Ian and Merlin had just emerged from the dark, damp underground tomb. Around them was a dense forest interspersed with jagged rocks, and the air was thick with the scent of soil and grass.
The two of them had assumed this area was completely uninhabited.
Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly appeared not far from them. On this person's shoulder perched a bird exuding a strange aura. Its feathers gleamed gold and red, its tail feathers were long, and its eyes shone with intelligence.
If not a Phoenix, then what else could it be?
Both Ian and Merlin had seen a true Phoenix before and almost simultaneously recognized the creature on the man's shoulder. However, only Ian couldn't help but exclaim.
"Holy, It's really a Phoenix!" Ian stared several times to confirm, never expecting to encounter a Phoenix under such circumstances.
It's worth noting that in the magical world, Phoenixes were already extremely rare magical creatures. Let alone in this wild, untamed era, when many might spend their entire lives searching, unable to confirm whether a Phoenix truly existed. The chance of randomly encountering a Phoenix in the wild was probably second only to the probability of recording winning lottery numbers, crossing over to the past, and actually winning the jackpot.
"You're a Dumbledore!"
Ian almost instinctively deduced the newcomer's identity. In the histories he had studied, only the Dumbledore Family had ever gained the loyalty of a Phoenix.
Others might form a bond with a Phoenix, but in terms of true allegiance, only the Dumbledore Family had ever secured a Phoenix's devotion. This was a first-year exam question in History of Magic: Who says there's no human etiquette in the West? At Hogwarts, such social nuances definitely existed!
"Ah? You know me?" The man froze in obvious surprise at Ian's words. He wore slightly worn robes and looked somewhat disheveled, with several magical items hanging from his belt that seemed long unused.
He was, of course, a wizard.
However, his magical power was rather primitive.
There was a sense of latent, untapped energy… almost as if it were on the verge of forming a latent Obscurus.
"I don't know you, but I know the Phoenix on your shoulder. It will only ever be loyal to Dumbles House." Ian's gaze remained fixed on the Phoenix as he spoke.
"A Phoenix, huh…" The man seemed to have a sudden realization.
"Ah? You don't know?"
From the emotions radiating from him, Ian could sense something strange. This person genuinely didn't realize the creature accompanying him was a Phoenix.
Yet somehow, he still knew of the Phoenix's existence.
It was utterly unbelievable.
"I always thought it was just a turkey. It's been with me since I was a child. Whenever it got cold, it would sprout a little flame to keep me warm."
The man scratched his head awkwardly, looking rather shy.
"..."
Ian was speechless.
Even Merlin nearly couldn't keep a straight face.
Ian and Merlin exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions that were equal parts amusement and disbelief. Merlin couldn't help but marvel inwardly, 'how could anyone be so blind as to mistake a priceless Phoenix for a turkey?'
'Honestly, this guy's nerve was extraordinary! He actually used a Phoenix as a source of heat? If other wizards found out, they'd probably be furious enough to curse him dead'
"Goodness, if Phoenix enthusiasts knew this, they'd probably kick him out of Dumbledore Family, just like JK Rowling was expelled from her author's seat," Ian muttered silently to himself.
One had to admit: this ancestor of the Dumbledore Family was certainly unique.
To be honest, neither Ian nor Merlin had ever seen anyone treat a Phoenix as if it were a turkey. And yet, the Phoenix itself didn't seem particularly annoyed… truly a Phoenix with a remarkably good temperament. Merlin couldn't help but reflect as he studied the young man who commanded the Phoenix before him.
"Phoenix… quite interesting,"
Merlin said, a faint glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. He carefully examined the Phoenix perched on the young man's shoulder, then glanced at the young man himself, before finally turning to give Ian a knowing look, as if pondering something.
"I'm Leonard Dumbledore," The young man said, perhaps attempting to shift the topic and cover up the embarrassing mistake caused by his ignorance. He proactively introduced himself to the two of them.
Indeed, he was someone from the Dumbledore Family.
Perhaps even an ancestor of Albus?
Ian looked around at the surroundings. The tomb he had chosen was originally part of what would become Godric's Valley, so encountering someone from the Dumbledore Family long settled in the area wasn't entirely unexpected.
"Your house must have an outstanding bloodline," Merlin said after a nod. Compared to Ian's knowledge of the Dumbledore Family, this was his first time meeting someone capable of commanding a Phoenix.
And according to what the young wizard beside him had said, it seemed that descendants of the Dumbledore Family were all capable of commanding Phoenixes. This peculiar circumstance immediately captured Merlin's attention.
As a wizard living in the early Middle Ages, Merlin's access to information wasn't nearly as convenient as in later times. Phoenixes were incredibly rare and mysterious, and he himself had only ever seen a few.
In his mind, Phoenixes were proud and intelligent beings that rarely followed mortals willingly. Yet this Phoenix was so close to Leonard, which made Merlin wonder if it was related to the Dumbledore Family. Merlin was naturally intrigued by such a mysterious lineage.
"Uh… how should I put this--"
Leonard suddenly forced a bitter smile and showed a wry expression that anyone but Ian would wear. Sadness touched his face.
"The truth is, I don't know much about my own house," he admitted.
"All I know is that my parents were both wizards, but they have passed away. I've been seeking power… wanting to avenge them!" Leonard said, clenching his fists tightly as he spoke.
His magical power was becoming increasingly agitated.
The process of forming an Obscurus was accelerating.
"What happened to your parents?" Ian stepped forward, helping to calm Leonard's magic power, his voice gentle as he asked. He had to stand on his tiptoes just to reach the other's shoulder.
No surprise, Leonard was over six foot three, even by later standards, quite a rarity.
"I don't know," Leonard said, his tone filled with despondency. "All I know is that they were killed by a group of dark wizards. Perhaps it has something to do with a curse that has existed in our house for generations."
He glanced down at the Phoenix perched on his shoulder.
"It's been with me for fifteen years." Leonard's voice carried a stubborn tenderness. "The first time I saw it, I was only seven. My parents were burned alive by dark wizards in their bedroom. I crawled through the ruins for three days before I found this fire-emitting turkey… oh, right, by your definition, it should be called a Phoenix."
He corrected himself promptly.
"I am really sorry, Audrey. I didn't realize sooner that you were a Phoenix." Leonard spoke to his Phoenix with an apologetic tone.
"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have used you as a heater or a fire starter." He reflected on his past actions, though his Phoenix seemed entirely unconcerned.
The Phoenix simply nuzzled his neck affectionately.
One could only say…
This Phoenix was far more good-natured than Albus's. Ian listened, utterly dumbfounded; even someone like him couldn't imagine using a Phoenix as a kind of lighter! His legendary wisdom seemed only capable of turning the Phoenix into a personal heater… yet, seeing the Phoenix's gentle temperament, the young wizard had to admit that perhaps foolish people sometimes stumbled upon good fortune.
The bond between Leonard and his Phoenix was undeniably deep.
"Dang it!"
Perhaps because Ian had been staring at the Phoenix for quite some time, the Phoenix on Leonard's shoulder suddenly stirred, flapped its wings, and flew in front of Ian with a crisp, clear cry.
The Phoenix circled Ian several times, even pausing briefly atop his head before, at Ian's urging, returning to its master's shoulder.
It seemed to linger, savoring Ian's messy hair for a moment.
"…"
Ian was utterly speechless.
Merlin, however, glanced at him thoughtfully.
"Oh, I've never seen Audrey be so affectionate toward anyone other than me." Leonard was clearly surprised by his Phoenix's behavior.
"Maybe it's because he can also turn into a bird, so your Phoenix and him share a common language?" Merlin teased, earning a look of utter disbelief from Ian.
"That's just because I have a natural affinity!" Ian retorted.
"Hmm?"
Merlin raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Ian's hand. Well, from an ordinary person's perspective, Ian's hand seemed unremarkable…
(To Be Continued…)
You can read ahead up to 110 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395