Break in
Phoenix waved goodbye to Evanna still feeling annoyed that she had to go Hogwarts. The Hogwarts Express stood patiently waiting for all students to board. Frantic chaos lingered around platform 9 ¾. There in front of her stood a scarlet steam engine. She looked at the sign over board that said Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock. The odor from engine glided above the chattering. Cats screeched trying to break free from there owners while owls hooted among themselves as though they understood what one was saying.
Phoenix dragged her bag and held the cage in her left hand. The owl shrieked and Phoenix came into a stop. She raised the owl so that they were facing each other. 'Grandma put a curse on you, didn't she?' she asked. As the owl could understand her he shock her head. Tiny brown feathers flew out of his cage. Phoenix looked at her pet and smiled. The brown feather blended in with the cream streaks across the back of her neck. 'Madame Fifi, act good on the journey,' whispered Phoenix.
'Well you should keep that mouth to yourself then!' barked Phoenix at Draco.
'Hey you can't talk like that to him,' uttered Crabbe and Goyle.
'What are you guys, his gargoyle?'
'What?' asked Goyle, confusion written all over his face. Phoenix retrieved her rosewood 12 1/4, supple, single phoenix feather from Fawkes wand and yelled 'Densaugeo!' Draco's teeth started to grow uncontrollably.
'Phoenix!' came Lupin's voice. Phoenix quickly shoved her wand back in her pocket.
'What is going on her?' inquired Lupin.
'We had a little misunderstanding,' said Phoenix.
'Little?' said Lupin gazing at Draco's teeth, which at this rate was down his chin. Draco groaned in agony.
'Harry?' shouted Lupin. Harry who found the scene amusing poked his head out and walked towards Lupin.
'Yes?' he said.
'Keep Phoenix calm,' said Lupin. Harry nodded and walked back to their cabin. Phoenix followed Sniggering.
Phoenix walked into the cabin. Ron who was still laughing at what happened to Draco sat near the window. 'I'm Hermione,' said a girl with frizzy hair. Ron sat up straight and introduced himself and Ginny. Ron's cheeks blushed and Phoenix smiled. Phoenix made herself comfortable among them but the painful silence dragged on at her presence. Feeling agitated she took the CD player in her bag. Before she started to listen to Going under by Evanescence she said 'I see I've caused interruption to your conversation. I'll sit here and listen to music and you guys can talk as though I weren't here.' In the background on the CD Going under begins and Phoenix finds herself smiling.
Now I will tell you what I've done for you
50,000 tears I cry
Screaming,
Deceiving,
And bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me
... go away...
Don't want your hand this time
I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once (wake up for once)
Not tormented daily defeated by you
Just when I thought I'd reach the bottom
[chorus]
I dive again
I'm going under (going under)
Drowning with you (drowning with you)
I'm falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through
I'm, going under
Blurring and stirring the truth that comes out
(I don't know what's real and what's not)
Always confusing the thoughts is my head
So I can't trust myself anymore......
The engine came to a sudden jolt causing Phoenix's CD player to fly out across the cramped compartment. Just as it was about to fall on the floor Harry caught it and handed it to Phoenix. She smiled at him and nodded. Phoenix followed Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny. It bothered Phoenix that she was so isolated. Suddenly Hermione came to a stop and turned around. 'You need to be sorted first. So you have to go to where Hagrid is,' she explained pointing at the giant.
'I've already been sorted,' said Phoenix simply.
'No you couldn't have. The sorting ceremony takes place the first day back,' insisted Hermione. Phoenix felt hot blood rushing to her head but managed to find the strength within to restrain her foul temper.
'Trust me, I've been sorted,' said phoenix through gritted teeth.
Phoenix found that she was more eager to go into the school than she expected to be. They all walked across the hall and through a pair of double door and into the great hall. Phoenix had never imagined it to be so beautiful and splendid. The hall was lit up by thousands of candles floating in air, high above the four long tables where several students had already sat down. At the top of the hall was a long table, golden plates and goblets were scattered in front of the teachers. The teachers glared at the first-years who in Phoenix eyes looked like they were going to heave. Phoenix took a seat beside a sandy-haired boy. He must have realized she was new because he gazed at her curiously. Phoenix ignored the stares and focused on the table at the front of the hall. The queue of the first years started to die down and phoenix heard her stomach grumble. Finally all students were sorted and Dumbledore arose from his seat. 'Before we begin I have something to say. This year is quite extraordinary because we have a student starting the 6th year. Phoenix Black has been gladly sorted into Gryffindor,' said Dumbledore. Cheers and whistle escaped the Gryffindor table.
'I'm glad to say, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our banquet, i have a few words to say, Nitwit! Oddmnet! Tweak!' and with tat he sat back. Everyone clapped. As Phoenix turned around to look at the table she found herself staring at every food you could possibly imagine. Smoked salmon, roast chicken, steak, beef, minced lamb, turkey bacon, meat balls, smoked bacon....
They were all scattered around the table. After everyone had enough, the plates were cleaned and puddings replaced them. Phoenix took a piece of chocolate gateaux and chewed it down. The chocolate melted on her dry tongue. After eating so much she felt weak and drowsy. All she yarned was to go to bed. 'Look, nearly headless nick!' yelled one of the first-years. The ghost lingered towards them and said 'I'm sir Nicholas de mimsy- porpington. Resident ghost of Gryffindor tower,' he corrected them. 'That is bloody baron. Resident of Slytherin tower....' Phoenix found herself drifting away and found it hard to focus to what people were saying.
'Ahem-A few notices to give out,' said Dumbledore. His half moon spectacles balanced on his croaky noise. 'First-years, the forest is forbidden at all times. This also concerns our older students.' Dumbledore gave a stern look at Harry, Ron and Hermione.
'I have also been asked by our caretaker, Mr Flinch that no magic should be used down the corridor between lessons.'
'Quidditch trials will be held on second term. You will need to see madam Hooch,' continued Dumbledore.
'Last but not least, the fourth floor on the left wing is off bounds....Dumbledore's words faded and so did Phoenix's conscience. She was dragged back to reality by the sudden outburst of the students singing.
The prefects led the way to the Gryffindor towers. Phoenix who was annoyed to find the journey so long tilted her head towards Ron and said 'Can't we walk any faster? 'Finally they arrived at the marble stair case. They passed the people in the portraits along the corridor, they whispered and pointed eagerly. Finally they walked through doorways hidden behind panels and tapestries. At the end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman wearing pink silk dress.
'Menuf Draco,' said Ron. The portrait swung open revealing a round hall. Everyone scrambled themselves in the Gryffindor common room. Ron directed the girls to their dormitory and Phoenix took this opportunity to get to bed. Phoenix rushed in, pulled on her pyjamas and fell into the bed. Her groggily eyes kept opening and closing but within seconds she found herself being dragged into darkness.....
Harry rolled back and forth in his bed trying his best to get to sleep. As time ticked by Harry became more agitated and annoyed. He got out of bed and put on his glasses. He strolled towards the window. No stars were to be seen and the dark night stood still before his eyes and nothing seemed to move out of place. He was about to turn around when something caught the corner of his eyes. Something seemed to move on the isolated ground. As though the intruder realized someone was watching it froze. Harry rubbed his spectacles making sure it wasn't a deception of his eyes. He checked back down at the school grounds and nothing was to be seen. Harry shuck his head and made his way back to bed, hoping that he might have more luck getting to bed this time round. He took of his glasses and tucked himself underneath the cold duvet. He started to think about his parents, Sirius Black and all the events that have happened over the last 5 years. Hot burning tears trickled down his cheeks. He sobbed gently and as the pain started to fade, he drifted into the shadows of his dream.
Harry and Phoenix both lay peacefully in their beds. No one would have suspected they could be woken up by their own pitiful dreams.
Dream...........
.....Harry was walking down a long corridor. The dark mahogany walls seemed to be closing in on him and the faster his feet carried him the quicker the walls closed in. Like any nightmare there is always that mocking hope. The bright light beamed at the end of the corridor. Harry ran, his heart beating fast, and the sound of terror ringing in his ears. His mouth felt dry, and as he tried to scream 'Help!' he found himself mimicking and no words would come out no matter how hard he tried. Harry's eyes widened with fear as he heard a man speak from the room......
..........Phoenix stood in front of the door, light shinning through.She poked her head to see who was in the room. There was an old chair placed before the smoldering fire place. The figure that sat on the chair held a wooden stick in his left hand. The figure banged the stick on the old floor causing it to creak gently. A snake slithered towards the stick and coiled itself around the stick as though it was a precious treasure.
'Master the plan is going well,' came a raspy voice.
'Indeed wormtail!' replied the master and an evil cackle escaped his lips. The cackle echoed down the secluded corridor. 'We have a visitor,' said the master and he swerved around on his chair revealing his haunted face........ Phoenix jolted up from the bed.
While in the boys dormitory Harry had the same dream. Harry rubbed his scar trying to ease the ablaze sensation. He felt icy cold shiver run down his spine.
All students headed towards the great hall for breakfast. Phoenix walked down the marble staircase and down the hall to the great hall by herself. She entered the hall and took a seat next to Ron. 'How was your sleep?' asked Ron politely.
'A stupid nightmare kept me up!' said Phoenix bitterly.
'So did Harry,' uttered Ron. Phoenix glared at Harry quizzically but after he said nothing she broke eye contact. Phoenix munched on the pancakes that was before her and gulped it down with cherry drink.
'Ahem-I'm sad to say that there was a break in last night,' said Dumbledore. As Dumbledore said this whispers broke out like hissing fire around the crowded hall. Harry felt sick after hearing this. He didn't tell Hermione or Ron about what he'd seen in the school grounds. The sick feeling was suddenly replaced by guilt. His eyes meet Phoenix's and she had the same expression written across her face. Usually he would have suspected professor Snape but there was something about Phoenix that was more unsettling. Harry felt resentment and bitter towards her and even suspected that she might have something to do with the break in.