Chapter 40: Robes on Fire

When potions ended, the four of them left the dungeons, but before any of them could go any further, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead.

'Hmmm. Two enormous feet and loud puffing sounds, it must be Hagrid.'

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks Ron."

"Are you sure Hagrid? We can help." Phoenix offered.

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoy's cold drawl from behind them.

"Wow! You almost had manners there, Malfoy!" Phoenix sarcastically said.

Malfoy gave her a sneer and went back to look at Ron. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose–that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron went to dive at Malfoy, but was thrown back by Phoenix, who grabbed the hood of his robe. 'I have something that will do justice!'

'Make them see what cannot be:

Flames that leap to make them flee!'

Phoenix whispered, making sure no one heard her. She hoped it wouldn't backfire like it did with her aunt Phoebe, but deep down she wished it would hurt Malfoy after what he said. As Ron, Phoenix, and Malfoy continued to stare at each other, Crabbe and Goyle started dancing, the flames on their robes taking effect. The three of them were not paying any attention until Phoenix gave Malfoy a smirk.

"I believe you and your friends' robes are on fire."

Malfoy gave her a quizzical look until the sudden realization hit him. He looked down and saw the smoke and flames on his robes. Squirming, he ordered his two goons to put out the flames, not caring about them and their problems. Harry, Ron, and Hagrid looked at the three Slytherins in shock, not understanding where the flames could have come from. Hermione immediately looked over at Phoenix, who gave her an innocent shrug and grin.

It wasn't until Malfoy ran into Snape the three Slytherins stopped dancing, and the four Gryffindors stopped laughing.

"What have we got here?" Snape asked.

'Make them see what cannot be:

Flames that leap drenched indeed!'

Phoenix whispered in a rush. The flames went out just as they appeared, leaving the Slytherins drenched in water.

"It was Weasley and Matthews Professor!" Malfoy pointed, not understanding why suddenly he felt so wet.

"Honestly Professor, the two did nothin of the sort." Hagrid said as he stuck his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. "The flames just came out of nowhere!"

"Be as it may Hagrid but something suspicious seemed to be going on when I got up here. These three Slytherins were not dancing for joy." He said then looking over at Phoenix before he continued, "Five points from Gryffindor for the suspicious act on the Slytherins. Be happy it is not more." He said, then left. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree, scattering needles everywhere and smirking.

"I'll get him," Ron said, grinding his teeth at Malfoy's back, "one of these days, I'll get him-"

"I hate them both," said Harry, "Malfoy and Snape. But I wonder what happened?" Harry looked over at Phoenix, seeing if she had any ideas. She gave off a shrug.

"I don't know, maybe a delayed reaction to something in potions class?" She suggested.

"I don't know, but whatever it was Malfoy deserved it!"

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas," said Hagrid. "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, look a treat."

"Sure Hagrid we would love to." Phoenix said.

The four of them followed Hagrid, along with his tree, off to the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations.

Phoenix looked around as Hagrid went off to put the tree up. The decorations were none other than what Phoenix had seen. Holly and mistletoe were hanging all over the walls. There were at least twelve gigantic trees around the room decorated with icicles or candles.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked.

"Just one," Hermione said. "And that reminds me- Harry, Ron, Phoenix, we've got an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

"Oh yeah, you're right," said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.

"But Hermione I don't want to go to the library!" Phoenix whined. She was exhausted and bored from all the research. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"The library?" said Hagrid, following them out of the hall. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

"Oh, we're not working," Harry told him brightly. "Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel, we've been trying to find out who he is."

"Yes, ever since you mentioned him." Phoenix mumbled.

"You what?" Hagrid couldn't help but be shocked. "Listen here- I've told yeh- drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin."

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all," said Hermione.

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?" Harry added.

"Please Hagrid! Tell us!" Phoenix begged.

"We must've been through hundreds of books and we can't find him anywhere." Harry continued.

"Yes, hundreds of books!" Phoenix chirped.

"Just give us a hint- I know I've read his name somewhere." Harry ended.

"Yes, just one hint." Phoenix piped.

"I'm sayin' nothin'," said Hagrid flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves then," said Ron, and they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library.