Fawkes and the basilisk

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 81265

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Potterfanme" <fc26det at a...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tuck668" <tuck668 at y...> 
wrote:
> > 
> > <snip>
> > > More likely, I suspect, phoenixes don't die easily. That makes
> > > sense, given their other powers. Fawkes could be immune to
> > > petrification, and most other lethal magics. If he is killed 
then
> > > setting the corpse on fire may well bring him back to life.
> > > 
> > > --
> > > Robert
> 
> 
>  
> > Can a phoenix die?
> > 
> > -Anna
> 

Geoff:
Since normally when a phoenix comes to the end of its life span, it 
spontaneously combusts and is reborn from the ashes. However, what 
happens if a phoenix is killed in an accident or something of tht 
nature? This made me think of Tolkien's elves who are immortal and do 
not suffer diseases; it is only if they are killed in, say, battle 
that they lose their immortality.


 
> Susan:
> 
> I wondered if the phoenix being a bird was like a rooster whose 
sound 
> is fatal to a basilisk?  I say *like* because Fawkes was singing 
the 
> moment he entered the chamber and that is not what killed the 
> basilisk.  I think maybe it mesmerized him?

Yes but would a mesmerised basilisk close its eyes? Also, quoting 
from canon:

"As Harry trembled, ready to to close his eyes if it turned, he saw 
what had distracted the snake. Fawkes was soaring around its head and 
the Basilisk was snapping furiously at him with fangs long and thin 
as sabres." (COS UK edition pp.234-5). 

Doesn't sound very mesmerised.

This is becoming an intriguing discussion.