Where's Aberforth? And what about Fawkes?

[Gaurav Vaidya]

No: HPFGUIDX 69133

Just want to raise some questions about the two most interesting,
least appreciated characters in HP-lore ...

Aberforth was around in the first Order of the Phoenix (he's in
Moody's picture), so where is he now? How come we haven't heard
anything about him? I liked the idea suggested earlier that maybe he's
the reason behind Dumbledore's "There are things worse than death"
line at the climax of OOP ... 

What's the deal with Fawkes? He isn't linked with the Headmaster of
Hogwarts (he wasn't in the office just fifty-odd years ago, in
Riddle's memory of the Headmaster's Office), so we can guess he
"belongs" to Dumbledore. But the relationship between them is closer
than just that - "true faith" in Dumbledore summons Fawkes to you.
Why? Why is a Very Powerful Practically Immortal Magical Creature
summoned to you when you have faith in a Very Strong Distinctly Mortal
Somewhat Old Man? I can hardly imagine Albus as the kind of man who
would somehow imprison or bind an otherwise free bird to him. Since he
gave the feather which went into Riddle's wand, Fawkes is also one of
only two people who we *know* predates Voldemort - the only other
person being his Transfiguration teacher, Albus Dumbledore.

I mention these two together 'cos I've had a Horribly Silly Idea -
what if Aberforth is an Animagus? Of course, we'd have to explain his
appearance in the original Order - since we know that Fawkes existed
55+ years back, when Riddle got his wand. But it would explain the
close connection between the two.

Would really like this bit cleared up, though - does anyone have a
non-H.S Idea?

cheers,
Gaurav (who things Fawkes is So Cute!)