Fawkes: Phoenix, familiar... or maybe something more

[Becca]

This theory may have been discussed and dismissed in the past, but I'm new here so I don't know. Fawkes is one of the more mysterious characters in the Harry Potter series. He's always there when Harry needs him. The simple answer is, of course, that he is Dumbledore's familiar and protects Dumbledore's loyal followers. But suppose there is more to it than that: what if Fawkes is actually a wizard.... and not just any wizard, Godric Gryffindor himself. I know it is a bit far-fetched, but who's to say that the greatest wizard of all time couldn't be immortal? If Godric was an Animagi with the form of a phoenix, then he could conceivably live forever in that form, dying and being reborn over and over. There are little clues that suggest this:

1. Most obviously, his colors. Red and gold, the traditional colors of Gryffindor house.

2. He was the one who brought Harry the Sorting Hat and the sword in CoS... Godric's hat (see the Sorting Hat song in GoF) and Godric's sword.

It is sort of out there, but in a way it makes sense. Let me know what you think.

[Alice I]

That is an interesting theory.
I like the parallels to Gryffindor and in a way it does kind of make sense.

I do not think that Fawkes IS Godrick Gryffindor but there may be some connection that we do not yet see.
Hmmm.

*Walks off to think about this interesting theory*

[Athena Appleton]

Welcome to Broomsticks and Owls, Becca!

I'm kinda with Alice on this one. I have my doubts as to whether or not Godric Gryffindor is Fawkes. I always kind of assumed that Gryffindor would have had the same kind of attitude towards death that Dumbledore has, and since the only wizard we know of who is obsessed with becoming immortal is Voldy, I wouldn't think Gryffindor would be.

But I guess my main problem with this theory is that I don't really think people can be animagi and turn into magical creatures. I mean, I suppose they could, but so far I don't think there's been any evidence that people can become phoenixes, or kneazles, or nifflers... Phoenixes, with their strong magical powers, seem like something that you couldn't just turn into...

I do think there are some very definate similarities, but I chalk that up to Phoenix being Dumbledore's familiar and Dumbledore and Gryffindor being similar. I feel certain that Dumbledore's Patronus is a phoenix (in GoF), but I just don't see Gryffindor having lived so long and being a phoenix animagi...

it'll be interesting to see where Rowling is taking all these similarities, though

[Groo]

hello Becca

you have proposed a very very interesting theory. it would be quite sensational if it is true

i agree with all of your points but i dont think the conclusion is that Fawkes is Gryffindor. also it is possible that a great wizard like Gryffindor could have mastered magic enough to become a phoenix, and if he has done so, then geting reborn would ensure that he remains immortal.
also the fact about Fawkes' feather in Harry's wand opens up a new dimension.

but somehow it seems a bit far-fetched, and i dont really see what he attains by living like a phoenix and never appearing as a man when he could have been so useful in so many situations.
but i think there is a connection as Alice said

[Aberforth]

Its a nice theory. However, I feel that there have been so many animagi already that to have another one would not be shocking enough. This is a difficult brand of magic and only very talented wizards can do it (Wormtail got a lot of help). Besides, you can't choose what you become, you become something that suits your personality - it would be lucky indeed that you became such a wonderful creature as a pheonix.

However, keep these theories coming.

[Dumbledores Master]

Aberforth

1. Godric [i]is one of the most powerful wizards ever
2. Where does it say you become whatever suits your personality?

I like this theory it`s quite good and I disagree with athena and alice (although athena is JKR so maybe I am being stupid) , I think Fawkes is Gryffindor.

[Alice I]

2. Where does it say you become whatever suits your personality?

JKR stated it in one of her interviews. The wizard/witch does not choose their anamagis form it choses them. She said
"How would the person feel if after all the study you turned out to be a worthog." or something along those lines.

[Ferrus]

Its an interesting theory and maybe its not that impossible that Godric Griffindor´s personality matched a phoenix, but I find it sort of improbable. What is a lot more probable is that Fawkes actually belonged to Griffindor (after all phoenix´s are immortal).

[Female_alien]

I like this! It really is far fetched - but I like this! I don't know if I said this before but... I like this o.k.
Seriously, I like this theory and I think it even might be possible. Let's say chances are 43% (lol). Or, as Alice allready said, it's connected with it in a way. Good thinking there!

btw - WELCOMEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alice I]

What is a lot more probable is that Fawkes actually belonged to Griffindor (after all phoenix´s are immortal).

Now I like that as a connection!
That actually makes a lot of sense and supports some of the origional points that Becca made about Fawkes helping Harry (whom I believe is the heir of Gryffindor) and the sword coming out of the hat which was also Gryffindor's.
Yes Ferrus I think you have something there.

[Mistress Siana]

That Fawkes keeps me wondering!

Guy Fawkes: Planned an attack on the British parliament to depose the king and free some political prisoners.

Phoenix: Symbol of immortality, which is LV's final aim. Some Nazi leaders used it in their speeches as a symbol of the 3rd Reich. Voldemort is often compared to Hitler.

I don't mean to imply anything, it's just something I constantly try but fail to understand.

[Lone_Buck]

You know, Godric Gryfindor himself may not be immortal, should this theory be true. The Phoenix reborns every once in a while, if i remember correctly. Which would mean that as the phoenix Godric would live forever, but as himself he'd be dead.
I've always thought that Godric would have been killed at the hand of slytherin, and they kept that from the students when they were told the history. I thought that Godric/Slytherin was going to end up similiar to Dumbledore/Voldemort. But I do like this theory, i'll have to ponder this one.

[carsten]

There are a few questions and answers connected to this point. A brilliant theory, after all. Fact is

We don't know about the fate of the founders. What happened to Slytherin, Ravenclaw and the others?
We don't know much about Harry's heritage. Since all old families seem to be related somehow, why isn't he?
We don't know much about Fawkes. He is simply there. And he doesn't belong to the magical brethren.

If this theory worked out, it would point to some answers.

Carsten

[Alice I]

2. Where does it say you become whatever suits your personality?

JKR stated it in one of her interviews. The wizard/witch does not choose their anamagis form it choses them. She said
"How would the person feel if after all the study you turned out to be a worthog." or something along those lines.

I found the quote for this question. It was in the world book day interview on March 4th

kelly_holland: When you turn into an Animagus, can you choose what animal you become? Or does this get "assigned" to you?
JK Rowling replies -> No, you can't choose. You become the animal that suits you best. Imagine the humiliation when you finally transform after years of study and find that you most closely resemble a warthog.

[Athena Appleton]

Ferrus, I think that is an excellent theory!

The theory of Gryffindor being Fawkes really doesn't seem probable at all to me, but I could definately buy that Fawkes once belonged to Gryffindor.

Gryffindor being Fawkes just sounds off to me because I don't think that would be Godric Gryffindor's attitude towards death, and I don't think animagi can turn into magical creatures, only typical animals (but, like I said, if anyone knows of an example we've seen of an animagi turning into a magical creature, and I've missed it, let me know).

But there are some definate parallels between Gryffindor and Fawkes, and I think the theory that Fawkes once belonged to Gryffindor (since he is immortal, regardless... well, not so much immortal, he just gets a major rejuvination from time to time ) is quite possible. It would explain the hat, the sword, the faithfulness to Dumbledore and other Gryffindor house members (I don't think it's ever been said, but I believe Dumbledore was once in Gryffindor), the colors (what if Gryffindor chose red and gold as his colors, or someone else chose them as the Gryffindor colors, because of his pet phoenix?)...

Anyway, to both Becca and Ferrus, I give you props.