The Hatching (Dawn McGrogan)

[Cole Waters]

It was a cold winter day. The air seeped through the cracks in the stone and made the dungeons cold. In the Slytherin common room a couple of people sat by the fire. Most doing last minute homework for the next day. Up in the boys dormitory sat Cedric Wood. In a chair with his leggs kicked up and leaning back. In his hand was his trusty Quidditch magazine and on his ears were headphones. Ussually Cedric was much against muggle things but he had aquired a new taste for the muggel band Linkin Park. In his ears echoed the words "Ive become so numb". Cedric could never let his father know about this.

Between the changing of songs Cedric heard a noise come from inside of his dresser. Stoping the music and taking off the headphones Cedric stood up and listened. It sound as if a cracking sound. Walking slowly over to the dresser he put his ear against it and listened. He kept going down until he stoped at the last drawer. He thought about it and then remembered that he had emptied this drawer to put his egg in.

Cedric quickly opened the drawer and looked in it. Siting in a bath or hot orange foam was a redish orange egg. This was the phoenix egg he had bought this summer from a stranger. Only one other person knew he had it, Dawn. Looking at the egg he saw it rattle. "This is it." he said excited. Cedric reached under his bed and grabbed his dragon hide gloves.

Slipping htem on he pushed some of the foam out of the way. Once again te egg wiggled. Cedric watched in amazment as the egg kept wiggling. Then a crack appeared in the shell. Cedric jumped with joy. Then another crack, and another. Slowly the cracks grew. Cedric pulled a piece of borken shell off of the egg and watched as a yellow beak emerged. Cedric's eyes grew like a childs in Honey Dukes. "This is remarkable." he said as he watched.

After about 30 seconds the phoenix was completley out of its shell. It fell face fisrt into the foam but rose to it's feet looking around. "Hey little buddy." Cedric said smiling. Cedric stuck his finger out and watched as the chick floped over and stood on his finger. The phoenix couldn't have been more than 5 inches tall and was red with orange and yellow everywhere. Cedric smiled and said "Im going to name you Fuego."

Then it hit him. "I need to find Dawn." Cedric said. He put Fuego down in the drawer and said "I'll be back in a minute." Cedric ran down the stairs into the common room and yelled "DAWN! DAWN WHERE ARE YOU? I HAVE SOMETHNG YOU WANT TO SEE. DAWN!"

[dawn]

Dawn was in the sixth year girls dorm room, as the evening begain to fade into night. Dawn was laying on her stomach on top of her bed as she read a book. Since it was evening, Dawn was dressed in her own clothes- not her uniform. She wore dark blue pajama bottoms with grey slippers. Also, a short sleeve white tee. Dawn's hair was down, and she was wearing her glasses. She was completely comfortable as she was trapped inside her book. It was a old mystery book, which she couldnt seem to put down since dinner.

Laying in bed, Dawn rolled to her side as she proped her head up by her arm. The candles in her room began to dim, since they were lit for so long. One flickered and went out- as it caught Dawn's eye. It was warmer in her dorm than the Common room, and it was alot more comfortable. Saving her page in her book, Dawn stood up and went to her bed side table. She picked up her wand as she pointed it towards the candle to re-light it. As the small flame appeared, Dawn grinned. Just about to set her wand back down, and curl up with her book again- a young girl burst through her door. "Excuse me?" she asked in an annoyed tone. This area was only for sixth years, not anyone younger. Dawn wasnt in the yelling mood- so she waited for the girl to speak. "Um... Cedric Wood. Your Friend... He is calling for you... Seems important...Urgent!" She looked at Dawn like she was a Slytherin and she could stand up to anything- but a little flicker behind her eye knew Dawn could flip on her any second. "Urgent?" Dawn said aburptly as she stood up. Gripping her wand in her hand she went towards the door, as she grabbed her blue cloak on her way out.

Slipping her arms through the sleeves, Dawn set her wand in the pocket. She darted down the stairs as she heard her name being shouted to from the Common Room. Reaching the bottom stair, Dawn yelled, "What happened?" She spoke with urgency in her voice. She wasnt in the mood to fight Cedric's battles- but for a friend, she would attempt anything. "Whats so bad that a ickle... fis..sec.. What ever year girl needed to run to me in fear?" she said as she put her hands on her hips and pushed her cloak away from her frame.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric watched as Dawn walked over to him. "Oh Merlin you're never going to believe this." Cedric said looking at her. She had that look of superiority like she always did. Then Cedric noticed her wand in her hand. "Why do you have your wand?" Cedric asked fearfully. "Nevermind that I have something to show you." Cedric said. Reaching out he grabbed her hand and sped walked to the boys dorms. Opening the door Cedric said "Don't be to loud."

Walking in Cedric stepped in front of the phoenix so Dawn couldn't see. "You're going to love this." Cedric said stepping out of the way. "His name is Fuego. He just hatched. Isn't he the cutest little thing youve ever seen?" Cedric had never talked like this about anything before. It surprised him. "So do you like him?" Cedric said smiling.

[dawn]

Dawn noticed the smile on Cedric's face as she approched him. He spoke about her wand as she glanced at it. Guessing she didnt need it, she put it away. Cedric had this glow about him that Dawn wasnt used to at all. It seemed like he was kissed for the first time or something! Dawn couldnt help but laugh slightly at that idea. Suddenly he grabbed her hand, and dragged her up to his dorm. Opening the door, he starting smiling, but not just a grin teeth and all. Dawn never saw Cedric like this and she was on the edge. "What am I going to love?" as asked as Cedric walked aside and shown her his baby phoenix.

"Shes Born!" Dawn exclaimed as she quickly clasped her hands over her mouth. Dawn smiled, exactly like Cedric as she dropped her hand from her mouth. Walking over to Cedric she pinched his cheek as she spoke, "Awww... Boyo is a mummy!" she laughed as she walked back to the phoenix and knelt down in front of Cedric' drawer. "Fuego..." Dawn said as she looked up to Cedric smiling. "Of course you would pick a name like that! Fuego... Cute!" she said as she stroked Fuego's back.

Taking her hand away from the phoenix, Dawn sat for a moment and watched her. "So... What are you going to do now? You cant show others, you know.. if they had any mind of a Slytherin they would try to take her for themselves." Dawn said as she turned to Cedric, and stood in front of him. Fixing her glasses on her face, Dawn crossed her arms over her cloak- which she wore like a robe.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric smiled at Dawn's reaction. He knew she'd love it. "It's a boy not a girl." Cedric said smiling. Then when she pinched his cheeck Cedric rubbed his face and said "Not a mumy a dady." he laughed and walked over and stood next to Dawn. She sat there petting Fuego and smililng. Then when she stood up Cedric lookd at her and listened. "I don't know." Cedric said looking curious. "Your right I can't tell anyone else. There are so many potions I could make using his tears. This is going to be awsome." Cedric sat down on his bed next to his dresser and looked at Fuego.

Cedric stuck his finger out and watched as Fuego stepped onto his finger. Cedric pulled his hand close to his face and kissed Fuego's beak. Setting the bird on his leg he looked at Dawn. "I need to get food for him. He eats herbs." Cedric thought for a second and said "I think we need to make a trip to the herbology department." Cedric knew how much trouble he would get in if he got caught but he didn't care. Looking at Dawn he said "Im going now. Are you coming?"

[dawn]

Dawn saw the sparkle in her friend's eyes. He was smiling more than she has ever seen- a nice change. Dawn saw Cedric stand up and make his way towards the door. Dawn shook her head. She went to Cedric's bed and layed down in it. Turning to her side, she said "I think Ill take a nap. Im good!" She said as she closed her eyes and layed there for a moment.

Opening her eyes, she smiled at Cedric. "Of Course Im comming! Plus, If you were found out of the Common Room at this time, I would get in trouble!" Rolling her eyes. "If you are found with me, then we will be fine." she said as she took out her wand again and twirled it in her fingers. Walking in front of Cedric, Dawn made her way down the boy dorm's stairs. Her long hair bounced as she stepped on the stairs. She wasnt used to wearing it down, but she liked it. Plus, with her glasses- which she never wore- on it was a nice change for her. Change was ALWAYS good.

Reaching the last stair Dawn made her way across the Common Room and through the port hole. "So, where to? Herbology greenhouses, or Herbology stock room?" she asked as she stopped in the long dim hallway, and waited for Cedric to reply. "Greenhouses could be locked, most likely not. But thats outside. But the Herbology stock room is up on the fourth floor. Its locked deffinate, but I think I over heard Sprout say the password once when I was walking around."

[Cole Waters]

Cedric smiled as Dawn said she was in. "Good I was hoping you'd come." Standing up Cedric put Fuego on his dresser. "You stay her little guy i'll be back." Cedric said. Turning around he made his way to his trunk and pulled out his black cloak. Throwing it over his shoulders Cedric checked his pocket for his wand and said "Alright let's go."

Cedric followed Dawn down the boys stairs and stopped on the last step with her. After listening to what she said Cedric thought for a second and said "Let's got to the stock room. It sounds esier." Then Cedric made his way down past Dawn and into the common room. It was dark with no one in it. "Let's go he said smiling." Cedric opened the door and stepped out into the cold dark corriodrs.

Pulling out his wand Cedric said "Lumos". A light came from the tip and Cedric said "If im not mistaken it's this way right?" Without letting her answer he made his way to the steps. Cedric was very excited and couldn't keep his mind off Fuego. "I can't believe how lucky I am." Cedric said smilling at Dawn. "What do you think I shoud do with it first?" he asked walking up the steps. After climbing four slights up steps they reached the fourth floor. Cedric walked around a corner and up to the door. "Ok this is where you come in." he said looking at Dawn hopingly.

[dawn]

Following the extremely dim light from the burning out sconces on the walls, and Cedric's wand, they walked throught the halls. Shadows appeared at the end and at every corner of the massive castle. It was grand to be in the halls at this time of night, or basically anywhere in the castle. It was never for the faint of heart to roam around in the middle of night- you never know who might jump out and scare you.

Cedric spoke and asked Dawn a question. "First? Well.. have a relationship with her. I think that would deffinatly be for the best interest. Sometimes love can be stronger and more helpful than straight magic." Dawn paused and thought about Harry Potter. It wasnt a bad thought, just saying that he wouldnt have been alive if it wasnt for that muggle born witch he had as a mother. Speaking up again, Dawn said, "After the relationship, I suppose you should test many things out. See exactly how strong her tears are, and other things. Maybe try acid washes first- then move towards spontanous combustion." Dawn said as she flashed Cedric a smile. Dawn adored fire- her sister, Rachel, used to call her a 'pyro maniac'. Ever since she was young and started showing signs of powers- she started things on fire. Dawn laughed at her memory as she noticed Cedric stop.

"Oh yeajh. Here." Taking out her own wand Dawn looked at the lock. It was a farely good side. About the size of her fist. Tapping the lock three times she spoke, "Ambigu Finniy Toloose!" a silver powder seemed to surround the lock. Dawn stepped back as she waited for the door to unlock. Moments later.... Nothing happened. Looking at Cedric, Dawn bit her lip. Crossing her arms she thought for a moment. She knew she had the correct spell, she was good at remembering passwords. Expecially ones she wasnt suppost to know!

Stepping back up to the lock, Dawn spoke. "I got it this time." she said as she rolled her eyes. First, Dawn circled her wand, and tapped her self on her head. Seconds later, Dawn was covered in a green glow. It soon wore off as she tapped the lock again. This time when Dawn spoke the spell, Her voice was as Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher. "Ambigu Finniy Toloose!" Her voice squeaked, as she looked at Cedric and winked. "I got this." she said still in Pomona's voice, as the lock clicked and opened the door. "Lumos!" she said as she wand lit- and gave light to the pitch black room.

[Cole Waters]

((Hey sorry It's been so long ))

Cedric watched as Dawn tried unlocking the door. When the first attempt failed Cedric looked at Dawn with a frown and said "I thought you had this?" Looking around for any teachers Cedric watied as Dawn tried again. When she got it Cedric looked at her and said "Well done I didn't know you could do that." Cedric smiled and followed Dawn into the dark stock room. Looking around Cedric smiled smirked. "This is perfect."

Cedric took his wand and held it up high looking around. "What do you think we should get?" Cedric whhispered into the darkness. He couldn't help but smile. "Pine powder, Lily dust, wolfbaine leaves. i have no cluse what to get." Cedric said reading aloud. Then he read something that looked familar. "Dill Berrys." Cedric said grabbing the glass. "I read this in the book I have about them." Cedric said as he walked over to Dawn. "Do you think we should find anything else?"

[dawn]

Dawn's voice sqeaked as Pomona's voice seemed to still linger in her cords. Holding her wand in front of her she looked at the jar Cedric held. "Good, Good." she paused as he asked her a question. Looking at Cedric in a matter of "Do- you- actually- think- I- know" she rose her left eyebrow as she grinned. "Yeah, you know, as me! I dont even go to Herbology." Dawn shook her head as she smiled and remembered a younger Slytherin gets her notes. Moving her wand closer to the jars, she found the three Cedric said before. Picking them up She held them in her arms. "These will do. If not, well.. I could use them for other things." Dawn said in a sly tone, and of course Cedric understood what she wanted to do. She wanted to teek an enemy's food, and see the side effects.

Pushing a cough, Dawn began to speak in her normal voice. "One sec." She said as she put her arm in front of Cedric's chest to stop him from moving. "Hush up." she said slowly and softly as she inched towards the door. "Nox" she said as she wand's light went out. Holding it tightly at ready position, foot steps seem to stop directly in front of the door. "Hello..." a voice spoke, as Dawn pushed the door open more and pointed her wand at the person and said, "Confundus!" As behind the door you heard a thump on the ground. Looking throught the dim hallway, Dawn looked at the body as a face looked up at her and said, "Where am I?" It was Justin Lionheart. Dawn's eyes narrowed as she saw him look up at her hopeless. "Justin, Why are you out of your Common Room this late!? Get back to your tower!" Dawn yelled as she pushed him into the next hallway, which was the wrong way from the Gryffindor Tower. Dawn crossed her arms, as she watched Justin slowly walk away. When he was far enough away, Dawn looked into the room where Cedric stood. Laughing she grinned, "Poor boy,.... eh too bad." she said as she pulled Cedric out of the room. "Mrs Norris should be hear soon. Im sure someone heard me. We must go." Dawn spoke as she closed the door, and placed the lock back on it. Turning she looked down the hallways as she walked towards the stairs.

Looking down, she noticed the stairs were changing to the second floor on the left, they needed the right. Pausing, Dawn looked towards Cedric, holding out her wand she tapped his jar as well as hers, "Evanesco." she said. "They are on your bed. So now, we cant be stopped for carring things." Dawn winked. She excelled in spells. She had to, for what she wants to do when she gets older- she needs to know many spells.

The stair case changed back to the right side, as Dawn started down on them.