustrate what a Dementor is?'

'A Dementor is a thoroughly dark creature with the ability to suck the very happiness out of a person,' Albus said, bravely staring at Professor Fudge as he said it. 'Dementors feed on our deepest fears and worst memories, and can drive the most powerful wizards and witches insane.'

'I do not recall giving you permission to speak, Dumbledore,' Professor Fudge said. Albus sighed, knowing that Gryffindor were about to lose ten points. 'However, that was an excellent description of Dementors. Fifteen points to Gryffindor.'

Albus nearly fell off his seat, and William actually did. The Gryffindors stared at Professor Fudge with mouths wide open, while the Slytherins started muttering at one another. Noxious cast Albus some foul looks. Albus was not in the slightest bit pleased with this latest development. Professor Fudge was definitely not behaving normally, and it surely had something to do with last night's discussion with Professor Black.

'Dementors can only be repelled with one spell, one that requires the witch or wizard to draw on the happiest moment in their lives,' Professor Fudge continued, ignoring the ruckus that his awarding of points to Gryffindor had caused. 'The spell for repelling a Dementor is Expecto patronum. I will not be teaching this spell to you until you are in your OWL years. I will be teaching you about the origins and powers of Dementors. So please pick up your quills and take notes as I speak.'

Professor Fudge started droning away in his usual tedious manner. Albus' attention started to drift to the words that he had heard Professors Fudge and Black exchange last night. He stared at the wall, trying to remember everything that had been said and trying to work out what it all meant. What possible use could he, a first year, be to two adult wizards who were trying to become really powerful?

'DUMBLEDORE!' roared Professor Fudge. Albus snapped out of his doze and discovered that Professor Fudge's dog face was a few inches in front of his. He nearly choked on the awful fumes coming from Professor Fudge's mouth while he yelled. 'I have been lecturing for ten minutes and you have taken absolutely no notes whatsoever! You are clearly not paying attention in my class! Go to Wilfred Umbridge's office in the dungeons NOW, and tell him to give you punishment two hundred and twenty two!'

Albus' throat went as dry as it could go without having Saharan sand rubbed on his tongue. He left the classroom feeling like his life had ended and he had turned into a ghost. Was this part of Professors Fudge and Black's plans? He almost disobeyed Professor Fudge and headed for Professor Prewett's office, but changed his mind when he realised that that would mean admitting that he had been in a cupboard eavesdropping on the Headmaster. He wished that he had told the Pirates about Professor Fudge's evil plans. Now he could be on his way to his doom, and nobody was any the wiser.

Wilfred Umbridge, the caretaker, looked delighted to see Albus at the door to his office in the dungeons. Caretaker Umbridge had a hunched back, half his teeth missing, a crusty bald patch and ugly grey hair which hung in strands down his misshapen back. Long claws reached out and grabbed Albus by the arm, pulling him into the office.

'I have been waiting for an excuse to punish you, you filthy Gryffindor,' Umbridge spat gleefully. 'What has Ebenezer sent you in for?'

Albus had half a mind to say, 'punishment two hundred and twenty one' or 'punishment two hundred and twenty three', but seeing as he did not know what either one was, he had to tell the truth.

'Punishment number two hundred and twenty two,' Albus said weakly.

'At long last!' exalted Umbridge, nearly ripping Albus' arm off as he threw his hands in the air. 'I have waited for years to administer this one! Joy of joys; what a tremendous moment this is.'

Albus knew that this could not be good. Umbridge went around behind his desk and started scribbling away on his parchments. He could not stop muttering in glee to himself, literally shaking with excitement. When he had accounted for the paperwork, he used a rusty old key to open a dusty cupboard in the corner. He pulled out what was unmistakeably a whip.

'Now, to keep you from running away, I am going to have to chain you up,' Umbridge said. He grabbed Albus roughly and pushed him to face the wall. He made Albus remove his robes and then chained his arms so that he was standing spread-eagled, his nose up against the cold stone wall.

'Brace yourself; Dumbledore,' Umbridge said nastily. He was breathing heavily, sounding like this was the greatest moment in his life.

Albus ground his teeth together, knowing that whatever was about to happen, it was going to hurt like blazes.

CRACK! The first lash hit Albus square in the middle of the back. He opened his mouth to scream but no sound came out of his mouth. His legs nearly gave way. CRACK! Another blow hit the bare skin of his back. Umbridge started to lash away with unrestrained abandon. Somehow Albus managed to count the number. It was the only thing he could do to keep his mind occupied and off the incredible pain that was surging through his body.

Umbridge stopped after forty lashes, by which time Albus' knees were buckled and he was only held up by his chained arms. His back was burning with pain.

'Are you wondering why there is no blood trickling down your back, Dumbledore?' Umbridge wheezed. 'This whip is enchanted to conduct a vanishing whiplash. No one will ever know that you have been lashed, even if I lash you to death!'

CRACK! The forty first of the blows hit Albus between the shoulder blades. He suddenly feared for his life. Umbridge clearly had no intention of stopping. CRACK! Number forty two hurt about forty two times more than the first one.

'WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERCY ARE YOU DOING?' screamed a very familiar, very welcome voice. Professor Prewett was standing in the open doorway, her wand out and levelled at Wilfred Umbridge. Albus could barely see her through his haze of tears, but he imagined that she looked every bit as terrifying as she normally did.

'I am just doing Professor Fudge's will,' Umbridge said defiantly. 'He ordered that this miscreant be appropriately punished.'

'Never in all my years have I seen such cruelty!' screamed Professor Prewett. She magicked Albus out of his chains. He collapsed to the cold floor of Umbridge's office, not an ounce of energy left in his bones. 'Report to the Headmaster's office at once and explain yourself. I will be along once I have seen to it that you have not murdered Dumbledore!'

Albus felt tender hands lifting him up into the air. His head was spinning. He knew that he was about to faint. Everything went black.

Albus' eyes opened and he saw a dozen familiar faces all looking down at him with equally concerned expressions. Professor Prewett's monocle was the largest object in his range of vision, which meant that her head was right above his.

'Ah, so you are with us again, Dumbledore,' she said shakily. She stood to her full height again. 'I will have words with you when you are recovered, but first I must attend to some rather … pressing matters.' Her lips became thin and she swirled out of the room. Albus guessed that she must be off to the Headmaster's to deal with Professor Fudge and Caretaker Umbridge's actions.

Albus' attention turned to the other people gathered around his bed. All ten of the Pirates were there, as well as Aberforth and, strangely, Jonathan Glastonbury, the Gryffindor Seeker.

'We went to find Professor Prewett as soon as class was over,' William said urgently. 'We knew that punishment two hundred and twenty two would be terrible.'

'We never knew how terrible,' Victoria said, sniffing. She looked like she had been crying.

'Do you want me to murder Professor Fudge for you, Albus?' Aberforth asked; a look of intense anger on his face. Albus was astonished by the power that Aberforth seemed to radiate. It was a look he had only seen previously in his father. Archaeon had that same ability to radiate heat, his blue eyes burning with emotion.

'That will not be necessary,' Albus said, chuckling a little. Even though his back ached, he felt a lot better. Madam Rose must have given him a pain relieving draught.

'I just came on behalf of the other Gryffindors,' Jonathan said, realising that he was out of place among Albus and his friends. 'Madam Rose would not let more of us in, but I promise you half the house would be here otherwise. I came in because Umbridge did something similar to me.'

Albus remembered how Professor Fudge had tried to thwart Gryffindor's chances in the Quidditch by having Umbridge hang Glastonbury from his toes.

'Thank you, Jonathan,' Albus said. 'You can tell the Gryffindors that I will be fine. Aberforth, could you send mother and father an owl and tell them what happened? Just let them know that I am fine, I do not want them coming to Hogwarts to cause a fuss.'

Jonathan and Aberforth left, leaving Albus alone with the Pirates. The time had come to tell them about what he had overheard last night. He revealed the discovery Aberforth had made about Fawkes being able to take passengers wherever he disappeared to, and how the phoenix had taken him into a cupboard in a room where Professors Black and Fudge were discussing what sounded like evil plans. When he was finished, the Gryffindor girls looked pale and the boys looked angry.

'Whatever they are planning, they will not succeed,' William said boldly. 'We will help you Albus, no matter what it takes.'

'We cannot do this on our own,' Mars said wisely. 'I think you should tell somebody; like Professor Prewett perhaps.'

'Professor Prewett goes through enough for me,' Albus said. He could imagine her at that very moment, demanding that Professor Fudge and Umbridge be hoofed out of the school, while Professor Black pretended to listen but did nothing about it. 'No, the Pirates are going to have to deal with this alone.'

'I do not know what we can hope to achieve,' Emily Marchbanks said, shaking her proud head. 'We are just first years.'

'We can do three things to begin with,' Albus said, thinking very quickly as always. 'Firstly we need to practice harder at our Defence against the Dark Arts with Professor Prewett. I know that Professors Fudge and Black are planning something dark, and you all need to be able to defend yourselves if you are going to help me. Secondly, we need to find out what it was that Professor Longbottom fetched for Professor Black that made the centaurs so angry. Whatever it was, I think it will give us a really big clue. Lastly, I want the Pirates to do a prank to rival all pranks before we leave for the Christmas holidays. Professor Fudge and Caretaker Umbridge deserve something horrible as thanks for what they did to me today.'

The Pirates all nodded fervently, entirely in agreement with Albus. This was the Pirates' most important assignment yet. Even so, Albus caught a glimpse of sparkles in the eyes of Mars, Alabastor and William in particular. The thought of coming up with a prank to rival all pranks was like a dream for all of them.

A few weeks later and the Pirates had come no closer to thinking up a prank to beat all pranks. They had a number of ideas and had drawn up plans for producing everlasting indoor snowfalls and sleet storms. These spells were highly complex, however, and Albus was very unsure whether any of them would work. He needed something better, yet no matter how hard he wracked his brains, he could not think of anything.

Furthermore, Caretaker Umbridge and Professor Fudge had escaped any kind of reprimand for what they had done. Archaeon Dumbledore had threatened to come to Hogwarts, but Albus had sent no less than seven letters by owl telling his father not to do so. Somehow this felt like a battle of wills that Albus wanted to win by himself. He just had to put up with Professor Fudge's wicked grins in class, and the constant heckling from the Slytherins over what had transpired in Umbridge's office.

Fortunately Albus had another task to keep his mind occupied. He had to plant the Everlasting Oak for Fawkes so that his phoenix would have a permanent place to reside nearby Hogwarts. He bravely ventured into the Forbidden Forest after class every day, using Fawkes' disappearing and reappearing ability so that nobody could see him walking across the snowy Hogwarts grounds into the Forest.

Fawkes and William were giving Albus company one afternoon; as he applied a magical fertiliser to the ground where he had planted the seed of the Everlasting Oak at the new moon, a few days prior. William, as always, was talking about the prank.

'I think we need to add mist to the spell as well,' William was saying. 'I think that everlasting snowfall and sleet is great, but if you add in mist then maybe Umbridge will get lost in it.'

'And who is going to do this spell?' Albus asked, enchanting the earth with a watering spell.

'You, of course,' William said carelessly. 'If we can hex the Entrance Hall to mist over then we could cause real havoc.'

'Look, William, we need something far better than this,' Albus said. 'Professor Prewett could undo any of my charms in a second. Professors Black and Fudge could probably undo them in a few minutes. We need something that is going to last for a hundred years, until long after Professors Black and Fudge are dead and buried and their stinking memory is forgotten.'

'Those are some heavy words, Albus,' William said. 'But I am all out of ideas.'

Fawkes was behaving very strangely. He was facing away from Albus and William, waving his rear end at them. Albus slowly realised that Fawkes had an idea.

'William, grab on to one of Fawkes' tail feathers,' Albus said eagerly. William did so, with a look of profound confusion on his face. Albus did too, and they were suddenly whirled away in a flash of flame.

They reappeared in a musty smelling room, cluttering with hundreds of boxes and pieces of ancient furniture. William and Albus coughed and blinked, rubbing their eyes free of the dust that had filled them. When they could see properly, they discovered that they were staring at a large and aged cupboard. It was creaking at its hinges, and shaking ever so slightly.

'What is this place?' William cried. 'Where are we?'

'I think Fawkes has found us our prank,' Albus said confidently, although he was also slightly frightened by the strange whispering that seemed to be coming from behind the cupboard doors. 'We just have to work out what it is. Alohamora.'

Albus opened the door with a flick of his wand. The world suddenly exploded around him. Drawers were flying through the air. Boxes bounced from the ceiling. William had hit the floor and Albus was forced to as well. An earthly screech filled the air. It sounded like all the ghouls and ghosts of the world had been unleashed. Albus wondered if he had opened the legendary Pandora's Box by accident.

'I HAVE BEEN SET FREE!' wailed a voice. 'WHEEEEEEEE! I HAVE BEEN SET FREE AFTER ONE HUNDRED YEARS!'

Suddenly the noise had died down, the screeching that had filled the air fading into silence, and the cupboards and boxes were no longer flying around. Albus and William slowly got themselves up from the floor and looked up into a wickedly grinning face.

'To whom do I owe the pleasure of my freedom?' said the bizarre being in a greasy voice. It bowed to the two boys. It was a ghostly sort of figment, dressed in ridiculous fourteenth century pantaloons, frills and a feathered cap. It had naughty eyes and a mischievous grin as wide as its face.

Albus silently thanked Fawkes, and summoning every ounce of mischief in him, came up with a suitable lie.

'Greetings, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,' Albus said, winking at William. 'This is Deputy Headmaster Professor William Potter.'

'You look mighty young to be a Headmaster, your Headmastership,' said the being.

'Of course,' Albus said. 'I gather that you are the sort of spirit that does not warm to authority?'

'I despise it!' the creature yelled, flinging a box through a window in his state.

'Well then, we have an offer you cannot refuse,' Albus said. 'How would you like to become a resident of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?'

'Ho, humble me?' asked the spirit. 'Why that sounds like my cup of tea!'

'Well then,' Albus said, 'think of us as the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts, and help us to give the real Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster and Caretaker as much grief as possible.'

The spirit bowed as low as he possibly could, his greasy nose touching the ground.

'Peeves, the Poltergeist, at your service,' he said, letting out a cackling laugh. 'You can rely on me, your Headmastership and Deputy Headmastership, to see that the real ones and the Caretaker have a dreadfully dreadful time!'

Albus got Peeves and William to take hold of Fawkes' tail with him, and a few moments later they had appeared in Gryffindor Tower.

'Ho, Peeves!' Albus cried, before the poltergeist could storm off to cause trouble.

'Yes your Headmastership?' Peeves asked.

'Do me a favour and leave Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw alone as much as possible,' Albus said. 'You can bug them occasionally, but I would prefer if Slytherin and the three people we talked about get the worst of your temper.'

'Absolutely, your Headmastership, sir,' Peeves said. He gave the wickedest laugh and sped away, sounding absolutely delighted to have something mischievous to do.

Albus and the Pirates could never have foreseen the success of this latest act of mischief, which turned out to be the prank to rival all pranks. They nicknamed the arrival of Peeves, "Hogwarts' Christmas Present", and indeed he was. The poltergeist proved a hundred times more effective than any everlasting snowfall and sleet storm spell, even with mist added on. He terrorised meal times in the Great Hall. He would bombard the staff and Slytherin tables with flagons of pumpkin juice, taking care to see that most of it landed on the heads of either Professors Black and Fudge or Caretaker Umbridge. He assaulted staff and Slytherins with potatoes and other vegetables. Sometimes he would come sweeping down from the ceiling and fly across the surface of the tables, taking everything with him; spoons, plates, bowls, forks, knives, flagons, jugs and platters; food included. Peeves could not resist doing the same to the other three houses when he got bored with Slytherin, something which Albus happily allowed. Everyone seemed to know that the Slytherins were getting the worst of it, so were only mildly annoyed by his attacks on the other houses.

Even better were Peeves' actions around the school. He toppled suits of armour, ransacked the trophy cabinets, and stormed through the Headmaster's, Professor Fudge's and Caretaker Umbridge's offices. Soon some of the Headmaster's private documents were floating around the school, as well as torn up lists of school punishments from Umbridge's office. Defence against the Dark Arts became "Defence against Peeves", as Professor Fudge found it impossible to conduct any more lessons. Albus and the Pirates could not have been happier as the Christmas holidays approached.

Funnily enough, Defence against the Dark Arts tutorials or Charms lessons with Professor Prewett did not seem to be affected by Peeves presence. When the poltergeist tried to throw a Charms textbook at Professor Prewett's head, she cast a remarkable spell at the fiend which sent him spiralling into her bookcase.

'Terribly sorry; your Majesty,' Peeves said greasily. He stopped in front of Albus' and William's desks. 'Good day to you, your Headmastership and Deputy Headmastership. What would you like me to do now?'

Albus cast a wary look at Professor Prewett, but her thin lips were curled into a smile. He risked it.

'Find Umbridge and blow raspberries behind his head for the next three days without stopping,' Albus said. 'And remember to spend Christmas throwing Christmas tree decorations at Professor Fudge's head.'

'Absolutely; your Headmastership; sir, whatever you say,' Peeves said happily, and swooped out of the room.

'Dumbledore and Potter,' Professor Prewett said harshly, eyeing them through her monocle, 'One hundred points to Gryffindor for such an innovative method of protesting against the establishment. I am proud to be the housemistress of Gryffindor.'

Albus and the Pirates climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express for the trip home for Christmas wearing the broadest grins they had ever worn. Peeves had been true to his word and was driving Umbridge mad. They knew that they could rely upon the poltergeist to ruin Professor Fudge's Christmas. Knowing what was going on at Hogwarts while they were at home promised to make this the best Christmas ever for all of them.

Author's Note: Wow! Past fifty reviews and already at sixty! Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing. Also; I have been added to a C2 community. Check out "Young Dumbledore fics". Many thanks to my reviewers: Morag Camshrom, zimzoogle09, Linwen21490, War of the Worlds, Adrianna Ashke, Thomas Straub, The Allknowing Tonks, SammyStar, mekareQ, Mimbulus, dd9736 and BovinePimp. You guys are all the best!

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