The two boys stepped off the stone staircase at the top, and Professor McGonagall knocked on the door. It opened silently, and they walked inside. She instructed them to wait and then left, leaving them alone in the room. It was a large, beautiful circular space, filled with strange little noises. Various curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring softly and releasing small puffs of smoke. The walls were lined with portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses, all gently snoozing in their frames.
Seth's attention was suddenly drawn to something he was eager to see up close-a red phoenix perched on a walking stick-like post.
He slowly approached the phoenix and gently stroked it with the back of his hand. The phoenix leaned into his touch, softly ruffling its feathers.
"Bee in your bonnet, Potter?" a voice suddenly interrupted.
They both looked up to see that it was the Sorting Hat speaking.
"I-I was just wondering if you put me in the the right house?" Harry asked.
"Yes... you were particularly difficult to place, just like Scamander here," the Sorting Hat said. "But I stand by what I said last year... you would have done well with Scamander... in Slytherin."
"You're wrong." Harry replied.
Suddenly, Seth heard a noise coming from the phoenix. He glanced at it, quickly pulling his hand back and stepping away with a smile. Harry smiled too, just as the phoenix erupted into flames, leaving behind nothing but a pile of ashes.
"Harry? Seth?"
Harry looked up toward Dumbledore, but Seth kept his eyes on the ashes, waiting eagerly for the fascinating and beautiful moment he knew was coming.
"Professor, sir... your bird... there was nothing I could do... he just caught fire..." Harry said in astonishment.
"Oh, and about time too. He's been looking dreadful for days. Pity you had to see him on a burning day," Dumbledore remarked as he walked down the stairs toward them, noticing Harry's confused expression. "But I believe Seth here can explain to you what Fawkes is."
"Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry," Seth explained. "They burst into flame when it's time for them to die, and then they're reborn from the ashes."
Harry leaned in closer, watching as the ashes began to smoke and a tiny, ash-covered phoenix head slowly emerged.
"They're truly fascinating creatures," Seth continued, his eyes on the newly reborn baby phoenix. "They can carry incredibly heavy loads, and their tears have powerful healing abilities."
Suddenly, the door burst open, and the two boys turned to see a familiar, hairy face carrying the same tern from earlier.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, wait! Listen! Professor Dumbledore, sir, it wasn't Harry or Seth!" Hagrid exclaimed as he went towards them.
"Hagrid," Dumbledore said gently, trying to calm him down.
"I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic!"
"Hagrid!" Dumbledore said loudly this time. "Relax. I do not believe that Harry or Seth attacked anyone."
"Oh," said Hagrid, the rooster falling limply at his side. "Right. I'll wait outside then, Headmaster." He stomped out, looking embarrassed.
"You don't think it was us, Professor?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, Harry, I do not think it was you or Seth," Dumbledore said. "But I must ask you both: is there something you wish to tell me?"
The two boys looked hesitantly at Dumbledore. Seth considered mentioning the voices he and Harry had heard again, but before he could decide, Harry spoke up.
"No, sir. Nothing." He said.
Dumbledore looked at Harry, then shifted his gaze to Seth. Seth felt as though Dumbledore was looking right through him, piercing into his thoughts.
"Very well then. Off you go."
Both of them nodded and began heading out of Dumbledore's office. Seth felt a deep guilt for not revealing the truth about what had happened. He wanted to stop, turn back, and tell Dumbledore that they had heard the voices again, but he kept walking. Determined, he made a decision then and there: he would figure out what was behind these mysterious occurrences, and once he had the answers, he would give the information to Dumbledore.
-
Christmas had finally arrived, and the trio had stayed at Hogwarts with several other students. Orion had to leave for the holidays to visit his grandmother with his family. Seth felt a pang of sadness at Orion's departure, knowing he would be alone in the common room.
He also wasn't too happy about missing out on visiting his grandparents for the second Christmas in a row. But he knew it was for the best, as their plan had to be carried out.
The Great Hall currently looked magnificent. A dozen frost-covered Christmas trees stood proudly, while thick streamers of holly and mistletoe crisscrossed the ceiling. Enchanted snow drifted down from above, warm and dry as it fell. Dumbledore led them in a few of his favorite carols, while Hagrid's voice grew louder with each goblet of eggnog he downed. Percy, oblivious to the fact that Fred had bewitched his prefect badge to read "Pinhead," kept asking why everyone was sniggering at him.
The boys had just finished their third helpings of Christmas pudding when Hermione hurried them out of the hall to finalize their evening plans.
"We still need a bit of the people you're changing into," Hermione reminded them. "And we have to make sure the real Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise don't barge in while we're interrogating him."
"And who are you changing into?" Ron asked.
"Millicent Bulstrode-Slytherin," Hermione replied, holding up a small thread she had pulled from Millicent's robes. Then, she revealed three large chocolate cupcakes. "These are for you. They're filled with a simple Sleeping Draught. All you have to do is make sure Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise find them. You know how greedy they are-they're bound to eat them. Once they're asleep, pull out a few of their hairs and hide them in a broom cupboard. While you two handle that, Seth and I will check on the Polyjuice Potion."
-
Hermione and Seth kept a close eye on the potion while Ron and Harry carried out their mission. A short while later, they returned with strands of hair from Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. As nightfall approached, it was time to add the hairs to the potion.
Hermione took four shot glasses and carefully poured the slimy green liquid into each one.
"We'll have exactly one hour before we turn back into ourselves," She reminded them. "Now, add the hairs."
"Ugh... essence of Crabbe," Ron groaned as he dipped the strand into his glass.
"Cheers." Hermione said, as they clinked glasses and downed their potions.
All of them immediately grimaced in disgust.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Ron muttered before dropping his glass and bolting into a stall.
"Me too." Hermione said, quickly following suit.
Only Harry and Seth remained by the sinks, both leaning over just in case they needed to throw up.