Chapter Thirty Six

Once Upon A Phoenix Feather

Draco was seriously stressing. He was falling for Ginny and he could do nothing about it. I mean what was he going to do, walk up to her and confess his feelings for her. Not likely, no he would have to come up with something else. Never mind what his father would do to him if he found out he was going soft. Draco was still brooding when he arrived at his Care of Magical Creatures class. Everyone was already there as he walked up with his usual scowl.

"Morin' class, today we will be learning about a creature with quite a history. I'm speaking of course of the Augurey or Irish Phoenix. The Ministry of magic rates them as a XX threat. They are a native of Britain and Ireland, though sometimes they are found elsewhere in northern Europe. They are a thin and mournful-looking bird, somewhat like a small and underfed vulture in appearance, greenish black in color. Don't let its appearance get you down. Like the thestral, it was badly misjudged for ages. They be intensely shy, choosing to nest in bramble and thorn. Eating only large insects and fairies. Despite its mournful appearance, Many find this bird to be wonderfully optimistic, a great example for how we should keep our chins up and stay on task when hardships come our way. They fly only in heavy rain, otherwise remaining hidden in its tear-shaped nest. They have a distinctive low and throbbing cry, at the risk of sounding like poor Professor Trelawney, the cry was once believed to foretell death. Wizards and witches would avoid their nests for fear of hearing that heart-rending sound. More than one wizard or witch are believed to have suffered a heart attack on passing a thicket and hearing an wail. According to Hogwarts a History, Uric the Oddball is known to have slept in a room containing no fewer than fifty of them. During one particularly wet winter. Uric became convinced by the moaning of his pets that he had died and was now a ghost. His subsequent attempts to walk through the walls of his house resulted in what was described as days long concussions. Patient research by many, eventually revealed that the bird merely sings at the approach of rain. Ever since they have enjoyed a vogue as a home weather forecaster, though many find its almost continual moaning during the winter months difficult to bear. Their feathers are useless as quills because they repel ink. Do any of you have questions?"

"Is anyone still paying attention?" Draco drawled over a yawn. Harry turned around and shot Draco a deadly look. Ron tried to jump him but Ginny was faster and grabbed his arms. As much as she would love to see Draco get his, she did not want to be the victim of his rage.

"I be taken that as a no," Hagrid broke in "If that be the case, class dismissed."

Harry, Ron and Hermione stayed behind to chat with Hagrid while everyone else hurried off to another class or a free period. With April on its way it was starting to get warmer so they were in no rush to escape the cold. Following Hagrid into his hut they all sat to have tea and biscuits but they decided to skip the biscuits from previous experiences.

"How's it going Hagrid?" Hermione questioned

"I be doing a' right, could do with out Draco and his likes though."

"I wish Ginny would have let me get him, he deserved it."

"I been noticing that Ginny is walking on shaky ground with him. I wonder what's up." Harry added

They all shrugged and went back to their tea.

"I hear you have another Quidditch match with the Slytherins soon"

"Yeah on April 1st, I hope we can make fools out of them." Ron chimed in wishfully.

"Don't ye worry, I'm sure you will be fine. Just don't be letting them get under your skin"

"Easier said then done, Hagrid." Harry groaned

The friends laughed and talked for a while before departing back to the castle.

Tifa Lockheart crawled under the covers of her bed. She could not get the feeling of his body off of her no matter how hard she tried. Damn them both to hell, Her weakling husband for getting her into this mess and the Dark Lord for putting her through it with such joy on his part. She would kill them both if she had the chance. Sleep finally came to her but it was fitful, full of images of the past 24 hours. With a moan she rolled over in her bed snuggling in to her rare Phoenix feather pillow willing it to go away so she could rest and forget her personal hell for just a little while.