Aurelius Dumbledore's phoenix

Aurelius Dumbledore's phoenix
Biographical information
Born	Before or in 1927
Died	Immortal
Physical information
Species	Phoenix
Feathers	Red and gold
Eye colour	Black
Affiliation
Loyalty	Aurelius Dumbledore Dumbledore family (possibly)

"There is a legend in your family that a phoenix will come to any member who is in dire need."

— Gellert Grindelwald telling Credence about his connection to this phoenix

This unnamed phoenix was found and taken care of by Credence Barebone in 1927 during his time in Paris. He began serving him during this time and followed him around.

Biography

Credence nurturing the baby chick

In September 1927, Credence and Nagini met at the bird market in Paris, and stole some birdseed. Later that day in the afternoon, while on top of a derelict rooftop, Credence fed the birdseed to the phoenix chick.

Sometime in late 1927, while Credence and Gellert Grindelwald were at Nurmengard Castle, discussing Credence's heritage, the phoenix chick stepped onto Gellert's palm, who eagerly threw it into air, erupting it into a burst of flame, birthing the phoenix.

This phoenix in Nurmengard

In the 1930s, the phoenix continued to follow Credence around. At the beginning of Credence's duel with Albus Dumbledore, the phoenix flew past Dumbledore and Credence told him that the phoenix was there for him, not Dumbledore. After Dumbledore defeated Credence, the phoenix appeared and spread ashes over him, causing Dumbledore to realise that Credence really was a Dumbledore - his brother Aberforth's son.

Dumbledore later told Newton Scamander that Credence was dying which was the reason that the phoenix was coming to Credence and spreading its ashes over him. Dumbledore recognised the signs because his sister Ariana was also an Obscurial who was being slowly poisoned by her nature.

The phoenix following Aurelius and his owner's father back home in 1932

When Credence helped to reveal Grindelwald's deception with the Qilin, the phoenix flew overhead and dropped an ash onto the Dark Wizard's face which Credence then smeared with his thumb. After Credence reunited with his father, the phoenix followed the young man and Aberforth home.

Behind the scenes

This phoenix in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic

• It is rumoured by many fans of the franchise that this phoenix might possibly be Fawkes, from the second trailer of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, though J. K. Rowling has said that Fawkes never served another human before Albus Dumbledore. After Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic was released, it was confirmed in the book that Credence's phoenix was indeed not Fawkes.
• For Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the decision was made to have the digitally created phoenix look as if it's toward the end of its lifecycle, so it is less red and vibrant and much grayer than Albus Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, when it was in its healthy form. It resembles, however, Fawkes in the middle of the events of Chamber of Secrets, during his Burning Day. "It does look a little bit worse for wear," says Christian Manz. "Additionally, as it flies, flames come from its wings and it drops ash everywhere, which is part of the story."

Appearances

• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay (First appearance)
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - The Complete Screenplay
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
• Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic