The Thunderbird
written by Lizzie Scamander
One girl, one wish. To help an innocent animal survive the cruel Ministry's confirmation to kill it. Will she meet with failure... Or success?
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
5
Reads
852
The Spy
Chapter 3
The bird's wings beat in a steady rhythm as it crossed the dark sky. It shared physical similarities with an eagle, it seemed, but I somehow knew it was not an eagle, not by any corporeal formulation but by an invisible but recognizable, presumably mental feature around it. I observed its progress through the air and extended my hand, desperate to touch it, but I could not reach - I pushed my hand further, closer...
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Then I woke up. The early morning light filtered through a slight gap in the curtains and I exhaled sharply, feeling a little dizzy as I sat up and shook my head blearily. Then I yawned and permitted Charlotte onto my bed. She meowed hungrily, but I eyed her swollen stomach and shook my head. "It's not good to eat too much food when you're pregnant," I told her maternally.
Then I slipped out of bed, leaving Charlotte to nestle in my blankets. Pulling on my clothes and brushing my hair hastily as I prepared for work I considered my dream. It was growing fainter and fainter in my mind, though I desperately grappled at it - I remembered the bird falling, but it was too difficult to recall...
I tutted disapprovingly at my childish actions. Why was I so worried about a meaningless dream? But was it meaningless? I frowned as I picked up my bag and left my room. I was still puzzling when I ordered a brief breakfast from Tom and sat down absently at a table. I barely noticed someone join the table, in the seat opposite me, but when that person spoke I jerked into focus.
"Good morning," the man said smoothly. I scrutinized him curiously, though I was civil enough to reply.
"Good morning," I responded.
There was an awkward pause. The man noticed my bag and asked sleekly, "You work in the Ministry, then? Snatching a hasty breakfast before you're off to your department?"
I nodded slowly and mistrustfully. I didn't like the man, and Buddy in my bag was pushing against the fabric. Why was he so unsettled? Was it this stranger conversing with me that caused his unease? I pushed back my chair ever so slightly and considered leaving without my meal. The man was talking again.
"Have you heard about what's going on at the Ministry, with that Thunderbird affair?" He asked mildly. "It caused quite a bit of trouble. It will now be confiscated, as I presume you are aware of."
"Yes." I pushed back my chair. It was too much. Something was wrong. I stood up. "I better go, I'm running late. Good bye, sir." And I turned and left, Tom standing with a tray supporting my food nearby as he goggled with surprise at me. But I paid no attention, for I had just encountered a spy.
