Disclaimer: I'm afraid that my limited brain capacity would never allow me to produce such a wonderful concept as Harry Potter, nor would my finances allow me to buy him. Therefore, I regretfully state that I own neither Harry Potter, nor any other characters that you may recognize. I'm not even sure if I own the plot.

Note: I'm assuming that you already know the basic story of Harry Potter from books 1 through 5.

'Italics' stand for thoughts/letters or text

Chapter Three: Phoenix Mail

Day One, Evening:

Harry was delighted to see the phoenix. "Fawkes! What are you doing here? Can you take a letter to Professor Dumbledore for me?" Not waiting for an answer, he grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment.

A few minutes later, Fawkes vanished, taking a short note with him.

…………

Day One, Evening:

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and head of the Order of the Phoenix, was getting concerned. There had been no attacks in almost two weeks and that was a sure sign of trouble.

A burst of flame caught his eye. "Hello, Fawkes," the elderly wizard said in greeting. "Is that a letter you've got? Who would be writing to me by phoenix?"

The letter read: 'Professor Dumbledore, there will be an attack on the Ministry of Magic today in about two hours, at nine o'clock. Gather the Order and be ready.'

Dumbledore stared at the signature — 'The One in the Prophecy.' That could only be one of two people, Neville Longbottom or Harry Potter. Neither had ever heard the entire prophecy, though Voldemort might have told Harry the part he knew. But Harry would hardly be writing to him. So how could this be?

Making up his mind, Dumbledore turned the note over and wrote: 'How do you know of the prophecy? And of the attack?'

He finished the note with his name before handing the parchment to Fawkes. "Take this back, please." The red-and-gold bird disappeared, but returned a few minutes later bearing another letter, which simply said, 'Fawkes trusts me, and I trust you, to an extent. All I ask is that you do the same, if not for me, then for all the innocent people out there.'

…………

Day One, Evening:

Back at Malfoy Manor, Harry put on black pants, a black shirt, and boots. He also took a slender sword, four daggers, and two wandholders, and strapped them on. Once he had added his wands, his own and a spare, he grabbed a hooded cloak. Then, he spent a little time composing himself before heading out to attack the Ministry of Magic alongside his parents' murderer.