Another Conversation With Dumbledore,
And A Run-in With Peeves

The next night Sirius went to James's house. I think the only reason he stopped here was to tell the headmaster something important, I don't know what it was.

There were no interruptions over the next week. Devi and I explored, played in the snow, practiced magic, or just chatted. It was fun, peaceful, and wonderful just to spend time with each other.

Dumbledore called us into his office to talk about refining the details of the Valentines trip. It was decided that Devi would sleep on a mattress in my dorm, and Ryan would sleep on a cot in the Marauders' dorm. I didn't really know any Ravenclaw fourth-year boys, or else Ryan would have slept in their dorm.

I was feeling curious during the visit, and so an interesting subject was accidentally brought up.

Fawkes was nuzzling his head against me, cooing.

"Oh, Professor, have you ever seen a black phoenix? I read about them in B.R.I. – Book of Required Information," I added for Devi's sake.

"Black phoenixes are very rare. Only a few people have seen them, and some skeptics don't believe in their existence. I do, and if your book says they do exist, then they do. Why would you like to know?"

"Oh, I'm just interested. How about you, Dev?"

"Hmm?" Devi turned away from her study of a strange, silver contraption. "Oh. Phoenixes always interest me. All their magical properties, most of which we haven't been able to study in depth, are amazing. And they're so beautiful and majestic."

"Yes. Black phoenixes are moon creatures while fire phoenixes are sun creatures. What's rare with black phoenixes is that their emotional pain is intensified to the point where they cry almost constantly. That pain can be lessened once they have completed their main task, but completing that task usually takes about a thousand, or more, lives. Black phoenixes usually attach themselves to a certain human, and instead of continuing to live after that human has died, they just disappear. That's why there are so few in the world today."

I considered that. B.R.I. had told me that, of course, but she tended to make it a lot more verbose. "Interesting creatures."

Dumbledore rose. "Devi, will you wait outside for a minute or two? Sanya and I have some things to discuss."

Devi nodded, shot me that look that said, 'you'd better tell me it later', and strode quickly out the door.

"Is this about the amulet, Professor?"

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "You are very perceptive, Sanya. Yes, I sent you that amulet in hopes that you would see the wisdom in wearing it, and not question why you should. I now see that I have misjudged you and the power of your curiosity."

"A lot of people do that, even after I prove them wrong," I commented.

"Yes, you can be deceiving. I'm sure you are wondering about why I gave you that amulet."

"Yes. Just as a guess, but is it because I might be a target for Lord Voldemort and his followers, for some reason? It's the reason I want to know."

"As you know, I cannot tell you all, especially not with your friend waiting. But you, as you probably know, are a special person with a lot of powers. I think that Voldemort thinks he can corrupt you, and use your powers for his own purposes. I can't let that happen to you." I could tell Dumbledore was deadly serious from his tone.

"Okay," I said, digesting all the information I had just received. "Is this why I came to Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore's eyes searched my face. "Yes. That's part of why you came here."

I was just about to go on, but Devi interrupted with a knock on the door. "I'm terribly sorry, Professor Dumbledore, but it's snowing right now and Sanya and I have an unfinished snowfight to continue."

I brightened at the thought of playing in the snow. "I won fair and square last time. Professor?" I turned to Dumbledore. "Is there anything else?"

"No, Sanya, go and have fun." He said, eyes twinkling. "I was just thinking about how glad I was to have you go and not ask any more questions I can't answer."

I laughed lightly and got up. "Good bye, Professor." And went out to join Devi.

',',',',',',',',',

"Dev, face it, I won. Last time, too, " I said as we trudged up the front steps.

My friend laughed. "I would've won if you had played by the rules. And we tied last time."

"No, we didn't," I said in a matter-of-fact voice, holding the door for Devi. "And I didn't cheat. That last shot was your own fault. You weren't even looking!"

"Yeah, and those Sparks weren't your fault, either, " Devi snorted in contempt.

"Hey, they came from the other direction. Couldn't have been me!" I protested with a smirk.

"And you never learned Illusion Charms, you'll be saying next!"

The good-natured banter continued all the way through the halls, until I suddenly stopped and smacked my palm to my forehead.

"What am I doing!"

Devi halted at my gesture. "I dunno. Where are we?"

"Near the Astronomy Tower," I answered, frustrated with myself. "I didn't want to go here. It's Peeves's favorite haunting place on Thursday nights."

"Thursday? Why Thursday?" My use of an apparently random day confused Devi.

"It's the day that the first-years have Astronomy. Peeves has particular fun with the first-years." I winced, remembering one witnessed incident. Poor Debbie Forrest.

"Er, considering that, we might want to get away from here."

I heartily agreed, and we slipped slowly and quietly down the corridor. But luck was not to be had. Predictably, Devi stubbed her toe on a suit of armor. Being a true American, she swore loudly and violently, then realized what she had done and gave me a sheepish look.

Soon a cackling voice filled the hall. "Is someone out of bounds? Tell Filch on you, I will."

I signaled to Devi to stop walking. "'Lo, Peeves!" I called. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but since it's a holiday then we can go walking in normally out-of-bounds areas."

The poltergeist scratched his chin. "It that so?"

"Yeah, " I said smoothly. "It's true. You can even go and look it up, if you want." Devi glanced at me, her face questioning. I gave her a look that said 'just go along with it!'

Peeves was thinking hard throughout this entire semi-conversation. Finally he unscrewed his face and announced, "I'll go and look it up. You two stay here." And he flew away.

I let out a breath when he was out of sight. "Come on," I whispered to Devi, "I don't want to get caught."

"It wasn't a rule, then?" Devi questioned me.

I held a wall carpeting open for her. The tunnel behind it was a shortcut to the Ravenclaw common room. "I have absolutely no clue. Go through here. Might want to use Lumos."

We ran though the dark tunnel, emerging across the hall from the Fat Lady.

"Perentula," I gasped.

The portrait hole swung open, and we lurched inside. As soon as we were safe on a couch, Devi and I collapsed into laughter. It all seemed hilarious now that we weren't faced with Peeves. After all, the worst we could get was detention, and that wasn't so bad. I really have no clue, to this day, why I went all ballistic. It was fun, though.

"Oh my God! That was so funny!" Devi managed after a bout of laughter.

"I know! Oh my God! I dunno why I was so concerned, though."

"Prolly 'cause you're a perfect Ravenclaw."

"Shut up, Dev."

And then the conversation lapsed into our normal all-in-fun insults.