Walking Through Treacle

Walking through Treacle

Fawkes watched sadly as Zeus soared into the Great Hall, more like a hawk than an owl in his response to his fellow post-birds. He picked out his blond owner unerringly, leaving exactly what was required, and nothing else. An equal, no less, to the magnificent phoenix, and indeed one might even say his superior. If one was a Malfoy, that is, and being very insulting.

Zeus barely noticed him - it was as if he were invisible. And he wasn't, last time he checked. He was sure he’d lifted the charm. The phoenix lifted his head, afraid to sing in case it should scare away Zeus. Although how such a beautiful fellow-avian could fail to be pure in heart. He, surely, couldn't be so much like his master, at least in that respect.

Unaware of the attentions of the love-lorn, the Eagle Owl lifted off, dive-bombing that idiotic elf owl belonging to the Weasley brat. The fluff ball hid under his human’s robes, while Zeus left with a disdainful smirk. Lady Hedwig had come to join Fawkes, and was preening him fussily, in a way that no one else had done since he was hatched, rather than simply burning. Her white feathers didn't show his fiery plumage to its best - that was left for the black owls. He let her fuss over him, knowing her devotion to her owner. She was good company, even if she was a bit of a gossip. For all that some of the girls were inclined to swoon over the peroxide-headed ponce, he'd recommend the gentle Harry Potter, rather than the would be Byronic heroes.

But that didn't help him with his own Byronic hero. Zeus was still in the hall, apparently gazing at Hedwig. She ruffled her feathers proudly, daring him to flirt with her. Fawkes was surprised when he inclined his head to them both, and flew off. So surprised in fact, that he fell off his perch. Of course, Zeus wasn't a mere post-bird - he was like his namesake - a God among mere mortals, and that he should deign to notice Fawkes! The phoenix hadn't felt this vulnerable since - well, his last burning day was only a few weeks ago. Didn't Dumbledore realise how embarrassed he was without feathers. And how he'd like to sulk in the privacy of his ashes for a few days, instead of being prodded and poked solicitously.

He'd turned on the invisibility charm as soon as he'd fallen of course, and popped up again on Albus' shoulder. He could *feel* the omniscient twinkle, and just knew that THAT little display hadn't gone unnoticed. He felt like he was about to burn up with embarrassment. All he needed was some gentle teasing from Albus and he would go up in a fit of sparks.

It was Snape, suprisingly, who rescued him. "Mind if I borrow him, Albus?" The relief was short-lived though. "I'm sure I can persuade him to weep over that Owl."