The morning after the Quidditch match, the Great Hall was filled with lively chatter and clinking plates. Students laughed over the weekend's match highlights, still buzzing about Hufflepuff's unexpected victory. At the Hufflepuff table, Roy sat with Hermione, Daphne, Cassandra, and Penelope Clearwater, smiling quietly as they chatted between bites of toast.
Then came the familiar flutter of wings.
Owls of every color swept through the enchanted ceiling, swooping between the floating candles and scattering feathers as they dropped letters, packages, and the latest Wizarding Weekly to eager students.
But midway through the usual chaos, the air suddenly shifted.
Every owl froze mid-flight. The chatter died. The candles flickered as a cool blue glow filled the hall.
A magnificent bird of crystalline feathers glided through the air—its plumage shimmering in shades of sapphire and frost, its wings trailing faint mist like ribbons of ice. The creature's cry was soft, melodic, and chillingly beautiful.
Students gasped."Is that a phoenix?" someone whispered."No—it's too blue!""It's… beautiful…"
The bird, glowing like winter's spirit itself, circled once over the tables before gracefully landing beside Roy.
"Articuno," Roy said softly, smiling as he stroked her shimmering feathers. "You've grown even more beautiful."
The legendary Ice Bird cooed warmly, nuzzling his hand before offering a small bundle of letters. Roy took them—each sealed with a golden crest shaped like a winged "V."
"Letters from home," he murmured. He recognized the familiar handwriting—Darius Valvas, his grandfather; Alex and Clara, his parents; and Jessica, his mother.
Articuno chirped softly, and Roy fed her a treat from his pocket—an enchanted ice berry he'd prepared just for her.
Across the table, Hermione's eyes widened. "Wait—that's the same bird who delivered my letter before term started! I remember that shimmer—she was breathtaking even then!"
Daphne, Cassandra, and Penelope leaned closer, completely entranced.
"She's… unlike anything I've seen before," Penelope whispered. "What is she, Roy?"
Roy smiled faintly, glancing at the shimmering creature beside him. "Her name is Articuno. She's an Ice-type bird—a guardian from the frozen realms."
For a heartbeat, the entire Great Hall fell silent. Even the portraits seemed to lean closer, their painted eyes widening.
"Did he say Articuno?" a Ravenclaw student whispered."That's—impossible! She's a myth!""No wonder the owls stopped…"
The murmurs rippled like a storm through the students, but Roy calmly continued petting Articuno, her feathers glittering with frost.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron's face twisted with jealousy. "Of course, he has the rarest, most beautiful bird in existence," he muttered. "Next he'll be riding dragons to class."Harry chuckled softly. "You've got to admit, Ron… it is amazing."
Then—whoosh!
Flames burst from the air above the staff table as a majestic phoenix appeared, its golden-red feathers glowing with warmth. The heat rolled through the hall like sunlight in midwinter.
And standing beside it, still in his pajamas and nightcap, was none other than Professor Dumbledore himself.
A wave of laughter erupted across every table. Even the Slytherins couldn't hold back a few snickers.
"Ah," Dumbledore said with perfect calm, tugging at his striped slippers. "It appears Fawkes was quite insistent I meet our new guest."
Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, trilled a melodic greeting before flying gracefully toward Articuno. The two magnificent birds circled one another, exchanging songs that resonated through the hall—fire and ice, blending in a hauntingly beautiful harmony.
After a moment, Fawkes landed beside Articuno, his voice soft and musical. Roy tilted his head slightly, listening.
To everyone's shock, Roy understood them.
Fawkes's melodic chirps formed words in the ancient Phoenix tongue—"May I play with your bonded one, young master?"
Roy smiled. "Of course," he said aloud, bowing slightly to the fiery bird. Then, in a soft tone, he added, "Go on, Articuno. Enjoy yourself."
Articuno let out a gentle cry of joy, touching her beak to Fawkes's crest in friendship before the two birds soared upward, spiraling around the enchanted ceiling like twin comets—one of fire, one of ice—before vanishing in a burst of golden and blue light.
The hall burst into applause.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, eyes twinkling as he turned to Roy. "Mr. Valvas, I must say, that is quite the companion you have. I daresay Fawkes has never been so eager to make a friend."
Roy smiled humbly. "Articuno is special, sir. I'm honored she chose to stay by my side."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. A bird of legend and a young man of mystery—what a pairing. When you have a moment, do drop by my office, Mr. Valvas. I would enjoy a chat… and perhaps share a few tips on caring for a phoenix. Fawkes would be delighted."
"I'd like that, Professor," Roy replied with a respectful nod.
With a faint smile and a twirl of his robe (and pajama hem), Dumbledore returned to the staff table, while the whispers continued to ripple across the Great Hall.
That morning, every student in Hogwarts agreed on one thing—Roy Valvas wasn't just extraordinary anymore. He was legendary.