- Everyone is talking about how Harry is totally weird and can talk to snakes, so he decides to leave study hall.
- Outside, in the corridor, he hears the voices again and then stumbles across the ghost of Nearly Headless Nick and a petrified Justin. This is not great for his reputation.
- Professor McGonagall brings Harry to Dumbledore's office.
- Inside, he has a conversation with the Sorting Hat. The Hat mentions that Harry would have done well in Slytherin, which ruffles Harry's feathers a bit.
- Harry also notices Dumbledore's pet bird, who happens to burst into flames right before Dumbledore walks into the office. Oh, man.
- No worries because Fawkes is a phoenix. He's supposed to burst into flames and then be reborn from ashes. That's kind of his deal.
- Dumbledore also lets slip that phoenixes can carry really heavy loads and have healing tears. That information probably won't come in handy later though.
- Just then Hagrid rushes into Dumbledore's office and tells Dumbledore that Harry didn't do anything to Nearly Headless Nick and Justin.
- Um, Dumbledore already knows, Hagrid. He just called Harry to his office to see if Harry wanted to tell him anything. Anything at all?
- Naw, Harry says. I'm good.
- Okay. Lives are on the line, but make sure you hang onto your kid secrets, Harry. Geez.