9 - "Phoenix Music"
Harry Potter sat down behind his desk, which was covered in all manner of magical objects and numerous tomes of lore. The silence seemed to draw on for a lifetime.
'So, a Dualist at last' Mr. Potter said at last, fingers interlocking in front of his wearied face.
'Yes.' Beck looked at the floor.
'This is an exceptional gift you have.' Ms. Granger smiled broadly beside the headmaster. Ms. Weasley stood on the headmaster's other side, a hand resting on the ornate wood throne.
'Yes.' Beck looked up at the headmaster's kind words.
'Why you ran away though is quite the puzzlement?' Beck's ears went pink in embarrassment.
'I was scared. I thought I'd killed Jer or something? I thought he'd…' Her words trailed off.
'Of course, this fact will indeed be kept a secret.' The headmaster beckoned to Ms. Granger.
'I already handled my class, they'll tell no-one.'
'Then it is settled, you may return to your dormitories.' Ms. Granger escorted Jerrod and Beck from the office. Looking back, he saw Ms. Weasley rub Mr. Potter tenderly on the shoulder, before the door shut.
---
Jerrod bolted down the stairs to the Great Hall, sure not to bang the parcel in his hand against anything. He burst into the hall, and slowed to a halt. The few remaining student left for Christmas were lining their respective tables, though quite sparsely. Beck sat with two other Gryffindor girls. Jerrod walked up, nervously.
'Beck?' he said, interrupting. The girls immediately quit their conversation, and turned to look at Jerrod. He fumbled a little. 'Merry Christmas' he mumbled, thrusting the package into Beck's hands. She tore into it with earnest. The dark wood violin was polished to a mirror finish, and the bow was made from pure white unicorn hairs.
'This is amazing Jerrod, thank you.' She hugged Jerrod, and gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek. 'I haven't gotten anything for you, though, I couldn't decide on anything.' Jerrod chuckled at the reply that came to mind.
'Your smile is present enough.' The two Gryffindor girls tittered, and Jerrod felt his cheeks flush.
The Christmas holidays were nearly over, and the second semester was about to start. Beck sat on a stool in a quiet room, sliding the bow over her violin with practised ease. Jerrod sat on a low chair, his guitar across his legs, and played a slow, mellow bass line.
'We need a name' said Beck, without ceasing her playing.
'Yeah, though nothing comes to mind straight away.' Jerrod sat back in the chair, and put his guitar on a conjured stand. Beck stopped playing.
'We did a thing on Phoenix's in Creatures today' said Beck, 'Phoenix song is supposed to be really soothing or something; I can't remember the passage exactly.'
'"Songs for the Phoenix" than?' asked Jerrod. Beck smiled, before answering.
'Yeah, "Songs for the Phoenix."'