So, here's the next chapter

daniel-radcliffs-girl: I don't write what you want. Sorry, but it's me who decides how the story goes on. But Harry and Starlett will meet again in the next chapter

Rahne Dechenes: twin sister is written with a space? Ok, didn't know

Thanks also to the other reviewser, I didn't mention

Star and Lightning

9th Chapter - Conversation

Fawkes, the Phoenix, sat on his perch in Albus Dumbledore's office. He was in the middle of his life circle and looked gorgeous: shining scarlet and golden feathers, a long and splendid tail and sparkling black eyes. He was watching the pensive, Albus had left outside. Fawkes was fascinated by everything glimmering that moved and the silver strains whirling in the pensive were especially fascinating. When he heard a faint rustle coming from the fireplace, Fawkes raised his head and curiously watched the flames. Then a young girl came stumbling out of the fireplace. She coughed and shook the dust off her dark blue robe. When she looked up, she looked directly in Fawkes eyes.

Black eyes were caught in black eyes. Then Starlett smiled and said: "You're a real beauty." Fawkes bent his long neck and whistled softly. Starlett laughed quietly and took some steps foreward to touch the tender feathers at his head. In response he pressed his head against her hand and made soft cooing noises.

Unnoticed by both of them, Albus Dumbledore had left the fireplace after Starlett. He smiled at the scene in front of him. Quietly, in order not to startle them, he said:

"I see, you've met Fawkes, my Phoenix."

"This is a Phoenix? They really exist?" Starlett asked unbelieving and took a closer look at Fawkes.

"Yes, they do exist. Now, come. Let's sit down and talk about you."

Starlett sighed and settled herself in an armchair Dumbledore had just conjured. Her irritability had ebbed away after her short cuddling with the Phoenix.

"So Starlett, why don't you tell me something about yourself? For example, how you came to live on the street and how long you've been doing magic."

"I was abandoned almost 15 years ago when I was about one year old. Zaza found me and took care of me. I've lived on the street almost all my life. I have no idea where I came from or who my parents are. And I've begun controlling my magic around five years ago."

"Who's Zaza?"

"Sort of my mother."

"Ah, well." Then he seemed to remember something and hold a small bowl filled with sweets in front of her. "Lemon drop?"

Starlett hesitated for a moment, then bent forward and took one. Albus settled back in his chair and asked: "Starlett, would you like to go to school? You have missed five years of schooling, but you shouldn't have too many problems catching up on the other students."

She looked by him at Fawkes for a moment and aswered: "Hogwarts is a boarding school, right?" When Albus nodded, she continued. "I read about in 'Hogwarts. A History'. I… I'd like to learn how to do magic properly but…" she stopped and again focused on Fawkes. When the Phoenix flattered his wings encouragingly, she continued. "I can't stand being told what to do and what not to do. I hate being regulated. And I'm sure Hogwarts has a lot of rules." Now she looked directly at Dumbledore again.

He sighed and answered: "That's true. There are a lot of rules at Hogwarts. But maybe we can soften some of them a bit. And isn't learning worth some trouble? Starlett, this is your chance to get away from the street."

Starlett was thinking. His offer was tempting. Even if attending Hogwarts meant leaving Zaza. She would finally have a chance to learn. Zaza would understand her. But she still didn't completely trust this wizard and then she remembered something else.

"Aren't you going to punish me? For stealing books and causing a hell lot of trouble?"

Albus smiled and said: "You stole the books because you had no money and wanted to learn. I won't punish you for your desire to learn. And the chaos, you caused, wasn't your fault. You came into a completely strange world. It is natural to act nervous and easily panicked under those circumstances."

Starlett watched him with a frown, then nodded. She wasn't convinced yet, but she began to trust him. When she looked out of the window, she realised it was already late afternoon. She stood up and said: "I must go home. Zaza will be worried."

Dumbledore got up, too, and lead her to the fireplace. "Please think about my offer. And please promise me to came back to the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow. I want to show you the school and we can clarify some more things. If you want, you can bring Zaza along. Now, promise me, please."

"I promise. And I'm sure Zaza will love to see all this."

"Okay. Now, you know how to use Floo powder."

With a smile he handed the powder box to her. Starlett smiled back and after waving goodbye to Fawkes disappeared in the flames.