Malfoy Manor.
In the white attic, Shawn stood quietly before the window, looking at the scenery below. He murmured self-mockingly.
"Now that I've taken this path, what warmth was I still hoping for?"
Just then.
"Kree!"
A ringing bird cry sounded in the study. Purple light surged, crackling in sudden flashes, and Purple Shadow emerged with wings spread, trailing beautiful, long tail feathers.
Seeing the loneliness in Shawn's eyes as he turned, Purple Shadow fluttered its wings and instantly appeared on his shoulder, rubbing its head against his cheek and cooing softly.
Shawn could now roughly understand what Purple Shadow meant: Don't be sad. I won't go out to play anymore. I'll stay with you.
The faint crease between Shawn's brows instantly smoothed away. He reached up and gently stroked Purple Shadow's crest.
"That's right. I still have you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fawkes flew out of a burst of flame, having followed the fluctuations from Purple Shadow's teleportation.
"Kree!"
His brilliant red form circled the study as he kept calling to Purple Shadow, clearly urging it to come out and keep playing.
On Shawn's shoulder, displeasure flashed in Purple Shadow's previously gentle eyes, and it let out a ringing cry that sounded something like "Get lost."
Then it opened its beak and shot a bolt of lightning at Fawkes in midair.
As though well practiced at this, Fawkes vanished in a flash and dodged it.
A moment later, Fawkes appeared on the bird perch on the desk. He tilted his head at Purple Shadow, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, and hurriedly chirped an explanation.
"Kree! Kree! Kree!"
Purple Shadow's dark purple eyes darted about. Tilting its head, it cooed a few times into Shawn's ear as he watched the spectacle with amusement.
Shawn understood.
It