-AN All rights reserved to JK Rowling, Jack Thorne, Scholastic, and Warner Brothers. Thanks for your reviews. I was happy to see one of you guessed correctly. Enjoy!
Once the world stopped spinning, Rose risked opening an eye. Her vision was strangely sharp but she could see nothing but black and grey. She heard muffled voices calling.
"ROSE! What happened?! We've got to help her!" announced a panic voice.
"Just wait a moment. I think I understand what has occurred," came a second calmer voice. "Rose, if I may, I'm going to brush some of this ash away".
Suddenly, Rose's view cleared as she felt a gentle hand pass over her body. Professor Faso came into sharp focus now. Rose tried to thank the woman but could only emit small squeaks.
"How?" questioned Scorpius from over Professor Faso's shoulder, "How is this possible?"
"It's exceedingly rare, but I always believed that this was a possibility. Rose, if you could shift back into your natural form I'd appreciate it. We have much to discuss," Professor Faso stated.
Rose obliged and in an instant was sitting on the floor as a human once more. Scorpius crushed her into his embrace, "You scared me, love. I thought something had gone wrong and I'd lost you forever".
"What did happen?" Rose asked, "In all my research I've never heard about a transformation like that. I felt like I was burning up but that it was so pleasurable".
"I suspect it would feel like that. You were just born from fire and ash," Professor Faso said while studying Rose was a calculating eye. "You, my dear, are a phoenix".
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Rose. "That's not possible. People cannot have magical creatures for their animagi form".
"Clearly they can, because we just witnessed it," Professor Faso said gently. She had helped many students transform and knew that a calming voice was needed to soothe the new animagus' nerves.
"But the wizard at the symposium died when he tried to change into a magical creature," Rose argued.
"That may be so, but you are in fact a phoenix. You'd know more about it with all your research Rose, but I always theorized that it may be possible. After all it's possible for a person's patronus to be a magical creature. Rare, but possible," Professor Faso concluded.
Rose remembered her parents' stories about Albus Dumbledore and his phoenix, Fawkes. Dumbledore's patronus had been a phoenix as well. An errant thought plagued Rose. Uncle Harry had told them a story about seeing Fawkes burst into flames and being reborn. "Do you suppose I'll emerge from ashes every time I transform? I felt quite weak like that".
Professor Faso smiled, "I suspect not. Have a bite of chocolate to build your strength back up and try to shift again now".
Rose concentrated on finding her inner phoenix and once again felt the world twist. This time, when she opened her eyes, she could see clearly.
"Oh My Merlin," Scorpius whispered. "Rose, love, you've got to see this". He conjured a mirror and placed it before Rose.
Rose was stunned. She stretched her wings to examine the scarlet plumage. Her same sparkling blue eyes stared back at her in the mirror. She flexed her golden talons and stood to her full height. The crown of her head was covered by vibrant crimson feathers that curled at the ends just as her own hair did. She slowly flapped her wings and was propelled off the ground with incredible force. She immediately crashed into a table.
"Easy there, love," said Scorpius with a chuckle, "Maybe we should save the flying lessons until you're out in an open field". Rose nodded her head in agreement and transformed back into her human form.
Rose laughed, "Well I'm hardly inconspicuous. I had originally sought to become an animagus to assist the Aurors on undercover missions. But I do stick out as a large, red bird with a propensity for bursting into flames". She turned to Professor Faso, "Do you think I need to worry about that?"
Professor Faso shrugged, "I have no idea, Rose. I'm sorry. Perhaps you should consult an expert on phoenixes".
Rose grinned, "I suppose we'll just have to pay Newt a visit then. I'm sure he'll be pleased to see us again".
Over the next few days, Rose and Scorpius lived in a bubble of isolation. She decided not to tell the rest of her family about her inner phoenix until she had spoken with Newt and had a greater understanding.
Rose practiced shifting several times and each time transformed into an adult phoenix. She allowed Scorpius to stroke her feathers; they discovered that she loved to be tickled under her beak as a phoenix. She felt a bit embarrassed when he asked to look to see if she had tail feathers since he'd essentially be staring at her arse. However, when he argued that she had no problem with him doing so in her human form she acquiesced. Apparently, she possessed two feathers that he thought could be used as the core of magical wands.
Finally the afternoon of her meeting with Newt arrived. Scorpius had wanted to come with her, but Daphne had asked him over for the same time. Rose insisted he spend time with his aunt and promised that she'd fill him in on what she learned from the esteemed magizoologist.
She apparated over to the Scamander's house and knocked on the door.
"Rose!" said Luna Lovegood-Scamander. "Come in, come in. We've been expecting you!"
"Aunt Luna! I didn't know you'd be here," Rose said and gave her honorary aunt a squeeze.
"Newt asked me to come. I hope you don't mind," Luna said.
"No, not at all. Just promise to keep this under wraps for a little while at least until I can tell my parents, alright?" Rose asked.
"Of course. Now come this way. Newt is in the back garden with the kneazles," Luna led Rose through the unusual cottage and into an exotic garden. Newt Scamander was seated on a porch swing with a trio of enormous kneazles surrounding him.
"Rose, how are you, my dear?" he asked.
"I'm well, Newt. I have a few questions for you about magical creatures. Phoenixes to be precise," Rose said.
"Yes, yes. Unfortunately I don't know all that much about phoenixes. They are magnificent beasts, but extremely hard to track down. I've only been able to study a dozen over the course of my career. They're mostly native to Egypt, India and China. Some muggles there worship the mythical phoenix. Phoenixes live to an extraordinary age because they can regenerate from ashes when their old body begins to fail. It's quite something to behold the rebirth of a phoenix. Why the sudden interest, Rose?" Newt asked.
Rose stood, "I'll show you, but please do not tell anyone," she waited until both Luna and Newt nodded in agreement. Rose concentrated on finding her inner magical core and once more transformed.
"Would you look at that!" Newt hooted. "You're an animagus?" Rose nodded her head. "May I?" Newt asked and gestured his hand in a petting motion. Rose shrugged and nodded again. Newt carefully and gently ran his hand along her elongated wings. "How extraordinary!" He crouched down beside her and shoved his face so that his eyes were only inches away from her sharp beak. "This is incredible".
Rose allowed him to inspect her for a few minutes, but when his perusal venture back towards her tail feathers she squawked and stepped away. She may have agreed to let Scorpius check her out, but she didn't want Newt touching her arse.
"My apologies for being too forward, Rose," Newt said and Rose nodded in acceptance. She transformed back into a human.
"How long have you known you were a phoenix?" Luna asked.
Rose sighed, "Just a few days. I tried to become an animagus back at Hogwarts, but for various reasons I was unsuccessful then. My first transformation was a few days ago in front of Scorpius and a transfiguration professor with knowledge and experience with animagi".
Newt's eyes glittered with mischief, "How is young Mr. Malfoy?"
Rose blushed beet red. "He's doing well. I suppose I owe you thanks for finally giving me the push I needed".
"No thanks needed for that, my dear," Newt said sagely. "The more love there is in the world, the better it is for everyone".
"I told Lorcan that you weren't bitten by nargles at Lysander's wedding," Luna recalled, "but he insisted that was the only explanation for your behavior there".
Rose smiled at her eccentric aunt. She loved the woman dearly, but sometimes she could be a bit crazy. Out of the corner of her eye, Rose caught Newt rolling his eyes affectionately at this granddaughter-in-law.
"Can you tell me anything else about phoenixes?" Rose asked and redirected the conversation away from nargles and other imaginary creatures.
"Just that their song is wondrous to hear," Newt said. "The melody can strengthen the resolve of the pure of heart or strike fear into those whose hearts are unworthy. Phoenix tears have healing properties, but they have not been studied at length. I have never seen a phoenix cry and the tears are not commercially available due to the rarity of phoenixes. I'm sorry that I don't know more".
"That's quite alright, Newt," Rose said. "I think I know someone who might". She thanked him for his help and agreed to come over again so that he could observe her so long as he promised to stay away from her tail. He laughing agreed and she apparated away.
"UNCLE HARRY!" Rose called from the foyer of the Godric's Hollow house.
"You bellowed?" he responded with a smile as he entered the room, "I'm sorry but Lily isn't in right now. I think she's still at St. Mungo's working a double".
Rose gave her uncle a hug, "It's actually you that I came to see".
"Oh? To what do I owe this honor?" Harry said.
"Can you please tell me about The Chamber of Secrets again?" Rose asked.
Harry scowled, "You know I don't like talking about that Rose".
"I know and I wouldn't ask unless it was very important. What happened with Fawkes after you were bitten by the basilisk?" Rose pleaded.
"Why do you need to know?" he asked.
"Please just trust me. I'll tell you soon enough but I need to know what happened," Rose rushed.
Harry observed Rose for a moment before nodding his head. "Fawkes appeared in the Chamber when I was fighting the basilisk. He brought me the sorting hat and the Sword of Gryffindor. Unfortunately, when I stabbed the basilisk, it bit into my arm. After I defeated the basilisk and stabbed the diary with the fang, the venom took effect. I would have died if it weren't for Fawkes. He cried into my wound and erased the effect of the basilisk's venom".
Rose could barely contain her excitement, "Do you know how that worked?"
"Not really," Harry shrugged, "Dumbledore's theory is that a phoenix's tear has the power to purify deadly substances from the body. He thinks that the tear counteracted the poison in my blood".
Rose launched herself at Harry. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried.
"You're welcome. But what are you thanking me for?" he asked.
Rose smiled broadly, "I'll tell you soon! Bye Uncle Harry!"
He smiled at his niece's bizarre behavior and waved goodbye. With a pop she apparated straight to Daphne Greengrass's house. She knocked on the door and was met by a male house-elf.
"May Morky help you?" the elf asked.
"Is Scorpius Malfoy here?" Rose said quickly.
"Yes, Mister Malfoy is with Mistress Daphne. Come with me please," the elf beckoned and Rose fell into step behind Morky. He led her to a parlor where Scorpius and Daphne were having tea.
Before Morky could announce her presence Rose exclaimed, "I figured it out!"
"Figured what out?" Daphne Greengrass asked with a trace of annoyance at the sudden intrusion.
"Phoenix tears have healing powers!" Rose cried.
Daphne arched her eyebrow, "Why is that relevant?"
Scorpius, however, was quick to catch on, "You don't think? Do you?"
"I just spoke to Uncle Harry. He told me about how Fawkes saved him for the basilisk venom. It could work!" she said. In an instant, Scorpius had scooped her into his arms and was snogging her.
"Sorry to interrupt," said Daphne who did not look the least bit sorry, "But can someone explain to me what's going on?"
"Rose thinks she can cure us, Aunt Daph!" Scorpius said with a jubilant laugh.
"How?!" Daphne said and clutched at her chest.
"Come with me to my lab, we'll see if it works," Scorpius hurriedly replied. The trio quickly flooed to St. Mungo's and rushed to his lab. He turned to his aunt and said, "Please don't tell anyone about this," and nodded to Rose.
Daphne gave Rose a confused look which quickly turned to awe as Rose transformed into a phoenix.
"We'll need some fresh blood," Scorpius stated. He draw his wand along his palm and sliced it open. He allowed a few drops of blood to fall into a waiting glass vials before healing the wound.
Rose perched on the counter and leaned over the vial. She summoned all of her empathy and compassion into a single tear which fell into the glass.
Scorpius quickly swirled the vial to combine the tear with the blood. Rose transformed back into her human form and stood beside Daphne to watch Scorpius work. Daphne eyed Rose in amazement.
Scorpius explained, "I've just got to code this sample to see if the curse mutation is still there". He waved his wand and a scroll of genetic code began to write itself. He quickly examined the scroll and whispered, "it's negative".
Daphne's shoulder hunched, "Negative? It didn't work?" tears began to well up in her eyes.
"It's negative," the corners of Scorpius's mouth began to upturn, "the mutation is gone. This is the cure!" he cried and excitedly jumped up and down. Rose could feel tears streaming down her own face as she saw a great weight being lifted from his shoulders.
All of a sudden, Rose heard a thud. She looked around and discovered that Daphne Greengrass was on the floor unconscious. The poor woman had fainted.
-AN2 Newt's explanation of a phoenix comes from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2017) by Newt Scamander (aka JK Rowling) Arthur A. Levine Books. It's a very fun (and quick) read.