Walking Through Treacle

"If you'll excuse me, I need to talk to my phoenix." Fawkes had been hoping that Albus wouldn't notice him. He'd slunk in through the owl-loops and to his feeding dish, knowing full well that Albus wanted to talk to him, desperately wishing to avoid the embarrassment.

Draco and Pansy left the study, wondering why the proud phoenix had his head buried in a trough of something green and herbaceous. Mostly they just looked at each other, slightly embarrassed by the words that Professor Dumbledore had shared with them.

"No Zeus this evening? He seems to be getting to be quite a fixture on your perch. I may have to make that extension permanent." Fawkes stopped eating, nearly choking on his coriander. "Now, I'm sure that I don't need to tell you about the bees, and you're already a bird, but I think we need to talk." The food that was covering his head vanished, and Fawkes found himself looking into the deep blue eyes of his mentor.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you that Zeus is welcome here any time. But there are certain - precautions - that I hope you're taking." Here he paused. "I'm sure he's a very nice bird, but have you considered the fact that you mate for life when you do mate. I won't enquire further into the progress of your relationship. That is entirely a matter of your own concern. But I will say, as I said to Pansy and Draco, that my door is always open, and that I would hope that you would let me help you." Fawkes stares him out, Albus refusing to engage, and twinkling in that irritating manner that he has until the phoenix bows his head.

"I know that this treads somewhat on your sensibilities, but I would ask that you hear me out." Another pause. "Fawkes! You will listen to me. Zeus is a Malfoy owl, not through choice, but bound through dark and ancient magics. You know that Lucius can tear out his memories should he choose. My precious, precious friend. I do not distrust your soul mate, but I would never wish to see you sorrowful through the designs of another human being." It had been a week since Emily Lawson had brought him to the study, and he still had nightmares about the scenes that Zeus had described. Mostly they'd found solace in each other's feathers, but even now, Fawkes had to admit to himself what Lucius Malfoy could do to his beloved bird.

"Might I also suggest, as I said to the children, that you are somewhat more circumspect in your displays of affection. It does you no credit to display such an intimate act in such a public manner." Albus would bring up that incident on the swing. He did have a point though. Being caught by a bunch of first years had left Severus Snape with quite a headache when his Slytherins had finished with him. "Highly Faithful Pests." Indeed

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