Chapter 22: The Library
"I'm going to take this up to the dormitory." Phoenix whispered to Hermione. Ron and Harry had already left, and Phoenix wanted to be alone.
"Are we still going to meet up in the library?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah, we are. My bag is in the common room, and I needed to get it, anyway. I shouldn't be long."
Phoenix grabbed the wrapped package and headed out of the great hall. She didn't want it out of her sight. Phoenix knew the rules on brooms with first years, and the package was obvious. She didn't want her "favorite Slytherins" to see her with it. She looked around the halls. She was alone. Classes hadn't started, so everyone was still in the dormitories or at breakfast. She sighed in relief. Not only did she get a broom of her own, but a possible new power too. She wasn't expecting any of this in her first year.
'I hope mom got my letter. I wonder if I'm right. How does it work. What is it. I need to figure out my new power before I accidently trigger it during class or something.'
Phoenix looked around again, making sure no one was around. She popped her neck, getting ready for anything. Package still in hand, Phoenix stood there bringing all the emotions to surface like her mom and aunts taught her. Nothing happened.
'Maybe if I close my eyes? Would that work?'
This time she placed the package on the hall floor, closed her eyes and went through her technique again. Still nothing happened. Phoenix gave out a vast sigh.
'I give up.'
Phoenix picked up her package and headed for the common room.
Once she went through the door, Phoenix ran to her dormitory. She placed her package on the bed and looked at it. Cali came out of her miniature bed to say hello, spotting the package. Cali sniffed around, rubbing her face on the end of the wrapped up handle. Phoenix reached over and opened the package.
"Wow!"
Cali continued rubbing Phoenix's Cleansweep, making sure her scent was all over it. Phoenix shook her head and pulled the broom in front of her. Cali lost interest and started playing with the wrapper. The broom was beautiful. It was nothing compared to what she saw in Diagon Alley. She liked her broom better. But what did she know about brooms?
The broom was sharp; the handle made of bark that gave off a metallic blue color. On the handle, there was a C and a 7 in black. The broom called to Phoenix. She did not understand why, but felt it was connecting with her. When she looked at it some more, a small glow surrounded it. Phoenix shook it off.
'I didn't see that, did I?'
Phoenix stared at it again. Then wrapped it back up, Cali fighting her, and placed it under her bed for safekeeping.
'Maybe since Professor Snape got this for me, he could tell me where I need to take it for safekeeping.'
After placing her Cleansweep under her bed, Phoenix went down to the common room in search for her bag. Before calling it, she saw an older boy by the fireplace. The boy turned around, hearing her come down.
"You look as though you are looking for something?"
"Oh, yes, I'm looking for my bag. I think I left it in here." Phoenix responded.
'Though, I can get it, but I can't let you see how.'
"You shouldn't leave your bag lying around here, you know. Anyone might take it."
"Oh, thank you. I'm Phoenix."
"Wood, Oliver Wood." Wood shook Phoenix's hand before continuing on. "Are you Phoenix Matthews? Harry told me about you."
It took Phoenix a while before anything registered. "Oh! You're Wood! I'm supposed to talk to you about my tryout!"
"Yes, that's me. I am thinking you received my letter?"
"Yes, I did."
"Good. Professor McGonagall and I hoped that tomorrow around six was good for you? We will meet in her office."
"That should be good for me."
"Great. I'll let her know. If anything comes up unexpectedly let us know and we will reschedule."
"Okay."
"Good. I hope you find your bag."
"Oh, thank you." Phoenix smiled heading towards the portrait hole. She waited until Wood left towards the boys' dormitory before orbing her bag to her bag to her shoulder.
After running hard and fast towards the library, Phoenix finally arrived. She knew she was late. She and Hermione got into the routine of spending an hour in the library before classes started and sometimes after depending on how the day went.
'I wonder if Hermione is mad at me or gave up and started without me!'
She stepped inside and found Hermione sitting at their normal table. It was the last one on the right in the farthest corner.
"Sorry, Mione. I ran into Oliver Wood, the Quidditch captain, in the common room. We were setting up a time to meet for tryouts. I'm so excited about it!"
"That is okay. I just arrived myself."
Phoenix gave Hermione a weird look. That was unusual for Hermione. She was always on time if they came separately.
"So, what subject are we going to do first? Potions? Trans? Charms?" Hermione looked at Phoenix. She didn't know whether it was a good time to ask, but she had to know. "Hermione what is wrong? Did all of your homework already? You still will help me, won't you?" Phoenix chuckled.
"No, I still have homework, and I will still help you."
"Then what is wrong?"
"It's just… I need to know something."
"YOU!? Needing to know something!? Wow!" Phoenix expressed. "Wait! Let me cherish this for a while." Hermione gave a discouraged look, shaking her head. Phoenix closed her eyes, held her head up, and gave Hermione a smile.
"Are you finished?"
"No. Give me another minute."
"Phoenix!"
"Okay, shoot!"
Hermione looked at her and gave a sigh.
"Well, I was doing some research…."
"Per usual, yeah, keep going."
"Phoenix, what do you know about Melinda Warren and the Charmed Ones?"