Unecspected gift

[Cole Waters]

It was a gloomy day in Nocturne Alley. The ussuall people could be walking the long streets. The person that stood out the most was a boy walking by himself. It was Cedric Wood. Cedric had been walking through Nocturn Alley looking for something new but was unable to find anything decent.

After he walked out of the last shop on the street he heard someone say "PST". Cedric looked around and saw no one. Then he heard the same "PSSST". Cedric looked around again to see an old tatterd man standing in an alley. "Hey young man would you be interested in a great buissness deal?" the man said. Cedric looked at him with a confussed look and decided there was nothing to loose so he Walked over to see what the man had.

"What do you got for me old man?" Cedric asked meanly. Then man looked around and said "I have something that will only cross your path once in a lifetime." Cedric looked at him and said "What is it?" The man looked around once more and said "A Pheonix egg." Cedric laughed and said "Your crazy old man." And just as Cedric started to leave the man pulled a orangeish red egg out of his pocket. "Do you think Im crazy now?" the man said holding the egg.

Cedric turned back and said in shock "Thats a real Phoenix egg." "Yeah it is" the man said. "All you need is a thousand galleons." the man said ubrubtly. Cedric looked at him knowing that it wasn't a bad deal but said "Thats alot of money." "Yes but it's worth it" the man said. Cedric looked at him one last time and said "Three hundred and fifty galleons and I dont curse you to oblivion." Cedric said with his hands in his pockets. "What makes you think Im afraid of you?" the man said. "Because my name is Cedric Wood." Cedric said smiling. "Oh. Well I guess I could part with it for four hundred." the man said scared. "Ok" Cedric said.

The man gave Cedric the egg and Cedric gave him four hundred galleons. Cedric left putting the egg in his pocket and turned the corner into Diagon alley. "I need a book on how to care for a phoenix" Cedric said. Just then he heard someone call his name.

[dawn]

Dawn was in a normal 'school' mood. Slightly angred, looking down upon the ones who walked in her way, but most of all bored. She had no clue how to make her day fun. She already did quidditch practice. She prainced around Hogsmeade a bit, now I guess its Knocturn alley's turn. She decided as she walked into the Three broomsticks. The room was empty, except for a few couples sitting and chatting. The oddly bright and light wooded room made Dawn uncomfortable. Walking over towards the fireplace she grabbed a hand full of Floo powder and threw it into the fire as she said, "Knockturn Alley." she was gone in a poof.

With a second poof, she arrived in a wizarding pub in knockturn alley. The normal pub rats stared at her as she walked out of the fireplace. A few people quickly turned their heads away, trying not to lock eyes with her. With a smile of enjoyment, of provoking fear on others she strolled out of the pub. Walking out onto the cobblestone street, Dawn's hair hit her back on ever step she took. A few witches growled at her as she darted her eyes at them making them regret what they did. 'mudblood, mudblood, squib.. pure!' Dawn went though a list in her head as her eyes caught onto a boy a year younger than her, but still a good friend. "Cedric!" Dawn said with a smile, since she was happy to see him. Walking up to him she stopped and greeted, "Hello, mate. What are you smiling about?" she asked as she looked at his hands, nothing in them. "Seems like you are having an oddly good day?" she she as she crossed her arms and waited for an answer.

[Cole Waters]

When Cedric heard his name he jumped thinking it was a ministry member. Cedric turned around to see his good freind Dawn McGrogan. "O hey Dawn." Cedric said smiling. Cedric listened to what Dawn said and he stuck his hands inside of his pockets. Cedric wanted to make sure his hand was on the egg at all times. When Dawn said he looked happy Cedric smiled and said "Let's go for a walk." Cedric put his hand that wasn't on the egg around Dawns waist and started to walk deeper into Knocturne Alley hoping not to find any ministry members. "So how have you been doing?" Cedric said to Dawn not wanting to sound suspicious.

Finally after walking for a bit Cedric took Dawn over to a dead end and looked around. "Ok there is a great reason Im so hapy." Cedric said smiling "But it's illeigal." Cedric looked around once more and then pulled the egg out of his pocket. "This my freind is a genuine Phoenix egg." Cedric said smiling. He looked around once more and then said "I need to find a book with as much info on Phoenix's I can. I have no idea I would go about caring for one." Cedric looked around again then looked back at Dawn with a huge smile on his face. "This is awsome isn't it." Cedric said.

[dawn]

Dawn stood waiting on Cedric's answer to her question. Cedric looked behind him as he put his arm around her waist, which made her turn around, and direct her down the street. Dawn looked at Cedric, knowing something was up. With a smile on her face she shook her head and knew she would find out soon enough. With a look of wonder in her eyes Cedric directed her down a dead end alley. He spoke as Dawn looked at him. "Ive been Fine, Cedric. What is up?" she asked as he finally stopped and showed her why he was so happy. "Bloody Hell!" She exclaimed as she clasped her hands over her mouth. Her eyes widened with wonder as she looked at the egg that fitted in the palm of his hand.

A bit stunned she quickly turned her head and looked around him and her as she put her hand over his hand to cover the egg. In a slight whisper, but still in a normal tone she said, "Put that away! Im not a Ikle mudblood, boyo, I know what that is!" She paused as she moved his hand and hers back to his pocket. "Never-take-that-out' she said as she looked into his eyes which made it clear that he should put it away. Turning around Dawn walked to the curb which was behind her. Sitting down on it she looked up to Cedric. Pushing back her hair she said, "Dear Boy, You are a Lucky One!" She said shaking her head with a smile. "Im Not even going to ask how you got that, because actually I dont want to know." she said with a slightly laugh. "Me either! I never even thought I would be around one, but now.. I guess I will be." Looking down at her black skirt she fixed it so it fell perfectly on her legs. Looking back up to Cedric, she said, "I dont even know where to begin. I know a book store down the street, but I wouldnt even know where to begin in there with stuff about.. that!" she said as she gestured toward his pocket. "There is Diagon Alley, but I dont know what are we going to say? 'Oh do you have books on Phoenixes?' Haha extremely Doubtful. Cedric, I wouldnt even do that and you know I am not afriad of many things. Its really risky. But Brilliant!" Dawn said standing back up and walking toward Cedric.

Standing in front of him she crossed her arms and shook her head. "I best be allowed to use it if I need it." she paused and looked in Cedric's eyes. "Of Course in rashion!" she said with a sly grin and a look like 'You-knew-it-was-comming'.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric jumped at Dawns reply and said "Keep it down." Cedric looked around to see if anyone had came over and then he looked back at Dawn. Cedric heard what Dawn said and he put the egg back in his pocket making sure it was nice and warm. "I know your not but I mean I bet some people wouldn't know a pheonix egg from an easter egg." Cedric said smiling. He was so excited he had one now. "Yeah I know when I can and can't take it out." Cedric said looking around. Cedric watched as Dawn went and sat down on a curb. "Yeah I must be lucky." Cedric said smiling.

When Dawn said she didn't want to know how he got it Cedric said "Ok then I wont tell you." Cedric smiled and listened to Dawn talk about what they should do. Then when she said they should rashion the Pheonix Cedric laughed and said "Ok we will split it 90 10. I get it 90% of the time and you get it 10%." Cedric laughed again then it hit him. "Dawn what you said earlier was a good idea. If I go into Diagon Alley and ask about a book on them no one will suspect anything. They will think Im not so stupid to go asking about them if I have one." Cedric said smirking. "Lets go to flourish and Blotts." Cedric said looking at Dawn.

Cedric grabbed Dawns hand and pulled her with him even if she didn't want to go. When they turned the corner into Diagon alley Cedric let go of her and said "Come on let's go." Cedric smiled and walked down the street to Flourish and blotts. Cedric opened the door and waited for Dawn to walk in. Then he went in and wen't straight to the counter. "Excuse me" he said "Do you have any books on phoenix's?" Then man looked at Cedric and then said "Yes isle five." Cedric smiled and said thanks. Then he turned and grabbed Dawn and took her to isle five.

[dawn]

"Good Idea. Duh! All because im a Genius." She said with a joking smirk on her face as Cedric went on about Diagon Alley. Getting pulled up from the curb, Dawn grasped Cedric's hand as she followed him down the alley. As they turned the corner they let go and strolled off to Flourish and Blotts. Reaching the shop Cedric held the door open for her. Walking in she said thanks, as she passed him.

Stepping up to the counter, Dawn eyed the man. He watched her and Cedric as they walked into the store. As Cedric spoke, Dawn looked around the shop as she tapped her foot on the wooden floor. "Aisle five" the man said as Dawn merely gave him a grin and Felt Cedric pull her down the Aisle. Hearing him say thanks, dawn turned to him, "Dear Mr. Wood going nice?!" Dawn Joked as she pulled away from Cedric and went off reading the binds of the books. "Philitomi's book of Potions, Phoebe's past, Phoenix eggs, Phoenix... Phoenix...Phoenix. Here we go." Dawn said as she tapped the books with her finger and turned to Cedric.

Waiting for him to come over to her she stepped away from the books and looked at him. "I do want to know how you got that egg. I know, I know you are a 'Wood' just like im a 'McGrogan' but did you steal it?" Dawn said as she crossed her arms and waited for an answer. "Stealing an egg like that would be absurd! Reason being Phoenix eggs are very rare, and if word gets out you have one.. who knows what hell will happen to your family." Watching Cedric she quickly added. "Not like I will say anything. You should know my word is better than the Dead." She said reassuring him.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric watched as Dawn walked down the isle. He laughed at what she said and Cedric said "Me go soft? Thats like asking a fish if hes going to live on land." Cedric laughed and started to look at the books hopeing to find one that will help. Then Cedric heard Dawn say "Here we go." Cedric walked over to Dawn and looked at the book she had picked out. Cedric opened the book and leaned against a shelf looking through it. He listened to Dawn talk and Cedric said "Yes Acctually me being a Wood is part of the reason." Then when Dawn asked if he stole it Cedric said "No I bought it fair and square."

The next thing Dawn said hit a nerve and Cedric looked up and said "Who cares what it does to my family. My whole family can rot in azkaban for all I care. The only one who actually cares what I think is my mom. At least she's there for me." Cedric sat silent for a second and then looked back down at the book. He looked at the index and saw "Pheonix's growing." Cedric turned to the page it said and read a bit. "This is it. It doesn't give great detail on how to raise them but it's good enough." Cedric closed the book and went and paid for it.

Walking outside Cedric opened the door and let Dawn out. "I didn't mean to snap at you back there." Cedric said looking at her. "My dad has been making me mad lately so Im not on good terms with him."

[dawn]

As Cedric began to flipp on her she was quite as she crossed her arms. This could very well be the first time that he ever raised his voice to her. Glaring at him thought the silence of the two Dawn became angry. Seeing him turn around and pay for the book Dawn kept her distance away from him, she didnt want to set off another thing again to him. Normally, Dawn would retailate to whom ever flipped on her, but she didnt feel that way with Cedric. Cedric Wood was a good friend, even though when they were first aquanted he showed a little hostility toward her, she didnt care. Dawn felt angred as she walked thought the door Cedric held open for her. Not saying anything to him she stood, still with her arms crossed outside.

Cedric spoke as Dawn merely said "Alright." in respond to him. He hit something when he began to talk about his family. Dawn had problems of her own at her house. She hated bringing them up to people since she hated pitty. Dawn never saw her mother and her father wouldnt care if she came home with two broken limbs. Dawn relyed on herself 24/7, and sometimes when he was around, her younger brother. But no one really knows about her family problems, those are kept a secret.

Turning around she looked down the street, and then back at Cedric. "So how far along do you think it is?" she asked in as normal of a tone as she could. As she finally let down the tention in her arms, and waited for his answer.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric watched as Dawn let her arms fall to her side. When she asked him Cedric smiled and tryed to foget what just happened. "Im not sure. What do you say we go and sit down and find out." Cedric said. Cedric walked over to a bench and sat down. Opening the book he turned to phoenix eggs. He looked at the pictures until finally he saw one that looked like his egg. "This egg is in its almost done stage." Cedric read aloud "The oragne and red are mixing together in the middle off the egg to show maturing. The yellow at the bottom is just about gone. This egg has about 6-11 days until it hatches."

Cedric looked up at Dawn and said "Well it looks like we dont have much until we have one huh?" Cedric smiled and looked back in the book. "Well it looks like we need to get back to my house and get this thing into something warm." Cedric said looking at Dawn. Cedric stood up and said "Do you want to come?"

[dawn]

Walking out of the store Dawn walked with Cedric to a near by bench. Sitting down next to Cedric, he went reading the book. "Well you should get it warm." as Cedric went on about the egg being almost ready to hatch. Dawn stood up as she fixed her skirt. Not sure what they were going to do Dawn crossed her arms and waited for a sign from Cedric.

Soon after he asked if she wanted to go to his house to get the egg in something warm. "Sure, I have nothing better to do." Dawn flicked her hair behind her shoulder as she clasped her hands together. She felt a breeze flow throught the street as she rubbed her leggs together. "Are go goin or not.. you are just sitting there." She said as she got Cedric's shoulder and pushed it so he would stand up. "Im cool. Lets go." she grined as she waited for him to lead the way.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric stood up and said "Nothing better to do, man you sure no how to make a guy feel good about himself." Cedric smiled and stuck his arm out for Dawn to grab it. Cedric was in a better mood for some reason and couldn't wait for his egg to hatch. When Dawn grabbed his arm Cedric began walking towards the Leaky Cauldron. "Soo.." Cedric said "What do you plan on doing with are little freind?" Cedric smiled and kept walking towards the pub. Then as they were walking a second year Slytherin ran into Cedric. "Watch where you are going you git." the boy said looking at Cedric. Turning around in a rage Cedric looked at the boy and with flames rising in his eyes said "Why don't you learn some respect for your elders. If you dont get out of here by the time I count to three I will make the rest of your life a swirl of pain."

The boy looked at Cedric and with a whimper turned and ran away. Cedric turned back to Dawn and said "Well I feel better. We weren't that rude when we were young were we?" Cedric laughed and continued walking towards the pub. Finally when they reached it Cedric opened the door and said "After you." Cedric smiled and then followed Dawn into the pub. Walking over to the fire Cedric grabbed a hand full of floo powder and said "Meet you at my house." Then he turned and jumped into the fire and said "Wood Manor."

Cedric swirled around for a while and then landed in his living room. Cedric sat down on a stool and waited for Dawn.

[dawn]

Cedric stood up as he held out his arm. Dawn noticed the gesture so she grabbed his arm as they went towards the pub. "Humm not a clue in the world. Right now we shouldnt care much about what we need to do. First we need to make it trust us then you or I can go forth with planns of your will." Dawn said as another cold breeze came by as Dawn became quite cold.

A few seconds later a younger farmilar looking boy bumped into Cedric. Dawn unlinked her arm as she waited for the small feud to end, it wouldnt take long. While Cedric roared at the boy Dawn looked the small one over. 'Slytherin.' she thought as she finnally matched up the boy and his history. When Cedric turned back to Dawn he commented on how they used to act when they were younger. "I bet you we were a snotty and rude as we could ever be! We had not a care in the world! Me and you are still snotty and rude but we actuallu have reasons unlike some people." Dawn said as she paused. Speaking back up she said, "Our Last Names have known history." she said as they finnally arrived at the pub.

Cedric opend up the door for her as she stepped in. A Man a table away looked up from his drink and watched Dawn and Cedric walk in. Dawn did notice this man, but had no reason to look or have a conversation with him. In a blink of an eye Cedric left. Walking up to the fireplace Dawn grabbed a hand full of floo powder. One step away from the fireplace Dawn felt someone's hand on her shoulder. A man's voice whispered, "You are a McGrogan, arent you?" Dawn's mind raced as she had no clue who this man way, but she bet it was the man she noticed when she walked in.
Speaking up she said, "Yes, and as for you, you should know not to just touch me without warning. You fuming virus!" Dawn turned around and got a good look at the man's face. He had short brown curly hair with peircing blue eyes. A very promonaint nose and some facial hair. "Watch you back, You should know not to have conversations with me after what Happened. You should be damned to Azkaban for this little session here! Be gone with you before I call the ministry or worse my Father. Never pick me out of a crowd again, and If you do I will have to deal with you!" Dawn Roared as She threw the Floo Powder down and exclaimed, "Wood Manor!"

[Cole Waters]

Cedric sat in the chair and watied for Dawn. Finally after a couple of minutes Dawn showed up in his fireplace. "What took you so long?" Cedric asked standing up. Cedric looked around the living room and then started walking to the kitchen. The living room was painted white a black pattern. The sofas were all white with black patterns matching the wall and there was a cofee table sitting in the middle of the room. There were book cases all over the walls with books and pictures. In one case ther were quidditch trophies and a picture of Cedric's dad with the whole Falcons team. His dad looked happier than ever.

Cedric walked through the living room picking up a pillow and throwing it on the couch. "It's not much, but I only have to live here for 2 more years." Cedric said walking to the kitchen. When Cedric entered the kitchen he looked around and then grabbed a piece of paper. The counter tops were all metal and the walls were black. "Went to the alley to get some food. Love Mom" Cedric read aloud. "Always buying something that women." Cedric said laughing. Cedric opened the refrigerator and said "You want a butterbeer?" but before he let Dawn answer he picked one up and threw it to her.

Cedric opened his butterbeer and took a sip. "Let's go up to my room. I have some stuff that will help us out up there." Cedric said looking at Dawn. Cedric chugged the rest of his drink and threw the bottle away. Cedric walked out of the kitchen and to the steps. Walking up the steps Cedric frowned at the pictures of him and his dad flying brooms. Cedric got to the top of the starits and turned right. Walking to his room Cedric opened the door and said "Welcome to my humble abode." Cedric laughed and walked in.

The room was black and white and his bed was right in the middle. There was a couch in the back and a closet in the front. "It's a bit messy." Cedric said throwing a pair of pants into a hamper. Cedric walked over to a wall and said "Now this is something I added that my parents dont know about." Cedric waved his hand over the wall and it opened up into a big room. Cedric walked in and sat down on a stool at a table the was in the middle of the room.

The room had shelves from wall to wall. On the shelves were book, Potions, ingredients, and other things. "This is where I do my private stuff." Cedric said smiling. Then Cedric pulled out round pan. Then walking over to a shelve pulled out a green bottle. Cedric took off the top and set it on the table. Taking the egg out of his pocket, Cedric put it in the middle of the pan. "Watch this." Cedric said pouring the green liquid into the pan. The liquid sorouned the egg then turned into a thick red foam. "Heating foam. Get's to a high of 200F. Made it myslef." Cedric said smiling. "I could of used a spell but Snape has my wand that git."

[dawn]

With a booming sound of her voice Dawn Lynn arrived at Wood manor. Seeing directly in front of her, Cedric, he sat in a chair waiting for her. He spoke as Dawn rolled her eyes and answered. "Nothing really, a man that wanted to converse with my father stopped me." Shaking her head she went on. "Baffoon he is, He is the type of person you wouldnt want to be seen with, you know?" Dawn said not expecting an answer.

Following Cedric into the Kitchen he picked up a note and read it out loud. With a nod she thought about her own mother. "Mine is probably doing the same thing. Or Merlin know what." Dawn shrugged as she heard Cedric ask her if she wanted a butterbeer. With out a seconds delay she noticed a bottle of it fly her way. Catching it in the air Dawn added in a sarcastic tone. "Of course a butter beer would be Great." With a laugh Dawn began to drink the refreshing drink. Listening to Cedric Dawn tapped her hand on the table. "Two years? Why two years?" She asked as she looked around the room. It seemed fine to her. Of course she liked her house much more but, his was deffinatly up with the better half of houses she had seen in her lifetime.

Cedric quickly drank his butter beer as he voiced going to his room. Not gulping it down like him, Dawn set it aside as she quickly followed him up the stairs to his bedroom. He opened the door as Dawn said, "I would have pictured you in a wooded type dark green colors. Not Black and white. I guess I was wrong, eh?" she said as she walked in. Quickly Cedric showed Dawn a different side of his room where he did potions and what not. Dawn's eyes widdened as she saw the wall change. "Wow, Nice." she said as she complimented him on the change in his room. "This is more like it." she said as she motioned to the new part.

Cedric went right to work with the foam solution. "Your looks are deciving, Cedric. You fooled me. I never knew you were that smart." Dawn said with a grin as she walked over to the egg and watched the foam grow. "Smarter than the average mudblood, eh boyo?" Dawn laughed slightly as she turned around and scanned his room. Cedric quickly spoke as Dawn walked over to hic couch and sat down. "Yeah, that was absurd of him. I would never have thought he would be 'that harsh'." she said as she sat down.

"Let me see that book. I want to read what happens to the egg after it haches. If we need to do anything or get anything ready." Dawn said as she put her right hand up slightly like she wanted to catch the book. Dawn's green eyes scanned the area which was normally hidden in his room. "You made this all your own? What is going to happen in two years when you leave, are you going to demolish it?" Dawn asked as she fixed her skirt and waited for an answer.

[Cole Waters]

Cedric listened to Dawns remarks about his room. "Well than it looks like you dont know me as much as you thought you did Miss McGogan." Cedric said laughing. As he watch the foam completly cover the egg he heard Dawn remark about his intellegence. "Well dawn I get that alot. It seems my good looks blind people to my intellegence." Cedric said smirking. Then when she said he was smarter than the average mudblood Cedric looked at her and said "I dont think a whole mudblood family is as smart as me." Cedric laughed and looked back at the foam. Steam began to rise into the air and Cedric smiled. He was happy to have the egg and couldn't wait for it to hatch.

When Dawn asked Cedric to give her the book he threw it to her and sat down on a couch in the potions room. "Yes I did it all myself." Cedric said "But magic really helps." Cedric laughed and looked around. "When I move out I will probably sell most of the potions, most of them aren't invented yet. Then I will make this dissapear and no one will know it was here." Cedric looked around his room and went and picked up a quidditch magazine. "So does it say how long until it hatches in there?" Cedric asked as he looked down at the magazine.