AN: Sorry that I haven't updated lately but I've been busy and I've had a hard time trying to type this things up. So I'm not going to say much more here. Here's a summary of what's happened so far for those of you who have forgotten:

Summary: Harry got attacked at Privet Drive twice and Vernon abused him. Sirius came and got him and after a skirmish in Diagon Alley brought him to Hogwarts early. Remus picked Ron and Hermione up as well as the rest of the Weasleys bringing them to the school. Harry gets a Phoenix and starts having advanced classed. After the students arrived Malfoy made fun of Harry again and Harry ends up somehow saving a little girl. For the next few weeks, strange things keep happening and people are talking behind Harry's back. (Note: This summary is very general and I didn't mention everything that has happened 'cause it's been awhile for me too since I wrote the last parts. I hope there was enough there to remind you of what had happened. Enjoy and don't forget to review!!!)  

Chapter Fourteen: 

Confrontations

   It had been almost two weeks since the action packed first week of school and to Harry's relief, nothing too much out of the ordinary had happened since. The teachers had been piling on the work even more so then usual, but Harry suspected that that had a lot to do with the fact that they had their O.W.L.S to do at the end of the year.

   His advanced classes had been interesting to say the least. At first, Harry couldn't even understand why he was doing them. The spells and theories that he had to earn were so ridiculously hard that he didn't know how he was ever going to survive, but now they were slowly getting easier as he began to understand the material he was being taught. The only thing he didn't like was the fact that he had an extra potions lesson… with Snape.

   "Ugh, I give up!" said Ron, throwing down his quill for what seemed like the thousandth time.

   Hermione looked up from the book she had been reading and rolled her eyes. "What don't you understand now?"

   "It's this stupid patronus thingy. I still can't make the thing work and without understanding how it works, how can I write an essay based on that?" Ron said, crossing his arms.

   "Ron, I can't believe you find writing that essay so difficult. A patronus is powered by a single very happy memory. The rest of the essay should just be about the origins of the patronus and why people have so much difficulty creating it. What else do you need to know?" Hermione asked.

   "Well, if it's so simple, why did I see you ripping your hair out the other night because you were having so much trouble writing it?" Ron shot back.

   "Well… because… I've been under a lot of stress lately and I haven't been able to focus properly," Hermione stammered, hiding her face behind her book.

   Ron crossed his arms, with a smug look on his face, "Why can't you just admit that you're not perfect Hermione?"

   Harry sighed deeply from where he sat curled up in one of the big armchairs beside them, a book placed in his lap. If this kept up he'd never get him own work done.

   "Could you two please be a little quieter? I'm trying to get this done," Harry said, making both Ron and Hermione look up at him.

     "Geez, mate," Ron said, "You're acting more and more like Hermione everyday; constantly reading books and working on homework all the time."

   "And what's wrong with that?" Hermione asked, slightly annoyed. "It's nice to know that at least Harry is taking his work seriously."

   "Hey, I take my work seriously," Ron answered.

   Hermione rolled her eyes again and turned back to her own work, tilting the book slightly so that the light from the fireplace lit up the page. It was slowly becoming darker outside of the tower and they had to stay close to the fireplace so they could see their work. Everyone else was either outside or already in the Great Hall.

   Harry squinted, trying to read.

  'The Cretia charm, meaning protector, is used to block a variety of powerful spells. The most powerful that it is known to block is the 'Cruciatus curse'. Only powerful wizards and witches have been able to block the 'Cruciatus' with the Cretia but it is possible. The incantation to perform the charm is 'aripere cretio' which will create a different colour shield around the caster depending on the power level of the wizard. Only the caster is able to see the shield unless they wish to have others see-'

   "What are you reading, Harry?" Ron asked, trying to see the title on the black book in Harry's lap.

   Harry sighed deeply and looked up at Ron, "Ron, I don't mean to be rude or anything but I'm trying to finish my homework."

   "What class is it for?" Hermione asked, wondering if she might be able to help.

   "It's for Defence," said Harry, turning back to his book.

   Ron leaned forward a bit to try and get a look at the words on the parchment Harry was now scribbling on. This was difficult seeing as how he and Hermione were sitting on the floor using the low table in front of the fireplace to do their work while Harry was seated in one of the big red comfy chairs doing his work in his lap.

   "That doesn't look like any of our Defence books," Ron observed.

   "That's because it isn't on of your Defence books," Harry answered him, scribbling a few more lines down on his parchment without glancing up.

   "What do you mean?" asked Hermione.

   Harry placed his quill down in the crease between the pages in his book and looked up at them. 'I'm never going to get this finished,' he thought before he spoke, "Listen. I'm using a different book then you guys. I was asked on my booklist to get three other series then the ones everyone else got, okay?"

   "What's the name of the book you're reading?" Ron asked.

   Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to his work, "The Fine Art of Duelling, Volume One."

   Hermione and Ron exchanged looks.

   "Why don't you just use the other books?" Hermione asked.

   "Because I'm not doing a patronus essay. I'm doing something else that can't be found in the normal books," Harry answered as he copied something down into his own words from the book.

   Ron was about to ask what Harry was doing but decided against it when Hermione flashed him a mean look that said 'Just leave him alone.' So he kept his mouth shut for once.

   Hermione moved closer to Harry and, without disturbing him, read a few lines from his essay: 'The Cretia can be used to block many spells, one of which is the 'Cruciatus curse'. It does this by creating a shield around the caster, which will deflect on coming attacks. Each Cretia is a different colour depending on the power level of the witch or wizard who creates it.'

    "Why are you learning that?" Hermione asked, sounding a little jealous that she didn't get to learn about the Cretia.

   "I guess I'm learning it because I already know the patronus charm and cause Sirius thought I might need to know it," said Harry.

   "I can see why," said Hermione.

   "Hey, how come you're not mad at her for asking you questions?" said Ron sounding a bit annoyed.

   "Because Hermione hasn't been asking me a million questions a minute and stopping me from getting my homework done," Harry said, still not looking up.

   Ron threw his hands up in the air. "Fine, I give up!"

   Harry and Hermione simply looked at him and laughed.

   Meanwhile, in Dumbledore's office another discussion was taking place. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his eyes grave and without their usual twinkle. Sirius, Remus, McGonagall, Snape and the cloaked figure sat in front of his desk waiting for the old wizard to speak.

   "We are going to have to confront the Ministry," Dumbledore answered at last. "Fudge has still refused to believe Voldemort is back. We shall warn him for one last time and after that, that's it."

   "But what if he doesn't listen?" the cloaked figure asked.

McGonagall and Snape had been told earlier about him so that was why he was now part of this meeting.

   "Then we will move without the Ministry's consent. We cannot allow people to get hurt because of Fudge's stubbornness," said Dumbledore.

   "That is easier said then done, Albus. If you oppose the Ministry, they can remove you from the position of Headmaster and everyone here at the school will be put into danger," said Remus.

   "I am aware of that. However, they will find it very difficult to remove me if they cannot reach the school. I really don't want to have to lock the school away from the outside world, but if I have to I will t protect the students from harm," Dumbledore answered.

   "Not to mention that if the Ministry did get control of Hogwarts, Harry's life would be made a living hell," Sirius added.

   "And how do you see that?" asked Snape.

   "He's right, Severus," Dumbledore said quickly before a fight broke out between the two men, "Fudge does not want to believe me that Voldemort has returned and he doesn't want to believe Harry either. He would turned Harry's life upside down and make things very hard for him here. Also he would not be able to protect him properly from Voldemort."

   Dumbledore then sighed, "Now, Sirius, I'd like you to go to the Ministry and tell Fudge that this is his last chance. After that, if he doesn't agree, we will have to go behind his back and inform the rest of the Wizarding world that Voldemort has returned."

   "Why me?" Sirius asked.

   "Because if something happens while you're gone, parents will want to talk to Minerva and Severus. He," Dumbledore said, pointing to the cloaked figure, "Can't go for obvious reasons and Remus can't go because the full moon is coming up. Also he will be able to take over your classes while you're away."

   Sirius nodded, understanding. "Fine," he sulked.

   "I realize that you don't want to leave Harry right now but I'm sure he will be fine for a few days," Dumbledore said.

   "Okay," Sirius sighed, "When do I leave?"

   "As soon as possible. The safest time would be tonight after the feast. We don't know what Voldemort s planning or when he is planning to do it so it is better if you try to come back as soon as possible. I will need you all here if something goes wrong."

   They all nodded in agreement.

***

   "The what charm?" asked Ron, taking another bit out of his chicken leg.

   "The Cretia charm," said Harry, "It's used to block power spells like the Cruciatus curse."

   "Ah, I see. So Sirius is having you learn this as part of your advanced lessons and also because you already know the patronus charm?" Ron replied.

   "Exactly," Harry mashed up his potatoes a little, relieved that Ron finally got it. It had taken awhile for him to understand it though for some odd reason.

   "Is he going to teach it to us as well?" Hermione asked curiously.

   Harry shook his head. "I don't think so. I think I'm the only one leaning it."

   Hermione pouted. Ron and Harry just laughed at her.

   "Oh, come on Hermione," said Ron. "You can't learn everything."

   Hermione simply ignored him and turned back to her own plate of food, feeling slightly down.

   Harry sighed. "Hermione, if you want me too, I'll teach it to you once I've figured it out myself, 'Kay?"

   Hermione smiled then and looked up at him, "Okay."

  "Hermione, you want to know too much," said Ron and so another argument between the two began.

   Harry just rolled his eyes at his friends. Some things would never change, not that Harry ever wanted them too. He was glad that there were at least some things in his life that would remain consistent even if everything else around him kept changing.

   Harry turned to look up at the teacher's table. Dumbledore was chatting quietly with McGonagall, but he wore a grave expression on his face. Snape, he noticed, was also looking odd. His usual sour mood was gone being replaced by a worried one, which surprised Harry greatly. Not only that but Sirius and Remus also seemed worried about something.

   Harry frowned. Had something happened? He could remember only a hand full of times when all the teachers had looked this worried. In his second year with the Chamber of Secrets, in his third year with Sirius and then again at the end of last year.

   "Harry, are you alright?" asked Hermione, gaining his attention.

   Harry smiled at her, "I'm fine."

   He then turned back to his food and started moving it around a bit with his fork. He wasn't in the mood to eat anymore, not when there was something up that had all the teachers worried.

   He sighed deeply again. This year was not turning out to be the normal year he had hopped for.

   That's when he heard it. A low hissing sound that said two single words; "Exsecros Gravis!"

   Harry gripped the sides of the table and clutched his stomach. He felt very dizzy and sick again. His stomach was threatening to throw up the little food he had just eaten.

   "Harry?!"

He could hear Ron and Hermione yell in concern but it was hard for him to think past the pain he felt. 

   Then his scar began to burn painfully on his forehead. It had never hurt this much before. It felt like someone was trying to cut his head open with a knife at his scar.

   A cold wind swept through the Great Hall making all the lights flicker then die. The whole hall went silent until Harry's screams of pain suddenly filled it.

   A cold, drawling voice filled the hall above Harry's screams. "You cannot hide from me, Potter. Even at Hogwarts I can still reach you and now, you are mine!"

   Harry screamed out again then everything went silent. The teachers tried to move to get to Harry and secure the hall, but they found that they couldn't move. They were stuck where they were by some unseen force.

    "Did you really think I would have done all this without trapping you and your teachers first, Dumbledore? Really, I thought you were smarter then that," said the voice and then a figure appeared at the entrance to the hall. It lowered its hood and people were far too scared at what they saw to scream or try to run. It was Lord Voldemort.

   Harry breathed hard and forced his head away from the table to look up at Voldemort. He no longer felt sick but his scar was hurting painfully.

   With all the strength he could muster, Harry slowly got to his feet and turned to face the Dark Lord. Everyone watched Harry closely, especially the teachers, all wondering what he was going to do.

   "Ah, there you are Harry," said Voldemort. "I was wondering where you had disappeared too. That was very rude of you to just leave like that without even saying Good-bye."

   Harry smiled a little, "Well, excuse me if I have better things to do then to stand around a watch you kill innocent people, Voldemort."

   People all around gasped as Harry said Voldemort's name.

   Voldemort's eyes flared, "Didn't your Godfather ever teach you manners? It's not polite to talk that way to your elders."

   "You're not worth any manners, Voldemort. You're nothing more then a murderer," Harry replied, his voice cold.

   "I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Harry. Please send my regards to Lily and James when you see them," Voldemort answered as he raised his wand. "Avada Kedrava!"

  The green light burst forth from Voldemort's wand and hurled towards Harry but it just ended up slamming into the shield that was protecting him. Voldemort put more power into the curse, trying to break through. Harry threw his arms up in front of him, trying to prevent the shield from breaking, though it was useless.

   After a few moments, the shield shattered. Everyone thought Harry was a goner, but something happened that they didn't expect. As the green light hit Harry, something happened. Harry began to glow gold, his green eyes now also seemed to glow in the dark room.

   "NO!!!" Harry yelled and the curse was thrown away from him, smashing into one of the walls leaving a scorch make behind.

   Harry didn't know how he had just done that, but he had and now he felt that Voldemort needed to be taught a lesson. The golden glow disappeared but his eyes were still glowing that blinding shade of green.

   Voldemort look at Harry in shock then that shock quickly turned to rage, "You will pay for that, Potter!"

   Harry's eyes flashed as he slowly stepped forward, "Wrong! It is you who will pay, Riddle! Pertcuo Addflictus!!!" Harry raised his hand.

   Voldemort suddenly gripped the sides of his head, screaming out in pain. He withered to the ground as Harry came closer to him.

   "You've destroyed far too many lives, Riddle! You need to pay for all the people you've hurt. The Blacks, the Longbottoms, Emily, Mundungus, my own parents…and that's not even half of it. There are many more lives that you need to pay for!" Harry yelled.

   Voldemort ignored the pain and looked up at Harry in anger, "I will not allow this CHILD to defeat me again! Cruio!"

   Harry stopped his attack on Voldemort and simply pushed the curse aside as though it was nothing more then air. The he smiled, "Those curses won't work so easily on me now, Riddle."

   Sirius looked away from Harry as he spoke. That wasn't Harry. He didn't know what that was but it wasn't his Godson. Dumbledore ad warned them of this and they still had plenty of time to try and get this thing inside of Harry under control, but he couldn't stand to hear it now or see it. 'Harry, what's happening to you?'

   Harry continued to stare down at Voldemort, his bright green eyes taking in every movement he made. Outside, Harry seemed totally in control, but inside, he was in conflict. Part of him was confused about everything that was happening and knew what he was doing was wrong, but the other part was filled with so much rage and anger over everything Voldemort had done to him that it overridden any sense of righteousness.

   Voldemort slowly got to his feet. His snake like features twisting in pain as he moved. Harry watched him silently.

   Voldemort suddenly laughed, "You are a fool, Potter! You may be powerful now but soon that will change. Dumbledore is hiding something from you, Harry, along with your Godfather and a few others. They're all hiding something from you and very soon, I'll have it within my grasp. Someone else is going to die for you Harry and it'll be all your fault."

   Harry's eyes flared, "Phoeicurx Levisonus!!!"

Harry shot his hand forward and there was a huge eruption of golden light from his hand. It slammed into Voldemort and sent him flying back into the closed oak doors. He crashed into them an exploded into a display of blue dust.

   "Don't think you've gotten rid of me yet, Potter. The game's only begun." Voldemort's voice rang throughout the hall.

   The hall was still and silent as the wind died down and the candles flickered back to life. Everyone stayed still, all staring at Harry and in too much shock to do anything else.

   Harry stared blankly as where Voldemort had disappeared. It almost looked like he was just a statue. Then his eyes closed and he collapsed, being caught by Sirius.  

***

AN: That's it for now! I know it was short, but I can't do much about that. I'll start having the summary at the beginning of each chapter, adding more on as we go. Please don't forget to review. Thanks!!!