Chapter 9:

Training Begins

The next evening, Harry went to bed early so that he could begin his training with the echo of Godric Gryffindor. Godric appeared to him almost immediately after Harry fell asleep. Harry grinned, "So, what are we going to be doing tonight?"

Godric smiled, "I think that our first order of business is to teach you how to Apparate through Hogwarts' wards. That will make it much easier for you to get back and forth without your identity as the Dark Phoenix being discovered."

Harry's eyes widened and a mischievous grin appeared on his face, "I've always thought that it is impossible to Apparate through the wards."

Godric nodded, "It is. However, the wards can be fooled into believing that you are a house elf, and thus they will not stop you. You just have to learn to channel your power the same way that they do, and the wards won't recognize you as a wizard. Now, let us begin."

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, there were several Death Eater attacks, without retribution from the Dark Phoenix, as Harry kept going to bed early to learn everything that he needed to know from Godric Gryffindor. After teaching Harry how to Apparate through the wards, he began teaching him several very powerful curses that hadn't been used in centuries. Then, Godric progressed into teaching him how to channel the Cruciatus Curse, so that it empowered you instead of harming you. This turned out to be quite easy once you understood it, but exceptionally difficult to understand. Once Harry completed this, he asked the fateful question, "Is it possible to block the Killing Curse?"

Godric shook his head sadly, "I'm afraid not, young cub. The only way to survive the Killing Curse is to have someone die for you, like your mother did for you as a baby."

Harry asked, "What about Voldemort? He survived the curse when it rebounded on him."

Godric nodded, "Very true, but that was his own curse, and the Killing Curse generally loses some of its effectiveness once it is deflected off something. Not to mention the fact that Voldemort is no longer completely human, so the curse doesn't have the same effect on him that it would on normal people."

Harry sighed, "So, he can't be killed by it?"

Godric shrugged, "Who knows? If it was cast by a normal wizard, I would say no, but it is possible that you could do it that way, but I wouldn't recommend it."

"Why?"

Godric replied, "Casting that curse against Voldemort could very well kill you as well. The same could be said if he attempts to kill you that way. That's why he tried to get Dumbledore to do it for him in the Department of Mysteries last year. He's actually afraid of what will happen if he uses it on you."

Harry paused for a few moments and then said, "So, what other ways are there for me to kill him?"

Godric smiled, "You are going to have to defeat him in combat, and then bind him to use what I am going to teach you. It is called a Soul Disbandment. It takes some time, so he will have to be beaten and you have to have his wand to do it."

Harry nodded, "Then, I guess that I need to get busy."

Godric nodded, "Yes, we will begin working on this at our next meeting. For now, you should rest and get actual sleep that doesn't involve training. Besides, the Death Eaters are becoming far too bold for my tastes. It is time to let them feel the wrath of the Heir of Gryffindor."

The next morning, Harry went down to breakfast just as the post owls began delivering the mail. Harry sat down next to his friends as Hermione opened up the Daily Prophet. She gasped, "Oh my goodness."

Ron asked, "What is it, Mione?"

She laid the paper down. The boys and Ginny leaned over it to read.

Death Eaters Attack Ministry

In a surprise raid last night, the Ministry itself came under fire from the Death Eaters. Aurors guarding the Ministry were able to fight off the attack, but it was not without its casualties. Several Aurors were killed, and many more were injured. It is also rumored that several more Ministry personnel were killed during the raid, but this report is completely unconfirmed as the Ministry refuses to disclose any information regarding the attack, the targets, or the casualties. Minister of Magic Fudge is citing several guidelines of Secrecy Statutes as justification for the refusal on the part of the Ministry to give details of the attack.

Harry slammed his fist down on the table, "I've had about enough of Fudge." Harry leaped up from the Gryffindor table and stomped up to the Head Table and stood right in front of Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked up at Harry and said, "How may I help you, Harry?"

Harry replied evenly, "I want you to get Fudge here. I'm tired of his idiocy, and I am going to end it."

Snape sneered, "And just how do you propose to do that, Potter?"

Harry matched Snape's sneer with one of his own, and then said maliciously, "I will keep my own counsel to my doings, Severus, and if you speak in my presence again, I will permanently wipe that sneer off your face."

Snape paled for a moment, and then reached for his wand. Before his hand made it completely into his pocket, Harry had struck. He yanked Snape's knife up from his plate, and stabbed it straight through his wand hand. Snape yelped in pain, and Harry's face darkened, "You've used the Cruciatus Curse on me once, Snape. If you ever even act like you are going to draw your wand against me again, I will kill you myself."

Dumbledore sighed, "Harry, do you really think that you are capable of killing someone?"
Harry returned a level gaze to the Headmaster. He met Dumbledore's eyes and said evenly, "What makes you so certain that I haven't already killed someone, Headmaster? Now, are you going to bring that twit to this school, or do I have to go after him?"

Dumbledore sighed, "I will request that Cornelius come to Hogwarts for a meeting, Mr. Potter. I don't think we will accomplish much, however. Cornelius is a stubborn man."

Harry leaned over the table menacingly, "He won't be after I'm through with him." Then, he turned and swirled away from the table. Snape quietly left the table and headed for the Hospital Wing.

Minerva whispered quietly to Dumbledore, "Do you think it wise to continue to let Harry get away with this kind of behavior?"

Dumbledore shrugged and then said worriedly, "No, Minerva, I don't think it wise, but I think it even more foolish to attempt to do anything about it at this point. I know that you can sense the raw power that radiates from Mr. Potter. If he were to unleash it on this school, the effects would be catastrophic. Never forget that he is the Heir of Gryffindor, and if he so chose, the wards would answer to him before they would to me."

McGonagall sniffed, "I think that you should at least try to talk some sense into him."

Dumbledore shook his head, "Harry doesn't want to hear anything from me except an acceptance of whatever order he gives me, and unfortunately that is exactly what he is going to hear for the time being. I merely dread the day when he gives me an order that I have to refuse."

McGonagall asked, "Why is that?"

Dumbledore replied grimly, "If it comes down to a magical battle between Mr. Potter and myself, I'm not sure that I would win."

McGonagall looked stern, "This is no time to talk foolishness, Albus. You are one of the most powerful wizards of all time, and he is still a boy."

Albus hung his head, "I am not talking foolishness, Minerva. I may be one of the most powerful wizards to ever live, but if I am not mistaken, Harry may well be the most powerful wizard to ever live. From what the texts say, Harry's powers surpass even that of Merlin and Godric."

McGonagall gasped, "Surely, you aren't serious, Albus."

Dumbledore nodded grimly, "I am more serious than I have ever been in my life. If Harry continues down the road he's following, then I fear for the safety of the world. If he falls to the Dark Arts, then we are all doomed."

As Harry was leaving the Great Hall, he noticed Susan Bones standing just outside the entranceway holding a black envelope and crying. Harry stepped over to her and asked, "Susan, are you okay?"

She shook her head, and grabbed Harry in a hug. He wrapped his arms around her, and began making soothing noises, and gently stroked her hair. Then, he said quietly, "What's wrong, Susan? You can talk to me if you want?"

Susan sniffled, and then said, "My Auntie died in the attack on the Ministry."

Harry sucked in a small gasp, "They got to Madam Bones?!"

Susan nodded miserably, and began sobbing more openly. Harry continued to stroke her hair, and make soothing sounds as the two of them stood alone in the corridor. Harry looked up to see Hannah Abbott and several other Hufflepuff girls walk over towards them hesitantly. Harry met Hannah's eyes and nodded. Then, he leaned down and whispered quietly into Susan's ear, "I'm not too good at comforting people, Susan, and I'm not sure what to say to you. So, I'm simply going to make you a promise."

Susan sniffed, "What promise?"

Harry replied grimly, "I promise that they will pay. I'm going to make them regret following Voldemort. I swear it."

Susan shook her head, "No, Harry. I don't want you to do anything where you could get hurt. It's too dangerous."

Harry patted Susan on the back and gently kissed her forehead, "Don't worry. The only people that its dangerous for are the Death Eaters. Now, I think your friends want to talk to you. So, I'm going to go."

Susan nodded, and then called after Harry as he walked down the corridor, "Wait, Harry!"

He turned to look at her, and she bit her lip for a moment, "Where are you going?"

Harry smiled, "To arm myself with the greatest weapon of all. Information."

Susan nodded once again, and then turned around and allowed the Hufflepuffs to surround her.

Harry strode off in the direction of the dungeons to have a little heart to heart with Snape. As Harry neared the dungeons, he heard voices and backed up against a wall. He recognized one of the voices as Malfoy, and logically guessed that the other two must belong to Crabbe and Goyle.

Malfoy said, "Hurry up, you idiots. My father wants the three of us and Snape to meet him in less than an hour. Come on."

Harry quickly cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself since he didn't have his invisibility cloak with him, and followed them down the corridor to Snape's office.

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle opened the door, and entered, and Harry slipped in beside them. Snape looked up as they entered, and said, "You're late. Put your robes and masks on, and we will take the Portkey to meet Lucius."

The three nodded, and donned the robes of a Death Eater and then fitted the masks over their faces. Harry decided that this was as far as he was going to let them get. He flicked his wand in the direction of Crabbe and Goyle, who were standing side by side, and said, "Reducto!" The two were blasted back into the wall. Snape and Malfoy immediately drew their wands, but Harry quickly yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Sanpe's wand flew out of his hand quickly followed by Malfoy's. Then, Harry tapped himself on the head, and canceled the Disillusionment Charm on himself.

When, Harry came into view, Snape snarled, "Potter, what do you think you are doing? I'll have you expelled for attacking a teacher."

Harry snorted, "Not this time, Snivellus. I've caught the four of you red-handed in Death Eater robes, and I am well aware of that mark burned into your arm. What I'm interested to know is whether or not our young Malfoy here has the mark burned into his arm? So, let's see."

Malfoy raised his left sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark emblazoned onto his flesh.

Harry clucked disapprovingly, "Well, I had considered sparing your life, Malfoy, but since you've already taken the mark, then I'm afraid that I will have to reconsider."

Snape stepped forward menacingly, but Harry twitch his wand, and said, "Locomotor Mortis." Snape's legs sprang together and he fell forward onto his face. Harry smiled indulgently, "Come now, Snivellus. I can't have you interrupting mine and Malfoy's little duel."

Snape growled, "Do you really expect us to believe you are capable of killing someone in cold blood. You are far too noble for that, Potter."

Harry chuckled darkly, "Oh really, Snivellus. I'm afraid that you are very mistaken, though. The Dark Phoenix is very capable of killing Death Eaters."

Snape snorted, "Do you really expect us to believe that you're the Dark Phoenix, Potter. What fantasy."

Harry pulled the sleeve of his robe up to reveal the Phoenix Mark on his arm, and Snape's eyes widened in fear. He pushed his body back, "Impossible. The Headmaster was assured that you couldn't be the Dark Phoenix."

Harry took a small bow, "Well, that doesn't surprise me. The Headmaster is an old fool. He doesn't have the balls to lead a fight against a true enemy, so it is only fitting that I continue to deceive him." Harry turned to Malfoy, "Now, I believe it is time for us to end this, once and for all." Harry threw Draco's wand back to him, "Now, defend yourself."

Harry assumed a formal dueling position, and waited for Draco to do the same. They both bowed, and then the duel began. Draco proved to be a formidable dueling opponent, but was no match for Harry's innate talent. Harry easily stayed ahead of the curses that Draco hurled at him, and began hitting Draco with smaller annoying hexes. Once it was obvious that Draco was going to be beaten, he attempted to go all out, and screamed, "Avada Kedavra."

Harry easily rolled out of the way of the curse, and responded with a Stunning Spell that caught the weakened and tired Draco completely by surprise. Harry walked over to Draco, and kicked off his mask. Harry sighed to himself, "A pity. You would have been a powerful wizard if you had only chosen the right path."

At that moment Snape dove sideways and scooped up Goyle's wand from the floor, and yelled, "Stupefy!"

Harry easily shifted his stance and said quietly, "Protego." Then, he sent a Disarming Charm right back at Snape. Snape erected a shield, but the spell tore right through it, and Harry ended up with Goyle's wand as well. Harry shook his head, "You should no better than to challenge me with a wand other than your own, Professor. The magic you cast is almost useless that way."

Snape said snidely, "So, are you going to kill us, Potter?"

Harry flicked his wand at Malfoy and uttered a Cutting Curse that sliced right across his throat. Harry then turned back to Snape, as Snape's face drained of all color. Harry said, "Crabbe and Goyle are too stupid to be worth the effort. They will remain as they are. You, on the other hand, I have yet to decide about. If you give me the information I seek, then I will spare your life."

Snape growled, "What do you want to know, Potter?"

Harry replied, "Simple. I want to know who led the attack on the Ministry last night, because I know Voldemort wasn't there, or the Aurros would never have been able to fight them off, and I want to know where you were supposed to be taking your little junior Death Eaters off to this evening?"

Snape took a deep breath, "Bellatrix led the assault on the Ministry last night. It was intended to be a feint to keep the Ministry busy, while Voldemort launched another attack."

Harry nodded, "So, what is the target, tonight?"

Snape shrugged, "I don't know. We were to be told our targets when we took the Portkey to meet Lucius."

"I'm presuming that Albus knows about this, and is prepared?"

Snape nodded, "The Order is here at the castle, and all the Aurors are at the Ministry on high alert. They will be ready to go at a moment's notice once the target is identified."

Harry smiled, "Excellent. Now, tell me where to find Bellatrix Lestrange. I want her head on a platter. The attack this evening will be the perfect cover for me to go."

Snape snarled, "Lestrange stays at the base at 114 Knockturn Alley. She will be there in anticipation of the attack tonight, I am sure."

Harry smiled even more gleefully, "Even more excellent. I will be on my way now." Harry flicked his wand at Severus, and said mildly, "Reducto!" The spell slammed Snape into the wall and knocked him unconscious. Then, Harry flicked his wand at the wall, and left a version of his mark emblazoned on the wall with a message underneath it. Then, one final time he flicked his wand to modify Snape's memory. Then, with an audible pop, Harry was gone.

At the same time, Minister Fudge had entered the Headmaster's office, where Dumbledore, Lupin, McGonagall, and Arthur were waiting for him. Albus rose, "Cornelius, I know that I requested this meeting on behalf of Mr. Potter, but with the imminent attack, I don't know how long we will be able to devote to it."

Fudge waved a hand, "I don't really believe that there will be an attack, Dumbledore. This is just another item in your list of things to panic the wizarding world. The Aurors can handle the threat of You-Know-Who."

A small knock sounded on the door to Dumbledore's office. Lupin answered the door, and Colin Creevey entered the room. He squeaked, "Professor Dumbledore, I can't find Harry. I know you told me to, but I have looked everywhere I can think of."

Dumbledore smiled, "That's okay, Mr. Creevey. We will locate him."

Colin nodded, and departed the room in a hurry. Dumbledore turned to Lupin and asked, "Remus, did you get the new Marauder's Map finished?"

Remus nodded, as he pulled out a roll of parchment from his robes. He tapped it and said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The lines appeared on the page forming a map of the castle. Remus tapped the map again, and said, "Show me Harry Potter." Nothing happened. He tried again. Then, he sighed, "Harry is not in the castle, Albus."

Dumbledore slumped back into his chair, "This isn't good. I only hope that he left of his own accord."

Lupin continued peering at the map, and then said, "Isn't Severus supposed to be gone by now?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, of course. Why?"

Lupin replied, "He's still in the castle, and Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle are in his office."

Dumbledore rose, "We must see to this." The four wizards and McGonagall all left the Headmaster's office and trotted down to the dungeons. There they found Snape, Crabbe, and Goyle heavily wounded, and Malfoy dead with the Phoenix Mark standing out starkly against the back wall.

The five of them could only stare in disbelief at the words etched on the wall in a glowing red fire.

No One Is Safe From The Wrath Of The Dark Phoenix.

If You Choose The Dark Path,

Then, You Will Suffer.

Headmaster, You Allowed Students To Become Death Eaters,

Thus Endangering All The Other Students.
This is an Atrocity That I Will Not Allow.

Crabbe And Goyle Must Be Removed From The School.

They Bear The Dark Mark.

I Have Removed Malfoy, Permanently.

Look For My Mark Again, Soon.

A/N: I'm going to be exceptionally busy for the next three weeks, so I don't know how much time I will be able to devote to writing. It may be as much as two weeks before you get another chapter, but I'm hoping it won't be quite that long. We're a little over halfway through this fic, and I am going to attempt to finish it as quickly as possible. As always, thanks go out to my readers and reviewers. Happy reading.