Jennifer's essay on a Phoenix

One of the most magical and legendary birds on all time is the mighty phoenix. This bird is an immortal bird that cannot die, but rather it starts its life over when the end is near. The phoenix is said to be found in Egypt, India, and China. The phoenix nests are known to be found on mountain peaks where it is least likely to be disturbed. However, its nest is not for it to lay eggs. But rather for it to prepare to die. And to prepare to start its new life, because legend has it that only one phoenix can be alive at one time. So as a result, right when one dies another one is born in that exact spot.

To be understand the life of a phoenix, one must know how the life of a phoenix is. A phoenix is very long-lived. There are accounts that their life can last from 500 years to 2000 years! The exact amount is not know because it is rare for a person to live to even one tenth of a phoenix's life. When a phoenix starts reaching it's Deathday, or rather Burning day as some call it, it's colorful, vibrant feathers start to fall out and it starts to get weak and wrinkled. On it's Burn Day, it will set itself on fire and burn. Then the phoenix will turn into a pile of ashes. From this ashes, within one to three days, a baby phoenix will hatch. It will look small and wrinkled, yet in a few days it will mature to it's magnificant self once more.

A regular phoenix when it has matured is a large bird about the size of a swan. It has brightly colored red feathers on its body as well as gold claws and beak. It's tail however, is a splendid mixture of red and gold and as long as a peacock's. A phoenix is known to have many magical abilities. For example, phoenix tails are very powerful and used to be the core of many wands, such as the famous Boy Who Lived and He Who Must Not Be named. The phoenix can disappear and reappear at will. It's tail can lift great weight with ease. Phoenix tears are known to also have magical healing powers. The last unusual yet powerful ability the phoenix has is the abilty to sing. It's song can lift emotions inside a person to make them stronger or even give them hope.

The phoenix is listed under the Danger Creatures category, yet not because its is ACTALLY dangerous. But rather because it is so rare and unique. A phoenix is actually quite calm and peaceful. It does not get into combat unless forced to. It is also herbivorous and does not eat other living creatures but rather only plants and such. The last living phoenix was the companion of the late Headmaster Dumbledore. Yet when he died this phoenix was never seen again. However there is a rumor that the phoenix has turned to a new master. A person named Stealth Wizard of the Slytherin heritage. Whether this rumor is true is still unknown.



Source- Monster Book of Monsters, and Harry Potter Lexicon, yahoo images[/img]

Hooray! This ties in with the Care Of Magical Creatures lesson 'Caring for Your Magical Creature assignment' so this could finally be graded...