"Professor Dumbledore!" Madam Kepler appeared as Albus gently lay Minerva on a bed. "I do not permit brooms in my infirmary at any time. Would you kindly remove said object this instant." She seemed to completely ignore the three seventh year girls arriving, out of breath from running so hard.
"Of course Juliet…" Albus began only to be interrupted by Juliet Kepler's eldest daughter.
"He had to get here somehow mum!" Poppy Kepler explained as she sat down with Rolanda and Pomona on the bed next to Minerva's. "Min got hit with a bludger…"
"Poppy…" Madam Kepler warned, knowing her daughter's disposition for getting rather excited when it came to healing work.
"Straight in the stomach and she flew off her broom." Continued Poppy as her mother moved to Minerva's side. She pressed her hands hard against her stomach to emphasise her story. "Textbook Quidditch injury, it was brilliant!"
"I'm sure Minerva would not agree with you."
"Oh but mum, perfect impact. Any Healer would love the chance to…"
"Poppy!" Madam Kepler snapped, causing Pomona and Rolanda to jump. "As I am the mediwitch in this school, I shall diagnose and treat the patient. Is that clear?"
"Yes mother." Responded Poppy as she bowed her head.
"We did tell you to keep your mouth shut Poppy." Pomona muttered not one to really stand up to her friends.
"I shall get the girls out of your way Juliet." Albus chuckled, noticing when it was time to save seventeen-year-old girls from near death. He motioned for them to follow him. "We shall go for a walk and return to find Miss McGonagall in full health."
"Thankyou Professor, that would be rather appreciated." Juliet smiled slightly, pulling a stool up beside Minerva's bed as she began to examine her.
"See you later Minerva." Poppy pressed a kiss against her friend's forehead and motioned for Rolanda and Pomona to do the same. Pomona followed suit and kissed Minerva before moving to the door. "Rolanda?" Poppy raised an eyebrow. It was common knowledge that while Minerva was the unspoken leader of the group, Poppy came in a close second. Like Minerva she was organised, stubborn and very intelligent. But she was also rather bossy at times, which would sometimes cause a clash between the two friends, and with Minerva injured… Poppy was now in charge.
"Love you Tabby." Rolanda whispered, blowing a kiss to her unconscience friend.
"Scoot!" Juliet clapped her hands harshly and the three friends jumped, suddenly in a rush to get out the door.
"Love is a powerful thing Miss Swift." Albus chuckled softly as he and Rolanda played chess in his office. He glanced towards Pomona and Poppy who were happily playing with Fawkes.
"Pardon Professor?" Rolanda frowned, not quite understand her Transfiguration Professor. Although not many people tended to understand his cryptic sentences before he ultimately explained his meaning.
"Elias Hooch managed to steal your attention on the field." Came the Professor's reply as he moved his Rook. "It is my understanding, after watching you and your friends go through your schooling years, that Rolanda Swift loves Quidditch and nothing else."
"Well, I love my friends…" Rolanda said quickly as she moved her Queen across the board. She had a good idea his questions were leading to her error on the field. "It's complicated."
"Aha, it always is." Albus sighed, making his move and relaxing into his armchair. "I am aware Mr Hooch was the reason for your little slip during Quidditch."
"Professor…" Rolanda's eyes grew wide, glancing quickly towards her oblivious friends as she prepared to justify her actions.
"Although I am not one to spread stories." Albus assured the fearful seventh year. "I daresay, how can I when there is nothing to tell?" He winked, causing Rolanda to relax.
"Thankyou Professor."
"We all make mistakes Miss Swift. Some worse than others." Rolanda nodded in agreement, soaking in everything Albus told her. "But mistakes are made so that we can learn from them. It is a part of growing up. To avoid such errors, big or small, would be to destroy a customary part of life." He was about to say more when a shocked scream came from Poppy and Pomona. Albus glanced calmly over at the girls and chuckled as fire turned to ash, and Fawkes disappeared.
"Professor, he just burst into flames!" Pomona exclaimed, slightly confused by the sudden event. While she had heard of the legendary Phoenix and what it did, it still came as a shock to see the wonder take place.
"You have not heard the legend of the Phoenix Miss Sprout?"
"I have Professor." Poppy admitted, still staring at the perch where Fawkes had been not a moment ago. "But I've never actually witnessed a Phoenix burst into flames like that. Will he really be reborn?"
"Watch the ashes girls." Albus replied, chuckling as he watched Rolanda join her friends. The three girls stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the ash piled up in the basin just below the perch. Then the ash moved. It was such a small movement that Pomona wasn't entirely sure if it had actually happened.
"Did anyone else see that?" Poppy whispered.
"Oh thank the heavens!" Pomona exclaimed. "I thought I was seeing things." As she spoke the ash began to move again and a small baby bird appeared.
"Oh how beautiful." Poppy gasped, seeing past the ash covered exterior and staring in awe at the wonder that was creation.
"Is it still Fawkes Professor?" Rolanda asked, unsure of how a rebirth affected the relationship between owner and pet.
"Oh yes." Albus answered, rising to his feet and joining the girls to admire his old friend. "Always Fawkes, no matter how many times he does this."
"Does he remember everything from his past lives?" Poppy inquired as she leant down for a closer look at the magnificent creature.
"As of yet I have not thought to ask him." Albus replied, causing the girls to laugh. He watched Fawkes for a moment. "We remain good friends whether he remembers or not." He held his hand out and Fawkes nestled against it. Breaking the atmosphere, a tawny owl appeared at the window. With a slight intake of breath, Poppy recognised the bird.
"Cranberry!" She ran over to the window, taking the envelope from the bird beak. A messy scrawl suggested Madame Kepler had written in a hurry. "Oh no…" Poppy dropped to the ground as she read the message.
"Poppy, is it Minerva?" Pomona held tightly to Rolanda's hand.
"It can't be that bad…" Rolanda whispered, biting her lip.
"I regret to inform you…" Poppy began reading, but was overwhelmed with tears and found herself unable to continue. Taking the parchment carefully from the girl, Albus continued to read the parchment.