Harry Potter and the Quest of Life

Summary: Harry had always longed to leave the Dursleys. His desire is fulfilled, but in a way he never planned. Harry's sixth year will be full of adventures. New powers, a different identity and lots of fun with the Slytherins. How will Harry save his neck during the hide-and-seek game with the Order and Voldemort? Ron and Hermione are the new members of the Order. *grins* Find out the detail by reading the story.

~*~

"You incompetent fools," Voldemort hissed. "You failed me. Unable to capture a... single, helpless woman? I cannot imagine the level of incompetency that you possess," Lord Voldemort glared at Death Eaters who were at the receiving end of his wrath. The ten mentioned Death Eaters were shaking with fear, yet standing still in front of their master making no move to beg for mercy. For they knew no mercy was granted in the ranks of the Dark Lord. "Ten people, failed in bringing me a single woman who was completely surrounded by you when you reached her. Pathetic! Your actions have declared that you are not competent enough to serve the greatest wizard of all times." Here, Voldemort paused and gave a single nod towards Lucius.

"Avada Kedavra!I" Ten voices shouted simultaniously and the guilty men were no more. Instead, there lay ten lifeless bodies which were removed by a single swish of Lucius Malfoy's wand.

"Lucius, you have shown your worth by capturing the Order's member. I have little doubt that she is high-ranked in our enemy's forces." Voldemort's silky voice was heard by all. Malfoy looked exceptionally pleased.

"Thank you, my Lord. I will always be loyal to you and will serve you untill my death." He bowed. "May be you would like to start investigations from the lady?"

"Yes Lucius, bring her here." Lucius Malfoy turned to leave after a quick bow.

"And Lucius," The Death Eater turned back. Crucio! The Death Eater went on his knees and started to thrash about the ground. Voldemort lifted the curse off after a few moments.

"Never give me a suggestion." Voldemort finished, his evil red eyes bore into the grey eyes of his minion.

"Yes my Lord." Malfoy lowered his gaze and retreated.

Minutes later he returned with a young woman with blazing red hair and beautiful features, tied with a couple of magical ropes.

"Ah... Arabella Figg." A screwed smile played on the Dark Lord's lips. "Splendid! You please me, Lucius. Our guest here is an honored member of Dumbledore's pathetic little Order of Phoenix." Malfoy was gleeful. So many complements from the Dark Lord in one day? Today was definitely a lucky day for him. Voldemort left his throne to move across the room and brough his face close to the captured Auror's face so that their noses almost touched.

"So, tell me my little friend, what our great Dumbledore has planned to stop the greatest Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort?" Arabella Figg made an effort to lift her face a little, did a thing that few would ever dare to do and spat on Voldemort's snake-like face. Voldemort hissed in surprise. Malfoy quickly moved towards the prisoner but Voldemort lifted a hand to stop him. He conjured an handkerchief and removed the spit from his face.

"I must compliment you my little friend. Few ever dare to insult Lord Voldemort. You have shown your bravery and have proved yourself to be a true Gryffindor. But again, Lord Voldemort doesn't like the Gryffindors. My mission is to REMOVE the weak filth like you from the phase of earth." Voldemort's tone was completely controlled and calm when he spoke which feared the Death Eaters even more.

"But before I do so, why don't we make a little use of you?" He sneered. "Crucio!"

Arabella Figg started to thrash about despite the bindings. She lifted her head once the curse was taken off her.

"You are nothing but a coward Voldemort. You hide behind your minions and torture the weak and helpless. Why don't you yourself take part in one of your raids instead of cowering in this little palace of yours? That is because you fear. Yes, because you fear that you will be defeated. And a coward like you can't defeat Albus Dumbledore. Never Dumbledore. You will never win. Never." Arabella kept speaking in a zealous tone filled with hate and defiance.

All the Death Eaters took a step back in fear. Voldemort looked at the young woman with narrowed eyes.

"Whatever I am, I will defeat Dumbledore and your so called Hero, Harry Potter. And then I shall reign this world forever. Coward or not, Lord Voldemort shall win!"

"As you are not going to comply to my orders, I think we shall start our work. Lucius!"

"Crucio!"

Desperate screams of the young woman filled the silent surroundings. The sound of her screams blending quite perfectly with those of a sixteen-year-old observant, at a thousands of miles' distance from the actual place.

~*~

Harry Potter, currently known as and in a disguise of Adams Willstrong, woke up in the sixth year boys' dormitories. He removed the sweat from his face.

*Thanks for saving me the pain Fiery.* Harry addressed the thanks to his all-time pal phoenix.

*Thanks Harry. And hurry the hell up. We have to save that poor woman from Voldemort.* Fiery answered. *However, I don't think that she will give away anything. But we have to save her. And besides, I don't think that your godfather will be happy if his girlfriend was tortured and killed by the Dark Lord.*

*Arabella is Sirius' girlfriend?* Harry asked bewildered at the sudden revelation.

*Yes.*

Harry jumped out of his bed. *Why didn't you tell me before?*

*You never asked.* The phoenix retorted.

*Well, in that case I guess I'll have to hurry the hell up.*

Harry moved out of the bed and in a few moments he was ready to face anything. He was dressed in his Phoenix Lord get up dress. The dress had all the places to hold all kinds of weapons like throwing knives, sword, throwing stars and darts which had a potion on their tips which increased the pain hundred fold. It was a leather black dress which allowed Harry to move fast and easy.

*Ready to go on the first rescue mission Harry?*

*You bet!*

Harry frowned in concentration to remember the place of the Death Eater meeting. When he got it, he pictured a dark corner of the room and apparated to the place. In his attempt, he felt something kept pushing him back. He grinned. He knew they will most probably be the anti-apparition wards around Hogwarts. But they wouldn't be able to hold him back. No sir.

On his way to the meeting place he once again encountered a same resistence. They must be the wards around Voldemort's palace. He thought.

After a second he materialized in Voldemort's throne room. Voldemort had continued her torture it seemed. She was currently held target of six cruciatus curses. Harry felt a sudden surge of anger. Who were they to torture his godfather's girlfriend? Just as he was going to make his presence known, he heard Voldemort's voice say.

"Strip her and then we shall see how long she can stand her ground."

That did it. Harry was fuming now.

Malfoy's smirking figure, advancing towards Arabella blew Harry's head off with anger.

He saw as Lucius Malfoy grabbed the collar of her robes with his filthy hands. He saw as Arabella Figg squirmed in resistence.

"I don't think that will be very wise Voldemort. Considering that I am here now." Harry stated calmly, despite what he really felt. Harry left the shadows to appear in front of prying eyes of the Death Eaters as well as Voldemort.

"And who would you be?" Voldemort narrowed his eyes in annoyance. Malfoy also stopped from what he was doing to observe the man.

"It doesn't matter who I am? You can call me what you want. The question is what I am? That I will answer. I am your doom, Voldemort. Your doom." Harry said, while leaning back on the wall of the room in a relaxing manner. To the eyes of the observers, he was standing in a very relaxed state. But in fact Harry was very cautious.

He noted every single movement made in the room. Harry knew that he was in a very dangerous situation and he didn't want to come out to be dead.

"You are merely a foolish little man who has no idea who he is talking to. You call yourself my doom when you will not live to see the next day. No one can defeat Lord Voldemort much less a mere fool like you who thinks too highly of himself." Voldemort laughed a cold heartless laugh.

"Time will show Voldemort. Only time will prove who comes out alive. For now, I am taking my little friend over there. But I promise you, we will meet again. I will be back Voldemort, and on that day, you will leave this innocent world alone to burn in the depths of hell." Harry's voice was cold, challenging.

As soon as he finished his sentense he used his elemental abilities to raise earth around Voldemort so that it looked like he was imprisoned in a cell. Harry cast an advanced preserving charm on the walls to hold Voldemort off for some time. As soon as he finished this he used air element to haul every Death Eater off their feet and slammed them against a wall. He quickly cast a binding charm on all of them.

In a split second all the Death Eaters were tied in a shape of a huge bundle. Harry paused for a moment then grinned. He swished his wand again and a card appeared at the front of Lucius Malfoy's face. The content of the cards were

Liked the show Voldemort? You will be next Snake-face!

Phoenix Lord

Harry then hurriedly made his way towards Arabella Figg. He lifted her up and sprinted outside the door. He didn't want to apparate in the presence of Arabella Figg. She will undoubtedly tell Dumbledore of his uhm... abilities. And he definitely didn't want to face a stronger defense system than he already did when apparating in Hogwarts.

He ran through the corridors and out the castle, stunning several Death Eaters in the process. As he felt fresh air Harry maipulated the air around him to counter the gravitational pull under his feet. And the next second he jumped and soared towards the sky at a great spead. He knew Arabella was giving him strange looks but he didn't care. He grinned mentaly thinikng what would Sirius think if he saw his godson flying in the sky, while carrying his girlfriend.

As soon as Harry felt he was out of the wards' range he apparated to Hogsmeade just outside the range of Hogwarts apparition wards. He set Arabella down, removed her bindings and cast some quick healing spells on her.

"I believe you would be alright now on your own." Harry said.

"B-but my wand? I-they took it from me." She stuttered.

"Oh... almost forgot." Harry grinned. And took out her wand from his pocket.

"Where did you get it?" She said surprised, while taking her wand back.

"Summoned from the Malfoy's pocket." Harry shrugged and turned to leave.

"Hey wait. Who are you and why did you help me?" She asked.

Harry turned his head towards her one last time, smiled and said a single sentence before soared off towards the sky once more.

"Phoenix Lord helps his friends."

Leaving an astonished Arabella Figg standing on the groung with respect in her eyes.

~*~

Harry was strode through corridors in an effort to reach his Ancient runes class in time. He had only ten minutes left and the class was on the other end of the castle. Although he could have gotten in time there by apparating across the castle but he didn't want to risk it. He knew only too well that the word travells fast in Hogwarts. So instead, he was running across the corridors to make it in time, when he heard the voices of his old friends.

"Honestly Ron. Why don't you understand? He is just a guy who doesn't want to socialise. So what? Its fine with us. And besides he may be feeling a bit out of place. After all, he 'is' new at Hogwarts." He heard Hermione's exasperated voice.

"But the way he reacted when I said that Harry-" Ron what cut short by Hermione's yell of fury.

"HARRY-HARRY-HARRY-HARRY-HARRY- That's all you have got to say now. Why don't you get it in your head that he is a bloody murderer. He killed his uncle who took care of his for sixteen bloody years and what did he gave them in return?"

Harry's blood boiled with anger at Hermione's words though there was a distant flicker of sorrow deep within.

"Hermione?" Came Ron's cautious voice. He squeezed her shoulder as an act of comfort.

"I know Ron. Its hard for me too. But the evidences are too clear. I mean, how would those muggles know about Avada Kedavra and why would Harry disappear? It just doesn't make sense. Its only logical the way it is explained."

"Yeah I know. May be you are right. Maybe Harry did turned on us. But, tell you what Hermione, I have my doubts. I know how Ministry can get at times. They can be so blind when they want to."

"Ron, get this in that thick head of yours right now. Harry is a murderer and that's it! End of argument. And I don't want to listen his name, ever again." Hermione stated firmly and stomped ahead of Ron.

"Hey stop! Wait a sec, Hermione!" Ron called before running to catch upto her.

Harry was deeply drowned in the sea of disappointment. He had expected Ron to believe in the Ministry's story, yes. But not Hermione. She had stood by him when all the school turned on him. And he had admired her for the trust she showed in him. And it came out that the tables were infact turned. But what was going on now? Why had she believed some foolish story that Ministry made up to turn him in Azkaban?

Harry had to find out about that. He added it to his 'to do' list. There was no time left for the running so Harry decided to take alternatives to reach his class. He had read about it in a book on elementals the other day but it was yet to be confirmed. Seeing this as the perfect oppurtunity Harry called fire element in form of a flame that rested on his palm. He then concentrated on the flame and imagined it spreading like a wild fire over his body, consuming all the flesh. The flame did just that.

To an outsider's vision, the flame overtook Harry's body in a split second and as soon as the whole body was engulfed in the red fire the fire suddenly disappeared, taking Harry's body with it.

Harry re-appeared a corridor away from his Ancient Runes class. He wasn't very keen on risking any student witnessing his strange ways of travel.

~*~

Unnoticed by Harry, Hermione had came back to collect her quill, which she had dropped on her way. She say the body of the new student engulfed in flames for a second before it vanished completely.

She shook her head and smiled a bit sadly. 'She was seeing things probably due to the work load that she had self-barred on herself.'

Satisfied by the explanation, she made her way back towards her class, never giving a second thought to the incident.

~*~

Back in Ancient Runes class.

Harry managed just in time. The class started normally. Their runes teacher Professor Sinistra told them the history and importance as well as meanings of some rather strange runes. However, Harry paid a little attention. He was very happy and satisfied with his this new form of travel. Travelling this way was safer and quicker. And besides, he wouldn't have to spend too much of his energy in breaking through apparition wards of Hogwarts. It was a plus point. Now he would just have to try the same with the other elements.

Soon, the class came to an end. The students started to leave their seats when Professor Sinistra's voice stopped them.

"Mr. Boot, Ms. Patil, Ms. Granger and Mr. Willstrong, you are to remain in class. The rest can carry on." She gestured towards the door.

The class was soon emptied of every single soul except the professor and the four students. She turned to face them.

"As you know that you are the brightest students of my class, I would like to offer you a sort of an extra credit for your Runes class." Hermione was jumping up and down with exitement now.

"I want you to find out what these runes mean." She took out a piece of parchment with a couple of complicated runes written over it. "Every one of you." She glanced at their faces.

Harry resisted the urge to start laughing. These were the same runes that he had shot into the sky with the picture of a pure white coloured Phoenix when escaping from Voldemort's castle.

The runes meant. 'And the Light shall prevail.'

Harry had actually gotten the idea from the Dark Mark that Voldemort used. So why not him. Also he had intended to really piss off Voldemort and he was fairly confident that he had that accomplished. He would be really pissed when he wouldn't be able to lower the Phoenix Mark before a specific time.

"Is that understood?" She asked. "Yes Professor!" All the other three students squealed with delight. Harry remained nuetral and showed his consent with just a nod of his head.

"Off you go then!" She dismissed them.

During the shortest of journey from the front of the room to the door, Hermione had managed to name at least fifty books through which she was going to look for the runes.

'Something's never change.' Harry sighed and took the way to the Entrance Hall as Care of Magical creatures was the next period for the sixth year Gryffindors.

~*~

Hey guys. I am desperately in need of a few encouraging reviews. Tell me if you want me to continue the story or I will drop it by default. *Author pulls out a sad face* And if you make the first choice. I promise that story will get better with time and I will make updates soon.