THE POLYJUICE POTION
pet bird to die while he was alone in the office with it , when the bird burst into flames .
Harry yelled in shock and backed away into the desk . He looked feverishly around in case there was a glass of water somewhere but couldn ’ t see one ; the bird , meanwhile , had become a fireball ; it gave one loud shriek and next second there was nothing but a smoldering pile of ash on the floor .
The office door opened . Dumbledore came in , looking very somber .
“ Professor ,” Harry gasped . “ Your bird — I couldn ’ t do anything — he just caught fire —” To Harry ’ s astonishment , Dumbledore smiled . “ About time , too ,” he said . “ He ’ s been looking dreadful for days ;
I ’ ve been telling him to get a move on .” He chuckled at the stunned look on Harry ’ s face . “ Fawkes is a phoenix , Harry . Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes . Watch him . . .”
Harry looked down in time to see a tiny , wrinkled , newborn bird poke its head out of the ashes . It was quite as ugly as the old one .
“ It ’ s a shame you had to see him on a Burning Day ,” said Dumbledore , seating himself behind his desk . “ He ’ s really very handsome most of the time , wonderful red and gold plumage . Fascinating creatures , phoenixes . They can carry immensely heavy loads , their tears have healing powers , and they make highly faithful pets .”
In the shock of Fawkes catching fire , Harry had forgotten what he was there for , but it all came back to him as Dumbledore settled
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