Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.

Thanks for the reviews :) This part is extremely long, so take care while reading... :)

Questions concerning:

Neville and Parseltongue: For the moment, he can only understand it, and that's choppy at best.
Diary/Horcruxes: Cough... coming soon.
Deathly Hallows entering story: Maybe a little, but I haven't really come to a decision yet, honestly.

- - - Book 2 — Part 14: Mirrors and Armies

Harry went down the hall alone, knowing that this day would be one of great importance for the Custosae.

Draco already had the letter for Snape to deliver to Dumbledore, though he would wait a little while longer before delivering. Giving a reply this quickly would arise too much suspicion. Within the letter contained the details and conditions of the meeting through the mirrors, and Hermione and the others were already arranging the Come and Go Room for it, including a disguise for Harry (it would do no good to show his face in the mirror after all). They were also writing four more letters, which would hopefully be delivered that week. Letters to: Stephanie Somac, Joseph D. Moy, Forshaw Craw, and Amos Diggory.

The meeting with Long Beard would occur that night after dinner, since arranging it on a school night or the night before a school day probably wouldn't be good for them.

The following day would be the first meeting of the 'secretive defense club' and Harry could hardly wait, just as the others couldn't.

Harry refocused on his current task, getting to Flitwick and revealing himself as a contact, just as Draco was one for Snape. In the letter they had sent Flitwick, through Snape of course, they had mentioned the fact his other contact would be a faster link to the Custosae than the Dark Knight would be, and would inform him of any Custosae business unless the Dark Knight happened to be faster that time around. And since Flitwick had become an Amici, a visit was now due.

Coming to the Charms classroom, he knocked, hoping his visit wouldn't cause too much attention.

"Enter," a voice said, in a quite hyper tone if Harry had any say in it.

Harry went in, closing the door behind him, finding the short Charms professor behind the desk on a high stool.

"Ah, Potter!" he squeaked, and Harry wondered idly how Flitwick was going to react when he learned why he had come. "Come for more talk about the event tomorrow?"

"Er, no professor. I uh… was wondering if we could take this to your office? I don't want to accidently be overheard," Harry replied hesitantly.

Flitwick, bewildered, nodded, leaping down to the floor.

"Of course, this way," he said, leading him to the door of his office. With a flick of his wand, the door opened, and he went in, Harry close behind.

Harry closed the door behind him, before turning to take in an office he had never seen.

There were piles of parchment everywhere, and Harry wondered how Flitwick kept it all in line. There was a desk with a red quill marking away, grading no doubt, and bookshelves full of old worn books behind it. There was a window overlooking a part of the grounds to the left, and pictures of, Harry could only assume was Flitwick's family, moving in their frames to the right.

Flitwick turned and faced him, his eyes dancing with curiosity.

"What is it, Mr. Potter? What can I help you with?" Flitwick asked.

Harry took a calming breath, before pulling out his wand and expertly casting silencing and privacy wards and spells around after closing the curtain over the large window with a heavy wave of his wand. He had not anticipated having to do that spell, but it worked well enough, and with the other precautions, all was secure.

Flitwick stared, amazed at the quick succession of advance spells that had just been cast by a mere second year as Harry focused back onto him.

"Colossus, we are a Formation of Defenders. I am Griffin," Harry stated, knowing there was no turning back now. "I am, as you now know, your other contact."

Harry couldn't help but smile a little at how Flitwick was now openly, without restraint, gaping at him.

"I'm uh, here to tell you about another person who will hopefully join us, if you'd be willing to take on the assignment, I suppose you could say," Harry continued, hoping Flitwick was still listening.

"You-you're an Amici?" Flitwick asked.

"Um, not exactly, but I am your contact to the Custosae," Harry stated, hoping he wouldn't press.

"Well, very good. I of course know to keep your involvement in all of this a secret, and am happy to do anything the Custosae have assigned for me," Flitwick said, his voice squeaking slightly.

Harry pulled out a charmed envelope.

"I was told this person has already been contacted but doesn't wish to commit themselves because they are uncertain about our genuineness," Harry said. "I was told you may be able to relieve their hesitancy."

"I will do my best," Flitwick said.

Harry nodded. "The directions are inside; inform me of whatever results from the meeting. Thank you, Colossus."

"Your welcome, Griffin. Send the Custosae my regards."

Harry gave a slight bow of his head, before he banished the protections he had recently cast, reopened the window, and left without another word.

Flitwick stayed standing, watching Harry leave his office and his classroom, his eyes displaying a sense of pride he hadn't shown since another green-eyed student had graced the halls.

- - -

Harry entered the Come and Go Room after getting an interesting letter from a falcon that had intercepted him on his way from Flitwick. Opening the letter, he went and sat down in one of the couches the room provided.

"What do you have there, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Everything go alright with Colossus?" Greg asked.

"It's a letter from Rook, and yeah, everything went fine with Colossus," Harry answered, breaking the seal and pulling out the tannish brown parchment.

Hermione and the others quickly gathered around, save Draco who had just left to give the letter for Long Beard to the Dark Knight.

Unfolding the letter, Harry and the others read.

Griffin,

I have come to a solution to the little problem concerning certain evil items, one of which has already been taken care of in my little experiment to prove the method I have come upon. To put it simply, the cup is no more and a perfect replica now rests in its place. I hope you do not mind, but there was only one way to be sure of its effectiveness and after some thought, I believed this safer.

I have secured three of these evil destroyers for your later use and shall happily give them to you in your next visit, perhaps during the holidays.

Rook

After reading, Ron whooped excitedly, the others grinning equal elation.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Hermione asked. "Soon we can begin gathering the others."

"Yes, as soon as we get those 'evil destroyers'," Harry agreed, relief he didn't know he'd feel at this news filling him up.

Voldemort's days were numbered, now more than ever.

Draco rejoined them later that hour, telling them he had delivered the package and all was well. The others then told him the good news.

"That's awesome. I have to hand it to you, Harry. I didn't know what to think when you told us you would be making a goblin an ally, but I'm sure glad you have now," Draco said.

"Yeah, and now I have even more reason to be eager for the holidays," Harry said.

- - -

Crouch Manson, A Month Ago…

Crouch Jr. and six other darkly robed figures stood around the table, a lone black book in its center, runes and scripts of dark text surrounding them.

"With this, the Dark Lord shall return to full strength," Crouch declared, "He will be made whole."

The others in the circle hummed in agreement.

"Our planning cannot be undone, the outcome is inevitable. Those who crossed the Dark Lord shall tremble and be trampled. After this night, the might of his text will be amplified, and should someone try to disrupt its gain of power, it will not be destroyed, for who can truly destroy him? He who is immortal?"

The others in the room chimed in agreement, before Crouch Jr. raised his arms.

"Let us begin this then," he stated, before leading them in chants and casting.

The diary glowed.

- - -

Hogwarts, after dinner

Harry was anxious and extremely nervous. Not only had he just had to deal with a boggart that day, and in front of Snape no less, but he was about to talk to Dumbledore, as an equal. What if he messed it up? What if Dumbledore figured it out?

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Huh?" Harry asked dumbly as she continued applying make-up to his face.

"Just calm down, this is going to work, okay?" Hermione said.

Harry nodded, but then had to stop as she stuck on a mustache.

They had cast a few glamour charms on him, of course, to change to color of his eyes and hair, as well as change the shape of his nose, but everything else, they decided, called for makeup, glue, and rubber, or at least until they felt confident enough in casting more powerful disguise charms.

Harry now looked like a confident business man with a very finely trimmed goatee and mustache. His hair was dark brown with a few streaks of gray, and his eyes were very light blue, so light Ron said they looked silver. Everyone thought they looked cool, so Harry kept them. Hermione had also cast a spell she had found to lower Harry's voice (a man with a young boy's voice didn't seem to provoke the strong image).

"Alright, almost time," Hermione said.

"Ready, Harry?" Neville asked, Revlis around his arm.

Harry nodded.

"Okay, then I suppose we'll wait for you in the dorm," Ron said.

"We'll see you tomorrow," Draco said, Vincent and Greg nodding in agreement, along with Hermione who obviously wouldn't be waiting in the boy's dorm with Ron and Neville.

Harry took a deep breath before giving them a wave to go.

The others left without another word, knowing he was mentally preparing himself.

After a few more minutes of silence, the Come and Go Room now completely empty, the clock began to chime nine. It was time.

Taking the mirror in his hand, and trusting that Dumbledore would be on time, he activated it.

"Long Beard."

Harry straightened, holding the mirror steady in his left hand, as the face of Albus Dumbledore came into focus.

"Head of the Custosae de Lux," Dumbledore greeted, not knowing how else to address the surprisingly young, but impressive looking man gazing back at him in the mirror; though, he knew it was unlikely this was his true appearance.

"Long Beard, I trust you are alone?"

"Of course, it was as you had requested, but I would have been so even without it," Dumbledore said.

"I am alone as well, and you may call me Mage. Now, you said you had pressing news to tell me?" Harry asked.

"Yes, so I will get to the point; do you know about prophesies?" he asked, his eyes solidifying with seriousness.

"I know they are made, and know of one made over a decade ago," Harry said.

"Concerning what, if I may ask?" Dumbledore asked, rather warily, Harry thought, so he answered carefully.

"Concerning the Dark Lord and the birth of someone who would have the power to destroy him."

Dumbledore's eyes betrayed surprise, but that quickly passed.

"I see your resources are vast, yet again. So you heard the whole prophesy? Do you know who it speaks of?"

"If the prophesy ended with the line: 'Born to those who have thrice defied him, Born as the seventh month dies...' then yes. As to who this is referring to…I have my suspicions."

"Mage, that is not the whole prophesy."

"Oh? Then please tell," Harry said, with as much dignity as he could.

"It continues by saying the Dark Lord would mark him as his equal, but he would have power the Dark Lord knows not; and that in the end, only one can survive."

"I thought as much, as for the marking as his equal and power he knows not? That is most curious. Is this what you wished to tell me?" Harry asked.

"No, another prophesy has been made, and one that will take place at the beginning of spring, I fear."

"And what is that?"

"The return of Voldemort."

Harry stiffened.

"You are certain?"

"The person who made this prophecy is the same who stated the first. I am certain."

"What did it say?" Harry asked, already making plans on who to contact to begin organizing and truly preparing for the worst.

"As the season of Growth begins,
"Within the Chamber of the Serpent Founder,
"The Dark Lord shall return.
"However, his equal will disrupt a ritual,
"But be forced into the Realm of the Dead,
"And there, he will be embraced. . . ."

Harry blinked, instantly making the connection to the Chamber of Secrets before becoming further disturbed about 'his equal' going into the Realm of the Dead.

"Am I right to assume you are making the same connections as I?" Dumbledore asked, gauging the reaction of the fellow leader of light and deciding right then this person was someone he was glad he sided with.

Mage was obviously troubled with this news, but he kept himself collected as he continued the conversation.

"I am certain this refers to the Chamber of Secrets, which had been opened when you were the Transfiguration teacher. 'His equal' is the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, and if this prophecy is to be taken at face value, Mr. Potter will die," Mage stated, his voice void of emotion, mainly because if he had allowed any to come through, it would have revealed how alarmed he was.

He had been prophesied to die!

"I made the same conclusion," Dumbledore said gravely.

Harry leaned back, showing Dumbledore what lay beyond him.

Dumbledore, though troubled, was observant enough to make out a dimly lit study with leather books covering the wall behind Mage.

"Have you taken any precautions? Have you thought about telling the boy?" Mage asked, trying not to be too familiar with, well, himself.

"I have alerted my staff to be more observant, should something happen before the spring; as for telling young Potter… minutely," Dumbledore admitted. "He does not know of the first prophesy; though he knows about his unfair task, I did not wish to burden him further, and I still don't. I am sure you understand."

"I do, but we all must carry burdens, and though it's not fair, I think keeping these things from him, however noble the intentions may be, is preventing preparations he could be making," Harry said softly, wondering where such words were coming from, but then, having the memories of a man above fifty were bound to have that effect, no matter how good or evil that man was.

"You wish me to tell him," Dumbledore stated, as if it caused him pain to even think about doing so.

"I am not telling you to do anything."

"Do you truly want me to tell a child that he might not see the summer? That he is destined to die before he has even truly lived?" Dumbledore questioned, his voice alone displaying the sorrow within him.

Harry was shocked, though he hid it well. Dumbledore's confident persona was cracking, he, Mage, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the leader of the Custosae de Lux was seeing Albus Dumbledore as his true self.

A leader, much like Harry, with troubles, uncertainties and undesired duties.

"I can honestly tell you, if I were the one this prophecy pertained to, I would want to be told, whether or not it foretold the end of my life. I would rather the confidence of my Headmaster and probable mentor to tell me himself, than for me to be likely blindsided by the event," Harry said. "And Long Beard, perhaps the prophesy is not foretelling what we think it is," he added, though more to ease his own pounding heart than Dumbledore's.

Harry did not want to die; he had too much to do.

"I hope you are right," Dumbledore sighed.

"Well, if I think of anything that may help, I will immediately share it with you, but for right now, I am afraid we must move on," Harry said, though with a slight strain in his voice.

"Yes, I have been curious to learn what things you know," Dumbledore said, putting something yellow in his mouth, which Harry immediately gathered was a lemon drop.

Knowing Dumbledore already knew about Riddle having Horcruxes, Mage decided to just throw it all out there.

"I trust you know what horcruxes are. Well, Riddle has several Horcruxes, five in fact, well, he used to. I am happy to tell you an ally of mine has recently destroyed one of them, and will soon give me the means to destroy the others," Harry declared gleefully, the prediction of his death having been pushed aside for right now.

"Five?!" Dumbledore gasped, though he now seemed just as excited as Mage upon hearing they had destroyed one.

"Riddle was planning on making it seven, it being a magic number and all, you see," Harry continued, though conscious of how much he gave away.

"Do you know what the others are? Do you know where they are?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Yes, I do, but until I have the means to destroy them, gathering them up will have to wait, though I will begin this undertaking soon," Harry said.

"How?" Dumbledore asked, amazed.

"Contacts," Harry answered evasively.

Leaning back, slightly disappointed at not being told, Dumbledore relented.

"Well, anything I can do to help in this task, I will gladly participate."

"I appreciate that," Harry said honestly.

Dumbledore gave a slight nod.

"Is there anything else, Long Beard?" Harry asked, knowing it was getting late, and that he would definitely need to use his invisibility cloak to get back to Gryffindor Tower.

"No, but for future meetings," Dumbledore began.

"I will send the next possible time to Dark Knight, and if you need to speak with me before then, repeat what you had done this time. As for possible emergencies, I will link this mirror with one of my trusted contacts'. Simply say 'Hermit' and the mirror will activate. But I implore you, do not use this lightly," Harry said, remembering the discussion he had had with Hermione and the others.

It had been decided that in case of any emergencies, Hermione's mirror would be Dumbledore's link, since she could think on her feet the best and was the quickest with the glamour charm. If something were to happen, she would be the first to be able to think of something.

"Of course," Dumbledore said.

"Until our next meeting," Harry said.

"We are a Formation of Defenders," Dumbledore finished, thus ending the mirror communication.

Harry put the mirror face down, quickly lifting the charms on himself, as well as casting a simple glue removing spell.

After quickly transforming back to his old self, he resigned himself to wait until they were all together tomorrow to tell the others anything, because right now, all he wanted was to sleep. Portraying an identity was tiring, and the message that he had received was more than enough to make him wish for dreamland.

- - -

Severus Snape sat quietly in his study, unable to draw his thoughts away from the lesson he had had earlier that day with Draco and Harry.

He knew Dumbledore was currently meeting with the Head of the Custosae, somehow, but for him, right now, all of that was a distant reality, his mind was still reeling from having seen Potter's boggart come out as a very young Voldemort, and then morph into a teenager, into a man in his prime, and then finally, the Dark Lord.

He hadn't dared tell Dumbledore what he had seen, he was still trying to come to terms with it himself. His old mentor had enough on his mind already, besides, what good would telling him this bring? Just more confusion, and they had plenty of that.

What Snape couldn't figure out was why and how Harry's fear included the Dark Lord as a child all the way up to the recent past. The fear a boggart was able to project had to already be in the victim's mind. Sure, they never had to have actually seen this fear in real life, but the image had to already exist in their subconscious at least.

How could the young Riddle be in Harry's subconscious? How could the Dark Lord's entire physical appearance exist within Harry?

Snape had at first been confused when a child had stepped out of the wardrobe, but one look at Harry told him a great deal.

Harry recognized the child who stepped out, the not even four year old boy who quickly grew into the domineering and terrifying being known as Voldemort. But what also perplexed Snape was what the boggart Dark Lord had said.

"You have failed, Harry Potter. You have failed… you are alone… and I have no one else to kill, but you… There is no one else, because you have failed them…. Avada Ked—"

Harry's true fear wasn't Voldemort, it was losing to him: Failing…

Though this fact was oddly comforting, knowing Harry's true desire was to destroy Voldemort, there was something obviously disturbing about it all, and all of it went back to Snape's initial question.

How could a boy, a child who had only seen Voldemort after the murderer was already well into adulthood, know what he looked like in childhood, and everything in-between?

Something was not right.

Snape thought hard on this, thinking about all of the possibilities, until only one made sense…

The reason why Harry recognized young Riddle was because he had seen him before, and there was only one place that could be: within his mind.

Harry knew what the Dark Lord looked like, spanning from childhood to adulthood, because he had seen it.

And then it all made sense.

A child couldn't have that many nightmares about one night; it just wasn't possible, not in the varying strengths of magical disturbance, no matter how horrible the single nightmare was.

Harry's dreams/nightmares must be more than what Dumbledore, himself, and others had originally perceived to be.

They weren't simply about one horrible night, they were about a lifetime of horrors and events, and not only that, memories. Tom Riddle and Lord Voltemort's memories.

Snape sagged in his chair as the reality of it all crashed down upon him.

The spells Harry miraculously knew.

His high marks in his classes.

The zoning out he occasionally displayed in the most random times.

His humble yet knowledgeable attitude in his class.

His reaching out to Draco, the son of the Death Eater, possibly wanting to steer him away from the mistakes of his father.

His actions to other students, particularly Longbottom, helping him to find belonging.

Oh what things he must have seen…

What things he had witnessed… but then, some of those must have included him, Severus Snape.

No wonder he had given him a questioning look at the end of last term in the hospital wing. What had he seen?

Did he know where his true loyalties lay? Or did he think he served that evil murderer?

Snape ran his hand through his hair, praying the things he had recently done had shown the boy, who had no doubt seen things no one should have to see, the truth.

Coming to this thought, he was certain he had, and with that reflection, he felt like giving a relieved sob.

How could Harry stand to be near him? How could he even still respect him after seeing what he most likely had?

Snape stiffened.

If what he was thinking were true, than Harry must have recalled Voldemort's memory of him giving him the prophecy. Snape had thought something odd had happened with Harry after the talk about why Voldemort seemed to hate him so much. Was that what had happened? A memory had surfaced?

Snape was of course guessing, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized he must be right, no matter how troubled it made him feel.

What should he do now? Should he tell Dumbledore? Did Dumbledore already know?

Snape tried to calm himself as he came to a decision.

He would keep this to himself, the boy had already proven himself, no need to make him worry about the fact someone knew the truth, besides, he had handled this so far remarkably well. Having the memories of a madman and still keeping one's sanity was a remarkable feat, though it definitely explained why he had taught himself Occlumency…

So Snape decided he would watch him, more than he already was, in case the son of his only friend ever needed him.

And later, if he felt it was necessary, he would tell Harry he knew.

- - -

The Next Day

Harry and the others were in the designated room McGonagall and Flitwick had arranged for the 'secretive club', and Harry especially couldn't wait to give the group a real name.

There were already a decent amount of people, but they would all introduce themselves once the meeting had started. There was light talk going about, and some were even joking about how Snape had supposedly been seen casting something around this area of the school. Draco had called it a 'Notice-me-not-Lockart' charm.

The classroom was large, and Harry thought it probable that Dumbledore had enchanted the room to enlarge relative to needed capacity.

"Has everyone arrived?" McGonagall asked, looking at them all.

Everyone nodded.

"Very good. Well, Professor Flitwick and I will be heading the meeting today. In our later meetings, Professor Snape and Professor Sprout will partake in them as well. So, let us start by introducing ourselves," she said, motioning to Hermione to start.

They went around, stating their name, house, and year. Hermione wrote it all down.

Flitwick squeaked as he then took the floor.

"Now that we all know each other, let us organize. A name is needed, as well as appointed leaders, because there are sure to be times a Head of House will not be able to attend," he said.

"Remember why we are here. It is for you all to learn how to defend yourselves, and possibly others. I shall tell it to you all plainly. Dumbledore agreed to allow this rather unorthodox group to form because he feels it may be needed in the near future. With recent events, I am sure you all know why. Though I am sure this club will be fun, don't forget why your Heads of House extended an invitation to you. We feel, due to your marks and attitude in your classes and such, you are able to take on extra lessons, of sorts, and feel you will take them seriously," McGonagall said, very sternly. "Also, I do not want to see any outrageous House rivalries here. You have all agreed to come a part of this new group, so let's just focus on the thing you all have in common: the fact you are all students of Hogwarts."

Everyone nodded, blinking slightly at how fiercely she had spoken.

"Ideas for names?" Hermione asked after a moment, her quill ready.

Everyone started muttering things, whispering to one another until they started stating out names.

"Defensive Club."

"Mighty Defenders Association."

"No-no, how about… Dumbledore's Army?"

There was excited chatter about this, until a Hufflepuff, an older boy Harry had seen occasionally around the Quidditch pitch, Cedric Diggory, said, "Hey, why not, Hogwarts' Army?"

Everyone nodded, getting excited.

"All in favor for Hogwarts' Army?"

Everyone raised their hands, even before McGonagall or Flitwick could have any input.

"Alright, we can also go by the Army of Hogwarts, sounds more official," she said.

Everyone agreed. McGonagall and Flitwick were privately pleased.

"Alright, organization?" a sixth year Ravenclaw, Penelope Clearwater, asked.

"Well, if we're an army, there needs to be a General, Captains and stuff," one of the Weasley twins said.

"Yeah… So then, the Headmaster can be the General, the Heads of Houses can be the Commanders, and then we can vote for who will represent each House, and they will be the Captains," Ron said. "It's kind of like chess!"

"That sounds good to me," Harry said.

"All in favor?" Hermione asked.

They raised their hands, McGonagall and Flitwick at a loss of how fast their students were moving things along.

"Alright, now we need to vote for Captains," Neville said.

"I think they should be one of the upper years, they need to have experience," a Ravenclaw boy said, who Hermione remembered was Terry Boot.

Several of the Gryffindors looked at Harry. He had plenty of experience.

A few looked to Draco as well, wondering if he would be voted as Captain for the Slytherins.

"I agree," Harry said, not wanting the position, and by the look of Draco, he didn't either.

Some looked disappointed with that, and McGonagall and especially Flitwick were surprised.

Harry looked at Oliver Wood, remembering how he had treated him after that whole nightmare incident.

"I recommend Oliver Wood," Harry said.

Wood was taken aback slightly.

"Do you accept the nomination?" McGonagall asked.

Wood nodded.

"Any others for Gryffindor?"

The Gryffindors looked at each other.

Harry Potter himself had suggesting Wood, who were they to argue?

"Wood-Wood-Wood!" the twins chanted as the rest nodded their consent.

Wood fought down a blush.

Hermione wrote his name down before looking to the other Houses who were talking among themselves now.

After a few minutes of quiet debate, they looked up.

"Adrian Pucey will be our Captain," Draco said, motioning to the fourth year Slytherin who was on their Quidditch team and who, if Harry remembered correctly, never had been given a foul.

"Cedric Deggory," Justin Finch said after Hermione had written down the name of the Slytherin Captain.

"Penelope Clearwater," Cho Chang said, Percy giving Penelope a smile upon hearing that.

"Splendid," Flitwick said, giving a slight clap. "So I suppose now we can really begin."

They finished the meeting by starting with the simple disarming spell and then discussing shield charms. Flitwick was beside himself, giving some talk about his younger years in a dueling club.

After it was over, Harry looked at what Hermione had written, quite pleased at what they had established.

The Army of Hogwarts

General: Professor Albus Dumbledore

Gryffindor-
Commander: Professor Minerva McGonagall
Captain: Oliver Wood (6th Year)
1st Year: Ginny Weasley
2nd Year: Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown
3rd Year: Katie Bell
4th Year: George Weasley, Fred Weasley, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordon, Alicia Spinnet
6th Year: Percy Weasley

Slytherin-
Commander: Professor Severus Snape
Captain: Adrian Pucey (4th Year)
2nd Year: Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Daphne Greengrass, Blaise Zabini
4th Year: Liam Warrington, Jade Marks

Hufflepuff-
Commander: Professor Pomona Sprout
Captain: Cedric Diggory (5th Year)
2nd Year: Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott

Ravenclaw-
Commander: Professor Filius Flitwick
Captain: Penelope Clearwater (6th Year)
1st Year: Luna Lovegood
2nd Year: Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein.
3rd Year: Cho Chang

- - -

The following weeks went rather quickly, and it was in October when Flitwick had finally requested Harry to stay after class. After he had led Harry into his office and cast the appropriate charms did he tell him his 'mission' was a success, and that Harry could tell the Custosae that they had a new Amici member.

Harry was as delighted as Flitwick, and went and told the others.

Snape was the same as ever, and Draco and Harry continued going to his lessons on Saturdays. Harry and Draco thought it odd though that he never brought up their Boggart lesson; it was almost as if it had never happened.

They were thankful, and just assumed Snape thought it best to just let it go. They were right, sort of.

They had sent out the Custosae Letters inviting new Amici members and had already received their replies of acceptance, their contacts (such as Snape, Kingsley, and Moody) probably providing enough validity to their cause.

Revlis continued to travel between Harry, Draco, and Neville (to the bewilderment of the student and staff population).

The Army of Hogwarts continued to have meetings and conduct 'training sessions' which Flitwick particularly seemed to enjoy, and Lockhart and those not involved continued to be oblivious to their activities.

Sirius and Harry continued to have little mirror chats, but they never strayed far from things that had happened in class and making sure certain people were staying in line, such as Lockhart, though Snape had been mentioned a few times before Sirius decided he was…tolerable.

Hermione, Vince, and Greg continued experimenting with and delving into spells, and they were now certain they had a few new ones down. They had already made the needed mirrors, and now every Custosae member had one.

Neville and Revlis continued to work on improving Neville's choppy Parseltongue and special chameleon ability, while Harry, Draco, and Dobby worked on popping/teleporting.

They occasionally visited Salandra, though with homework, classes, Custosae, Hogwart's Army, Quidditch (for Harry) there was not much time. Salandra understood, and was just happy they came when they could. They had told her about the prophecy, which troubled her greatly. She promised she would do everything in her power to prevent Riddle from getting his way, which provided some comfort to them — Spring in the not so distant future….

Ron learned more about Phoenixes, deciding that since he could talk with them, might as well learn everything he can about them. Hermione was proud.

Dumbledore had yet to talk with Harry, not that he was surprised, but he had hoped Mage had been able to get through to him.

Little did Harry know, he had, Dumbledore was just finding it difficult to talk to him. However, one day, after Transfiguration, McGonagall asked Harry to stay after class for a moment.

"Potter, a moment, please?" she asked.

The others left with a nod meaning they would meet up later.

"Yes, professor?" he asked, now alone with her.

"The Headmaster wishes to speak with you. I trust you know where his office is?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"I was also told to tell you the Headmaster likes Lemon Fudge," she said, trying to keep the shudder from her voice (it had taken her forever to get that taste out of her mouth after he had offered her some and she had been foolish enough to try it).

"Oh, alright. Thanks, Professor," he said, before he turned and left to the Headmaster's office.

- - -

Dumbledore sat waiting beside his desk, taking yet another lemon drop from the side bowl.

This was going to be tricky. He knew he had the responsibility of warning Harry, and yet, he didn't want to reveal too much and terrify the boy who had inevitably become rather close to his heart.

Finally, Dumbledore was alerted to Harry's presence by the gargoyle and made himself relax. The calmer he was, the less alarmed Harry would be at what he had to tell him.

He didn't know when he had exactly decided he was going to do this, but there was no backing out now, besides, after everything that had happened to Harry, Harry deserved to know, or at least be cautioned.

Harry knocked on the door and he quickly beckoned him in.

"Hello, Harry. Care for a lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked.

"Uh, no thanks, sir," Harry said, shuffling his feet slightly.

"Why, take a seat, my boy," he said as he sat on the chair across from the chair he had motioned for Harry.

Harry obliged, wondering a little about why Dumbledore wasn't sitting behind his desk, so he wringing his hands slightly before glancing up at Fawkes, who seemed to nod at him. Dumbledore didn't appear to notice.

"Harry, I asked you here to speak about a few things with you," Dumbledore began, leaning forward slightly, his eyes lacking their usual twinkle.

"Things?" Harry asked, forcing his legs not to swing from the chair since his feet barely touched the floor.

"Well, first to congratulate you and your friends on founding the Army of Hogwarts. It would not have been possible if not for Ms. Granger's organization and your and the others' participation. I have heard many great things about it, some even from Professor Snape — and I need not tell you what high praise that is," Dumbledore said, his eyes sparking with their usual shine for a moment before going back to their previous seriousness.

"Thanks, sir," Harry said, though he knew this was not the main thing he wanted to talk to him about.

Dumbledore folded his hands in his lap.

"Harry, after some advice from a friend, of sorts, I have decided something. Remember the question you had asked me at the end of last year's term?" Dumbledore asked.

"The one about Voldemort, and you said you couldn't tell me?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said, though by his voice it was obvious he had hoped Harry wouldn't have remembered.

"What about it, sir?" he asked, though he had his suspicions.

"What do you know about prophesies, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, quite bluntly, probably because he just wanted to get it over with, like removing a band-aid in one swift movement.

"I know the Ministry keeps the ones they were able to document," he said with a shrug. Hermione had said something about it after she had done some research on prophecies after he had mentioned his memory to them.

"In the Department of Mysteries," Dumbledore said with a slight nod, knowing that information could be obtained if one knew where to look, and it was a sure guess to say Ms. Granger had the drive to find it, since that was likely where Harry had learned it from, especially with access to the Longbottom library.

Harry nodded.

"Before you were born, a prophecy was made," Dumbledore said softly, knowing this wasn't even the hard part, what was was to come.

Harry raised his eyebrows at that. He was actually going to be told something other than 'be careful' and 'be on your guard'?!

"You have already figured out what it entails, for the most part," Dumbledore said, and if it wasn't such a grave subject, he might have been proud and amused.

"I have?" Harry asked.

"The prophecy involved the Dark Lord and the child that was to come who would be able to destroy him."

"You think I'm him?" Harry asked, hoping his acting abilities were convincing, though he was certain they were, since he wasn't really acting.

"I know it."

"Oh," Harry managed. "What did it say?"

"This must be kept a secret, Harry, the less who know, the better."

"I understand, sir," he said, deciding that those who already knew about the prophecy and its contents were fair game.

"Very well. It stated: '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 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 others survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'"

Dumbledore became quiet; certain Harry would need a moment to digest it.

"So, I was right with what I said earlier this year?" Harry asked, already knowing half of the prophecy at that time, but still amazed with it all. Hearing the actual words were frankly chilling.

"Yes, which was part of the reason why I decided to tell you this now," Dumbledore admitted.

"Wh-what is this 'power the Dark Lord knows not'?" he asked.

It was a reasonable question, he had decided.

"Something Voldemort doesn't understand, what he has never been able to, but what you have in such quantities," Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling again. "Compassion and love."

"That's a power?" Harry asked, now quite curious to hear what Dumbledore thought.

He had been trying to figure out what this power was that he had that the 'Dark Lord knows not' for a while, and had decided it was him having his memories, but then, Voldemort knew those; though… he didn't know Harry had them.

"Yes, Harry. It is the driving force of everything. These two go hand in hand. Without compassion, love turns into lust, which Voldemort has for power. But you have both love and compassion, evidence of this is your action of befriending Draco last year. But the best example I have to show of this power is your mother. You are here because of this power," Dumbledore said.

"So, it is more powerful than death? That's why the curse didn't work on me?" Harry asked, wanting to make sure he was following what Dumbledore was saying.

"Yes."

"But, why hasn't it happened before or since then?" Harry said, recalling the times he had seen the killing curse used on people who had had others shielding them moments before from the same curse. "My mother's act couldn't have been unique. Others must have done the same for their loved ones, why weren't they saved?"

Harry had always wondered about this, and now that he had the perfect opportunity to ask, he wasn't about to let it pass without trying to get an answer.

"I don't know the answer to that, Harry; but, though I am sure you are tired of hearing it, you are an extraordinary child—special. I believe, with or without the prophecy, a similar event would have happened to you, though I wish it hadn't been so. The only thing the prophecy did was alert us to the fact someone would be born who would be able to defeat Voldemort, and how to identify them," Dumbledore said.

Harry looked at his hands, not knowing what to say.

Why me? he wondered.

"So…I take it Voldemort knows about the prophecy?" Harry asked.

"Only part of it. He did not receive the portion about you having powers he knows not, or him marking you as his equal. I'm sure if had known about that portion, he would have responded differently."

Harry nodded, looking back up again, feeling stunned, yet utterly grateful, for the trust Dumbledore was giving in telling him this.

"Harry, this was not the main reason for your visit with me today, however," Dumbledore said, releasing what Harry was surprised to realize was a sigh.

"I must admit, I never thought I'd be sharing this amount with you, but not to would be, as you said last year, dangerous," he said.

He looked at Harry over his lenses, as if he was hesitating, which he was.

"Sir?" Harry asked, if possible, even more surprised than before.

"Another prophecy has recently been made, and if what it seems to state happens, dire events will occur, events I do not wish to happen," he said finally.

"What did it say?" Harry asked, not knowing what he would do if Dumbledore actually told him.

"I will not state its exact contents, for I wish to spare you from things you don't need to know, but I will say it involves Voldemort and you."

"And something very bad," Harry whispered.

"We do not know that," Dumbledore said.

But you wouldn't be worried if you didn't think it was, Harry thought.

"What do you want me to do?" Harry asked. "I mean, I am truly thankful for you sharing this with me, but now that I know about the first prophecy and a little about this second, what am I supposed to do? Is there a way to avoid the prophecy?"

"I want you to be on your guard, for I don't think there is much else you can do right now but know that there are people here you can rely on, who you can come to if you need help. As for avoiding the prophecy…I'm afraid not. I had tried to avoid the first and it happened anyway, despite my actions that were supposed to ensure otherwise," Dumbledore said regrettably.

"You did?"

"Since you know about it already, you should know this. We did not know who the prophecy was referring to at first, but we had narrowed it down to two: you, and Neville Longbottom."

"Our birthdays…" Harry muttered.

"Yes, and the fact both of your parents had defied Voldemort three times," Dumbledore said with a nod, knowing he shouldn't be surprised by Harry's mature reaction after getting to know him over the passed year, but he still was. "I had asked them to go into hiding and had suggested using Fidelius Charms. I had thought that would work, but it failed both your and young Longbottom's families…."

He watched Harry, deciding a moment of silence was warranted as Harry lifted a hand to his forehead, no doubt thinking about the thing that told Dumbledore and others who the prophecy was referring to.

His bangs were easily brushed aside, revealing his scar, his fingers tracing it as he came to a sudden enlightenment of sorts, his eyes no longer looking in Dumbledore's direction, but off to the side. Dumbledore waited, knowing he would want to hear what Harry was about to say….

"People look at this in awe, some even with jealousy and fear. People think it's amazing, that it is evidence of a miracle. Though they fail to see me — the true evidence," Harry said quietly, not at all pompously or arrogantly, but with sadness. "People ask me sometimes why I try to hide this, why I don't show it off and stuff, but they don't understand. This isn't something to flaunt. This is a mark of evil, given by a being of evil. Why would I want to openly show this, when all it does is remind me of what I don't have and why?"

Dumbledore hid a frown, his eyes revealing sorrow upon hearing Harry's words.

He knew some of the things Harry endured for being the Boy-Who-Lived, particularly the stares, but he hadn't known how heavily it weighed on the boy's heart.

Dumbledore waited for Harry to continue, since he didn't really know what he could say after that to provide any sense of comfort.

"But now I have realized something. This is more than what I thought it was. This is a mark telling those who know the prophecy of my purpose, though not my only one, I hope. So thanks for telling me, for not treating me like a helpless kid who needs to be coddled and who can't do anything so should be told nothing."

Harry paused, closing his eyes for a moment before continuing.

"Because of you, I no longer hate this as much," Harry finished, putting his hand down and meeting Dumbledore's now twinkling eyes.

"My pleasure, my boy," Dumbledore said softly, barely managing to suppress tears.

- - -

Harry told the others of his meeting with Dumbledore, Neville turning a light shade of gray upon hearing his once possible part in the prophecy, but they had little time to dwell on such things, for Halloween was coming.

Harry and the others attended the feast, narrowly avoiding the Deathday Party with the ghosts. So they dined on the Halloween sweets and foods in the Great Hall, Revlis resting on Draco's shoulders and enjoying a mouse Snape had been kind enough to provide Draco before the meal. The girls at the table turned away, while the boys stared in unrestrained awe, stating how cool it was.

It was a good Halloween, and by far the best Harry had ever had, and knowing Quidditch season was coming (Wood reminding him of this fact every time he saw him, in or outside of practice), Harry was happy to enjoy the short break Halloween offered. However, all of the happiness and lightheartedness was short-lived when they were on their way to their common rooms.

"What is that?" several people asked, pointing at the wall that happened to be one they all had to pass to get to their common rooms, no matter the House.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED,

ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE.

Harry and the others stiffened, but the message alone wasn't completely the cause, what underneath it was...

Filch, stiff as a board, was lying on his back with his arms raised in front of his face, which was frozen in an expression of pure terror, his entire frame appearing more like ceramic than flesh and clothe.

Mrs. Norris was meowing sadly and rubbing against Filch's rock hard shoulder, a shallow pool of water all over the floor….

----

A/N: For the newly detailed network of the Custosae, Amici, and Allies, refer to my profile (I will be adding the Army of Hogwarts shortly).

New Amici and their main contacts:

Stephanie Somac- Galadriel...The Dark Knight (Snape)

Joseph D. Moy- Blade...Iron Man (Kingsley)

Forshaw Craw- Shade...Iron Man (Kingsley)

Amos Diggery- Dug ...Lone Lantern (Amelia Bones)

Next Part: Elimination