Chapter 7

When Dumbledore arrived that evening, Siri sought him out for a private audience. Nodding his head, they locked themselves in the downstairs study, and magically silenced and sealed the room.

"I deduce from your behavior, that you have realized why I have been avoiding Harry," Dumbledore smiled sadly.

"So, it is true. Aren't you going to tell him? He has a right to know. Is this something to do with what Voldemort wants from the Department of Mysteries?" Siri was agitated with the Headmaster's proclivity for secrets.

"While it is not my wish to tell him, Severus and you will make it impossible to withhold this information any longer. Miss Black, you have come to realize that Harry is an accidental horcrux; a product of a killing curse that rebounded. When I divulge this secret to him, he will need his friends more than ever. I was going to request that Severus instruct him in Occlumency, but I find that perhaps your father may garner better results with Harry. It is imperative that he learn to close his mind off from Voldemort, because should that connection be discovered, it will be used to manipulate Harry into a trap. I also think that, perhaps, you should take lessons from Mr. Malfoy. He is quite naturally adept, as are most of the Black bloodline. The item from the Department of Mysteries has been retrieved and destroyed by me. I have the only recollection of it now, here, in my mind," Dumbledore tapped a long forefinger against his temple.

"Will he be told tonight?" Siri studied Dumbledore, wondering what the mysterious item was.

"Yes, Miss Black, and I will be relaying the nature of the prophecy to the Order members in the meeting. I trust that you will make every concerted effort to keep Harry from losing his temper. I am sure your uncle can be of some assistance," Dumbledore leveled her with a serious gaze. She nodded, and they exited the room, to reconvene with Harry and the Order members in the upstairs drawing room. The room was large enough to hold everyone that would be in attendance that night.

From an upstairs landing, Draco, Ginny, Fred, George, and a sneering Ron, who was still smarting from Draco being betrothed to Siri, were watching the Order members file into the room.

"You don't reckon Mum has put up an Imperturbable charm, do you?" Fred asked the group.

"Nah, Tonks showed me how to check for one, and so far she hasn't," Ginny smiled smugly.

"Yeah, but doesn't mean Cousin Reg hasn't thought we might try to eavesdrop. Besides, since Snape is in there, I know for a fact my Godfather has invented a spell that will make it impossible to listen," Draco pointed out.

"See that's just wrong!" Ron interjected. "Not only is Siri your cousin, but you both share a godfather?! There's got to be some kind of rule against that. It's practically incest!" he wildly gesticulated, flailing his arms for dramatic effect.

"Oh, ickle Ronniekins, shut up before the adults realize we're up here," George growled. Draco decided he liked the twins better already.

"Now, Malfoy, what you are about to see is a prototype invention George and I have been working on"

"Bloody brilliant it is,"

"-but if you breathe even so much as a word about it before we've patented it,"

"-well, let's just say we've been looking for a test subject for some of our hardier pranks," George finished, a veiled threat gleaming in his eyes. Draco nodded, silently thinking the twins probably should have been in Slytherin.

"These are extendable ears, and they allow you to listen in on any conversation you're not wanted in with the slightest of ease. Mind you, we haven't finished with all the kinks, and some of your more advanced silencing charms may cause what you hear to be a bit garbled. We are working on ways to magnify the magical abilities of the ears to bypass those, but so far, no luck," Fred explained, as he pulled out what looked to be actual ears. They were just flesh colored, and Draco watched in fascination as Fred lowered the ear from a string to dangle near the door the Order was ensconced behind.

"As I was saying, I have altered this penseive to act the way Muggle projection screens work. All of you will be able to see and hear that which Voldemort so desperately desires. What I am about to show you, is his purpose for attacking Mr. Potter all those years ago, and continuing to doggedly pursue Harry's ultimate demise. Severus, if you will," suddenly they could hear nothing apart from an annoying buzz.

"Bloody hell! I swear that man knows everything," George grimaced.

"Oi, Malfoy, what spell is that?" Fred asked, curiously.

"It's a spell of Snape's own invention, Muffliato is the incantation. I doubt you will be able to figure out a way to circumvent it, even with those ears," he answered, suddenly bored with the conversation.

"Well, Malfoy, it looks like we will have to wait until Harry and Siri come up later to learn anything. How about a game of exploding snap?" Ginny offered. Ron glowered at his sister, and stomped off in the direction of the room he shared with Harry.

"Sure, Weaselette," Draco smirked, as the twins stood up to join Draco and Ginny in their game.

"It's not like we can do much with that tonight," Fred looked at the ears in disappointment.

"Take heart, my other half, I have a feeling Malfoy will be more willing to help us with his vast knowledge than Siri ever was. What do you say, Malfoy, want in on the ground floor of our business? We could always use another like-minded brain to pick," George proffered his hand, and Draco, hesitating, shook it in confirmation. No, the twins weren't so bad, after all.

"Thank you, Severus. Now everyone turn your attention to the tapestry wall. Don't worry, it will revert back to its former state," Dumbledore winked, catching Narcissa and Regulus' perturbed looks. The wall lit up, and everyone saw a room at what looked to be the Hog's Head Inn. Professor Trelawney was seated at a table across from Dumbledore. Siri squeezed Harry's hand, offering him encouragement and solace. Dumbledore froze the memory, a sad smile on his face and looked at Harry, "I hope, Harry, that you will be able to forgive an old man his secrets, and I will answer any questions you have when this memory is over."

The room was silent. So many were there to see this. Harry sat with Siri and Sirius. Siri's parents and Professor Snape stood behind her. Mad-eye and Tonks, were standing guard by the door. She was holding Professor Lupin's hand, well that was interesting. Shacklebolt, another auror had appointed himself near Mad-eye. The Weasleys, including Bill and Charlie, were sitting next to Dumbledore. Dumbledore waved his wand, and the memory resumed.

Dumbledore stood up, and walked to the door, turning to leave. Suddenly, Trelawney began to speak in harsh tones, the same voice Harry recalled from his third year.

"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 HAND 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…."