Thrilled about the success of her first meeting with Blaze, Anna left the Common Room and headed back down to the Magical Creatures Nursery. Yesterday, she'd accomplished her first goal---to meet Blaze and let the bird know that she only wanted friendship, and that she wouldn't harm him. Blaze had warmed up to her right away! Anna supposed a lot of that had to do with the fact that she spoke so softly to the bird and held her hand out slowly to help show that she only intended to pet the bird. This first step was important to Anna, because she felt that nothing else would truly be accomplished if Blaze either didn't like her or felt uncomfortable around her. Anna was here to nurture Blaze and to make sure she had the best life possible!

Blaze was an absolutely beautiful bird, too! Although he'd been inside a cage, Anna could still see his gorgeous, crimson feathers and his long, golden tail. Blaze was a true Gryffindor bird, and of course that made Anna happy! She had a feeling that she'd be happy with Blaze no matter what color he was, though! Anna remembered how soft those crimson feathers had been once she'd closed her hand in one them and pet Blaze for a few minutes. She'd also been careful not to touch that long, golden tail, because she knew just from reading about the birds, that there tails were extremely hot. Anna couldn't wait to see Blaze again and touch those pretty, soft feathers!

As she entered the nursery, Anna went straight for Blaze's cage. She'd found it easily the day before, so today would be a piece of cake. Anna approached the cage with a smile, and leaned down to tell Blaze hello. "Good morning, boy. I hope you're ready to get out of that cage for a while, because that's what I've come to do," she said, reaching her hand out to pet her little bird. Blaze didn't even hesitate upon seeing her hand, though. As a matter of fact, the little bird leaned its head down and met her hand halfway. Anna stroked the bird's feathers for a minute and then withdrew her hand. "Okay, time to get out of here for a while. You just come back to me now, you hear? I have some treats for you!" she said. Anna reached down and unlatched the cage, expecting Blaze to step out slowly, tell her goodbye, and then take off in flight.

It didn't quite happen that way, though. What Anna forgot is that these birds usually disappear so quickly that all that's seen is a flash of fire. As soon as the click of the latch opening was head and the cage door was open, a few sparks flickered right in front of Anna's face. Blaze was gone. Well, he wasn't truly gone. He'd taken off into the skies to spread his beautiful wings for a while. That was perfectly fine with Anna. She knew he'd been anxious to get out of that cage for quite some time. Anna sighed softly and then took a seat on the ground next to the cage. She'd have the treats and food for Blaze ready to go as soon as her bird returned.