Early that morning, Jerry had barely gotten out of bed when Dumbledore summoned him to the Headmaster's Office. Fawkes was finally about to be reborn!
As soon as he entered the Headmaster's Office, Jerry fixed his eyes on the aged, decrepit Fawkes standing on a tall, gilded perch.
He had long since lost his former splendor. His eyes were dull, and every so often, a few feathers fell from his body. He looked just like a turkey with half its feathers plucked out.
Before long, a crackling sound rang out, and the bird suddenly burst into flames. Fawkes gave a single agonized cry, then vanished before their eyes, turning into ashes that fell onto the office floor, still smoldering.
"Finally, he's being reborn. Phoenixes really are amazing!" Jerry crouched down and marveled at the ashes before him.
"It was about time," Dumbledore said. "Fawkes took longer to reach his Burning Day this time than on previous occasions!"
As they spoke, a tiny, wrinkled chick poked his head out of the ashes.
"Is this a phoenix? He looks so... distinctive!" Looking at the ugly chick, Jerry reached out and gently poked his tiny body.
As though he understood what Jerry meant, Fawkes pecked his hand hard.
"This little fellow can understand me!" Jerry exclaimed in surprise, looking at the white mark Fawkes had left on his finger. "And he's stronger than I expected!"
"Fawkes has merely been reborn! Don't treat him like a little fellow who knows nothing!" Dumbledore shook his head with a smile.
"All right, all right! You're tiny and very cute! Happy now?" Jerry held his thumb and forefinger a little distance apart.
"Fawkes will soon grow back to his full size and recover. Jerry, what are your plans?"
"Let's deal with the basilisk first!" Jerry shook his