It had been a week since the end of term. Harry and his family had settled in nicely. Neville and his ladies where off settling into their respective homes. Harry had received a letter from Augusta Longbottom thanking him for the support and friendship he had shown Neville as it had given him a lot more spirit and helped him grow up. Harry was happy to tell the Dowager Longbottom that he just polished the diamond that was already there.

Luna had not worn a shirt since the final day of classes saying that it was a lot easier to feed the babies as her and Hermione would trade off feeding their children. Neither child was going to go hungry that was for sure. Ginny would visit and sit and hold the babies and talk about the future with her child. Daphne had kept her distance for the first few days before before being finally brought into the fold by Hermione and Luna going to her house and parking on her couch with the baby. Molly Weasley was making an effort to get to know her too. Given the lack of love and affection in her family Daphne had a lot of adjustment ahead of her. But the ice queen was defrosting. Draco was enjoying time with her mother on vacation in France.

The Daily prophet had moved on to other issues and problems. Bagman had been sacked for his part in the tri-wizard tournament. Dumbledore was still missing and aside from a few minor issues peace was the rule across the land. The dark families where very cautious when considering their actions as while Harry had dropped off the radar they knew he was out there. The marked death eaters tattoos where still in a Grey area as they had not darkened any but had not faded either.

Harry had walked over to the school and restored Crabbe and Goyle to living flesh, he "forgot" to clean off the pigeon poo before doing so but they could go take a shower. Both boys had been fully conscious and aware of their surroundings while stoned so they where quite grateful to Harry for releasing them. They where willing to swear an oath or anything Harry wanted. Thinking quickly Harry made them make an unbreakable vow that they would stop supporting the pure blood agenda, never support Voldemort or any of his allies. When they hesitated a bit knowing how their fathers would react Harry said they could go back to being doorstops they suddenly lost all hesitation.

Snape observed this then commented to Harry, "You do realized that Crabbe and Goyle's fathers are part of the Dark Lord's inner circle."

Harry shrugged. "Not too worried. They can either stand up against them or..." He left off the rest of that. Looking at Snape Harry suddenly asked, "So what did you do for the Dark Lord Moldy shorts? And why did you join him?"

Snape suddenly felt his chest clench shut as he had been dreading this moment ever since last summer when things started changing. Yes he had decided to start moving towards the light more but he still had far too many skeletons in his closet. Harry was still looking at him, Worse yet McGonnegal was standing to his left looking at him curiously as well.

Snape walked over to a small picnic table that was sitting in the courtyard that students liked to congregate at during pleasant spring and fall days and sat down. Harry and McGonnegal joined him, quietly giving him the space and time to decide how to answer Harry without pressuring him.

"Well its like this Harry. I was a spy for Voldemort and Dumbledore. Trapped in the middle of the two of them by my own stupidity and youthful arrogance. Having two masters holding a leash on you is quite stressful and I am sorry but I took it out on all of my students. You bore the greatest brunt due to your resemblance to your father."

Harry started to say something but Snape held his hand up asking for Harry to let him finish. Harry closed his mouth and nodded.

"I know it is childish, petulant and pointless to hold a childhood grudge for so long but as I said I have been living a rather stressful life and holding on to grudges while illogical is something to focus your anger on when you cannot focus on the real problems."

"As for why I joined him. I was an outcast. A half-blood who came from an abusive family. My father was a drunken bastard who beat myself and my mother when he came home from the factory. She had come from a pure-blood family but was a younger daughter so had no worth according to them. They could not get a high enough bride price for her so they ignored her. They where ambivalent about her falling in with a young lad in the nearby village. They ignored the signs of his abuse. Feeling that she was not worth the effort. I grew up in a household that was only marginally better than the one you did Harry. That's why when Dumbledore lied to me about the conditions you where living in I never desired to check up on you. He told me you were living with a fine muggle family who treated you like the prince of the wizarding world. That's the story he told everyone. "

Harry glanced at Minerva who nodded confirmation.

"So being an outcast I looked everywhere for friends. One day I met a beautiful young redhead. She had the most beautiful eyes of the deepest jade green. She was nonjudgmental, she was caring, she was kind, she was..."Snape buried his face in his hands and started crying. Harry shifted uncomfortably not sure what to do when an adult started crying. Minerva put her hand on Snape's arm in support.

"forgive me. I have compartmentalized these feelings and memories until last summer when you almost died Harry. When the truth came out. " Snape said trying to regain his composure.

"I understand sir. Its not easy."

Smiling at Harry Snape continued. "Your father and I competed for your mother's affections all through school. He came from a well off family, he was regarded as handsome by many. Unfortunately he knew that as well which made him a bit arrogant. Full of himself and cocky."

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at Minerva again. She merely nodded slightly with a wry look on her face.

"unfortunately while his friends were for the most part brave, funny, and overall generally good people, I fell in with the bad crowd. Lucius Malfoy, among others. They fed my hate and anger and jealousy. In many ways your friend Ronald was heading down that path before you stopped him. I think looking back I would have appreciated the second chance if I could have."

"Unfortunately things came to a head one day. In front of your mother they bullied me a bit too much. She defended me. She yelled at them. Unfortunately I was lost and stupid and called her names. Called her a dirty mud blood and that I did not need her help. I was angry and lashing out but the damage had already been done. Your mother was hurt and her feelings for me shattered. James managed to eventually win her over and they fell in love deeply, madly and passionately. "

"I started getting deeper into the death eaters of his Lord Voldemort.", Snape sneered so deeply Harry looked around to make sure that somehow Voldemort hadn't heard him, " until I was snooping on that twat Trelawny. I had almost dismissed her as a fraud and not a real seer when she gave her first real prophecy. Unfortunately I got caught and tossed out. I ran to the dark lord trying to throw your friend Neville under the cartwheels. But the dark lord was more concerned about you. He said he saw in you a far greater danger. That you and your family had to be eliminated. I tried to contact Lily and warn her but she rebuffed me. James and Sirius almost killed me. I had to run to Dumbledore and promise to be his lapdog to spy on the dark lord and your mother. She still died. I am sorry Harry. I am sorry."

"This accursed mark has cost me more than I have ever thought or dreamed it would in my worst nightmare Harry. It cost me the one chance at love I had." And he put his head back in his hands.

Harry reached out and tugged Snape's arms down. He pushed the man's left sleeve up revealing an ugly gray tattoo of a skull with a snake running between its eyes and out the mouth. The dark mark of Voldemort. Harry ran his hand over the tattoo and pulled slightly. Snape screamed out in sheer agony as did the tattoo which Harry peeled off of Snape's skin. The Tattoo transformed into a grayish black nasty mist that Harry flung away from them as it vanished.

Snape looked in bewildered wonderment at the bare flesh that was red and burned but free of the tattoo. He did not understand how it had happened. He had tried many spells and many ointments but it had always remained.

Harry looked at the silent Snape and asked, "Professor? ...Severus? Sir?"

Snape looked up and pulled Harry into a hug thanking him. Thanking him for giving him his freedom and his life back. That he was not going to forget this or waste it.

Harry patted him on the back until he composed himself. Snape took a few moments to stare at his arm before letting the sleeve fall back down.

"This of course does not grant you any special consideration in your classwork though Mr Potter."

"I wouldn't think of it. Hermione would make me take the thing and put it on if I did."

Snape's look of horror was so sudden that Harry pulled backwards. "NO Harry. Please don't even joke about that. You have no idea and I sincerely hope you never do. A dark mark is a hard thing to live with. The things you have to do to get it. The stain on your soul..."

"yes sir. I'm sorry."

"Now if you excuse me I have some work I need to complete." Snape smiled at Harry and Minerva then walked off.

"Did I do the right thing Professor?"

"Yes Harry you have done more for that man in the last few minutes than Albus did in the last decade. If anything you have upheld the avowed values of Albus far more than he himself did."

Harry looked across the courtyard thoughtfully. He was thinking about all the time Dumbledore had lied to him, lied to others. Had left Harry alone. Let others make him feel down and worthless. How he did nothing for Hermione or her family when she was petrified. How he did nothing for Ginny when she was possessed by the diary. How the entire first year Harry was here was nothing more than using the students as bait.

"Harry what are you thinking?" Minerva wondered looking at how quiet and thoughtful Harry had become.

"I think I need to hunt down Albus too many middle names Dumbledore and have a little discussion with him." Harry said coldly.

Taking a deep breath Minerva was not surprised by this but was concerned. She was not entirely sure who she was more concerned for Albus or Harry as the discussion she felt was going to be quite loud. "Are you sure that is wise Harry? You children are still very young. And there is Miss Weasley and Greengrass yet to give birth."

Sighing deeply. Harry bit his lip. "I'll have to talk to them yeah. I can't go running off into danger without thinking first anymore., "turning to Minerva Harry looked straight into her eyes, " but I will need to end this. I don't know how. I don't know when but I will end this. I got this power for some reason. Luna hasn't said what it was for but I seriously doubt it was just for the stupid tournament."

"I agree Harry. I understand your point of view too. I just worry because both Albus and Voldemort are quite powerful and have shown themselves to be ruthless in their desire to win." Minerva had pursed her lips thinking. "Albus had always said you had a destiny. That you where a child of prophecy but he never told us what that prophecy was. Obviously Severus knew part of it but has never spoken of it. And Sybil. I seriously doubt she would remember you where a student here if it wasn't for the student chart in the teacher's lounge."

Harry chuckled at that as the divination teacher did seem to get lost in her own thoughts far too much. She claimed it was focusing on her inner eye but given the state of her breath at times Harry thought it was more the cooking sherry she liberated form the kitchens she was focused on.

"If you'll excuse me I need to go check on professor Snape then get back home. Hermione is supposed to be trying her hand at cooking tonight. And I don't want to miss that."

Raising her eyebrow Minerva asked, "Isn't Dobby supposed to be your house elf and cook?"

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah well Hermione is a muggle born and doesn't feel comfortable with the idea of house elves and cooks and all that fancy stuff. She said a wife is supposed to be able to cook for her husband at least once in awhile. Even if it is a rather antiquated social expectation."

"I suppose that is one of her quirks." Minerva said with a chuckle.

"Yeah she can be a bit confusing and have mood shifts faster than a Firebolt turn but no more than Luna so I kinda just roll with it. At the very least they balance each other out and make life fun." Harry smiled.

"I can imagine." Minerva chuckled again at the concept a teenage male might have of fun when describing two wives. "You are practicing precautions to ensure that the two of them do not have a repeat performance of this year?"

Blushing bright red Harry said, "Yeah Hermione has made sure about that. A monthly potion for her and Luna and a charm for me for each time."

"Well trust Hermione to take the lead in that aspect. And I had better get back to my paperwork myself. Good day Harry."

"Yes ma'am." Harry said as he headed off for the dungeons to find Snape. A few minutes later he heard singing coming from the potions lab and when he peeked in he saw Snape singing an older song while smiling and taking inventory. Harry was torn as he knew the question he was going to ask was probably going to crash the man's good mood but he wanted to know. He decided to defer that for another day when Snape called out to him, "Harry if you are going to spy on someone please make sure they are not a paranoid double agent."

Stepping into the room Harry was chastised, "Sorry sir I did not mean to spy. I heard you singing and changed my mind."

"You where going to ask about the prophecy." Snape flatly stated with a sad smile.

Looking at his shoes for a moment before looking at Snape. "Yes Sir. I want to know why I'm so important."

Snape sighed deeply. He walked around the desk and sat on the corner of it looking at Harry. "I wish I could tell you but Albus made me take an unbreakable vow to never tell anyone other than the Dark Lord what the prophecy was. I cannot."

Harry felt his anger rise up. "That secretive old bastard. Hoarding all the cards for himself and never dealing anyone straight."

Snape nodded in sympathy. "I honestly am not certain which of my masters was the worse. Displeasing Voldemort got you crucioed or worse but you at least always knew your standing with him. Dumbledore played childhood games of making you seek him out, figure out who was his favorite and what the old fart was talking about at any time. His endless stupid games. But I do wonder if the Ministry might have a copy of the prophecy as that would be something they would be concerned about. Even if the bureaucracy might have forgotten about it."

"OK. I guess that is an avenue to pursue. I'll be talking to them soon anyhow about Sirius."

Snape raised an eyebrow in question.

Harry paced a few. "I'm famous, I'm powerful. I'm rich. Three things the ministry seems to find very interesting to pay attention to. I'm beginning to think I might have to start getting people to pay attention."

A shiver ran down Snape's spine. He had warned Bagman that they where rousing a sleeping dragon during the tournament. That if Harry decided to take his life path into his own hands that anyone standing in his way would be wise to either join him or get out of the way. Now it seemed the young man was going to go on the offensive and no longer be the harmless submissive sheep Albus had been hoping for.

"If you feel that is wise Harry."

Harry turned at the dark haired man and smiled. "Yes, yes I do." He then snapped his fingers and vanished in a flare of light.

Snape walked over to his cabinet and pulled out a calming draught. Marking it off his inventory sheet he downed it to calm his nerves. He did not know why but he suddenly felt like staying in his dungeons might be the safest place for the foreseeable future. As for the ministry may the gods have mercy upon them for they knew not what was coming.

Harry translated into the entry atrium of the Ministry. He looked around never having been here before. It was somewhere between a mid evil castle and a Victorian government building in decoration. Large fireplaces lined the entry hall as people kept flooing in and out. The fountain in the middle was tacky at best and he knew if Hermione ever saw it she would politely ask Harry to accidentally send it into the sun or something. The looks of absolute adoration on the goblin, centaur and house elf as they looked at the wizard in the center with the witch kneeling beside him was straight out of a Victorian era propaganda piece.

As he stood there a witch came walking up and asked him if he was lost.

"No I'm here to see Arthur Weasley and I was just ...admiring the decor."

"Ahh. First time then?"

"Yeah. Hi. I'm Harry Potter."

"Hello. I'm Arabella.", pausing she looked at him again, "THE Harry Potter." She asked shocked.

Laughing Harry just shrugged. "As far as I know unless there are some poly-juiced people running around or anything."

"Oh. Well its a pleasure to meet you sir. I am honored."

"Thanks its ok. Um could you tell me how to find Mr Weasley?"

"Oh yes please this way." She led him to the reception desk where the guard checked his wand and registered it. He signed the guest log and got a pass. Arabella personally escorted him to Mr Weasley's office at the end of the hall. Chatting with him about the events that happened over the last year during the Tournament. Knocking on the door she delivered Harry to Mr Weasley then went on her way..

"Ahh Hello Harry. How are you today. What brings you in?"

"I was wanting to talk to someone who might know about the prophecy about me as well as talk to someone about Sirius."

Raising his eyebrows Arthur scrunched his face up in thought. "Well the department of Mysteries would be the ones to deal with a prophecy I suppose but they are rather mysterious and all." Arthur said wryly.

"As for Sirius, anything to do with him would have to be through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Madame Amelia Bones heads that but I doubt you'd get to see her today, even if you are, well you."

Laughing Harry just grinned, "Well we'll see. I think I'm done being a quiet wallflower. There is way too much bad stuff going on that I need to deal with."

"Yes it does seem that you are the focus of way too much chaos and trouble. Well I suppose it can't hurt to take a walk down to the spooks."

"Spooks? Lovely."

Chatting about Daphne a bit on the way down to the Department of Mysteries Harry and Arthur agreed that she is a nice girl but had a rather unpleasant upbringing. It seemed that while her family had cared about her they did not exactly express that feelings as well as had been actively trying to marry her off for a political connection with another family. Harry was not happy about that and neither was Arthur as both had chosen their mates out of love not some beneficial financial arrangement.

Reaching the department of mysteries Arthur knocked on the door and waited. Eventually a tall austere man opened the door. He was pale and sallow skinned and looked absolutely ancient. "Weasley."

"Croaker. Hello. This is Harry Potter and he had a few questions to ask you."

The jaundiced eyes of the man looked down at Harry and widened slightly. Otherwise there was utterly no reaction.

Harry forged ahead. "I understand there is a prophecy about me and I would like to know more about it as no one seems to be willing or able to tell me."

The man stepped to the side and gestured for Harry to enter the office. Weasley looked at the member of the Department of Mysteries who nodded and allowed Arthur to enter as well. The room was a small office not much different than any of the others. Two people sat at desks looking at papers. For a department that called themselves such a fancy name there was not much mysterious about them.

Smiling slightly the tall man named Croaker spoke to the others, "Lurch, Homm this is Mr Harry Potter. He is here about his prophecy."

"We have been expecting you sir." The one named Lurch said rising from his seat to shake Harry's hand. The one named Homm did the same thing.

"Call Shadow up here. We will be taking Mr Potter to the Hall, Turning to Harry he asked "will Mr Weasley be your only witness?"

"How many am I permitted." Harry thought quickly.

"You are permitted three maximum."

Harry closed his eyes and reached out, Hermione had just placed Lily down for a nap and McGonnegal had just finished drawing up her class plans and was preparing a spot of tea. Harry snapped his fingers and both women where suddenly standing in the office next to him. Hermione just buttoning up her shirt and McGonnegal with her kettle in her hand.

"Harry! Give me some warning before you do that!" Hermione squeaked. McGonnegal merely sighed and stood there holding her tea kettle. "Harry could you ask Dobby to turn the stove off for me?"

"Hunh. Oh yeah sorry. Dobby could you turn the stove off for Professor McGonnegal please? Thanks."

Croaker looked like a frog in a hailstorm. Lurch and Homm had both swallowed their tongues. Arthur had jumped back when Hermione and Minerva appeared.

Croaker managed to after a few moments whisper the word "Fascinating."

Arthur sputtered for a few moments then composed himself and said, "Harry aside from the Atrium the entire ministry is an anti-apparate zone. "

Harry looked chastised. "Sorry I didn't know I was breaking the rules."

Croaker looked startled. "No young man. What Weasley means is that the entire ministry is warded and protected from people being able to apparate in or out except for the atrium. The department of mysteries even more so."

Harry considered that then went "Oh. Sorry the thing I do isn't apparation or anything I guess. Its kinda I just choose where to be or not be."

Croaker raised his eyebrow and choked out, "You just choose where you want to be?"

Nodding Harry confirmed it. "Yeah its kinda weird given that the earth is rotating pretty fast and orbiting the sun and everything is all swirling around all the time but if you think too much about all that you can get smeared. So you have to ignore all that and just assume that everything is stationary relative to you and where you wanna be and then just sorta decide to choose to be there and not here. Its just a matter of perspective I guess."

"that sounds an awful like Apparition there Harry." Arthur said.

"Yeah I know but even with Apparition there is a non-zero delay between when you cast and when you actually arrive. With me its literally one blink I'm here and the next...I'm over here." As Harry suddenly was across the room with no flash of light or pop or any of the usual evidence of Apparition. The spooks cast several spells then started talking over each other excitedly.

"Utterly no trace of spatial disturbance or thaumic displacement"

"No magical signature detected at all."

"He's violating the basic rules of magic as we understand them"

Harry let them go on for a few moments before clearing his throat. Minerva thought it was quite enough excitement and in the momentary silence announced, "Yes well Mr Potter is well known among the staff of Hogwarts as picking and choosing which of the rules to follow on a good day why should his application of magic be any different. Now could we please come to the point of why we are here. I have a staff meeting this afternoon at 4 o clock and it is now half past 2."

Arthur chuckled at how Croaker and the others immediately responded to the Headmistress of Hogwarts tone. Although he did have to relax a moment himself as he reflexively stiffened as he feared receiving detention the ingrained response to full on Professor McGonnegal mode being activated.

"Yes my apologizes. Mr Potter, everyone. Please follow me." He led the way through a door into a room with multiple doors that spun around until Harry was dizzy. He held his hand up and the room stopped and a door opened. Croaker looked at him with his eyebrows attempting to escape his face but said nothing. Lurch who had accompanied them made a face like he was going to be changing his underwear but said nothing as well.

The next room they entered was a dimly lit warehouse. There where thousands upon thousands of small orbs sitting on small stands like so many snow globes on shelves stacked 8 high. The room smelled faintly of ozone and there was a small hum to Harry.

"Whats that hum?" Harry asked as they moved into the room.

"Hum? We do not hear a hum." Croaker asked Harry in surprise.

"I hear a low hum like a bunch of people talking but not in the same room."

Swallowing hard Croaker asked Harry, "Do you occasionally get visions of the future?"

"No but I think my wife Luna does." Harry said looking at Hermione who nodded. She was holding Harry's hand like they where in a snowstorm and she didn't want to get separated. "She says its because the Nargles tell her things and that they are helping me now."

"Ahh okay. I see that."

"So what does that mean?" Harry pushed a bit.

"What you see here are the collected prophecy orbs of the last several hundred years. Those that are glowing are currently active or awaiting resolution. Those that are dim have already been resolved. We are not entirely certain how the orbs are created but when a true prophecy is spoken anywhere in the UK an orb forms on the altar in the front of the room. It is listened to and the names of the person who spoke the prophecy and those who heard it are then engraved on a base. It is then placed on a shelf and marked with those we think that the prophecy is about or unknown. The prophecy that concerns you was placed on its shelf a few months before the date of your parent's death. Not long before your birth. It was given by a Sybil Trelawny to Albus Dumbledore."

They had reached a particular section of shelving. Standing in front of it was a young lady and two others. There was a small step ladder in front of the shelving. "You will have to retrieve the orb yourself as they are protected by ancient soul magics. They cannot be touched by anyone but the subject of the prophecy, the giver or hearer of the prophecy. Under pain of severe death and agony."

"Oh that sounds fun." Harry snarked.

"It was not our design. This room dates back to Merlin and was his design. I understand he did this to prevent situations where an enemy whose weakness or downfall was prophesied from easily retrieving it."

"So until its put on the shelf the orb could be stolen."

"No the orbs only work within this room. If you attempt to remove it from the room they shatter into crystal dust."

Harry looked around thoughtfully. He grinned after a moment which disturbed the spooks and Arthur for different reasons. The spooks as very few people grinned in this room and Arthur because it was the exact same grin he saw on the twins before they pulled one of their pranks. Before anyone could stop her Hermione ran up the ladder and grabbed the orb marked with Harry Potter's name on it. She came back down and was standing there tossing it up and down casually.

The confusion everyone was feeling at the moment was only compounded when Harry's body suddenly put his hands on his hips and got a very angry look on his face. "Harry Potter that was not funny you know. You are really going to have to work to apologize to me for this."

Hermione started laughing in glee and all she could say was "Yes dear. I will work very hard to make it up to you but I just couldn't resist."

"You couldn't resist taking a chance that your stupid idea wouldn't work and make me a widow!" Harry crossed his arms over his chest then seemed to notice something was different and rubbed his chest for a few moments before deciding to cross his arms and stand there in a huff. This caused Hermione to double over on the floor laughing so hard she had trouble breathing.

McGonnegal being familiar with her two students immediately recognized the mannerisms of Harry and Hermione in each other's bodies. She raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes upwards saying a small prayer for mercy and wondering if she got back in time if having a nip of Ogden's in her tea would be noticed. Maybe Sybil had some of her sherry left.

Arthur not as familiar with the two of them suspected it never the less given his experience with the twins pranks. He still was beyond impressed with the power required to do a full soul transfer. Another impossible act Harry apparently did on just a whim.

The spooks on the other hand where shocked into complete mental shutdown for a brief moment as they tried to process what they had observed.

Harry while kneeling on the floor set the orb down and then stood up. "Sorry Hermione it really was worth it." She then grabbed Harry in a hug and kiss that lasted far longer than anyone breathing should have been able to before they parted and Hermione said, "Alright Harry but next time give me a moment to prepare. Going from girl to boy suddenly like that is a bit disturbing."

"Yeah I know I didn't realize how nice having boobs felt though gotta explore that later." Harry grinned back in his own body after the kiss.

McGonnegal wishing to avoid hearing anything at all about the young Potter's love life interrupted that train before it could get out of the station, "Yes well now that you have had your fun and gotten your prophecy orb could you please figure out how to listen to it."

Composing himself Harry turned to Croaker who was still staring in sheer shock at Harry. "Um sir? Are you okay?"

"You just did a complete soul transfer between herself and yourself?"

"Uh yeah. Its a lot easier because Hermione and I love each other and are quite intimate in our knowledge of each other. That's why I could do it without her permission but I don't think I could do it with anyone else except Luna."

A brief look of relief passed over the head spook before he cleared his throat and explained how to activate the orb. "Just take your index finger and tap the top of the orb while saying speak, tap it again and say silence when finished."

"Ok I can do that. You ready to take notes Hermione." He said as a pen and notebook appeared floating in front of her.

Taking the writing items Hermione nodded, "Yes I am."

Kneeling down Harry tapped the orb while saying speak. A strange watery voice began to emanate from the orb.

{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 shall 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 may die while the other survives}

The voice began to repeat and it took a moment before Harry was able to reach out with a shaky hand and silence the orb. Everyone stood there staring at Harry. Even Hermione who had written everything down before she read it seemed to be frozen. Harry felt his insides quiver at the words he had heard. He was the only person who could kill Voldemort. No one else.

Hermione heard that her beloved Harry was the one who was going to have to kill Voldemort. or die at his hands. That it was not a given thing. This was definitely going to complicate matters.

Harry pulled himself together and placed the orb back on its shelf. He then started walking back to the front offices. Everyone followed him in silence. By the time they arrived back at the office though Harry had recovered enough to start thinking.

He turned, "Thank you professor. I'm going to need some time to process this. And I promise next time I'll give you some warning ok?"

"Yes I understand things Harry. And thank you." Minerva said giving Harry a one armed hug as she was still holding her kettle through all of this. Though now her knuckles on the handle had whitened considerably.

Harry turned to Hermione, "I'll be back for dinner. I guess tell Luna and we'll figure it out when I get back."

Hermione hugged him like she would be pulled into a maelstrom if she let go. But after a moment she pulled back and sternly warned him that if he missed dinner they would feed his pork chops to Pad foot. Harry laughed and said he might let her. They kissed then Harry blinked Hermione and McGonnegal back to their previous locations.

Croaker lived up to his name for a moment watching that then asked, "So do you have any thoughts on this as of yet Mr Potter?"

"A few. I'll need to consult with my brains tonight when I get home to see what they think before I commit to anything specifically."

"We understand Mr Potter. Good luck."

"Thank you."

Harry turned and left the department with Arthur following very subdued.

"Is everything ok Mr Weasley?"

"Just replaying the words Harry. That sounds rather more concise than the usual sort of prophecies you hear about."

Harry just shrugged at that. "It also sounds like I'm the only one going to be able to deal with Voldemort."

Arthur still shivered a bit at that named but looked at Harry with a growing sense of honor to know him as it seemed Harry had no fear of the man at all.

"It does at that. I'm sorry Harry." Arthur put his hand on Harry's shoulder to let him know he wasn't alone. Harry patted it and smiled. "Ok so now who do we talk to about my godfather and find out what to do to get him a retrial."

"Well that will be the DMLE. Lets go."

A few minutes later they where walking into an organized mess. There where desks and maps and pictures with wanted criminals on them. People talking into mirrors and writing missives. Arthur stepped up to the front desk and asked the man behind it for Madame Bones.

The desk clerk looked at Arthur then recognized Harry Potter. His eyes went wide and he nodded vigorously. "I'll be right back."

Unfortunately instead of the woman he was expecting a tall grim faced man with a mane of hair not unlike a lion's walked up. "What do you require Weasley? We are rather busy here dealing with real crimes not enchanted toilets or malevolent mailboxes."

"Harry Potter here," And at that Arthur pointed out Harry who stood there looking at the grim man who looked at him like an even less pleasant Snape. Harry immediately disliked this man. "Harry would like to speak with Madam Bones about a family matter involving his godfather."

"We do not know where the criminal is located although we continue to search. We have been given kill on sight orders though." When the man smiled Harry lost his temper.

"Look you scumbag. I do not know who you are or why you are such a sour grim-faced twat but my godfather is NOT a criminal and is not going to be murdered by you officious bureaucrats just because you're too incompetent to do your job properly!" Harry shouted that with his voice going so loud as to attract the attention of everyone in the room. The fact that he was absolutely glowing with radiant energy and the crackles of lightning coming off him where a bit disturbing.

"Young man I will not be spoken to in this manner. Calm yourself or be arrested. There was more than enough evidence..." Rufus never got to finish that as Harry started shouting over him.

"EVIDENCE! Evidence? A severed finger cut off by a cutting charm not blasted off. Do you not even know how an explosion works? Are you really that stupid? I can show you how an explosion works" as Harry raised his hand with a swirling ball of multicolored light.

Arthur wanted to grab his arm to stop Harry but he would have had to somehow get through the field of magical energy that at 3 paces away was making Arthur's hair stand on end and his teeth tingle. How Rufus Scrimgour the head of the Aurors department was standing face to face with Harry was disturbing on many levels.

Fortunately at that moment an office door opened and a stern woman came out and shouted "Stand Down! Everyone, STAND DOWN NOW!."

Harry still breathing hard released the energy he had been holding and everything settled back down. Another door opened and more aurors poured into the room. "Stand Down!" Was shouted again by the imposing woman before anyone could do anything.

"Mr Potter. What can I do for you today? I am Madam Bones the head of the DMLE."

"Greetings to thee Madam Bones. I come to seek information and discus a grievous miscarriage of justice." Harry said in his best pure blood pompous voice and manner. Which to Arthur's eyes was disturbingly like Lucius Malfoy.

"Madam he has barged in here without an appointment, dragging another ministry official along with him and threatened everyone in this room."

"NO I did NOT threaten everyone, just you. A pompous self important windbag that was not being at all helpful. "

"You have no respect for authority."

"NO I respect authority that has been EARNED. You have done nothing but earn my ire."

"Rufus, perhaps you should let me handle this. You are just aggravating Mr Potter and that cannot be healthy for you."