CHAPTER THREE
MALFOY AND FAWKES
''Mornin' professor Potter. Hermione, Ginny, Ron how nice ter see you three. OK everyone gather around. So today we are gonna learn about phoenixes. Open yer books at page 25 at read about phoenixes. Today we'r gonna have a quiz. So try and remember as much as yer can.''
Harry started to read an article.
Fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads. Their tears have healing powers. The Phoenix is a large swan-sized scarlet bird with red and gold plumage, along with a golden beak and talons, black eyes, and a tail as long as a peacock. Its scarlet feathers glow faintly in darkness, while its golden tail feathers are hot to the touch. Phoenixes are known for nesting on mountain peaks. They are gentle herbivores and are not known for fighting. As Phoenixes approach their burning day they resemble a half-plucked turkey. Also, their eyes become dull, their feathers start to fall out, and it begins to make gagging noises. Then the bird suddenly bursts into flames only to rise from the ashes shortly after. In a number of days, they grow back to full size. Phoenixes are very difficult to domesticate, as Newton Scamander says in his book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: "The phoenix gains a XXXX rating not because it is aggressive, but because very few wizards have ever succeeded in domesticating it". There are two known domesticated Phoenixes, one Albus Dumbledore's pet Phoenix Fawkes, and the other Sparky the team mascot for the New Zealand Quidditch team the Moutohora Macaws. Phoenixes that have been domesticated are extremely loyal magical familiars to their owners, and would depart to find their own paths if their owners die, rather than finding a new master. The most startling of the Phoenixes abilities is its ability to regenerate itself. It periodically bursts into flames when its body becomes old, and rises from the ashes as a new-born chick. This event is called "Burning Day", and gives these birds a great life-span, to the point of virtual immortality, as well as the ability to take the full force of a Killing Curse and still be reborn. Phoenixes are immune to the gaze of a Basilisk.
The Phoenix can also disappear and re-appear at will in bursts of flames, similar to Apparition, and boasts magical tears and song. The tears have potent healing capabilities. For instance, Phoenix tears are the only known antidote of basilisk venom. The tears are also able to bring a person back even from the brink of death, while the phoenix song will increase the courage of the good and strike fear into the hearts of the evil. Phoenixes are capable of lifting a great weight with their tails, such as being able to effortlessly fly up a distance with three people holding on to its tail. They can also leave messages by bursting into flame to re-appear elsewhere and leaving behind a single golden tail-feather.
Harry looked up and saw that Hermione was the only one still reading. -''OK. Did everyone read it?'' Hermione looked up. ''Make groups of four people. Fer example Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron. Or Seamus, Lavender, Parvati and Neville. Make the groups, hurry.'' Harry knew there are going to win because of Hermione and Ginny. Hermione looked nervous as though she doesn't know anything. He saw Malfoy with Pansy, Zabini and Goyle.
''Let's start.
What is the rating of the phoenix?''
Before Hagrid even asked the question Hermione's hand was in the air.
-''Let's see, Hermione.''
-''I believe the answer is XXXX.''
-''Well done, Hermione. One point to your group.''
-''Ter what is Phoenix immune and ter what are his tears the only known antidote?'' This time Harry knew it too. Hermione and Ginny were the only one besides Harry to raise their hands.
-''Go on, Harry.''
-''Phoenix is immune to gaze of Basilisk and it's tears are the only known antidote for Basilisk's venom.''
-''One point to your group, Harry.''
-''What will happen when a Phoenix starts singing?'' Few people raised their hands among which were also Ron and Neville.
-''Neville?''
-''It was increase the courage for the people who are good at heart.''
-''That's only half of the answer, Neville. But I'll give you one point also fer your group. Ron, you tell us the other part.''
-''And it will strike fear in those who are mean at heart.''
-''Good, Ron, good. One point.''
-''And a last question. How many people can Phoenix carry?''
Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron raised their hands.
-''Ginny, why don't you tell us?''
-''Phoenix can carry four people.''
-''I'm sorry, Ginny, but that is not correct.''
-''Hagrid, it is!'' Harry said. Hermione was confused. So was Hagrid.
-''Harry, the book says three people not four.''
-''Hagrid, how than would Fawkes get me, Harry, Ginny and Lockhart out of the chamber in our second year.'' Ron said
-''Well yeah, he did get you out of there. It seems like Ginny is right. One more point for you and that's 4 points. Neville's group has 1 point and the other need to wake up. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione it's 10 points for Gryffindor apiece. Well done. Now let me introduce you to … Fawkes.''
Harry, Ron and Hermione were shocked. They thought that Fawkes left Hogwarts after Dumbledore's funeral. Apparently he didn't or he returned back.
-''Fawkes is a phoenix. He was Dumbledore's until he died. He returned to forest as free phoenix and now he is back at Hogwarts and he'll stay here.'' Hagrid said.
-''Hello, Fawkes. Welcome back.'' Harry went towards Fawkes. Fawkes started to sing his song. It was beautiful. Pansy, Zabini and Golye were so scared ran away. Malfoy was the only one to stay. He was confused. He stood there for few seconds and then ran after Pansy. Malfoy wasn't evil, at least not at heart. Class was over. There was lunch then Charms with Ravenclaw. Next Saturday was Quidditch match: Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff. Harry set a training at 6 p.m. They couldn't wait for it.