"A what?" I asked. Between my parents, the twins, and the fact that I'm apparently not completely human, this conversation seems to be taking a turn for the worst.

"A Phoenix. Every Phoenix has a human form, which usually they stay in. Since you've reached your breaking point it'll be easier for you to transform." Dumbledore finished, taking off the glasses from his nose.

I watched as he sat them on the table, my head clouded in thought. "I, I think I should go and think." I said suddenly. I used the desk to push my chair back and I got up from the seating arrangement.

I pushed the chair in and walked quickly out of the room.

I sat in the corner of the library, watching observantly as students weaves through the bookshelves. I sat in a chair, following the figures of different people walk, talk, and laugh.

I was still comprehending everything. It would probably be a while before I could wrap my head around everything. I was so lost in my mind I didn't even realize it when Nicholas sat in the chair next to me.

"Hey." Is what he chose to say. I looked at him as he got comfortable in the chair. His face wasn't readable, as usual, but his eyes were full of sadness, perhaps.

"Nicholas, hey." I smiled lightly. He examined me slowly, carefully, taking in my every moment, my every feature.

"How are you doing?" He asked, routing his words carefully. How could I answer that? Am I supposed to answer his question honestly?

"I..." I started, furrowing my brows together. I dropped my gaze from his, staring at the floor. "I'm surviving. For now." I replied steadily. He touched my hand, which was resting on the arm rest. His fingers binded through mine.

I kept looking at the floor, though I allowed my fingers to lace with his. At least I had Nicholas. At this rate I don't even think Cho or Kiara will want anything to do with me. Not after all of this.

I let out a long sigh and turned toward Nicholas, who was staring right at my eyes when my head looked toward his. "A Phoenix. Out of all things..." I let out a laugh. Even I couldn't begin to believe it, and on top of that, my parents have lied to me my entire life.

"It's terrifying to think how furious you must've been at Zachary." He said softly. I could not even begin to put my emotions into words. That's the angriest I've probably ever been in my life.

"I was at an anger level above fury." I added. He chuckled with amusement- oddly enough. I tilted my head slightly. "You should smile more." I said soundly.

"I'll smile more when you can fly," Nicholas cocked his head sarcastically. "Oh wait." He added with a deviant smirk. Obviously, I can fly... Well, I will be able to... Eventually.

"You'll never stop talking about this, will you?" I asked. He shook his head to the side. Of course he would never live this down. In a way, it is sort of funny.

"Nope. Never. You're a bird." He laughed. I pinched his hand and removed my fingers from his grasp. He's so incredibly annoying at times.

He grabbed my hand again, despite the fact that I had pulled my hand away. He brought my hand to his lips, and placed a soft kiss on the back of my palm. Though he may be annoying, he sure also knows how to win me over again.

"Are you going to keep dragging this on, or are you going to ask me out already?" I said out of the blue. I was thinking it, without any intention of saying it, so when I did, panic filled me from head to toe.

Of course, Nicholas is one of the most noncommittal people I've known. Being anything more than a friend with him could mean ruining our friendship- which I don't want.

"Fine then. Anastasia, would you like to go to a party with me tonight?" He asked slyly. I narrowed my eyes at him and thought for a moment, even though I already knew my answer.

"Yes, I would love to." I answered with a grin. Our first official date, or perhaps its more of a... hangout, since we aren't exactly dating... Yet.

"Great." He grinned. "Meet me in the Slytherin common room at eight." He said evenly. I nodded with amusement and got up from the chair. Since it was already nearly six I'd have to get ready fast.

I walked out of the library and toward the common room. It would be an interesting night for sure.

I slipped out of my clothes into a dark red knee-length dress with spaghetti straps. It seems to hug my every curve, so it seemed fitting for a school night party.

I pulled back my hair and tied a black chocker with a bow on it around my neck. If i'm being honest, I don't feel like wearing sweaters and jeans anymore, I feel like dressing more... Wildly.

And plus making an appearance like this will upset the girls, which I want, have the boys drooling, which I also want, and have Nicholas all over me... Which I really want.

I smiled at my appearance when I looked in the mirror, which is definitely not something I usually do. Usually I'm disheartened when I see myself i. the mirror, but in that moment I felt glorious.

The halls were silent and empty as I walked. I turned all the corners and continued down the route to the Slytherin common room.

Upon my last corner I began seeing students trail in. Most of the guys were wearing suit jackets and dress pants, some of them didn't even have a shirt underneath the suit jacket.

Most of the girls were wearing dresses, but some of them were wearing short shirts and even shorter skirts, which you'd think is practically impossible.

I made my way to the door and nodded to the person who was letting people through. I recognized him from my Transfiguration class— Jonathan. He's alright, but quiet for the most part.

He moved aside and allows me to walk in. The moment I made it through the threshold, the sound mumbling spell immediately wore off. The music was so loud I nearly lost my balance.

There were lights flashing between green, white, and dark red. The music was insanely loud. And it seemed every square inch of space had another person in it.

The amount of people that fit into that room shouldn't be true. I weaved through the crowd toward the back of the room, where I knew Nicholas would likely be.

My eyes met his, and I let out a sigh of relief. He looked me up and down with a side smirk. "You look... Like a beautiful, yet seductive being." Nicholas said as he approached me.

I laughed. "That's exactly what I was going for." I replied with a quick glance at his outfit. He was wearing black dress pants, black leather shoes, and a white button up shirt, which was almost completely unbuttoned.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I said sarcastically. He grabbed my hand in his and led me toward the dance floor, where students were basically against one another every way I turned.

The song "The Night is Still Young" began playing over the speakers. It's one of my favorite party songs of all time.

I stood in front of Nicholas, and we danced until we were gasping for breath. The lights flashed as the beat of the music moved every body on the makeshift dance floor.

After a few songs Nicholas and I made our way off the dance floor. We were so out of breath we couldn't even manage to produce full sentences.

"You're a terrible dancer." He said, taking a breath after every word. I slapped him on the arm. He's terrible at being nice, even when he tries to be.

"At least I can stay on beat. I can't say the same for you." I replied with an eye roll. He chuckled, knowing he'd gotten under my skin. But at this point I'm used to that from him.

We went over to a table that had drinks on it. Refreshments, finally. I picked up a red solo cup with white liquid and threw my head back. I took the liquid down before Nicholas even got a cup.

"Slow down, party animal." He said, taking a sip of his drink. I sighed and sat the empty cup of mine down. I tensed up as a group of three people came closer; two guys and a girl.

The guy with black hair wasn't even wearing a shirt, only dress pants and a belt. I almost gagged. The other guy, brunette, was wearing a completely unbuttoned white shirt and black dress pants.

The girl, blonde, I immediately recognized. She was the girl who's wrist I almost broke. I stared at her as she walked up. The girl wore a skin-tight black dress which hung off her shoulders. I must admit she didn't look too bad.

"Well well well, look what the cat dragged in..." She said boredly. The guys crossed their arms and glanced from me to Nicholas. Nicholas moved closer to me, staring them down.

"A bird." She finished with a sly laugh. Very funny. These bird jokes are already getting old. I cocked my head sarcastically to the side, squinting my eyes at her.

"I don't suppose I should break your wrist this time, or should I?" I asked, pondering. Nicholas lightly grabbed my upper arm. I knew he didn't want any drama, but I'm so incredibly over this.

"I'd like to see you try." The girl replied, crossing her arms over her chest. I let out a heavy sigh, biting the inside of my cheeks. I really didn't want to waste my time on her, not when Nicholas has invited me here, free of drama.

"Let's go. Don't let that girl ruin your night." Nicholas whispered into my ear. I nodded. He was right. I shouldn't let some girl ruin my evening. I followed behind him, back toward the dance floor.

I was almost- so incredibly close- out of earshot, but not close enough. "Look, one of her Riddle boys is making room in his bed." She said with a giggle.

That was enough to enrage me. I broke my arm free from Nichols' grasp and walked back over to the girl. This time I had no intention of being nice.