Harry woke feeling sick to his stomach-his scar hurt! He had to tell Dumbledore! Then he remembered what had happened…Fawkes, the cardinal, Professor Gingle. He rolled over, thinking to himself…what had happened?

"Hello Harry," Dumbledore was sitting next to him. Harry felt a million questions exploding in his head at once.

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said breathlessly. "I-I don't understand."

"You've only been in the hospital wing the night. Everything's all right-I can explain everything that
happened now."

Harry nodded.

"Since the beginning we knew that Voldemort would be taking something from the school. Professor Snape went undercover with the Death Eaters-that's why he was absent. He reported back that Voldemort was going to steal Fawkes."

"Fawkes? But I thought-"

"I forgot you were present at that meeting on Christmas. No, Voldemort wasn't trying to kidnap you. It was Fawkes that he wanted."

Harry was baffled. "But why?"

Dumbledore took in a deep breath, "It is difficult to explain. Phoenixes' possess very magical qualities of their own. They can heal wounds,carry large loads, but most importantly their song gives courage to the pure of heart. It is our side's greatest weapon, Fawkes; he can instill fear in the Death Eaters and give ourselves the greatest of bravery. I think that was why Voldemort wanted him; to kill him and take away one of our most powerful weapons."

Harry felt breathless. That was why Professor Gingle was carrying Fawkes....

"Voldemort had no one that he could plant inside the castle to take Fawkes. Instead he put Professor Gingle under the Imperius Curse."

"Voldemort did?"

"No," Dumbledore said slowly. "One of Dumbledore's supporters. His name was Didibus Rexby."

"He's dead!" Harry said.

"Oh no, not at all. That's only what Voldemort wanted you to think. He set the Dark Mark up over Rexby's house and had Rexby hide under cover. After all, once of his followers faked his death once, another one could do it."

"What?"

"Rexby's very much alive. He was the one who set the Dark Mark off at Halloween, probably lurking around the castle, bored until he could make his move, his idea of...fun. Yes, he's alive but he'll be going to Azkaban soon if I'm not much mistaken."

"But how could he…I mean, control Professor Gingle?"

"Rexby was an unregistered Animagus. He could change into a cardinal at will. Unless I'm very wrong, I believe that Rexby has been hovering around the castle, giving Gingle orders, ever since January. You saw him up in the rafters last night."

"I-I thought it was my mum," Harry said in a small voice.

"Yes," Dumbledore closed his eyes and took off his glasses. "Lily's nickname at school was Cardinal. But she's dead Harry, you cannot dwell in the past. You're mother is very much alive in you. See, you have her eyes."

Harry blinked away a few tears while Dumbledore cleaned his glasses with his sleeve.

"Phoenixes are born from their ashes," Dumbledore finally said. "They reflect life. For you see, in life, good comes from all evil. From the ashes, a new, greater thing shall rise; it is a natural order. It's been proven Harry-the night your parents died, the Dark Lord fell. This is something more magic than anything you will learn here, it is something the greatest wizards cannot grasp, it is the order of the phoenix."

Harry closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Is Gingle…is he all right?" Harry finally said.

"Professor Gingle is fine, though somewhat shaken. I doubt after this incident he will come back and teach."

"Right." Harry closed his eyes once again.

"I'm sure later this afternoon Madam Pomfrey will allow you out of bed, I'll be needing to address the students sometime tomorrow."

Harry massaged his still dully throbbing scar. That's why it didn't hurt in July-Rexby hadn't died at all. And Cardinal… he remembered what Dumbledore had said, "Your mother is very much alive in you. See, you have her eyes."