Chapter 21: The Package

The next morning Phoenix tried to talk to Hermione. The only input she got was Hermione sticking her nose up and turning the other way.

This hurt Phoenix. Hermione was her first friend in this place. 'Why is she mad at me? If it wasn't for me, Harry and Ron would have left her outside!?'

Phoenix decided giving Hermione some space was the best choice. Hermione could not stay angry at her forever. 'Can she?'

This wasn't the only issue bothering Phoenix. 'Filch looked right at me. It was not like he just glanced either. He stared at me for quite a long time. Even Mrs. Norris could see me. Why didn't Filch? He found me. Maybe… Hmmm, maybe I got a new power. Mom and the Aunts always said our powers were tied into our emotions. I should send a letter to mom. She may have an idea.'

After a while, Hermione and Phoenix made their way to the great hall, and it was just in time too. Phoenix got to see the lovely flabbergasted Malfoy looking between Harry to Ron and back at Phoenix.

'Oh, how I Love that look on him!'

"Hey Hermione! There's Harry and Ron!"

Hermione glanced over and turned right back to the opposite direction. Phoenix rolled her eyes and went to sit in her usual spot next to Harry. Hermione eventually followed.

"Hey Harry," said Phoenix.

"Hey."

Once the girls settled, Harry filled Ron and Phoenix in about the package that has been moved from Gringotts to Hogwarts, and the three wondered what needed heavy protection.

"Its really valuable or really dangerous," said Ron.

"Or both," said Harry.

"Okay, so we believe the teachers are hiding something underneath the trapdoor, being guarded by a three-headed dog you guys saw last night, right?"

"Yes." Ron stated.

"Okay, just checking."

Before they went any further, hundreds of owls flooded the great hall. Among the normal mail, 12 owls carried two long thin packages. Phoenix and Harry watched with interest as everyone else. It amazed them when the two packages dropped in front of them. Before the owls left, another two owls came by dropping a letter on top of the parcel. Phoenix receiving an extra one.

'What in the world?' Phoenix thought. 'My birthday isn't until another month. Why would someone send me this? Who….' Phoenix looked over at Harry, already reading his letter and handing it to Ron.

'What did Harry get?'

"What does the letter say?" piped up Hermione.

Phoenix looked down at the two letters. She picked up and opened the one on top. The letter read:

Harry told me about how you helped get Neville's Remembrall. You could be a great Seeker. Unfortunately, Potter has filled the seeker position, but we recently opened a chaser position. I spoke to Professor McGonagall, and she asked the Headmaster to make another special request.

The catch is Professor McGonagall would like to see for herself, as do I, if you can handle being our new Chaser or even a substitute. It requires you to give Professor McGonagall and me a small tryout.

Don't get your hopes up if you do not make it. You still have plenty of years. I will talk to you about tryouts the next time I see you in the corridors or the common room.

Oliver Wood

P.S. You will have to get a broom if you make it, and if the Headmaster will allow it!

When Phoenix finished, she looked at Hermione and handed her the letter. She read it and shook her head disapprovingly.

"Quidditch? Don't tell me you will tryout?"

"Hermione, if I don't, I might go crazy. You don't understand. My family is active in sports." 'That is when we are not vanquishing demons.' "My sister and I were in softball and basketball. My brother was in soccer and football. This is the only sport in this place!"

"Okay, but you don't even know how to fly! Who is going to teach you?"

"I flew on Harry's broom!"

"Yeah, but Harry was in control. You were behind him."

"What ev Mione. I'm going to tryout! Wood and Harry believe in me, why can't you?, Maybe I can get on the team!"

"Fine! But if you break your neck, don't come running to me!"

"Don't worry, I won't. The first person I would run to is Madam Pomfrey." Phoenix retorted, giving Hermione a small smile. Hermione returned it with a 'you know what I mean' look, then went back to eating. Phoenix opened her second letter. It read:

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE! I was in the Headmaster's office when Wood and Professor McGonagall talked about having Potter and you join their Quidditch team. I was interested in what the Headmaster had to say, so I stayed. I heard Potter would get the position of seeker if the Headmaster would allow a first year to participate. I was not pleased with the situation, especially when they wanted you to tryout for chaser. I did not like the idea, but the Headmaster gave them permission.

I know we do not allow first years to have brooms, but I asked the Headmaster for special circumstances. This package contains your new Cleansweep Seven. It may not be as fast or fancy as a Nimbus, but it should do nicely for your first broom. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES let anyone see you got a broom or EVERYONE will want one. Good luck in your tryout and I will enjoy seeing you in action.

Professor S. Snape

'Professor Snape?' After rereading the letter, Phoenix folded and stuffed it back in its envelope. She turned towards Harry, but Harry and Ron already left. Phoenix looked up at the teacher's table, finding Professor Snape talking to another Professor. While he listened, both Phoenix and Snape linked eyes. She nodded her thanks and Snape gave a genuine smile and nodded back. Then he continued conversing with the Professor.