I think you’re reading too much into small details.
It could very well be that McGonagall doesn’t like phoenix travel, or (more likely) that Dumbledore focused on bringing Harry and Hermione into the safety of Hogwarts as quickly as possible, while McGonagall has lower risk and is also able to defend herself.
Fawkes can only transport three people at a time
Somehow that also seems unlikely to me. Phoenixes are displayed as very powerful, both in MoR and canon. Their actions are more limited by their narrow goals and maybe limits of their intelligence than by limits of their magic.
I think you’re not reading enough into small details.
I’m not saying that your ideas are not possible. I’m saying, what would be the point of it? Wouldn’t it have been easier just to write: “Harry caught fire and went out and blazed up somewhere else; and just like that he, McGonagall, and the Headmaster, and the unconscious form of Hermione Granger held in the Headmaster’s arms, were occupying another place; with Fawkes above them all.” ?
I think it would have been easier. So why wouldn’t he have written that, if it won’t be relevant?
I think you’re reading too much into small details.
It could very well be that McGonagall doesn’t like phoenix travel, or (more likely) that Dumbledore focused on bringing Harry and Hermione into the safety of Hogwarts as quickly as possible, while McGonagall has lower risk and is also able to defend herself.
Somehow that also seems unlikely to me. Phoenixes are displayed as very powerful, both in MoR and canon. Their actions are more limited by their narrow goals and maybe limits of their intelligence than by limits of their magic.
I think you’re not reading enough into small details.
I’m not saying that your ideas are not possible. I’m saying, what would be the point of it? Wouldn’t it have been easier just to write: “Harry caught fire and went out and blazed up somewhere else; and just like that he, McGonagall, and the Headmaster, and the unconscious form of Hermione Granger held in the Headmaster’s arms, were occupying another place; with Fawkes above them all.” ?
I think it would have been easier. So why wouldn’t he have written that, if it won’t be relevant?