Prologue
When he had been a young man Potter had often thought he could conquer the world. It was a feeling that quickly left him after the fifth year. In all his years of being Headmaster never had Dumbledore seen such a sad and forlorn boy, with perhaps a single exception. Both men, for that was what they were in heart if not in body, would be repulsed by the comparison.
"But what can I do Fawkes? It is a wonder that either of them has survived on their own until now. Potter I have no doubt will learn to lean on someone, but what of the other? The dear man couldn't allow someone in if it killed him. Should I perhaps . . . intervene on his part?"
The Phoenix gazed at him with displeasure. To take the man and try to alter him at this point was unfavorable. He survived the Dark Lord for more than fifteen years in his current state. To change him now could destroy any chance they had of keeping him alive after the war ended. The fiery bird loved his master dearly, but he sometimes wondered about the old man's meddlesome ways.
"Fawkes don't look at me that way. He has not Survived. We are losing him day by day to that weariness which calls him. The man needs something more to live for than a teaching position. Now if I could just. . ."
He paused as knocking reached his ears. 'Who on earth could be calling at such an ungodly hour?' he wondered. Whoever it was would not be deterred however as he began rambling again to his Phoenix. 'For goodness sake, why doesn't she get the hint? I was in the middle of an important piece of plotting!' he grumbled to himself.
"Alright, alright. You may come in Miss Granger."
The Headmaster watched the stairs knowing exactly who to expect. The finest Head Girl Hogwarts had ever seen approached wearing an invisibility cloak, her dark eyes cloudy. She too had thought to conquer darkness, but since her father's death there had been nothing left of those childish thoughts. Here she presently stood explaining to him in a barely audible voice the results of the scrying she had performed for him in the gardens that night. 'A success, she has it' he thought in awe. But as she began to report to him the contents of her vision he found himself marveling at the strength of the young woman. Even one such as he could not withstand such visions for long.
"Go on to your chambers and rest Miss Granger. You have done enough for tonight. On the night of the next full moon I will seek your induction into the Order . . . prepare yourself."
She dropped her hood revealing the glamour she had placed upon herself. He had to admit she looked stunning, even with the sadness that dwelled within those depths. What was more he could almost see this to be the Miss Granger of the future, a young woman with incredible sadness, but with a gift she could not disown. What he would have done to take the burden of grief that had been placed upon her shoulders this past year and a half. Even being the excellent witch she was, a baby was a bit much for a woman as young as her.
When he had been a young man Potter had often thought he could conquer the world. It was a feeling that quickly left him after the fifth year. In all his years of being Headmaster never had Dumbledore seen such a sad and forlorn boy, with perhaps a single exception. Both men, for that was what they were in heart if not in body, would be repulsed by the comparison.
"But what can I do Fawkes? It is a wonder that either of them has survived on their own until now. Potter I have no doubt will learn to lean on someone, but what of the other? The dear man couldn't allow someone in if it killed him. Should I perhaps . . . intervene on his part?"
The Phoenix gazed at him with displeasure. To take the man and try to alter him at this point was unfavorable. He survived the Dark Lord for more than fifteen years in his current state. To change him now could destroy any chance they had of keeping him alive after the war ended. The fiery bird loved his master dearly, but he sometimes wondered about the old man's meddlesome ways.
"Fawkes don't look at me that way. He has not Survived. We are losing him day by day to that weariness which calls him. The man needs something more to live for than a teaching position. Now if I could just. . ."
He paused as knocking reached his ears. 'Who on earth could be calling at such an ungodly hour?' he wondered. Whoever it was would not be deterred however as he began rambling again to his Phoenix. 'For goodness sake, why doesn't she get the hint? I was in the middle of an important piece of plotting!' he grumbled to himself.
"Alright, alright. You may come in Miss Granger."
The Headmaster watched the stairs knowing exactly who to expect. The finest Head Girl Hogwarts had ever seen approached wearing an invisibility cloak, her dark eyes cloudy. She too had thought to conquer darkness, but since her father's death there had been nothing left of those childish thoughts. Here she presently stood explaining to him in a barely audible voice the results of the scrying she had performed for him in the gardens that night. 'A success, she has it' he thought in awe. But as she began to report to him the contents of her vision he found himself marveling at the strength of the young woman. Even one such as he could not withstand such visions for long.
"Go on to your chambers and rest Miss Granger. You have done enough for tonight. On the night of the next full moon I will seek your induction into the Order . . . prepare yourself."
She dropped her hood revealing the glamour she had placed upon herself. He had to admit she looked stunning, even with the sadness that dwelled within those depths. What was more he could almost see this to be the Miss Granger of the future, a young woman with incredible sadness, but with a gift she could not disown. What he would have done to take the burden of grief that had been placed upon her shoulders this past year and a half. Even being the excellent witch she was, a baby was a bit much for a woman as young as her.
