CHAPTER 6: BIRDS AND BOOKS
"That is the strangest looking owl I've ever seen," Xander exclaimed, checking out the bird that had landed on Buffy's shoulder. He dropped the bag of robes by his side, surprised at the sudden presence of such a large bird.
"It's not an owl, Xander," Anya said. "It's a phoenix."
Buffy was still staring up at the large firebird in shock. But a young man hustling over to them captured her attention.
"I'm so sorry," he said, gesturing to the bird. "She just showed up here a couple of days ago and won't leave." The worker tried to coax the phoenix off of Buffy's shoulder, but to no avail. The bird apparently liked it there.
"I've always like phoenixes," Buffy said softly. She brought her hand up gently to the red bird, and the bird nuzzled it lightly.
"Well..." the man said, thunderstruck. "Ever since she showed up one day, she's been off by her lonesome. Usually doesn't come near anyone. Of course she did give a couple of my customers a hard time."
"Does she have a name?" Buffy asked, still petting the bird.
"Not that I know of," he offered. Taking in the pair, he added, "It seems to me that she's been waiting for you."
"What?" Buffy asked, taking her attention off the bird and onto the tall, brown haired man in front of her. He wasn't bad looking, and his brown eyes were full of warmth, but Buffy didn't feel the slightest inclination to get to know him. Once upon a time, she might have jumped at the chance to flirt with such a cute guy, but things had changed.
"Phoenixes are very smart, and they don't trust just anyone." The man paused, letting Buffy absorb the information. "Since she seems to like you so much, you should take her."
"What?" Buffy asked again, a little more startled than before. "I couldn't possibly... I wouldn't even know what to do with her, or how to care for her."
"I think you're perfect," the man said. "There's not much to it, I'm sure. Phoenixes are very self-reliant. How do you think they live so long?"
"Every time they die, their body bursts into flames and they are reborn in the ashes," Anya said. "So if you kill it, you can always try again."
"I can see why she likes you," Xander joked.
"Yes, well," the man said awkwardly, not understanding his comment.
"I don't know," Buffy said uncomfortably. This was so sudden. She had no idea where she was headed or where she would end up. There was no telling what would happen, and what was she supposed to do with a phoenix until then?
"I don't think you have much of a choice," the man said. "Once they pick someone, they are loyal to them until their death. They are excellent judges of character."
Buffy looked at the bird. She had always wanted a phoenix...
Seeing her indecision, the man added, "Plus you'd be doing me a huge favour. I run an Owl Emporium, not a bird store. The owls are a little flustered by her presence."
For the first time since she entered, Buffy noticed the large amount of owls cluttering the shop. There were big ones and small ones, barn owls to great horned owls. Some were in cages; others were on perches strategically placed around the store. Small, glittery eyes stared back at her from the dimly lit store, and the rustling of feathers and soft hoots were so noticeable, Buffy couldn't believe she didn't hear it before.
"I actually came here for an owl," Buffy said, remembering her mission.
"Please," the worker all but begged. "I'm sure she wants to go with you. She'd probably go with you whether you want her to or not, but it'll be easier if you just said yes." The phoenix trilled a melodious note, seemingly in agreement with the man.
A warmth spread through Buffy, something she had not felt in the longest time rose up in her chest. Hope. And love. That made up her mind.
"Okay," Buffy said finally. "But I still want an owl, for you guys," she finished, turning her gaze to Anya and Xander.
"Thank you," the man said. "You're a lifesaver."
"You have no idea," Xander said, smiling at the man and clasping Buffy on her free shoulder.
The man looked a little confused, but then shook it off, believing it to be some American thing. "What kind of owl were you looking for?" he asked more calmly. "Anything in particular?"
"Not really," Buffy admitted. "I think we'll just look around."
"That's fine. I'll be over by the counter if you need anything."
"Thanks," Buffy said, walking slowly around the shop, admiring the various owls. "What do you guys think?"
"I don't know," Xander said. "I've never shopped for owls before. What's the difference?"
"Honestly? I have no idea," Buffy said.
"I like that one," Anya said suddenly, pointing to a dark cage in one corner of the shop. The three walked closer to the cage to get a better look at the owl.
Inside the cage stood a white owl with dark brown, almost black, bars and spots decorating the feathers all over. The black beak stood out amongst her white, rounded head and yellow eyes. The bird was a little less than two feet tall and looked as if it weighed no more than four pounds.
"It's pretty," Buffy said. She looked to the left of the cage where she found a small description of the bird. "It's a snowy owl," she read.
"I like it. Let's buy it," Anya said, picking up the cage by the handle on top, and carrying it over to the counter.
"You want to buy that owl?" the worker asked, surprised when Anya gently laid the cage of the counter.
"Yes," Anya said eagerly. "I would like to purchase this bird. Buffy, pay the nice man."
Buffy rolled her eyes and ignored Anya's behaviour, well used to it by now. She focused her attention on the man behind the counter. "What do you mean 'that one'?" Buffy asked. "Is there something wrong with it?"
"Is it a boy?" Anya asked worriedly, glancing towards the caged owl.
The shopkeeper frowned at Anya and said, "It's a girl."
Anya visibly relaxed, letting out a huge sigh of relief. "Good, then there's nothing wrong. Don't scare me like that!"
"There's nothing wrong really," the man assured, overlooking her insinuation that men had problems. "It's just... interesting that you chose that owl."
"Why?" Buffy asked, getting a little annoyed that the man was being so evasive.
"It's just that no one ever seems to want her. She's been here for several years and she always gets overlooked."
"Maybe it's because you have her in the darkest corner of the shop," Xander said.
"No, people have looked at her, but they always walk away and choose a different one. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with her if no one bought her soon. Her sister was bought about five years ago, and I swear that owl misses her. It's very strange."
"Well, Anya's a strange girl; no one understands why she does the things she does," Xander said fondly. "She's a mystery to us all. It seems like a perfect match."
"It must be my lucky day," the worker said. "You've taken the two birds that were bringing me down. I'll give you a special deal, only three galleons."
Buffy rummaged through her change purse, collecting three large gold coins and handing them over the counter. As the man received the payment, Anya grabbed the top of the cage and pulled it off the counter.
"You're a very good girl, aren't you?" Anya said, looking at the bird. The owl hooted softly in response.
"I'll tell you one thing," the man said as the three walked toward the door. "That owl loves rabbits. More so than any other owl I've had." When he said rabbits, Anya gave a small start.
"Ah," Xander said knowingly. "Mystery solved." He bent down and picked up the bag of robes he had dropped when they first came in.
"I'm sorry?" the man asked, not understanding.
"Anya hates rabbits," Buffy explained. The man's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he turned to Anya.
"I thought all girls loved rabbits," he said.
"Not our Ahn," Xander said, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.
"Fluffy, hoppy, twitchy little monsters," Anya cried. "Now look what you've done! I'm sure to have nightmares."
"And your faithful owl will eat them all up, saving you from the vicious bunnies," Xander teased.
Anya brightened suddenly, looking at her owl. "I knew I liked you for a reason."
"Thanks for the birds," Buffy said, leading them towards the door.
"I'm the one that should be thanking you," he called. "Enjoy your new friends!"
"We will," Buffy said, pushing open the door. The phoenix, still on her shoulder trilled happily.
"Now that is a great bird," Xander exclaimed. "Every time she does that, a warm feeling spreads through me. It makes me all happy inside; it's much better than listening to country music."
"I can't believe I have a phoenix," Buffy said, still in shock. "I mean, I've always wanted one, but I never thought I'd get one. They're so rare."
"It goes perfectly with your necklace," Xander said.
Buffy gently rubbed the pendant between her two fingers, thinking about Sirius. "You know what? I have the strangest feeling that I've seen her somewhere before. I just can't remember where." The phoenix picked at her pocket, where her wand was, and Buffy understood. "You're the one whose feather is in my wand?" A red head nodded up and down in understanding. "Wow. Um... thanks." Buffy didn't know what else to say, but she had a strange feeling. Maybe she'd seen the bird in her dreams before.
"Uh, Buffy?" Xander asked quietly. "Why is everyone staring at us?"
Buffy glanced around and noticed that they were getting quite a few stares from the people on the street.
"It's the phoenix," Buffy realized. "They're so rare, and it's not like you can just buy them. They pick someone and they stay with them. You've got to go," Buffy said to the bird. "You can find me later if you want. Once we're out of Diagon Alley, okay?" The red bird gave a sad whistle but disappeared.
"Whoa!" Xander said, "I didn't know they could do that!"
"Yeah. And they can take someone with them as well."
"Now that is my kind of pet. Whenever you're in a tough spot, here comes your phoenix and poof, you're gone."
"Their tears have healing powers and they can carry extremely heavy loads," Buffy added.
"How do you know so much?"
"In my third year at Hogwarts, in my Care of Magical Creatures class, I had to write an essay on a creature of my choice. I chose a phoenix. I've liked them ever since I can remember, and I don't know why. I used to beg my parents to get me one for my birthdays and it was always the first item on my Christmas List." Buffy fondly remembered her past, sharing the memories with her friends. "James and Sirius used to tease me about my obsession. But then, Sirius went and got me the closest thing to a phoenix I've ever had. Until now, at least."
"The pendent," Xander said, watching a small smile play on the Slayer's lips as she thought about her old love.
"I wonder what they'd say about my new phoenix."
"I guess we'll find out soon enough, right?" Xander asked. "That's what we're here for."
"Yeah," Buffy said, butterflies coming to her stomach.
"We'll go and get Willow and Giles and then we'll find your family," Xander said. He could tell Buffy was starting to get nervous. Not that she showed it-she never showed any weakness anymore-but he had known her long enough to tell.
"It's going to be fine," he said, looking in her eyes. "They're going to be thrilled to see you, and they'll love you, and everything is going to go fine."
"Promise?" Buffy asked in a small voice.
"Would I ever lie to you?" Xander joked, lightening the mood.
"Would you like me to answer that or shall I just glare?" Buffy asked in her best Giles-like voice, mimicking words he once told her.
"Now that is scary," Xander said. "Don't ever do that again." He backed away from her and started walking to the bookstore, glancing over his shoulder every now and then.
Buffy smiled slightly at his antics. The butterflies disappeared for the time being and she went to catch up to Xander and Anya, who had followed Xander down the street."You know, these robes aren't that bad," Anya said randomly, filling the silence that had fallen over the group.
"They are fairly nice," Xander said appreciatively.
"They don't scratch and I'm not too hot."
"And best of all, we blend in," Buffy said as they approached the bookstore where they left Willow and Giles.
She pushed open the door and walked inside. The old shop was familiar in more ways than one. She remembered browsing through here during the years when she was stuck at home while James and Sirius were at Hogwarts. She remembered coming here to search for books on the required book list for Hogwarts, sneaking in a couple extra when her brother wasn't looking. And lastly, she remembered the Sunnydale Library.
"It smells old and dusty in here," Anya complained. Actually, the store was welcoming and friendly, and very well lit.
"Just like Sunnydale High," Xander said fondly, reflecting back on the better days of their lives.
Buffy was about to respond when a person rounded the corner. Her jaw dropped slightly and her eyes widened in surprise. "Giles!" she reprimanded. "What are you doing? Do you plan to buy the whole bookstore?" The amount of books in his basket was astonishing.
Giles looked up, noticing the trio for the first time. He wore a goofy grin on his face and he appeared vaguely distracted. And very excited. "They have the best selection of books here... I haven't been anywhere this good in a long time. And believe me, I've looked. This will really help replace some of the books I've lost. And the nice man made my basket feather light," Giles added with another quick silly smile.
"What have we done?" Xander asked in mock horror. "We left him alone in a huge bookstore." He turned to Buffy accusingly. "What were you thinking?"
"Me?" Buffy began. "I didn't leave him alone, he was with... Willow!" Looking over Xander's shoulder, Buffy saw her red headed friend in the same state as her watcher. Her basket was also overflowing with books.
"Look what I found!" She exclaimed excitedly as she came over to greet her best friend. She was bouncing up and down a little as she held up a book in front of Buffy's face. "It'll help us out when I teach you about wandless magic." She put that book down and started to pick up another one, "And this one is about..."
"Willow," Xander said, laying his hand gently on her arm, lowering the book back into the cart. "I'm going to have to cut you off."
Willow's smile faded to be replaced by a look of growing terror. "No. You can't cut me off. I don't need to be cut off." Xander just nodded sadly at her while she became increasingly more panicked.
"But I just got here," she said, backing away. "There's still so much more to see, and read, and buy." Buffy took the basket from her friend's hands and Xander steered her towards the door. "NO!"
"Sorry, Will. You can come back another time." This quieted her down a bit, and Xander was able to get her safely out of the shop.
Buffy and Anya quietly went up to Giles, who had only been paying a little attention to what was going on.
As he realized what the two girls were planning on doing, his grip tightened on his basket and he backed away slowly. "Now see here," he said nervously. "I am your elder and as such I should be treated with respect."
Buffy yanked the basket out of his hands.
"Hey!" Giles cried out, pouting a little.
"You may be my elder, but you're acting like a little kid."
"I am not," Giles said indignantly.
"Are too," Buffy responded and then rolled her eyes at the direction they were heading. "Anya, could you please take him outside? I'll pay for the books and meet you in a minute."
Anya nodded and grabbed Giles' wrist, with her free hand and guided him to where Xander and Willow were waiting. "Come along you crazy book-obsessed man."
Buffy took the two baskets over to the counter and placed them on the top, ready to be purchased.
The elderly looking man at the counter gave a smile as he noticed the piles of books. "Do you like to read?"
"No," Buffy said automatically. "Yes," Buffy corrected, changing her mind, "I mean kind of. I used to read but I don't anymore. It's complicated."
"I see," the man said, clearly not understanding.
"They aren't for me," Buffy said. "My friends are a little book crazy."
"A little?" he asked amused as he totaled the price.
"A lot," Buffy admitted. She counted out the total (she barely had enough!) and handed it to the man.
As he took out a small bag, placed a bottomless bag spell on it, and a lightweight spell on it, Buffy thought about what she was going to do next.
First she had to find out where James lived and then he'd know where to find their parents, Sirius, Remus and Lily. She didn't care much about Peter.
The man packing her books was old enough, he might know where James lived, or at least know where she could find him.
"Do you happen to know James Potter?" Buffy asked suddenly, her mind made up.
The man paused in his packing, startled, and glanced up at her. He gave a slight chuckle, believing it to be some kind of joke. "Of course I do, everyone does."
Buffy was surprised to hear that, but tried not to look it, and laughed a little at her 'mistake' as well. "Obviously you do, I was just wondering where I could find him."