"For free?" Jon took the small purple booklet and glanced at it—
"Authorized by the Ministry of Magic—Protect your home and family from dark magic!" he read softly, then slowly opened it. "The wizarding world currently faces a threat from an organization calling itself 'Death Eaters.' Therefore, please observe the following simple safety guidelines—"
"First, do not leave home or wizarding settlements alone."
"Rule Two: Do not linger or walk outdoors after dark."
"Rule Three: To prevent Death Eaters from impersonating others using Polyjuice Potion, please..."
Jon shut the booklet with a snap. 'I feel personally attacked by this…' he muttered.
"What's that, sir?" The walnut-faced bar owner grinned, revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth.
"Nothing... I need lodging with three meals for two nights; the rest is for tips." Jon pulled a gold coin and two silver coins from his pocket and handed them to Tom.
"Right!" Tom Abbott slowly took the coins, then picked up a quill and scribbled in the slightly moldy ledger. "Room 27... Shall I show you to your room, sir?"
"No need, thank you." Jon shook his head, then added, "If today's The Daily Prophet is available, please have it delivered to my room."
"Certainly. Please wait a moment—the paper and lunch will be brought up shortly!"
...
Entering his room at the Leaky Cauldron, Jon set down his suitcase and removed his black coat. He then picked up a tray holding teacups from the coffee table, took all the cups off, and pulled a small, ugly, featherless fledgling from his coat pocket.
The chick was a shriveled bundle of black skin.
Clearly, this ugly bird was Fawkes, though she had undergone a rebirth through fire only hours ago and had not yet grown feathers.
Jon placed her carefully on the tray, then let out an "Eek!" of surprise.
The ugly chick glared at him with displeasure—she had just given the wizard before her a sharp peck.
"Hey! I saved your life, you know..." Jon clutched his hand while sneaking a glance at Fawkes. Seeing the young Phoenix still fuming, he forced a smile.
"I'm truly sorry... I didn't mean to leave you behind..."
He recalled the scene hours earlier at the Gaunt Shack—amid the Fiendfyre-scorched ruins, a featherless, frail Phoenix chick had crawled from the ashes, trembling violently in the cold wind.
When Jon tucked her into his pocket, she had been nearly frozen stiff. Had he arrived a few hours later, she might have become the first Phoenix to freeze to death, though who knew whether she would have risen from the ashes again afterward.
Fawkes lifted her head and pointed her beak haughtily toward the fireplace.
"Incendio!" Jon quickly drew his wand and flicked it toward the hearth.
The fireplace erupted into roaring flames.
Jon hurried over with the tray and set it near the fire. In the glow of the flames, Fawkes's expression seemed to ease slightly.
"It's really not my fault... If anyone's to blame, it's your master. A man over a hundred years old forgetting to bring home his own pet—honestly, that's outrageous..."
Fawkes turned her head sharply, nodding quickly at Jon while waving a tiny claw, clearly expressing that the scruffy old man named Albus Dumbledore was absolutely outrageous!
Then she made another set of gestures at Jon, indicating that he was just as bad.
"I remembered eventually, didn't I... and I rescued you!" Jon replied with a sheepish grin.
The Phoenix turned her head toward the flames, expressing that she clearly wasn't speaking to him anymore.
Jon thought for a moment, then hurried over to his suitcase. After rummaging inside, he pulled out a large bag of herbs.
He hurried back with the herb bag, took out a purple Abyssinian shrivelfig, and offered it to the ugly bird in a conciliatory manner.
The young Phoenix clearly caught the scent, but she closed her eyes as if pretending she had no interest at all.
Jon considered for a moment, then placed the purple Abyssinian shrivelfig on the tray and stepped back several paces.
Fawkes appeared to wage an intense internal struggle… After about thirty seconds, her desire finally overtook her restraint.
At last she gave in, whirled around, and attacked the shrivelfig with wild enthusiasm.
While eating, she waved her claws at Jon, signaling, "More—more!"
"Plenty more!" Jon said, laughing apologetically as he rummaged frantically through the herb pouch. He scooped out handfuls of lupin pods, dried castor beans, and porcupine quills. He even retrieved a Devil's Snare spore and placed it carefully on the tray.
Fawkes accepted everything eagerly, leaning against the fire as she devoured it all.
Watching her, Jon couldn't help questioning reality—how could such a tiny bird, barely fist-sized, eat so much? Was she going to burst like an overfed puffskein?
But he didn't dare ask, fearing Fawkes would peck him again.
The Phoenix devoured herb portions nearly three times her body weight, yet her belly didn't bulge in the slightest. After letting out a satisfied burp, she curled up on the tray and fell asleep.
"Finally got this little—no, this ancient ancestor—calmed down," Jon sighed.
He could only hope Fawkes would grow quickly, at least enough to fly... Then she could find Dumbledore on her own.
...
After carefully returning the leftover herbs to the pouch, Jon suddenly heard a knock at the door.
"Sir, your lunch, and the Daily Prophet you requested!" Old Tom's slow voice drifted in from the hallway.
Jon quickly threw on his black cloak, walked to the door, and accepted a cup of pumpkin juice, a plate of sandwiches, and a newspaper.
He ate while reading—
"Fudge stepped down, and Mrs. Bones is the new Minister?" Jon muttered. He held a favorable opinion of Amelia Bones, a fair-minded witch—after all, she had awarded him a 2,500 Galleon grant two years ago.
He continued skimming the paper: "Dragon-hide prices up fifty percent... 'Savior' Harry Potter... Umbridge undergoing psychological treatment at St. Mungo's... And..."
In a small corner of page eight, Jon spotted: "Professor Newt Scamander of Hogwarts has announced he will no longer serve as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. Current Potions teacher Severus Snape will take over his position, while Headmaster Albus Dumbledore is recruiting a new Potions teacher for the wizarding world!"
"Merlin's beard!?" Jon nearly choked on his sandwich.