Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters mentioned. Just a college student, do not sue !

Chapter 1 : The Awakening

A mindless walk. That's exactly what it was. His mind was filled with thoughts more unruly and disorganized than the mop that covered his head. He needed to get out of human contact for a while and that is what he was doing.

Dumbledore. A deep feeling of resentment came over him at the name of the ancient wizard. The only one who Voldemort feared. The paragon of Light. The grandfather who loved all his children. The Chief Warlock of The Wizengamot, purveyor of justice. Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, ambassador for his nation and leader of wizards. The master manipulator.

Harry James Potter was under no delusions now. The innocence had been lost. The version of sanity or normalcy that he was living under, no matter how fucked up it was, had got blown to smithereens. His life was nothing but a chess piece. A white side and a black side. Light and Dark. Dumbledore and Voldemort. Two wizards who wanted different things but were themselves controlled by a stupid glass orb, container of ramblings of his Divination professor. It was a positively life altering feeling.

The Prophecy was everything that mattered to Dumbledore. Oh yes, he cared about Harry, it was all over his face. Anguish clearly visible, but he had his priorities covered. Harry was 16, compliant and looked up to the great wizard as his mentor in everything. From problems with Voldemort, his visions, his insecurities to his choice of friends. He had his perfect Golden Boy of Gryffindor.

Harry had just seen his godfather sent through the veil in the death chamber, fought Death Eaters and had failed an attempt by Voldemort to possess him, only to come back to Hogwarts and be dumped with the knowledge that he was the only one destined to end the war. It was the final straw. Harry Potter had just lost faith in the leaders of the light and the Wizarding world.

He went out of the school and towards the lake and sat in one of his favourite thinking spots. His mind recalling events of the past week. Their Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, a certain Dolores Umbridge had taken evil to a whole new level by assigning her own personal guard, the Inquisitorial Squad to ambush their DA session where Harry was teaching the Patronus charm to at least 50 students. As the DA was illegal according to rules set by Umbridge, the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was charged with treason against the ministry. He however was probably the most powerful wizard in the country and showed exactly that by disappearing and evading arrest in front of 3 Aurors, Umbridge and the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge himself.

Once Dumbledore was gone, chaos ruled the school as the students took it upon themselves to make the lives of Umbridge and her squad filled with pranks and dissent. The other teachers, who loathed Umbridge just as much, either ignored the pranks or, as in the case of the Transfiguration professor Minerva McGonagall, helped carry them out. Suffice to say, the next couple of days were extremely distressing for Madam Umbridge, the Undersecretary to the Minister and acting Headmistress of Hogwarts.

Then the incident happened. During his end of term History of Magic exam, Harry had a vision of his Godfather, Sirius Black being taken to the Department of Mysteries and tortured by none other than Voldemort himself. He tried to verify if his vision was true by using the fire in Umbridge's office to communicate with Sirius, the elf Kreacher told him that he was gone and the Dark Lord had him. It never occurred to Harry that he was the Black family elf, famous for their cunning. Convinced that Sirius was at the ministry, Harry then told his five closest friends what he saw and how he spoke to Kreacher. Ron Weasley, his best friend since he entered the wizarding world, his sister Ginny Weasley, a girl who had a huge crush on him but grew over it and became a great friend, Neville Longbottom, a shy but brave boy who Harry had personally taught to fight, Luna Lovegood, the odd, eccentric Ravenclaw who was as brilliant and fanciful as the creatures she came up with and Hermione Granger, his girlfriend.

The thought made him a little uneasy. Hermione was practically his conscience. Speaking for him when he was doubted by all and sundry, making sure he kept up his magical education, the brains behind the supposed "Golden Trio" and known by many as the smartest witch to grace the halls of Hogwarts since Lily Potter, formerly Evans. She was the first line of defense against anything that was thrown Harry's way.

Now, it made him uncomfortable.

He did not need an anchor now. He had a prophecy hanging over his head which practically screamed "kill or be killed". He needed independent thought. Unbiased, practical solutions which had little to do with research and more to do with survival. He did not want to be shielded. He wanted to know how to end the evil of all evils and he will not do that by learning books up to 5th year Hogwarts curriculum.

He also did not want people close to him championing his status quo. He will not rot at the Dursleys anymore. He had to find a way around under age magic laws and secure premises to train his skinny arse off. He did not need his advisors telling him to trust the Headmaster, to continue his Occlumency with Snape (he had a feeling Snape's techniques made Voldemort's deception easier).

Finally, he needed to understand the Dark Arts. If he was to defeat the most powerful Dark Lord since Grindelwald, he needed to know how he wields his power. For he knew that "love" will not be enough. It was a preposterous thought, scoffed Harry. Love is an emotion which could be used to drive a spell or a power like the Patronus. It can be used as a catalyst but not the actual curse which would defeat Death Eaters and Voldemort.

All of these points led to one simple conclusion. Hermione Granger could not be trusted anymore. Neither can Ron Weasley. His girlfriend of 2 years was exceptionally gifted, but had an unwavering faith in societal justice and leader of the light. In fact, she would be horrified if Harry were to even mention his desire to delve into the Dark Arts. As for Ron, he was the atypical Gryffindor. Fiercely loyal, brave to point of recklessness and had a deep seated dislike of anything Dark. A conversation with anyone of Slytherin house would send him into paralysis from shock.

Hermione coddled him. Made his life easier to live in and if there were no Voldemort and his damn prophecy, if Harry's parents were alive and he lived a comfortable life, she would have been the perfect match for him. Yes, he loved her. She was but his best friend and fellow conspirator in their adventures up until now, but this was not child's play anymore. The feeling of the reaper's scythe constantly lingering over his head was real.

In simple words he needed to become free.

So lost was Harry in his thoughts, he did not notice her sneaking up on him. He was startled when a soft voice next to him said; "you brood too much".

Looking up, he saw Ginny Weasley staring down at him with a small smile and her backpack slung over the shoulders. He allowed a smile of his own and said "Introspection is the literal food for thought".

She laughed softly and sat down next to him. "And what, may I ask has made Harry Potter's thoughts so hungry that they need self analysis of such brooding kind"?

"Life". Was the one word answer she got.

"Well Camus, what about the life of the destroyer of Basilisks and conqueror of Horntails has left him so broody"?

"The fact that I just lost the last parental figure I could have imagined and was not good enough to stop it".

Ginny lifted up a delicate eyebrow. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair and said, "We were so stupid Gin. I was unbelievably stupid and we all saw today what happens when actions taken without conscious thought can be the start of most catastrophes. Hermione told me that the whole dream of Voldemort torturing Sirius could be just a ruse as Dumbledore predicted. There is a reason I was supposed to learn Occlumency after all."

Ginny stretched her slender legs out and crossed them. She gazed at the Black Lake for a short while but ultimately looked at Harry with a thoughtful expression. Then she sighed said, "Harry, I know that Ron, Hermione and if I'm right, Dumbledore have already given their opinion on the fact that you're holding yourself responsible for the disaster that was our trip to the DoM. Am I correct"?

"Well yes, they have tried drilling the notion that it was not my fault Sirius died into my head and I presume you're going to give me the same speech again right? Let's have it then, go on".

"You shouldn't presume so much Harry. It makes you look like an arse when your presumptions are wrong. It wasn't completely your fault, but you have to take some blame. You are not to blame that Voldemort succeeded in fooling you. Trust me, I know what that feels like. You are also not to blame for Sirius's death. Why was Sirius playing with Bellatrix, taunting her like a baby when he knew she was probably the most dangerous witch alive in Britain? He should have taken her more seriously."

"So Sirius died because he wasn't very serious when death was calling". Harry interrupted with a ghost of a smile.

Ginny smiled as well. "Gallows humor? Who are you and what have you done to Harry Potter, the Golden Gryffindor?" Harry snorted at that.

"Let me continue Harry. Yes, it wasn't your fault that Sirius died. But it is your responsibility to make sure you were prepared before we ran off to confront Voldemort and his death eaters. This is your 5th year at Hogwarts Harry and every year is filled with threats against you and your friends left right and center. Why is it that the best offensive spells you know are the ones taught in your age and never an advanced one? Why do you not have the self preservation of making sure that your knowledge of magic is on par with the constant threats against your life?" Ginny had wondered this for over a year now and wanted to know.

Harry rubbed his face with his hands. He knew what she said was true. "I know Gin. I guess the reason is it was all a convenient existence. Dumbledore recently told me that he wanted a normal childhood for me. Though I am starting to understand the layers of that man's character more and more. I was unloved as a child. Neglected, not abused, much. A direct result was that I formed a very strong bond with the first two people of my age that I encountered and the pseudo grandfather camouflage that Dumbledore was so adept at. I listened to them and let them influence me as I was gullible. It's not until yesterday that I have found out the reasons behind those manipulations."

"From my first year, I had a best friend and the best 'mate' any child starved for affection would have stuck to like a leech. I believed that the magical world is beautiful. I loved Quidditch because I was good at it. That was the subject most hard worked at during my first 3 years. Not Charms, Transfiguration or Defense against the Dark Arts. Oh I did pick up the spells pretty easily, but I never paid any attention to becoming the masters of Transfiguration my father was at Hogwarts or a Charms mistress like my mother. I listened to the old bat Trelawney predicting my death every other class because me and Ron loved 'easy study' and had Mia as our anchor. We also wanted more time for flying and Quidditch practice".

"The only 'Advanced' skills I have honed is because I was extremely vulnerable to Dementors. I literally begged Remus to teach me the Patronus charm as they were my greatest fear at that time. The ease with which I took to it should have been a catalyst for my transformation from an average student to a good one, as like you say, self preservation demanded it. But again, I let my friends and figureheads I respected do the thinking for me. Mia was too happy driving me to make sure I knew about the coursework but got really uncomfortable whenever I hinted signs of performing better than her. Unloved boy's instincts kicked in and I went back to being the average Gryffindor with exceptional talent and luck again."

Ginny sat there with her mouth open in a shocked expression. Harry had never opened up and talked about his life in such clarity to anyone else but Ron and Hermione. After a few seconds though the shock wore off and she realized that this can be a turning point in Harry's life as well as of those close to him. She had to tread very carefully here and keep him talking without pushing him.

"Harry, there is one thing I do not understand. If you, as a child were so starved for friendship and affection, wouldn't having more than 3 close friends ultimately benefit you? Yet, after Ron and Hermione, you never looked like wanting to expand your friendship circle. In fact, after the troll debacle right from my fist year, I have never seen you three away from each other. Even when Ron, the prat came out of hiding in the Triwizard tournament, Hermione was the only one you were seen close to. Whenever I wanted to talk to you at length, I was always rebuffed. Either by Ron's over protectiveness or Hermione's raised judgmental eyebrow. I can tell you that a lot of other students feel the same way. Why didn't you come out and seek new friends?"

Harry blinked, and then let out a humorless chuckle. "You know Gin, you're the first person in five years to ask me that question. I'll be honest with you. Last 24 hours have been rather enlightening for me. Along with dealing with the loss of Sirius, I have been informed of things. Things that make so much more sense now that you think about it. I'll tell you about them but let me answer your question first. "

"Frankly speaking, my whole life right from after the night my parents were murdered has been a very carefully constructed chess match. I have had little to no control over elementary things such as home, affection while growing up, friends, self development and most importantly, independent thought. I have been told to do things and I have done them without questioning why. My lack of social circle is one of those aspects that have been very carefully controlled by the powers that be. It has all been an elaborate setup by the ultimate master manipulator, Albus Dumbledore."

Harry glanced at Ginny, expecting her to be shocked or outraged, but there was just a thoughtful expression on her face. After a few seconds, however she smiled at his befuddled expression and said; "Really Harry, after the first year I had at Hogwarts, do you expect me to ignore the subtle signs of manipulation that can happen around us? I knew you were being consciously kept apart from people and influenced into doing whatever you were supposed to be. What I did not know is who was doing it and why. Now that you have confirmed my suspicions, I should be mad at myself for not figuring out sooner."

Harry knew he shouldn't be surprised. But he was and with surprise came a deep seated resentment for everyone contributing to his life up until now. The Boy who Lived, Golden Gryffindor, Dumbledore's boy through and through. It was all a carefully constructed mirage and it hurt to know that he had not only allowed it, but openly encouraged it.

Well, not anymore.

Ginny continued. "Do you have the Map with you Harry?"

Harry fished out the Marauder's Map out of his pocket and activated it. When Ginny asked her to look for Ron and Hermione he found them in the Headmaster's suite. He raised an eyebrow at that but Ginny just sighed.

"They do that almost every week. Updating Dumbledore about everything from your physical health to your thoughts and any new developments. They've been doing it every since your third year, my second. I don't know if Dumbledore asked them to encourage the fact that they should be your only confidants but that is when this exclusivity in your friendship started. You were always free to speak to anyone in the school but just as they tried to get close to you, they were either met by Ron or Hermione telling them to leave you alone. I speak from personal experience."

That was the final straw for Harry. He got up and started pacing while muttering about experiences where he thought people like Ginny, Susan Bones, Neville and a few others trying to hold a conversation with him only to be called away by either Ron demanding something other flying or Quidditch or Hermione wanting to spend time alone with him. He had dismissed those incidents with just a shrug. Who wouldn't want to fly with his best mate or go to a secluded place and enjoy a good old snog with his girlfriend? In light of Ginny's revelations, all of it made sense. It was also making him very angry. He decided he was done being the typical Gryffindor and would not rush into confronting his best friends. He needed new friends and allies who encouraged independent thought and discouraged confinement. He needed space away from Ron and Hermione.

He decided he would start with Ginny. She was smart. Not book smart like Hermione who based her thought process on research and academia but street smart. She was more practical and honest about her opinions and never took any of Harry's moods. She was the one who called him out on his brooding after the attack on Arthur Weasley in the DoM and she always made sure she was there for him, even when it required risk and rule breaking. She did it all without judgment.

"Gin, I want to tell you something but I am wary of certain people getting that information out of your head. Do you know what Occlumency is?"

Ginny smiled and inclined her head in affirmative. "You do not resist a possession from the wraith of Voldemort without building up natural defenses in your mind. Besides, Hermione is not the only one who studies vague and obscure branches of magic. I can be very book loving when I want to be."

Another point in her favor.

"Right. So you remember what the object of fascination for all the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself was at the DoM?" Harry had started pacing again.

Ginny had an idea where this was going. "Yes, I believe it was a prophecy that got smashed while we were escaping. I assume you are the subject of it?"

He stopped and stared at her. He really should not have been surprised. Ginny was always a perceptive girl. "Yes. Me and The Dark Lord Voldemort himself. To put it succinctly,I am destined to 'vanquish' him, I have a 'power he knows not' and 'neither can live while the other survives'. The damn thing is the reason why my parents were attacked back when they died. Dumbledore tells me of an ancient blood protection my mum used on me which was the reason the killing curse was reflected back to Voldemort. He also assumes that the 'power' referred in the prophecy is 'love'. Now you tell me, how does an average, unskilled wizard deal with Voldemort using the power of 'love'? Do I quote hymns and sonnets in his wake or just hug the stuffing out of him?"

The redhead wasn't completely shocked by the revelation of the prophecy. But she was alarmed. She was astounded that Dumbledore, the wizard who is the figurehead of the fight against the dark lord could be so callous and negligent when the future of wizarding Britain was concerned. It was all centered around Harry, she realized with a sad resignation. Dumbledore made sure that the only weapon against Voldemort was effectively in his pocket right from the time his parents were killed. It was quite a revelation to see the greatest wizard of the century (or so he was called) act in such a powerless manner to wholly put stock in the words of a prophecy. Her faith in the headmaster took another big dent.

She got up and stopped his pacing by grabbing his shoulders. She looked him in the eye and said; "Harry, I know you understand the implications of it all right? It is kill or be killed. This will not be achieved by 'love' as I am sure you would have figured it out. You aren't that dumb."

Harry smiled. "I know Gin. Just like I know that this is just another one of those damn strategies of Dumbledore to withhold information as much as possible and drop it on me like at the most inopportune of times. I have to grow as a wizard and become capable of dealing with Voldemort and his boot lickers who throw about Unforgivables like candy. I need to toughen up and increase my physical and magical development enough so that the next time I meet them, I should be able to fight fire with fire."

Watching the determination set his jaw, Ginny smiled lightly hugged him. Just as she was pulling away, she looked into his eyes and said; "If you are prepared to do everything it takes to end this war. I Ginevra molly Weasley swear on my life and my magic to help you in any and every way I can". Just as the oath was completed, a golden glow surrounded both of the them and then dissipated.

Again, Harry was shocked. Ginny saw his expression and laughed softly.

"Honestly Harry, you are suspicious of two of the closest people you have been with for years. The oath I just took will make sure that you never place me in the same category. Also, I think you could do well with some unconditional support and a regular kick up the arse."

Genuinely touched, Harry hugged Ginny again and said; "Thank you Gin. The oath wasn't really necessary but I guess you are right. The seeds of doubt can be planted by anyone and it will make sure I never distrust you."

"Alright then, I think that should be enough for today. Tomorrow we start with figuring out how to help you win this war."

Ever since he heard the prophecy, Harry did not experience one emotion until now. Hope.