<PERSON> forgot phoenix tears can heal.
<PERSON> didn’t remember that phoenix tears could heal at the time he was confronting <PERSON>. He says himself when he realized what had happened that he forgot that.
“Phoenix tears …’ said <PERSON> quietly, staring at <PERSON>’s arm. ‘Of course … healing powers … I forgot …”
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17 (The Heir of Slytherin)
It’s pretty obvious, even aside from his own admission, that <PERSON> forgot that phoenix tears can heal. He watches <PERSON> start crying while approaching <PERSON>, doesn’t try to move <PERSON> away from him, and still considered <PERSON> as good as dead.
“You’re dead, <PERSON>,’ said <PERSON>’s voice above him. ‘Dead. Even <PERSON>’s bird knows it. Do you see what he’s doing, <PERSON>? He’s crying.’
<PERSON> blinked. <PERSON>’s head slid in and out of focus. Thick, pearly tears were trickling down the glossy feathers.
‘I’m going to sit here and watch you die, <PERSON>. Take your time. I’m in no hurry.”
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17 (The Heir of Slytherin)
Since <PERSON> didn’t remember about their healing tears, he’d have no other reason to consider a phoenix any threat. 573
As <PERSON> says in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, phoenixes have never been known to kill, and nothing about them seems like an obvious threat to <PERSON>’s victory over <PERSON>.
“PHOENIX
M.O.M. Classification: XXXX11
The phoenix is a magnificent, swan-sized, scarlet bird with a long golden tail, beak, and talons. It nests on mountain peaks and is found in Egypt, India, and China. The phoenix lives to an immense age as it can regenerate, bursting into flames when its body begins to fail and rising again from the ashes as a chick. The phoenix is a gentle creature that has never been known to kill and eats only herbs. Like the Diricawl (see above), it can disappear and reappear at will. Phoenix song is magical; it is reputed to increase the courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the impure. Phoenix tears have powerful healing properties.
11 The phoenix gains a XXXX rating not because it is aggressive, but because very few wizards have ever succeeded in domesticating it.”
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Without that bit of information, a phoenix wouldn’t seem to <PERSON> to be particularly useful to <PERSON>.
He also didn’t seem to know the <PERSON>’s use.
As for why he didn’t think the Sorting Hat was more of a threat, it doesn’t seem like he’s aware at the time that true Gryffindors can pull the Sword of Gryffindor out of the <PERSON>. Upon recognizing the <PERSON>, <PERSON>’s reaction is to mock <PERSON> and ask him if he feels brave and if he feels safe. If <PERSON> thought <PERSON> could get a sword from the <PERSON>, even if he didn’t consider a sword to be a good match against a wand, it’s unlikely he’d mock him in that particular way, because of course having a sword would make <PERSON> feel a bit braver and a bit safer.
“And that –’ said <PERSON>, now eyeing the ragged thing that <PERSON> had dropped, ‘that’s the old school Sorting Hat.’
So it was. Patched, frayed and dirty, the <PERSON> lay motionless at <PERSON>’s feet.
<PERSON> began to laugh again. He laughed so hard that the dark chamber rang with it, as though ten <PERSON> were laughing at once.
‘This is what <PERSON> sends his defender! A songbird and an old hat! Do you feel brave, <PERSON>? Do you feel safe now?’
<PERSON> didn’t answer. 773