Chapter 6:

Voldemort Strikes Back

The next morning, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry sat down at breakfast together, while Ron refused to look at any of them. Hermione sighed, "I wish he would just get over it."

Harry snorted, "He will. You just have to give him some time. I did mention that he was acting like Malfoy. He's either going to have to admit that was the way he was acting to himself or forget about it. If he forgets about it, then he is just going to act that way again, and we will be right back to square one. So, I hope he can acknowledge how stupid he is being."

Hermione sighed again, "I still miss having him over here with us."

Harry smirked, "Well, then I suppose that you could just go plant one on him, and then tell him he's being an ass. That would probably speed things up."

Ginny laughed, as Hermione blushed and looked mortified. She stammered, "What makes you think that I would want to kiss Ron?"

Harry gave Hermione a patronizing look, "Hermione, I'm not stupid, contrary to what you think most of the time. I've noticed the looks the two of you have been giving each other for nearly two years now. I think its about time one of you decided to do something about it."

Hermione blushed even worse, and said, "I don't think I could do anything like that."

Harry shrugged indifferently, "That's up to you. For now, let's eat." Then, Harry bent his head to his food. A few minutes later the Post owls came soaring in through the window and began delivering the morning mail. An owl dropped a letter in front of Harry, while Hermione paid the Daily Prophet owl and unrolled the morning paper. At the same time Harry unrolled his message. He immediately recognized the Headmaster's handwriting.

Harry,

I would like for you to come to my office this evening for a meeting. Several members of the Order will be there. We have some things that we must discuss with you. We will await you at seven o'clock. The password is Acid Pops.

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts

Harry looked up from his note to find Hermione reading furiously, and Ginny looking back and forth between the two of them as if she didn't know which one to interrupt first. Ginny finally settled on Harry, "So, what's going on?"

Harry upturned one side of his mouth in a crooked grin, and winked at the beautiful young redhead, "Just a note from Dumbledore. He wants to see me this evening after dinner."

Ginny smiled back at Harry and then turned to Hermione, "So, Hemrione, spill. What's so important that you've read the article three times?"

Hermione didn't reply. She just handed the paper over so that Harry and Ginny could read it. The headline jumped out at them.

Dark Phoenix Strikes Again

In another surprise attack last night, the mark of the Dark Phoenix was seen again in the skies. This time over the blasted remains of the home of Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, Dolores Umbridge. Ms. Umbrige's body was recovered from the wreckage of the house. The sole witness to this event seems to have been, Junior Aide to the Minister, Percy Weasley. Mr. Weasley seemed quite confused about his surroundings while being interrogated by the Ministry Aurors, but it is known that he saw the Dark Phoenix, but can't seem to recall what he looks like. This leads the Aurors to believe that he is under the power of an extremely powerful Memory Charm. This indicates that whatever testimony he might give is almost positively flawed, and quite likely useless. The message that the Dark Phoenix left is quite similar to the last one, but seems to indicate that Dolores Umbridge was in fact, not a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. (See accompanying photo)

Harry and Ginny both glanced up at the photo caption on the front page to see the Dark Phoenix emblazoned in a starry sky, and beneath it the words clearly written in fire.

Let This Be A Warning To Those Who Scorn The Dark Phoenix.

Even Those That Do Not Follow Voldemort Shall Suffer Justice.

If It Is Necessary

The Dark Phoenix Will Come

Harry grinned with a slight tinge of malice apparent in his eyes, "I like this guy. Justice has long since been missing from the wizarding world. Its about time that it was brought back."

Hermione looked horrified, "Harry, you can't be serious. Whoever this Dark Phoenix is, is using tactics like Lord Voldemort to fight this war. You can't seriously think that stooping to Voldemort's level is justified."

Harry turned to Hermione, "I think that it is perfectly justified. Have you ever heard the old saying that you're going to fight fire with fire?"

Hemrione nodded, and Ginny did as well. Harry continued, "Well, I think its time to fight fire with fire, ice, and any goddamned thing else that I can get my hands on. By the time I'm through with the Death Eaters, they won't know what hit them."

Ginny pursed her lips thoughtfully, "The way you talk, Harry, you'd think that you were the Dark Phoenix."

Harry turned a cold gaze onto Ginny and said, "I just might be." Then, he stood up and walked away.

Ginny looked at Hermione and said, "Do you think he was serious?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, I don't think so. I admit that Harry has been acting weird since he woke up from this summer, but I don't think that he would be capable of killing anyone, even Umbridge. All the same, though, I think tha twe should keep a close watch on him for awhile."

Ginny nodded, and continued eating her breakfast.

That evening after dinner, Harry made his way up to the Headmaster's office, and gave the gargoyle the password, "Acid Pops." It leapt out of his way and he continued up the moving staircase and into the office. Several members of the Order were present in the office when Harry arrived. Professor McGonagall, Remus, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Kingsley, Arthur, and Molly were all there. Professor Dumbledore was seated behind his desk, and he motioned for Harry to have the final remaining seat. Harry nodded to everyone and sat.

After a few moments of tense silence, Dumbledore finally spoke, "Harry, we know that you have been reading the paper, so you know about the two attacks in the past few days by this Dark Phoenix. What I would like to know is your opinion on the matter?"

Harry raised one eyebrow, and asked, "What do you mean by my opinion?"

Dumbledore sighed, "I mean, what do you think about someone waging a private war against Voldemort?"

Harry grinned sinisterly, "I think its brilliant. There's almost no way for you to be caught if no one knows who you are. You can use the same tactics that the Death Eaters use against them."

Mad-Eye snorted, "So, you think that its okay to kill people in cold-blood."

Harry returned the Auror's snort, and added a glare that would make even Snape proud, "I hardly think that killing Death Eaters can be considered cold blood. They deserve anything and everything that they get."

Tonks asked, "What about Umbridge?"

Harry's face darkened, "That bitch deserved worse than what she got."

Everyone exchanged alarmed looks at the tone of Harry's voice. Their was deep, unforgiving hatred apparent in his voice. Dumbledore sadi quietly, "Surely, no one deserves death, Harry."

Harry rounded a furious gaze on Dumbledore, "You better hope that I never believe that, old man. Otherwise everyone in this room can kiss their asses goodbye. If I don't feel that Voldemort deserves death, then he can do whatever he pleases. You can worry about giving everyone second chances if you want to, Headmaster. I don't forgive that easily. When the time comes, I am going to rip Voldemort's heart out and eat it. Then, I'm going to piss on his remains. So, is there anything else that you want to know?"

Dumbledore gulped, "No, Harry, I believe that is everything for now, except that I would like you to consider continuing your Occlumency lessons."

Harry sneered, "What makes you think that I would need Occlumency lessons?"

Dumbledore sighed, "Professor Snape felt that you made little progress in your abilities last year."

Harry laughed, "Like that greasy headed fool would know anything about power. If you think that I need testing, then try to break my mind."

Dumbledore stood, "Very well, Harry. Prepare yourself." Harry merely folded his arms over his chest. Dumbledore repeated, "I said to prepare yourself, Harry."

Harry sneered once again, "I was prepared when I walked in the room. So, get on with it."

Dumbledore whipped his wand around, "Legilimens."

Seemingly, nothing happened. So, Dumbledore tried again, "Legilimens." Yet, again, nothing happened. Dumbledore's eyes widened, "This is impossible. No one could progress this far in Occlumency that quickly. You shouldn't be able to repel me so easily. Very few masters of Occlumency could do this so easily."

Harry grinned, "Voldemort could."

Arthur asked, "How does that help?"

Harry continued to grin, "The fool possessed me in the Department of Mysteries. By doing so he awakened powers that he had given me long ago through this accursed scar. One of them was Occlumency. I am now his equal, and he knows it. That's why they spent so much time this summer trying to break me with torture, so that they could get the Prophecy. If I hadn't been powerful in Occlumency, he would have just invaded my mind and extracted the knowledge that he wanted."
Dumbledore paled, "I never thought of that. I just assumed he was afraid to get near you for fear of what the Prophecy might allow you to do to him."

Harry shrugged, "That was part of it, but probing my mind with Legilimency had never harmed him before, so there was no reason for him to fear it when he had my wand. Now, if you will excuse me, I have homework to do." Harry turned and stalked from the Headmaster's office.

Once the door was closed and Harry had left the room, a babble of voices broke out, "What is going on, Albus? Is he really that powerful? Is he dangerous?"

Dumbledore raised his hands for quiet, "I think that we are going to have to place guards around Mr. Potter for the time being. I want someone following him every moment that he is in the castle. Alastor, I trust you to set up the shifts for this."

Molly interrupted, "I don't know about this. It just feels wrong. Harry has suffered enough, and it just doesn't seem fair to give him the idea that we don't trust him."

Arthur patted Molly's arm, "I know how you feel, dear, but it is very possible that Harry is the Dark Phoenix, and if he is, we have to wonder what he is up to."

That night, Voldemort staged a massive, coordinated strike on Muggles throughout London. The next morning's Daily Prophet contained a large picture of the Dark Mark.

Dark Mark Appears in Muggle London

Last evening in the most massive attack since You-Know-Who's return, over twenty Muggle homes in London were attacked. At least fifty Muggles have been reported dead. Identities are not being revealed at this time, but will be realeased at some point in the future. The Ministry is still attempting to discern whether there was a pattern to these attacks, or if they were just random Muggle killings like during the last war against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Everyone can only hope that someone will finally be able to defeat this menace to out very existence.

A few tears leaked down Hermione's face as she read the article to Harry, Ginny, and Neville, "It's just horrible. What are we going to do about this? What if they come after our families next?"

Harry turned a menacing gaze towards the Head Table and met Severus Snape's eyes. Severus shuddered at the malevolence shining across the Great Hall at him. He had a feeling that Potter was not happy, and in the current state he was in, Severus wasn't sure if that boded well for him. Harry returned his gaze to Hermione and said, "What we are going to do is simple. We're going to kill every last one of them. This time around there will be no taking prisoners. If the followers of the Dark Arts realize that there is a consequence to following Voldemort, then they won't be so eager to follow the next Dark Lord."

Ginny asked, "What do you mean the next Dark Lord?"

Harry sighed, "There will always be someone to take this one's place after I rip his head off."

Ginny chuckled, "Harry, you act like you're going to be the one that kills Voldemort."

Harry smiled evilly, "That's because I am, Ginny. I'm the only one who can."

Hermione looked up in alarm, "What does that mean? You're no match for Voldemort."

Harry laughed cruelly, "I wouldn't be too sure of that, Hemrione."

Throughout the course of the day it became apparent that there had been an agenda for the attacks the night before. Muggle relatives of Hogwarts' students had been killed. The Ministry was watching out for the parents of Muggle-Born parents, but more distant relatives like aunts, uncles and cousins didn't fall under this protection. Black envelopes were delivered to students all throughout the morning. Hermione lost an aunt and two cousins.

That night in the common room, Hermione was crying, and Ginny was trying to comfort her, while Harry and Neville sat close by. Ron walked over and said, "I don't know what you are so upset about. At least it wasn't your parents."

Hermione leaped up and ran from the room in tears at this statement. Ginny leaped to her feet, "You bastard." Then, she swung an arm and smacked Ron hard in the face. As Ron stepped back in shock, Neville, Dean,a nd Seamus tackled him to the ground and began beating the hell out of him. Harry, quietly got up and followed Hermione out of the common room.

He caught up to her in the Room of Requirement. She had created a bedroom to sleep in. Harry raised his eyebrows at the surroundings, "Are you going to sleep here, tonight."

Hermione nodded, sniffling, "I just don't want to be around everyone tonight."

Harry nodded, "I understand. I'll leave you, then."

As Harry turned back towards the door, Hermione shouted, "NO!" Harry turned back around. She continued, "Don't go. I don't want to be completely alone either. Will you stay with me tonight?"

Harry nodded, "Sure. What are friends for?" Then, he waved his wand and transfigured his robes into pajamas, and then did the same for Hermione. They crawled into the massive bed, and Hermione grabbed Harry in a fierce hug that would have rivaled one of Molly Weasley's. Harry wrapped one arm around her and let her cry.

After an hour or so, Hermione fell asleep and Harry allowed himself to drift off beside her. Later, in the middle of the night, Harry awoke to Hermione squirming around inside his arms. He noticed that she was awake as well, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Hermione smiled sheepishly, "I'm not used to sleeping with someone else. I was trying to get comfortable against you."

Harry snickered, "I see. Well, if you want to get comfortable against me, you usually have to take off your clothes. Otherwise they will twist around you from us rubbing against each other in our sleep."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "You know, Mr. Potter, if I didn't know better, I would think that you were trying to get me out of my clothes."

Harry shrugged, "I might be."

Hermione, it appeared was feeling a little wild, said, "And just what would you do with me if you got me out of my clothes, Harry?"

Harry snorted, "I'm a teenage guy, Hermione. I don't think you really have to ask what I would do."

Hermione nodded, "I know, but I want to hear you say it."

Harry eyed Hermione for just a moment before saying, "Fine. I would fuck you like you have never been fucked before, Miss Granger."

Apparently this statement seemed to ignite some kind of fire in Hermione, for she began pulling off her pajama top. Once it was off and her bra was exposed, she said, "Well, let's see what you've got."

Harry needed no more urging. He grabbed Hermione and ripped her bra from her chest, and lowered his mouth onto her breasts and began to suckled the nipples, as he slid his hand down inside her pajama bottoms and panties to begin fingering her while he suckled her breasts. Hermione began to moan with pleasure as Harry continued. She gripped the back of his head and held him closer to her chest as he began to speed the tempo that he had begun inside her. She finally said, "Hurry up and fuck me, Potter. Hurry up and fuck me."

Harry yanked her pajama bottoms and panties off in one swift move, and then raised up above her to remove his own clothes. Hermione got one fleeting glimpse of his erect penis before he lowered himself over her and used his hand to guide himself into her. Then, he began thrusting quickly. Hermione gasped in pain at the first few thrusts, but then pulled her legs up and around Harry's hips and began urging him to go faster and harder. Harry complied, and the two began going at it at an almost unbelievable pace. Finally, the two fell back down against the sheets, spent, and fell asleep naked against each other.

A/N: Hopefully, this wasn't too much of a delay, but I got this chapter out. I know some of you are concerned about his sexual immorality, but that is all part of showing that he has no constraints anymore. Although, I must say that Hermione isn't all that far fetched as a sex partner for Harry. Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing. Happy reading.