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As Vison had anticipated, the Thunderbird quickly took a liking to the lightning-struck tree that had recently arrived. It didn't seem to feel any discomfort or unfamiliarity with Vison, almost as though it had known him for years, much like the Bowtruckles with their master. However, the Thunderbird still showed some wariness toward Lupin. Whenever Lupin came close, the Thunderbird would raise its feathers and eye him cautiously, making Lupin feel somewhat helpless.
The Thunderbird had also made a nest on the lightning-struck tree, and whenever it wished to play, the tree would summon small thunderstorms. The Thunderbird would then glide joyfully between the lightning bolts, its feathers crackling with the energy of the storm.
Vison watched the Thunderbird somersaulting in the air, its joy infectious, though he couldn't help but stroke his chin thoughtfully. While the storms were fun for the Thunderbird, they weren't as beneficial for the environment around them.
That afternoon, Vison's plantation was either windy, rainy, or stormy, creating a turbulent atmosphere. Luckily, Vison's plants and herbs were safely tucked away in greenhouses, immune to the wild weather outside.
After taking care of the Thunderbird's needs, Vison turned his attention to a new challenge: getting the Headmaster to allow him to showcase the Thunderbird to the students. After all, the Thunderbird was a protected species, certified by the Ministry of Magic as a "xxxxx" level magical creature. Although it was still young, the Thunderbird could pose some danger. How could he convince Dumbledore to let the students see it?
The next morning, inside the Headmaster's office, the atmosphere was calm and routine. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the table beside a plate of golden honey nougat. Dumbledore sat back, leisurely sorting through the letters that arrived daily from all over the world. As a world-renowned figure, Dumbledore received countless letters every day, though he only read and replied to the most important ones during the day, leaving the rest for later.
However, on this particular morning, something felt off. Dumbledore paused, his eyes scanning the large office, noting the absence of one particular presence.
"Fawkes?" he whispered, his voice filled with a slight concern. His gaze flicked to the empty perch where the phoenix usually rested. Oddly, Fawkes was nowhere in sight.
Dumbledore stood up, scanning the room once more, moving towards the window. "Fawkes doesn't like this kind of weather," he muttered, as a cold breeze mixed with a light drizzle hit his face. Just then, a flash of red caught his eye outside the window.
A relieved smile spread across Dumbledore's face as Fawkes appeared in the distance, its wings glowing in the misty rain.
As the phoenix landed gracefully on the windowsill, Dumbledore gently combed its feathers.
"Where have you been, Fawkes?" he asked playfully, his voice soft. "Did you go to play with a new friend? And you didn't mention it to me?" He continued, smiling warmly, "Who's this new friend of yours? A big white bird?"
His eyes narrowed as the form of a large white bird flew closer, and he gasped as the creature's identity became clear. It was a Thunderbird, its two sets of wings—one large and one small—making it unmistakable.
Dumbledore turned to Fawkes with a surprised glance. "You've made quite a friend, haven't you?"
An hour later, Vison entered Dumbledore's office, greeted by the sight of the Thunderbird perched beside Fawkes. Dumbledore was seated at his desk, reading through the letters once again.
The Thunderbird chirped softly in greeting as Vison approached, and Dumbledore smiled.
"Fawkes has generously shared its perch with its new friend," Dumbledore said warmly. "Please, have a seat, Professor Weasley. I'm sure you can answer a few of my questions."
Vison sat down opposite Dumbledore, and a fresh cup of coffee floated toward him from the side. Dumbledore carefully placed his letter down, his gaze shifting to the Thunderbird.
"This must be your Thunderbird, correct?" he asked gently.
Vison smiled. "It is," he said, pausing for a moment. "It hasn't been officially named yet."
Dumbledore nodded, looking thoughtful. "You should choose a name for it soon. For magical creatures like this, their name is a form of magic itself. It's a bond, and once they accept it, the connection between you and them deepens."
Vison blinked, slightly surprised. "A name is that important?"
Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon glasses and smiled kindly. "Yes. In many ways, a name is like a spell—just like with wizards. Some names hold power, as you may know."
Vison immediately thought of Voldemort, whose name had been made into a taboo for fear that speaking it would draw his attention.
"I see," Vison said, nodding. "I'll think carefully about the Thunderbird's name."
Dumbledore's expression softened. "Good. Names are important, after all."
Vison looked at the Thunderbird again, feeling a sense of connection building between them.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "Now, Vison, let's set aside the name for a moment. What I want to know is where you found this Thunderbird. You do realize Thunderbirds aren't native to Europe, correct?"
Vison nodded. "Yes, Thunderbirds are rare anywhere. A friend of mine has recently made some significant breakthroughs in raising them," he explained. "And that's how I came to have this one."
Dumbledore seemed to pause, as though recalling something. "Ah, yes. I remember reading your thesis—'The Possibility of Artificially Raising Thunderbirds.' It was quite an impressive piece of work."
Vison blinked, surprised. "You've read it?"
Dumbledore winked. "Of course. One should never stop learning, my young friend. I believe you once told me that when you graduated."
Vison chuckled nervously. It felt a little awkward, remembering how he had said that to Dumbledore, the legendary wizard, during his graduation speech. Now it seemed a bit embarrassing.
"Yes, I suppose I did," Vison said, scratching his head sheepishly.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at him. "That's right. And now you've proved your point with this Thunderbird."
Vison sat back, feeling a little more at ease. He knew he had to figure out how to best approach the Headmaster about presenting the Thunderbird to the students, but for now, he was content to let the conversation flow.
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