I do not own Harry potter. I am making no money from this fic.

AN: I had this idea for a story and I figured I'd give it a go. This fic starts out during the fiasco at the department of mysteries in OOTP. I don't really know where it's gonna lead but lets find out together, shall we?

Harry Potter and the Change of Fate

By Uncle Potter

Chapter one

Harry looked back on the death eater that Hermione had just silenced. He didn't look too disturbed by her hex. He moved his wand in a slashing motion and a dark purple ark erupted from it. Harry thought quickly and cast at summoning charm an Hermione. She was pulled into his arms just as the curse shot past her in cleaving into the wall on the other side of the room. He quickly let go of her and cast a stunner at the death eater knocking him unconscious.

"Let's get outta here, yeah?" he said breathlessly.

She nodded enthusiastically and the left the office with Neville following. In the corridor they saw Luna carrying a still giggling Ron behind her with her wand and a limping Ginny.

"Alright." Harry started, "It's obvious that I've been had and Sirius isn't here. So our best bet is to try to get back to Hogwarts. Any ideas as to how to do that?" they all looked to Hermione.

Her brow furrowed and she started to bite on her lower lip, deep in thought. "Well" she said after a short time, "They doubtlessly warded the floo network, so we can't get out that way. Oh, HONESTLY, Harry if you had only thought to bring that mirror that Sirius gave you we could call for help."

Harry didn't have time to feel stupid about that because they were interrupted by another voice.

"I don't think that would do you any good at this point." said Malfoy. "We would only kill him in front of you."

Harry's hand tightened on his wand. He wanted nothing more than to tear that smirk off of that git's face…literally.

However he noticed that the rest of the death eaters were getting closer and he had no clue as to how to get away.

"Harry there's a door behind us. Maybe we can find a place to hide and possibly buy us some time to figure out what to do." Hermione whispered

Harry whispered back "Open the door and stay behind me. They won't hurt me as long as I have the prophecy."

He heard the door open and the others shuffle behind him as they went through the passage. Harry stared at the group of killers defiantly as they seemed to be chomping at the bit to curse the teens trying to get away. When he heard Hermione whisper "now" he backed into the room and closed the door. Once inside he locked it cast a locking charm on it and summoned various pieces of furniture in the room to barricade it with.

"That should give us a few minutes to figure out our next move." he said.

He looked around. He saw rows and rows of chairs (a few he used to barricade the door) sitting around a large stone dais with a stone archway that had a thin white sheer curtain. That was all that was in the room. Nevertheless, for how barren the room was, Harry felt the biggest sense of foreboding. Harry noticed that the other members of the group have hidden under chairs and Luna hid behind the arch, her tiny frame hidden completely behind the right leg of it. It made Harry think of some twisted game of hide and seek.

Harry had just found a suitable spot to hide when the door exploded open and the death eaters entered. Just an instant too late, Harry realized that hiding was probably the worst thing that they could do. It was obvious as to where they were hiding. There was nothing else to use as cover but the chairs.

The death eaters realized this as well and sent all the chair flying to one side of the room, knocking Neville out in the process. The others were pulled by their hair from their spots and disarmed and dragged to a place near the archway. Each one of his friends had a wand pointed at their throats.

"Now, Potter." said Lucius Malfoy triumphantly. "Hand over the prophecy, and none of your friends will be harmed"

Harry almost laughed "You don't honestly expect me to believe that you'd let us go, do you?" Harry said, stalling and trying to think. "We'll all be killed the moment the prophecy leaves my hand."

Malfoy smiled "I understand your predicament, Potter. Fine, if you hand over the prophecy, you have my word that none of your friends will be harmed in any way today." he said.

"How can I trust you to keep your word?" Harry asked immediately.

Malfoy's smile became a smirk. "I fail to see your alternative, Potter."

It was that moment hat the tides turned. Because the moment he said that he felt a tap on his shoulder. Malfoy turned around to see Sirius Black standing before him.

"Get the hell away from my godson!" he growled and then punched him right in the jaw.

Harry looked around to see other members of the order including Arthur Weasley, Tonks, Lupin, Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Each one taking on at least one death eater. His newly liberated friends regained their wands and took on the fight anew. Harry turned his attention back to the situation at hand and started to duel with Malfoy while Sirius took up a duel with his cousin Belatrix LeStrange. Harry held his own against the blond death eater while Sirius was not only winning his duel with Belatrix, but taunting her as well.

She sent a reducto ant Sirius's head, which he deftly ducked and said "Is that the best you can do, Bella? Here I thought that Voldemort favored you." at that she said the two words that Harry dreaded more than anything. "AVADA KADAVRA!" However, instead of getting killed, Sirius was tackled out of the way by Hermione and the spell went into the archway.

Once the spell went through the veil it seemed to explode with power and those closest to it were thrown nearly ten meters away. Harry and Hermione each landed hard but relatively undamaged and Sirius was knocked unconscious. Belatrix, seeing this shot another dreaded curse, this time at Hermione. "CRUCIO!" she screamed and Hermione fell to the floor screaming horribly.

Forgetting for a moment that he was a wizard, Harry dive tackled the insane witch, sending her sprawling. She quickly got up, and seeing the fury in his eyes, cackled and ran out the door. Harry was soon on her heels. They ran out into the Ministry atrium where Harry caught her off guard with two bone breaking hexes. On to her right arm and one to her left leg. She screamed and fell in a heap. Harry walked up to her menacingly pointing his wand directly at her heaving chest. He saw exactly what he wanted to see when he looked into her eyes. He saw fear.

"Do you think you can do it, Harry?" asked a high pitched voice from behind him and the fear in Belatrix's eyes was replaced by a psychotic smile. "Can you take a life, even when the person has wronged you so? I'll give you a tip, Harry, You have to truly want it." said the voice again. But Harry kept his eyes focused on Belatrix. The BITCH who had the audacity to hurt Hermione.

"You have to wish in you heart to see her die by your hand. You must rejoice in the thought of her breathing her last breath. Can you do that, Harry?"

Finally Harry turned around and saw Voldemort himself. He seemed unnaturally tall while standing in front of him. His red eyes were wide with excitement at the thought of Harry using such dark magic. Such would be the ultimate triumph over the old man. His favored wizard turned dark and standing by the side of Lord Voldemort.

"I think you know the answer to that, Riddle." said Harry and Voldemort's red eyes narrowed to a deadly glare.

"You dare use that muggle name in my presence?" he asked.

Harry showing more courage than he actually felt at the moment said, "What are you going to do? Try and kill me again? Old hat, Tom."

"I will have none of your insolence, Boy!" he said "Give me the prophecy!"

"I wouldn't if I could, Tom." said Harry. "It was broken during the battle with your boot lickers." That much was true. When the archway exploded the prophecy hit the ground right in front of Harry and shattered.

"LIES!" screamed Belatrix, "HE HAS IT! WE SAW HIM TAKE IT! HE WISHED TO KEEP IT FOR HIMSELF!"

"'Fraid not, Bella." Harry said using the same nickname that Sirius used earlier. I saw it shatter after you blew up the archway." he pulled out his pockets, showing them to be empty.

Belatrix's eyes went wide with fear. She knew she would be punished severely for this. "Master," she said pleadingly "Forgive me. I didn't know it would-"

"SILENCE!" Voldemort yelled. "I'll deal with you later. Leave us now." he turned back to Harry who was trying to find a good place for cover. "Oh no, Harry." he said conversationally and sent a reducto to the ground in front of the teen.

Harry fell to the ground. He was hurt and very tired. He knew that if he dueled tom right now, there would be no lucky breaks where he would walk away. He would be killed. However he was saved from the upcoming duel by the voice he most wanted to hear.

"It was foolish of you to come here tonight, Tom." Albus Dumbledore walked into the atrium a wizard on a mission. He was radiating power and anger that belied his calm exterior. "The aurors are on their way."

"And when they arrive I shall be gone." said Voldemort "and you, dead."

Voldemort sent a killing curse at Dumbledore but he had already bewitched the wizard statue to jump in the way of the curse. Breaking off his head. Dumbledore answered this with a powerful bludgeoning hex that took voldemort in the chest and knocked him to the floor.

"You do not seek to kill me, old man?" he asked

"There are other ways to destroy a man, Tom. I must admit-"

"NOTHING IS WORSE THAN DEATH!" Voldemort yelled.

"I must tell you that you are quite wrong." Dumbledore said calmly.

Voldemort stopped short of the spell he was going to cast and smiled maliciously. "Do you truly believe it?" he asked and looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "We shall see how you feel about that. AVADA KADAVRA!" he turned to Harry as he finished the incantation.

No one had time to do anything. Harry was too surprised to move and Dumbledore truly believed that the curse was meant for him. The green jet of light hit Harry right in the chest and he went down in an unmoving, unbreathing heap. It was at this time when Cornelius Fudge showed up with a team of aurors

Hermione ran into the atrium just in time to see the green light hit Harry in the chest and Harry fall to the floor. That useless git of a minister showed up just after and Voldemort disapearated with a triumphant laugh. She ran past Dumbledore and the aurors to Harry. Tears were already in her eyes. When she reached him she dropped to her knees and lifted his head to rest on her lap sobbing.

She didn't notice the others enter the atrium. If she did, she would have seen Neville carrying Ron (who was lucid enough to see that his best mate was laying on the ground and Hermione was crying over him as though he was dead) Ginny who noticed this as well and knew what it meant and Luna who was helping Ginny walk just looked sad.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. He was blurry through her tears but she instantly recognized Albus Dumbledore. His usual twinkle had left his eye and was replaced by tears.

"I never got to tell him." she said through her sobs. "He never knew."

"Then tell him now." he said knowingly. "He may not answer, but he can hear you."

She looked at the old man for a few moments before looking back into Harry's lifeless face. She whispered, "I love you, Harry Potter."

Harry woke up to white. That is there was no floor, ceiling, or walls. Just whiteness everywhere. His back felt something solid enough, but there was nothing there. He stood and immediately realized that he was completely nude. Looking around desperately for something to wear, he saw Hogwarts robes appear next to him. He dressed quickly. Not because he was cold, it was rather comfortable, but someone could come by at any moment. And since he didn't know where he was it could be quite embarrassing indeed.

A moment or two after he was clothed he noticed the whiteness retreat to be replaced by what looked like king's cross station. 'boy, am I glad I got dressed.' he thought, 'I don't think public nudity is a good way to make a first impression.' he started to walk around the station looking for any sign of life. Any movement, sound, hell even body odor or bad breath would let him know that he wasn't alone in this station.

He was making his fifth circuit around the huge red steam engine when he heard someone say "Where do you think you're gonna go?"

"Whose there?" he turned around to see a man that looked just like him except he had no scar on his forehead and his eyes were brown. His eyes went wide "Dad?"

James Potter was sitting on a bench smiling at his son. He was wearing his old Gryffindor quiddich shirt and some slacks. "Hi, Son." he stood and watched as his little boy run to him to hug him for the first time. Silent tears slid down his face. "Hey, Harry." he said quietly, "as much as I wish I could keep doing this, we need to talk, son."

Harry relished the way this man called him 'son'. He had never heard that word said towards him with so much love attached to it. Sure Mr. Weasley called him 'son' sometimes, but Harry had the feeling that it was out of habit. He held on to the embrace for a few moments longer and reluctantly released it. He looked into his father's eyes for the first time since he was a year old and found everything that he ever wished he could see. He saw his fathers love and pride.

"Yeah." he said dumbly. He had no idea what to say. And then it hit him. "Am I dead?" he asked and then remembered Voldemort hitting him with the killing curse. He was surprised by the answer he got.

"Well." said James, "Not exactly."

Naturally, Harry was confused by this. "What? What does 'not exactly' mean?"

"Well, it means that you are in the place between life and death. Limbo." James said.

"Ooookay." Harry said, "Well, if I'm not dead exactly, what happens now?"

"Now," said James Brightly, "We have a little chat, and then you make a choice."

"Choice?" Harry asked

"Later, son. Right now, I need to tell you some things and we don't have much time."

Harry nodded. "Alright, dad. I'm listening." he smiled brightly when he said 'dad'. As did James.

"Well, First, son, there's something that Albus hasn't told you." James started. "The prophecy in the ministry was told to him. He's gone through it a thousand times trying to find clues as to how to defeat Voldemort. He hasn't told you about it for his own reasons. My guess is he was trying not to make you life harder until it was absolutely necessary."

"What was the Prophecy?" Harry asked. He was in student mode, now.

James recited "the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh moth dies… and the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not… and either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives… The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies." James looked at Harry solemnly. "I'm sorry that you had to be involved in this war so closely. Your mother and I tried to protect you as much as we could, but I guess it wasn't enough."

James's face took on an angry glower and he continued. "Dumbledore was the person the prophecy was told to. Apparently he was interviewing for a new divination professor when professor Illustrial retired. He met Trelawny in the Hog's Head tavern in Hogsmeade, she tried to ooh and Ahh him but he wasn't goin' for it. After a few moments of that nonsense, he excused himself and made to leave. She started talking funny and told him the prophecy when his hand reached the door knob.

"And here's where it gets bad." said James. "A death eater was outside listening to the conversation. Luckily he only got the first two lines of the prophecy before Aberforth caught him and kicked him out. As soon as he was out the door, he went to his 'master' with the news"

Harry listened raptly to the tale his father was telling. Apparently, Wormtail and Voldemort weren't the only responsible parties involved in his parents' deaths. Finally he asked "Who was the death eater?"

James looked his son in the eye. "If I tell you this, you must promise not to try and avenge us through him. I will not see you in Azkaban because of some foolish misguided sense of revenge."

It took all of his will but Harry nodded and said "I promise."

James took a few moments to look at his son. Eventually he seemed to be satisfied with what he saw. "It was Severus."

"SNAPE?" Harry yelled, "That Greasy git sent the worst dark wizard after my parents and Dumbledore gave him a job?" he was absolutely livid. How dare that man hire the very man to cause him to be an orphan and then tell Harry to trust him?

"From what we can tell," continued James, "he begged Voldemort not to kill your mother. I guess he had feelings for her. Whether they were friendly or more, I can't rightly tell. But when he found out that Lily was dead as well, he turned to work with the order as a spy.

"Once the prophecy was learned, Albus told us to go into hiding." James said "I decided that my father's summer home was a good place. Albus performed the Fidelis Charm and he said that Peter would make the perfect secret keeper because Moony and Padfoot would be too obvious. So we followed his advice. However, we didn't know that peter was already a death eater. I'm sorry that we sentenced you to the life you had. We just trusted the wrong person." his face dropped in shame.

Harry saw the tears in his father's eyes threatening to fall. He reached over and took the man's hand in his. "If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else." he said, "I prefer it this way. I wouldn't want someone else to suffer like I did. With the way the Dursleys treated me, and Voldemort, and being famous for something I had no control over. All I ever wanted was you and mum. I couldn't let anyone else go through that. It's better this way"

James looked at his son with a whole new appreciation "You have grown into quite the young man, Harry." he said, "I am so proud of you."

Harry blushed and lowered his head at the praise from his father. "Thanks, Dad." he said as he felt tears well.

James shook his head and continued his monologue. "We think Albus knows what the prophecy means now. So there's that. But there's more you need to know about good ole' Tom Riddle."

Harry lifted his head to look into James's eyes again.

"Before he came to the house that night, he had made some artifacts called horcruxes." Harry started to ask what a horcrux was but was stopped by his father. "A horcrux is an extremely dark magical item that is infused with a bit of a wizard's soul. I don't know exactly how their made, but, I think there is a ritual involved and the final act to create one is murder. Once this is done, the wizard who creates it cannot be killed. His body can die, but his soul is kept on earth. Eventually it will start to grow another body."

"That's horrible." said Harry. "And Voldemort has one of these horcruxes?"

"Not one, Harry." James said "He had seven."

"SEVEN?" Harry shouted. "That mad git split his soul into EIGHT PIECES?"

James nodded.

Harry took a few moments to absorb this information. After at least 5 minutes he said "You said he had seven horcruxes. Did he lose one or something?" Then something occurred to him. "The diary. That thing was a horcrux, wasn't it?"

James smiled and nodded, "I see you got your mother's brains." he said proudly "Yes it was, but now he's down to five."

Harry frowned. "But, you said he had seven. Even after I destroyed the diary, he should only have six. Unless…" understanding lit Harry's features. "Me." He said simply.

James nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so, son. He was told the first half of the prophecy by Severus, who had been eaves dropping when Dumbledore was told. Voldemort, not having all the information, went out to destroy the two children that it could apply to. Peter gave up the secret to our Fidelis charm and on Halloween of 1981 Voldemort came to our hiding place to kill you. He encountered me on the stairs after I told your mother to take you and run. I didn't have my wand with me, I left it on the coffee table, and he killed me outright. He then went upstairs to the nursery where he met your mother. She pleaded with him not to kill you. But he kept telling her to move aside. When she wouldn't, he killed her, as well. And that's what did it. That's what made you the 'chosen one' when she died to protect you, she invoked ancient magic. It left a ward on you that no magic from him could penetrate. So when he used the killing curse, it acted the way it was supposed to and sent the curse back to him."

Harry thought for a moment. "He must have warded the house to prevent any escape, and then performed the ritual to make a horcrux, and when he killed mum, it turned me into one." he said at length. "It probably never crossed his mind that mum wouldn't take an offer to live at the cost of her son."

James nodded again, "Wow, you do have your mother's brains." he said with a grin.

"I spend a lot of time with the smartest witch in Hogwarts." Harry said, "Maybe she's a bad influence."

James laughed heartily for a full three minutes. Once he got his wits about him he turned more serious. "Now it's time for that choice I mentioned earlier."

Harry gave his father a confused look. "What choice is that?"

"The choice as to whether to get on that train and go to whatever reward your life may have earned." he motioned to the steam engine. "Or to go back and finish the life that you had started."

Harry was dumbfounded. He was hit for the second time with the killing curse, and he had a choice as to whether or not to die. So he weighed his options carefully. If he stayed dead, he could have his family. Stay with his dad and mum. Maybe see his grandparents. Never have to live in fear again. It was so tempting. However, if he stayed dead, he would be sentencing the entire world to Voldemort's rule. He had friends in life. Neville, Luna, Ginny, Ron. And Hermione. If he stayed dead Hermione would never make it. He couldn't leave them there to suffer his rule. Especially not Hermione. The decision was made the moment her name came to his mind. James saw it on his face.

"You really care for her, don't you?" James asked knowing the answer.

Harry slowly nodded. "I think I love her, Dad." he finally said.

James smiled at his son. "I know. I had the same devotion to your mother. You would move Heaven, Hell, and Earth to protect her and make her happy. Trust me, I know."

Harry smiled. "It's too bad I can't stay and hear more." he said sadly, "but, I need to see about a girl."

James's smile grew brighter. "I will wish you good luck. But before that, there are a couple of people who need to see you before you go back." he nodded to a point behind Harry.

Harry looked back and saw a tall man wearing casual clothes that looked to belong to the era of knights and kings. He stood a little over two meters tall and appeared to weigh about 120 kg. His hair was long, black, and pulled back in a ponytail and he had a neatly trimmed black beard. On his hip was a sword that Harry knew all too well.

"Godric Gryffindor, sir" Harry said in awe.

Godric smiled, "You sound impressed. You really shouldn't be. I am your great, great, great, ect. Grandfather, after all."

Harry's eyes widened. "But…How… But, you family name died out. How could I be your… descendant?"

Godric looked patiently and answered, "I had naught but daughter's with Rowena. Our eldest Daughter married a man with the name Peverell. That family, after a couple of centuries, changed their name to Potter. Quite simple, really."

Harry reeled. It was a lot to take in.

"Now, as to the reason I came to see you, that is other than to see the type of man my and Rowena's blood had wrought, is that I have gifts for you." he said. He continued before Harry could interrupt. "Now that scar on your forehead does more than let you feel the Heir of Salazar's emotions. It is also feeding your magic to him. Let us stop that." He said and touched Harry on the head.

"Your second gift is one of health. Your aunt and that husband of hers allowed you to waste away for far too long. It robbed you of strength and growth that you otherwise would have had. Allow me to repair that as well." as he finished he touched Harries chest.

"Finally my last gift to you, I give you my legacy. I was there, along with my wife and friends, when the goblins first started to handle our money. Rowena and I have the first vault in the Gringotts bank, as well as a castle in Scotland near the place of learning that we had established. You must go to the bank and say to the goblin in charge 'I Harry Potter hereby execute my right of blood and magic to claim vault number one.' If you say this they will have no choice but to take you to my vault. Once there simply lay your hand on the door and all that was mine will be yours. I daresay I will not be needing any of it in the near future." he chuckled at his little joke. "There is gold in the vault, but it is the books that you'll be wanting."

Again, Harry was left gaping at the man before him. He had come to learn a lot in the time he was here. But finding that he was the heir to not one but two founders of Hogwarts was too much. He couldn't speak. He could scarcely breathe. Luckily he really didn't need to.

After a few moments that felt like hours he finally come to his senses. He was the heir of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. He was the one chosen to finally defeat Voldemort. He was hit with a killing curse twice and will live to see all of this through. Most importantly, He was in love with his best friend, Hermione Granger. He smiled when he thought of that.

"Ah, muddled, no more." Gryffindor said jovially. "Now I must take my leave, lest I sit and chat the entire afterlife away with you." he chuckled again, this time Harry joined him. "I am truly glad I got this opportunity to meet a young man who keeps true to the courage that I had tried to impart on many a soldier. You are a warrior of true virtue. Remember this and you will always stay true to your cause." With that Godric Gryffindor turned and was gone.

"Quite the character, eh, Son?" James asked, his voice full of mirth.

"Yeah," Harry said, "I can see how the two of you are related." he grinned at his father.

James chuckled. Almost a giggle before he said "Be that as it may. I cannot allow you to leave this place until you look to your left."

Harry smiled and looked over and his eyes instantly filled with tears. There, walking toward him with tears streaming down her beautiful face was a woman with red, shoulder length hair and the same green eyes that he saw when he looked in a mirror. Lily Potter was wearing a lovely lemon yellow sun dress that was belted high on her waist. On her feet, her white strappy sandals with just a bit of a heel. Her thick red hair was done in a half braid that let a few random locks fall around her face. It was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever witnessed, despite the tears.

She finally reached him and put her hands on either side of his face as she pulled him in and kissed his forehead tenderly, then pulled him into a tight but comforting embrace. "My baby boy." she whispered to him. "My sweet, baby, boy."

Harry held on to her for all he was worth. Not willing to let go of the emotion that the hug was causing. "I miss you, mum." he whispered back to her as the tears continued to roll down both of their cheeks.

After what seemed like not nearly enough time she pulled away to look at him. "You look like your father." she said at last, "I knew you would."

"Yeah, but I've got your eyes. I hear that a lot." he said quietly.

She laughed and it sounded like music to him. "Your father and I have been watching you." she said. "I can't begin to tell you how proud we are of you. I could never have hoped for you to become the caring, brave, and honest young man that you have become."

For the second time, Harry blushed at praise from one of his parents. "Thank you, mum." he said quietly.

After a few moments a question occurred to Harry. "Mum, why did I have to live with the Dursleys? They hate magic."

Lily's smile faltered a bit. "That wasn't always the case, Harry." she said sadly. "When you were a baby, they were quite taken with you. You and your cousin were like brothers, and Vernon absolutely loved you.

"But when your father and I were killed, He developed a fear of magic. It didn't take long for fear to become hate. And hate grows quickly. By the time you were four years old he grew to hate magic and everything associated with it. Including you." she finished the explanation sadly. "But the ward I left you with would be kept strong if you lived with blood kin to me. So in order to keep you safe from Voldemort, you needed to be placed there."

Harry nodded with understanding to the last part of her answer. However he was a little surprised by the part about Vernon loving him. He'd have to look into that. He was broken out of his thoughts by an unexpected voice. The voice of Hermione Granger broke through the veil and he heard her.

"I love you, Harry Potter." she had whispered

Harry saw that his parents heard it, as well. They were both smiling happily. "Well, that helps with the 'wondering if she feels the same way problem', doesn't it son?" James commented. Lily's smile just brightened.

"I believe, Dear, that it's time for you to go." she said. "Remember that your father and I love you very much. And that we're always looking out for you."

Harry stopped the sob that threatened to escape his throat and said, "I will. I love you, mum and dad. Thank you." he said and all was black.

Hermione was crying harder now, with Harry's head still cradled in her lap. After three years she finally confessed her feelings to Harry. It was just moments too late, and now she just kept repeating those words. As though if she said them enough, and with enough feeling, then he would come back to her. But, he lay there without moving. Without breathing and nothing seemed to matter anymore except making sure he was where she could touch him. She had to say goodbye.

"Do you know how long I have waited to hear those words from you?" she heard from below her head.

She opened her eyes and saw those brilliant green orbs looking back at her. She didn't know what to do. Just minutes ago she saw the green beam of the Avada Kedavera curse hit the man she loved. Just seconds ago there was no breath in him. He was already starting to turn cold. He was dead. And now he was looking up at her tear streaked face and smiling weakly.

"You know, your eyes are much prettier without tears in them." he said softly.

She sobbed once again in relief and bought her head down to his and kissed him. The moment their lips touched, she felt electricity run through her body. She put her hand on his chest as they kissed. Feeling his weak, but steady heartbeat. She broke the kiss when oxygen became necessary.

"Harry?" she said softly. "Really?" her shock and relief limited her vocabulary to one word sentences

"Really, love." he assured her. Hermione yelled her joy of having her Harry back.

Dumbledore heard this and came to her side to console her and help her come to terms that he was, in fact, gone. The surprise on his face when he saw Harry grinning up at him actually made Harry laugh. It was a weak laugh but he was truly amused.

"Here, and I thought nothing surprised you." he said hoarsely.

"Well, Harry, it is not everyday that a person comes back from the dead for a second time." he said regaining his composure. "It seems that you are two for two."

"It would seem so." Harry said.

"Well, I believe we should get you to the hospital wing. Poppy will be having a fit, what with you dying and all." Harry saw his trademark twinkle.

"But my head is so comfortable in Mione's lap." he pretended to whine, "And the view is brilliant." he looked into her chocolate orbs. Hermione blushed but wouldn't look away.

She was running her hands over his face, his neck, and through his hair. She was touching him anywhere she could in front of the headmaster. She had to make sure that she wasn't delusional. That he was really there, breathing, laughing, and…flirting?

He beckoned her to move closer, she complied and turned her head so that she could hear. He whispered so that only she could hear him. "I heard what you said, Mione." she flushed and her eyes went wide, but he continued. "I won't hold you to it, if you don't want me to, but I have to tell you that I love you, Hermione Granger."

She turned her head back to look in his eyes once more and saw how serious he was. That look was all it took for her to lose control. She leaned in and said "I meant every word, Harry" and kissed him softly on his lips.

Harry was helped into the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Ginny and Neville had already been there and left. Ron however was sleeping peacefully in one of the beds. He motioned Hermione to the bed at the end across from Madam Pomfrey's office. His usual bed. He smiled when he thought of the mediwitch telling his that she was going to carve his name on it some day.

He pulled her close and said "As soon as you can I want you to go and get Luna, Neville, and Ginny. Don't tell them that I'm here. Just let them think it has something to do with Ron." when he finished he was grinning mischievously.

She smiled back "You are the son of a marauder aren't you"

His smile grew. "Speaking of which, has anyone told Sirius and Remus?"

She nodded, "The headmaster took them from the ministry strait to his office. If I had to guess they should be here shortly."

"Good." he said, "I need to be honest with them. I can't keep something like this from the two people that actually want to be looking after me."

She smiled and nodded. "When they do arrive, shall we tell them about the impending heart attack you're going to give our friends?"

"I think if anyone would appreciate it, it would be them." he said.

She sat him down on 'his' bed just as madam Pomfrey bustled toward them. She waved her wand around him casting diagnostic spells and muttering angrily. He knew that she only complained so much because she truly cared so he soldiered through it and took the berating she gave him.

"Mr. Potter, I swear, If I ever find out that you pull a dangerous stunt like this again, you'll need a better mediwitch than me!" she scolded. "You could have been killed running off to the ministry like that."

She continued on like this for some time before Harry noticed the headmaster standing by the door to the hospital wing. He had a thoughtful expression on his face as though Harry were a riddle that he was trying to puzzle out. Harry remembered what his father told him while he was… gone. About how Dumbledore had been withholding information from him. Harry decided that he and Dumbledore would have to have a meeting when he was cleared from the hospital.

At Dumbledore's side was a big, shaggy, black dog. He was panting happily as he looked at Harry. Harry nodded in greeting to his godfather and continued to look around. Behind pad foot and Dumbledore was a shabby dressed smiling Remus Lupin. The last two marauders were watching Harry worriedly. Lupin's smile was fooling no one. Harry soundlessly mouthed 'I'm okay' and saw the werewolf's shoulder's relax a bit.

Madam Pomfrey finished her diagnosis, and ordered Harry to remain in his bed and rest for the night. He was allowed to have visitors for a while but he needed to rest. She sat a vial on the stand next to his bed and went to her office. Harry knew that it was a dreamless sleep potion. He didn't know if he wanted to dream or not. True, he could have nightmares regarding the day's events, but, he may also dream of his parents. He decided not to think about it yet.

When Dumbledore approached his bed, he smiled down to the teen. "You cannot fathom how good it is to see that you are well enough to take visitors, Harry." he said sincerely.

Harry nodded deep in thought. Finally he said "I think I can understand that, sir." he looked up to the old man "But, I think you and I need to have a chat when I get out of here. There are some important things we need to discuss." the look in his eyes told the headmaster that it was not a request or a suggestion.

Dumbledore nodded seriously. "As you wish, Harry. Will this be a private meeting, or will Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger be in attendance?"

Harry answered immediately. "Hermione and Ron should be there." he said, "If they're going to be with me, like they say they are, than it involves them, too."

"I see." said Dumbledore. "I must say I agree. Friends as loyal and good as the ones you have made should be held closely. And trusted completely."

Harry's expression hardened. And when he spoke, his voice was cold. "I couldn't agree more, sir."

For the first time, Dumbledore saw the powerful wizard that Harry was sure to become shining in those fiery green eyes, and he was almost afraid of the boy.

"Well then," he said to hide his feelings, "Some privacy for you and your guests? I dare say there is a large dog that wishes to spend some time with you almost as ardently as Ms. Granger." with that he turned and walked toward the door leading to the hall. "Until tomorrow, Harry." he said as he closed the door.

By the time Padfoot made it to the bed he was already transformed into Sirius. He sat on the chair next to his bed. (Hermione had taken residence on Harry's bed, sitting next to him and holding his hand) he laid his hand on the boy's chest and closed his eyes. He was feeling Harry's heartbeat. Remus was beside Sirius and was touching Harry's forehead, checking for a fever.

"I told you two, I'm okay." said Harry lightly

"I know, pup." said Sirius, "Indulge an old mutt, would you?"

Harry allowed the three of them fawn over him with grace and not a little comfort. It was good to have people worry about him like a family.

"Albus told us that you were hit with another killing curse." said Remus "Is this true?"

Harry nodded grimly. "Funny." he said.

Hermione's eyes shot open wide. "What is so funny about you getting 'a k'ed' Harry Potter?" she asked hotly

Harry squeezed her hand reassuring her. "Not humorous, Hermione." he said quickly "It's just… I thought it would hurt, ya know?"

She calmed and asked "It didn't?"

"No." he replied. "I was watching things go down between Voldemort and Dumbledore and then I wasn't. Just like that."

She worried her bottom lip in thought. "Do you remember what happened afterward?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, but I'll wait for our meeting with Dumbledore for that story." said Harry. "I only want to tell it once."

Hermione nodded "But what about Sirius and Professor Lupin? I'm sure they want to know the details."

"Probably." said Harry, "But I'll have the majority of the summer to talk to them about it."

No one spoke for a few minutes. Until Harry broke the silence by asking "Hermione, When do you plan to get the others?"

Hermione grinned. "They should be here pretty soon." she said, "I sent them a message on the DA galleons. That way, I can do what you asked me to do and not leave you alone with the marauders."

Harry smiled brightly. "I knew I loved that brain of yours."

"Hey!" protested Sirius, "Are you trying to insinuate that we would be a bad influence on my godson?"

"Not at all." said Hermione, "I was saying that you already were and I didn't want my boyfriend corrupted further."

"He'll be with us this summer." said Remus. "Just him and us. Alone for the corruption."

Before Hermione could say anything further, she was interrupted by the shout of "BLOODY HELL!"

Hermione looked and saw Luna, Neville, and Ginny standing about halfway between the door and Harry's bed. They all looked completely shocked, except Luna, who looked mildly interested.

"Language, Ginny." said Hermione playfully scolded.

Ginny acted as though she didn't hear and repeated "Bloody Hell!" in a softer voice.

"Harry?" Neville said with wide round eyes. "Is it really you?"

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, Neville, in the flesh."

"But Dumbledore said you were hit with a killing curse." said Ginny, "He told us you were dead."

"I was." said Harry, "I'm not anymore."

Harry didn't have time to comment further because Ginny threw herself at him in a bone crushing hug that would have made her mother proud. Harry gasped and pried her arms from around his neck once oxygen became an issue. Once she was situated on the bed, opposite Hermione, Neville and Luna came over to let him know that they were glad he was ok.

The teens and Marauders talked for a couple of hours before madam Pomfrey ran them off so that Harry could rest for the night. Harry was allowed 'of coarse, to keep his beloved pet dog with him as long as he stayed on the floor and no messes were made. Harry took his potion and in moments was drifting off to peaceful dreamless sleep.

Harry stayed in the Hospital wing for two nights. Hermione was there beside him whenever she could get away with it. They would spend their times talking and learning more bout each other's lives away from school, going over homework (which Hermione dutifully would collect for him) and kissing. This was quite possibly the only time in memory that Harry enjoyed a stay in the hospital wing.

That Thursday, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were to go to their meeting with the headmaster. On their way to his office, Hermione stopped them and looked to their best friend.

"Ron." she said tentatively. The boy in question raised his eyebrow questioningly.

"Are you ok with this?" she asked

"Ok with what?" he asked.

"Me and Harry. Are you ok with us being together?"

Ron smiled. "Yeah. I guess I am." He said. "Funny. I thought I would be mad or jealous, but I'm not. In fact I'm kinda wondering what took you two so long."

"Nerve." said Harry. "I lost mine. Couldn't borrow anyone else's" the trio laughed and continued to make their way to the headmaster's office.

They reached the stone gargoyle that marked the entrance and Harry said "gummy bears." He explained to Ron and Hermione that Dumbledore had a fondness for muggle candy. The Gargoyle jumped to the side and they stepped onto the revolving staircase. Once they were at the top, Harry went to knock on the door. "Enter." they heard Dumbledore say.

The trio went inside the circular office. Dumbledore gestured for them to sit and they did in the comfortable chairs that the headmaster had conjured. The old man sat himself and took a few breaths to prepare himself for the meeting. He was planning to tell Harry all about the prophecy and how he came to learn about it. He was absolutely disgusted with himself for waiting as long as he did. He should have told Harry about his destiny years ago. And he almost lost his chance this past weekend.

Over the last three days, Dumbledore thought about everything regarding Harry Potter. He evaluated his own mentorship of the lad, and found it lacking. Many times he could have told Harry of his destiny and the prophecy, but he tried to preserve the boy's childhood and innocence. All of the time he could have been preparing Harry for the battle that he was sure to fight was wasted because he felt that there was still time. Now it was time for him to stand up and finally allow this young man to lead the next generation.

"Harry, I agreed to this meeting because I need to tell you the truth." he started "I need to tell you everything and allow you to step forward and claim your destiny."

"You mean the Prophecy?" Harry said without emotion. And Dumbledore nodded.

The old man opened his mouth to speak but Harry spoke up for him. "The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him. Born as the seventh month dies. And the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not. And either must die at the hands of the other, for neither will live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

When Harry finished he looked to Hermione who was looking back with worry etched into her face. He looked to Ron who was looking at the floor with a pale complexion. He looked back to Hermione and gave her an apologetic look and turned o look at the headmaster.

"Is that the prophecy that you heard all those years ago?" he added icily.

The surprised look on the headmaster's face wasn't hidden, this time. "How did you learn of this?" he asked.

"Weird things happen when you die, Professor." Harry said. "A few seconds can seem like hours. I spent some time with my parents. My dad told me a few interesting details."

Now the headmaster understood the true weight of what had happened at the ministry. This young man in front of him didn't just face death, he died. With a slight tremble in his voice he asked. Knowing the prophecy was the proof. The sphere containing it was shattered in the veil room. No one could have heard what it said in the din of fighting. And only three other people knew the whole of it, two of which met their fate on Halloween of 1981. Finally he said "You are angry with me."

Harry nodded. "You kept information from me that was vital to my survival." he said simply "You also kept my godfather locked up in Grimmauld place. It was worse for him than Azkaban."

Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "Yes, this is true. But let me assure you, Harry that a plan is in place to free Sirius from his persecution. I asked Severus to lure Peter out to a place where he will be apprehended by Kingsley."

Harry nodded, satisfied by the plan. "Good idea." he said. Care to explain why you didn't implement that plan before all of this?"

"Other plans needed to be put into place, Harry. Plans for your safety due to the words of the prophecy." he said, "I trust you know what it means."

Harry scowled "Yeah. It means that Voldemort and I are going to kill each other. 'Either will die at the hands of the other'."

Dumbledore grinned a little and replied "And, if I'm not mistaken, Voldemort fulfilled his side of that line Sunday night when you faced him."

Harry grinned back, "Yeah, I guess so." he hadn't thought of it that way. He was just so happy to be alive and with the girl he loved since second year. "When he killed me he just brought his own defeat closer."

Dumbledore's grin turned into a smile. "Exactly. Tom doesn't know about that, yet, and for now I would prefer to keep it that way. I have taken the liberty to prepare a set of rooms for the six of you who went on your rescue mission for the remainder of term. I ask that you not leave area. All your needs will be provided for including books, food, and exercise. But I would think that you would not wish for your resurrection to be known to the entirety of the school just yet."

Harry looked to the other two. Ron was already nodding and Hermione seemed to be thinking carefully. Weighing the pros and cons. He squeezed her hand and she broke out of her thoughts. "It's only for a week and a half." he said. Finally she nodded.

"Thank you, sir. That would be great."

Dumbledore smiled for a moment more before his expression turned serious. He said "Now Harry, I must ask you. Is there anything else of importance that you were told while you were away?"

Harry looked deeply in the headmaster's eyes before answering. "Yes, sir. There were many important things told to me. But we'll talk later about one of them." his voice was like ice. "However, my father told me about the horcruxes."

Dumbledore's eyes closed. He had been hoping that he was wrong. "I see. Is there any information?"

Harry sighed, "Just that there were seven of them. But two of them were destroyed. The diary and me." every time he mentioned his short death, he felt Hermione tense and a slight sob escaped her. He squeezed her hand again and smiled to her.

"I see, Harry." said Dumbledore, "Thank you."

Harry still looked angry. He took a few calming breaths. "Sir?"

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "Yes, Harry?"

"Why did you leave me with my muggle family? Sirius was right there. I think he wouldn't have gone after Wormtail if he had me."

Dumbledore rubbed his eyes, exhausted. "Again you bring up a valid point." he said. "You see, Harry, at the moment of your mothers unfortunate end, she cast a special spell. With her sacrifice, she made sure that you were protected from death eaters as long as you lived with someone of her blood kin. I had no choice but to leave you with your aunt."

"I see." replied Harry, "But why hadn't anyone checked on me? If I was so important, why did you just put me away like an old tool and forget about Me." he was starting to lose control of his temper. He felt Hermione's hand on his back attempting to calm him.

"Please let me assure you, Harry, that I have never thought of you as 'an old tool'. And never forgot about you." said the old man. "I didn't check on you because, I didn't feel it to be necessary. Petunia and Vernon absolutely fawned over you."

Harry looked at the headmaster like his beard had suddenly started tap dancing on his desk. "I have no idea who you are talking about, but that is not the family that I know." he stood suddenly, walked over to the headmaster's desk and pulled he sleeve up.

"Did you know that Vernon used to smoke cigars?" he asked. Hermione could see where this was going. Her eyes widened then glared at his arm. Harry showed his forearm there, just below his wrist was a circular scar."

"That," he said, "Is what I got after second year, when I accidentally broke a tea cup while washing the dishes."

He pulled his sleeve back down, still glaring daggers at his one-time mentor. The twinkle that had been prevalent in the old man's eyes was gone. As was the smile that they normally held. What Harry saw in the old man's eyes was sorrow and regret. Harry felt horrible for hurting him this way, but he needed to impress upon him what had been done to him and why he was so angry.

"But, that is not why I am here with you, this morning, headmaster." he said as he heard a quiet sob from behind him, but he couldn't look back. Not yet.

"What really bothers me, sir, is that I literally had to die to learn the information that I should have been told ages ago. Why?"

Dumbledore looked sadly into the green eyes of the only person who could make him feel this much of a failure. He said "I had tried, Harry, to protect you from the implications of such knowledge. I understand that it was foolish and, I can admit it, selfish of me to do so."

"Selfish, sir?" Harry asked confused.

"As you lay in the hospital wing after your first struggle with Voldemort, do you remember asking me why he tried to kill you when you were a baby?"

Harry nodded.

"I ought to have told you then. But you were only eleven. Much too young for knowledge such as this. Thus the flaw in my plan to train you to defeat Voldemort was revealed to me."

"Wait…plans to train me? Flaw?" Harry asked dumbly.

Dumbledore nodded. "You see, Harry, you had made an impression on me in your first year. I had begun to care for you as more than a student. I saw you as a bright, well mannered boy, who genuinely cared for others' safety and happiness. I had begun to love you as perhaps a grandson."

Harry looked into the crystal blue eyes of the man he had always respected and understood the reasoning.

"You didn't tell me because you didn't want to hurt me?" he asked.

"I had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that I could delay the inevitable of your early maturity. I had hoped that I could allow you to have at least a bit more of your childhood. But in doing so, I'm afraid I failed you." tears were sliding into his beard as he said this.

"I understand, sir." Harry said quietly. "But you saw me year after year. I was wearing ripped up trainers and clothes that were at least six sizes too large. Why didn't you do something about it then?"

"I did try, Harry." said Dumbledore morosely. "I had spoken to your uncle after every year. Unfortunately I was not allowed to go to your relatives' home. The law firmly states, that if one is expelled from a muggle's home, we are bound from returning. As the saying goes, my hands were tied."

Harry stood slowly, releasing his grip on Hermione's hand. He never took his eyes off the headmaster. His expression was blank as he walked around the desk. Once on the other side he held the headmaster's eyes for a bit longer before he lowered himself to embrace the old man.

"You could have just said so." he said silently.

Albus closed his eyes as the young wizard hugged him. He had never been so happy for human contact in his long life. He knew that he had a lot to do to make up for the mistakes he had made in regards to Harry. But with this embrace, he believed that Harry was willing to accept him.

Harry released him and looked in his eyes once again. "I still have one more thing to speak about. But I need professor Snape here for that discussion."

"I understand, Harry." said Dumbledore. "I shall summon him, immediately. You were right to insist that we get all of our differences settled as quickly as possible." he said as he wrote a quick note. He touched his wand to the parchment and it folded itself into a bird and flew out the window. "He should be here momentarily."

Approximately ten minutes later a knock was heard and Dumbledore said "come in, Severus." the potions master entered the room with his cloak billowing behind him like a bat's wings. He stopped short when he saw the three teens sitting in front of the headmaster. The Granger girl looked as if she had been crying as did Weasley. Potter's expression was unreadable. He stared strait ahead, past the headmaster to the window behind him. His right hand resting lazily in his lap and his left hand in the girl's death grip.

"You asked for me, Headmaster?" he said without the distain that was normally heard in his voice.

"Yes, Severus." Dumbledore said. "It seems that young Mr. Potter would like to discuss something with us."

Snape sneered at Harry. "So now we must bow to the whims of an arrogant child?"

Harry's eyes closed in an attempt to control his anger. The effort was moot after the next words that Snape said.

"The brat is just like his father."

Harry snapped his head to look Snape in the eye. "Well, I really would know if I am or not, Would I?" he said in a voice so cold that for the fist time, Dumbledore feared that Harry might actually harm Severus. "You saw to that, didn't you, professor."

Snape looked at Harry with wide eyes before Harry continued.

"Why did you do it, Professor?" Harry asked "Did you honestly think that if my mother didn't have her family that she would fall for you? Did you think that she would even hesitate to kill you when she found out that you sent a psychotic dark wizard to kill her husband and first born son?"

Snape's eyes closed when Harry said this.

"YOU MURDERED MY PARENTS, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Harry yelled. He then turned to Dumbledore, "And you wanted me to trust this man? He couldn't get the girl so he sends Voldemort off to kill off the competition. I can forgive you, Sir, but you really must tell me why you thought I should trust a man willing to kill a baby just so he could shag the mother!"

Snape was speechless. The boy couldn't possibly know? Surely the headmaster wouldn't have told the boy about any of this. He had sworn an oath. The brat wasn't clever enough to figure it out on his own. That leaves Granger. That girl is always putting her nose into business where she ought not. He shot a look at the girl in question. She looked as shocked at the new information as the Weasley boy. Obviously she didn't know. He looked back to see Potter look even angrier at him.

"Don't you look at her." he said menacingly. "I'll let the headmaster tell you how I found out later. Right now I'm waiting for the answer to my own question."

"The answer you seek cannot come from me, I'm afraid. I made an oath to keep this a secret." the old man said.

"So, Professor knows of your feelings toward my mother." he said calmly. "I understand what it is to feel like you love someone that doesn't feel the same." he said "But you didn't love my mum."

Snape's anger flared at this. "What would you know of it, Potter? Your fame alone could have gotten you any girl you desired. Lily was the only person I knew that treated me like I was someone worthy of notice."

"But you didn't love her." he repeated simply.

"I loved her more than you could possibly know, boy."

"You couldn't have." he said. "If you loved my mother as much as you say, you would have wanted her to be happy. You never would have done anything that would hurt her. Instead, you attempt to have her husband and son killed in front of her. That might just cause her a bit of pain, don't you BLOODY WELL THINK?"

At this, the potion master lowered his head. He had been trying for nearly fifteen years to cope with that decision. Every night he heard her screams, though he wasn't there to truly hear them. He had just been so desperate for a chance at her affections.

"I would like you to remember that before you start thinking that you had been dealt a dirty hand." Harry said. He then turned to Dumbledore. I'm sure you believed him when he said that he was in love with her. I'm pretty sure he believed it himself. But, the only thing I could call that was an obsession." he then turned back to Snape

"That leads me to my treatment from you here at school." Snape's eyes flashed once again.

"You dare question me in matters of this school?" he asked.

"Just your methods." Harry said coldly. "You bully and intimidate any student that isn't in Slytherin, and you have a personal problem with me and my friends." Harry stood, finally. "I understand that my dad bullied you while you were in school. I know that you held a grudge against him for this as well as marrying my mum. But one would think that once you have that person killed, then your revenge would be sated." Harry was working hard at controlling his temper. He didn't want to start yelling again, because he was afraid that if he did, he wouldn't stop at just yelling. And he had a promise to keep.

"From the first class I had with you, you have berated me, taken house points from me for reasons such as breathing too loudly, and calling me incompetent. Since then you have widened your wrath to my friends. Ron has never gotten a fair shake from you, you scare Neville intentionally so that he'll make mistakes and fail, and Hermione got house points taken away for knowing the answer to a question. You have slandered my father in class, sabotaged my potions so that I could not even be graded for the work I did, and you continually call me arrogant, though I have never shown you a reason."

Snape continued to stare at the boy who was laying out everything he had done in front of the headmaster.

"I have done my homework before this conversation." Harry said.

Hermione looked up to him in confusion. "What do you mean, Harry?" she asked.

Harry looked at his girlfriend and smiled. It's just like her to perk up at the word 'homework'. "I mean that I studied up on the good professor here." he said the word 'good' with as much sarcasm as he could muster. "I really am impressed. From what I have read, there are roughly seventeen thousand potion masters in the world today. Is that correct?"

Snape nodded.

"Well, our esteemed professor Snape is ranked number four out of those seventeen thousand. With that being said, I truly respect your position, which is why I still refer to you as professor. There are only three other people more knowledgeable about potions than you. Your own potions teacher, Horus Slughorn, is ranked somewhere in the twelve thousand area. That means that you have a passion for the subject and I bow to your expertise." Harry made a short bow to accentuate his point. "However, this does not give you the right to treat the students that you don't like the way you have treated me and my friends. You never had the right to call me arrogant; you never took the time to get to know me.

"In the five years that I have known you, I have never heard you refer to Voldemort as anything except 'the Dark Lord'. That shows that you are more afraid of Voldemort than anyone else. But if you degrade my friends in class again, or insult my parents, Sirius, or, Remus… that will change." He then looked to Dumbledore, "Please excuse us, Headmaster. Lunch should be ready shortly, and I didn't have breakfast. I'm sorry for losing my temper." with that He, Hermione, and Ron stood and left the office.

Snape sat in one of the chairs that the teens just vacated, lost in his thoughts. He looked to Dumbledore who held a similar expression.

"You must admire the young man's conviction, Severus." Albus said thoughtfully.

"I deserved every bit of that." the younger man mumbled. "I think that he's ready for active training."

Dumbledore nodded his agreement. "I believe he has finally been pushed far enough. I shall relay that part of the plan in our first meeting with him."

Severus quirked an eyebrow. And Albus sighed. "I had promised to be forthcoming in information regarding him. I care too much for him to lose the small amount of forgiveness that he has graciously offered."

Snape nodded. "You really see a grandchild when you look at him?"

Albus smiled and nodded, "Almost."

As they left the Headmaster's office, Hermione's head was reeling. Had she just watched Harry talk down not only Professor Snape, But Dumbledore? Was Snape really responsible for the deaths of Harry's parents? He didn't deny it and he looked guilty. And what was this about him having feelings for Lily Potter. She really didn't see that coming. All this time she thought it was Harry's resemblance to his father that drove Snape's hatred for Harry.

More important to her that this was what Harry had been through with his relatives. That was a tender subject, but one that she knew he would need to talk about soon. She decided to only to broach the subject only briefly.

"Harry?" she said tentatively.

Harry turned his head and looked at her. "Yeah, Mione?"

"About your aunt and uncle." she felt Harry tense but he kept walking, "I just want you to know that when you're ready to talk about it, I would like to help."

He stopped walking for a moment. "I know that I need to talk to someone about it." he said cautiously, "but I can't right now. I hope you understand."

"Oh, Harry of coarse I understand. Those memories must be Horrible. Just don't shut me out, Harry. I love you." she said quietly.

Harry realized that Ron hadn't said anything since they entered the headmaster's office. He looked over to him to see that he was pale and looked a bit ill. Harry put his hand on Ron's shoulder and turned him to look closer at his face.

"Are you alright, Mate?" he asked concernedly.

Ron looked up slowly into Harry's eyes. "I was always a bit jealous of you, ya know." he almost whispered. "All of your money and fame. You had girls all wanting you." he ran his hands through his bright red hair. "But I never really understood what you had to give up for it. I never knew that you had it this bad, Harry. Why didn't you tell me? I would have tried to help."

Harry smiled at his best friends concern, "I know, Mate. I didn't tell you because it was humiliating for me. Here I was supposedly the hero of the wizarding world, and I couldn't even take up for myself against a muggle family. I was Harry bloody Potter, and I came to school wearing hand me down clothes that were at least six sizes too large for my frame. Too skinny to be the hero of anything, and scared of every adult that came too near. Would you be able to tell anyone?"

Ron looked thoughtful. After a few moments he said "I want to be there when you talk to Hermione. I wasn't there for you in fourth year, but I want to be there when you need me from now on."

Harry smiled at Ron's impassioned words. He finally realized that though he had it rough at the Dursleys', he had real family in the wizarding world. At that moment with his best friend turned brother, and his girlfriend, he was one truly lucky bloke. _

AN: well there we have it my first chapter of completely different Harry Potter story. I will continue with the new world characters eventually, but this idea just came to me and once I sat down to write it, well, it kind of took on a life of its own I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please review. Your reviews give me vital information, like if the plot is really worth pursuing, and the like. So if you like it please review. If not, well I am sorry that you feel that way. Perhaps you can give me tips as to how to make it better.