Disclaimer: I don't own Harry potter, don't sue me.

AN: I won't be writing for one time because I have to study for the upcoming examinations I have.

Chapter Ten: Return to Hogwarts and Duels

The branch started to shake violently, burning up quickly. Harry took an involuntary step backwards. The piece of wood exploded into pieces. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing but ash left of the branch. Well that's what it seemed anyway until a small bird thing emerged from the remains of the branch.

It was white and silver in color. It had yellow, piercing eyes that seemed so familiar to Harry. "Hedwig? Is that you?"

The phoenix trilled in affirmation to the question. Just then, Draco decided what a wonderful idea it would be to enter the room. "Harry, you have a phoenix?"

"I think…I think its Hedwig."

Draco looked at him as if he were crazy. "Harry, Hedwig's dead. I know it's hard for you but…"

"Drake, she came out of the branch. And she also has a resemblance to Hedwig. Aren't Phoenixes reborn from their former selves at either New Year's Eve or Easter?"

"Yeah…" Draco said in realization. Harry was still staring at the phoenix. Thump! Harry turned around to see Draco's unconscious form on the floor. Perhaps he wasn't quite ready for that yet. Shrugging unconcernedly, Harry turned back to face his new animal companion. He spent the next hour or so trying to find out about phoenixes more. He'd need too…especially if he was going to have one as a pet.

It turned out that the Malfoy's had a good amount of books on magical creatures. Of course, most of the information he got on phoenixes there were useless. For example: Did you know phoenixes were rare? Most useless fact ever. Everyone already knew that. Heck, even muggles did.

But none could match the stupidest fact he had read up on in the span of an hour. A phoenix has color. Why the bloody hell did they even write that down. Of course Phoenixes had color. The only things that didn't were water, maybe glass and a whole group of transparent objects.

He had learned some interesting things though. Phoenixes, apparently, were so magical that they fed off magic by absorbing it. Their close ties to magic also allowed them to move through space at high speeds or simply flashing there. This allowed them to manipulate the things around them as well.

At least he never had to worry about feeding his new pet. He returned to his room in time to see Drake waking up. The formerly unconscious boy took one look at the phoenix before blacking out again. Harry sighed.

Having a phoenix is going to take some getting used to.He thought.Looking at Draco's body, he silently added, A lot of getting used to.

Harry stood within the not so amazing magically powered, steel locomotive known as the Hogwarts Express. One of the things he noted about it was it was painted in red and gold. If he had to take a guess, Dumbledore was an avid Gryffindor. As he was walking through the carpeted floor f the train, he heard whisperings and mutterings going around. Probably the Rumor Mill acting up again.

Deciding to find out what people were talking about know a days, he listened closely. "…Slivenson claimed Potter had used some sort of dark spell over the Weasley girl at the Minister's Ball. He swore he saw a glazed look over her eyes. I heard that's a sign of possession or Imperius affection you know. What if Potter did a cast the Imperius? That would make him a dark wizard. And he must be a good one to if the Aurors didn't notice!"

Harry snorted upon hearing this. So Slivenson was trying to discredit him again? Bah! Let them talk. Their opinions about him mattered little. It would last for a month at most. None of them would dare make a move against him except Robert. And in the event that his lackeys and he decided they could handle him…well, let's just say that Harry would take great pleasure in taking care of them. The older students wouldn't believe this story. They weren't dumb enough too. That made him safe. Well, safer anyway.

His friends such as Neville, Drake, and the rest wouldn't desert him. None of the Slytherins would either less they faced the wrath of the Malfoy Scion. The Ravenclaws, most of them anyway, were too smart to fall for a simple rumor. They based their knowledge on facts and not opinions. Besides, Alex would take care of his friends. So far, it was Katy, Neville, and their Gryffindor buddies that were in the most trouble.

Gryffindor House was, for all intents and purposes, Slivenson's main base of supporters. Katy might be less of a target, but Neville had no such protection. He might need to start training in Battle Magic.

Hogwarts, Great Hall, Nine Hours Later, after Dinner

"Students, welcome back to Hogwarts, our beloved school. I hope you all enjoyed your vacation. Now, our caretaker, Argus Filch has told me to remind you that any and all prank materials that can be bought in Zonko's Joke Shop is strictly prohibited." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling at full blast, to the newly seated students.

Harry rolled his eyes. It was typical for Filch to try and get the things banned. Of course, he was just making it more popular and appeasing to some people. Dumbledore was amused by it as well if the twinkling of his eyes was and clue about it.

Harry stood up and made his way towards the Head Table. He was quite aware that everyone's eyes were on him. This was just what he was hoping for. Dumbledore would be destroyed if he refused him now.

"Headmaster," Harry greeted, "I have recently been informed by Grand Alchemist Nicholas Flamel that the dorm I am currently residing in is different from the one I'm supposed to reside in."

The aged man frowned. "I'm not sure what your talking about, Harry."

Harry smirked. "I'm sure you don't Headmaster, but according to a former apprentice, Hogwarts: A History, and Section 3, Article 5, Law 7, Paragraph 1 stating that 'all Apprentice Classed Students of Hogwarts are to live in the Hogwarts Apprentice Dorms while they are still students of Hogwarts and are currently studying there'." Harry was no fool. He wasn't about to take the word of a man, no matter how revered they are, by itself.

"Correct me if I'm wrong Headmaster, but it says there specifically that I have to live in a place called the Apprentice Dorms not the Slytherin Dorms. I might take this up with the Board of Governors." Harry said.

"I doubt that will be necessary, my boy. Severus, please escort Mr. Potter to his new residence." The Potions Master nodded curtly, getting up and leading Harry to his new dorm.

The two of them were somewhere in the fourth floor east corridor in front of a painting of a knight. Snape waved his wand at it and the door opened automatically. "Harry, you better stop baiting Dumbledore like that. He's more dangerous than you think."

"Don't worry about it Professor, I know the man has limits."

"The real question to be asked is do you know his limits? You can keep pushing him until he cracks. And then…well I'd rather not get into that. The password right now is 'Goblin Steel'. To change the password, tell the portrait what the new password you want to be. You need to say the old password as well to activate this feature. Good night." Snape strode away with his cloak billowing behind him.

Harry was speechless. He had never really considered that Dumbledore had a limit. He always seemed to play the entire 'holier than thou act' on people. He was merciful and patient, hard to anger. But he was human. And a human had their limits, right?

Perhaps he should be more careful in provoking Dumbledore. Harry mused on the thought. He looked at the painting in front of him before changing the password to Sodium. Nobody would ever guess his password to be a muggle one.

The dormitory, if you could call it that was…nice. It was more of a suite really. There was a secret one way passage to the library, a view overlooking the lake, a king sized bed, a bathroom complete with shower and Jacuzzi, several bookshelves, and a large wardrobe. The Hogwarts Crest was engraved at the base of the bed. It was better than the other dorms that was for sure.

Harry regularly sat at the Slytherin Table with Drake and Neville. It only increased over time because of the harassment they faced at the other tables. The more violent people started this. It seemed their desire for punishment was greater than that of their fear. Harry had underestimated them. And that was a dangerous move.

Slivenson had taken advantage of this. He had openly ridiculed Harry at any given opportunity. He mocked, taunted, and belittled him to no end and Harry was quickly being aggravated. This led to a particular event happening in the Great Hall to which none of the faculty bothered to stop.

"Slivenson, I challenge you to a Duel of Honor. You have gone too far with your insults this time. In the name of my family, I invoke the right of vengeance."

Dumbledore was rapidly paling as he heard this. The Duel couldn't be stopped by anyone unless the offender offered a full apology which was accepted. If it was not satisfactory to the offended, they would still have to fight.

Slivenson had no such notions of fright however. In fact, he looked positively delighted upon hearing the challenge. "I accept, Potter."

A platform was conjured for them to duel on, courtesy of McGonagall. Both of them stepped on the platform. The moment the fight began, Harry found himself under the constant fire of stunners. Slivenson seemed to want to end it fast. This was not good. Harry was barely a third year in battle magic and had an assortment of advanced offensive spells and curses. He was astounded that Slivenson was this good in fighting already.

Narrowly missing an oncoming stunner he sent a punching jinx at Slivenson's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Another punching jinx brought the boy to his knees. "Talea"The spell caused a moderately large gash to appear on his opponent's knee.

Tightening his hold, Harry cast a bone-breaking curse. A sickly yellow color slammed into Slivenson's right arm, snapping the bones in two with a loud cracking sound. Slivenson had dropped his wand, unable to hold it anymore. Harry swiftly waved his wand at the injured boy, sending said boy sprawling to the ground.

Pocketing his wand, he turned to face the shocked crowd of students. "Let that be a lesson to those of you who wish to cross me." He proclaimed ominously. Needless to say, no one dared bother him for a few days after the event transpired.

Dumbledore rushed the wounded boy to the Hospital Wing to get patched up and mended. His face was ghostly pale. The boy is deeper into the dark arts than I thought. I have to make sure this doesn't happen again. He's becoming too strong for his classmates. I have to save him from the dark.

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