Speaking of the Phoenix…

Speaking to the role of Fawkes in the Deathly Hallows, here are are some thoughts.

Fawkes was/is Dumbledore’s pet. But he seems to have been a great deal more than that. He is a powerfully magical creature. He responds immediately when Harry affirms his loyalty to Dumbledore – he saves Harry’s life in CoS and heals his wound. His avatar (for lack of a better term) emerges when the two wands made of his feathers are forced to battle. His song is spiritually uplifting. He seems to be a link to the world of spirits.

In some ways, he seems to act as Dumbledore’s familiar, a spirit which does his bidding (like Ariel and Prospero in The Tempest).

We are told he leaves Hogwarts forever when Dumbledore dies.

I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him. I can envisage several possible roles for Fawkes in the Deathly Hallows.

He could be Harry’s link to Dumbledore, either spiritually or practically. He has fulfilled both roles before.

He could also be Harry’s spirit guide in a place where Harry would need that kind of guidance – beyond the veil.

At another thread, I have conjectured that in order to destroy Voldemort Harry would have to transcend or embrace death. He could do this by walking fearlessly into death through the veil in the Death Chamber at the Ministry would be one such portal. S_B brought up the point that as far as we know, it is impossible to come back from death – certainly it seems unlikely that Sirius Black will come back.

But if Fawkes is a connection between the two worlds, if he is both bird and spiritbird, then he might be able to guide Harry back out, after he has accomplished his task. Fulfilling his promise as the symbolf of resurrection and rebirth.