Those who cannot remember the past...

McGonagall had never seen Albus so… worried. Yes, that was the best way to describe the Headmaster at this very moment. He had summoned her on a Saturday night to talk about a special matter. She had immediately understood he was talking about the Order's affairs but the general tone of the letter had led her to believe there was something else. And seeing him pacing his office reinforced her feeling.

'For Merlin's sake, Albus!' She exclaimed irritated, 'could you please sit down and explain to me what's wrong?'

Albus stopped pacing but didn't sit down.

'Minerva, have you ever been so sure of yourself on a matter to discover that in the end you might have completely missed the point of it?' He asked in a voice he tried to keep calm.

'Well of course I have. Several times I would even say,' she replied, surprising the Headmaster by her frankness. 'But as long as you have the courage to recognise it and the strength to move forward, I have never seen this as a weakness or something to be embarrassed about.'

She was starting to guess what the issue was. There had been a recurring topic during those past years on which she and the Headmaster were strongly disagreeing. And this topic was Harry Potter. She had seen the boy grow and accomplish legendary things under the color of her House. Things such as slaying a basilisk or confronting the Dark Lord himself. Twice. There were many secrets she didn't know about the young Mr. Potter. But she knew better than to ask Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Keeper of too many Secrets for one person in her humble opinion.

'Have you noticed any changes in Harry lately?' Dumbledore asked his Deputy Headmistress, choosing to follow her straightforwardness.

'If I have noticed…? How can you ask me something like that? Of course, there have been changes in this boy. What did you expect? He witnessed You-Know-Who's rebirth, saw the murder of one of his classmates and spent the whole summer alone at Privet Drive spying under flower bushes to get any information he could about what was happening in his World!' She had said it all in one go. 'I could also talk about the Dementor's attack and the way he has been treated for it, but I don't think I need to go on, do I?'

'This not quite what I am asking for, Minerva,' replied Dumbledore peacefully. 'I am very aware of the recent events in Harry's life. I am asking if you observed his behaviour lately and what you think of it.'

McGonagall sighed. Albus Dumbledore was a great Headmaster and a wizard she respected deeply. But sometimes she wondered if he truly cared.

'Everyday that passes, the boy becomes more and more lonely,' she answered eventually. 'He is becoming a social outcast exactly like last year. But this time he is driving his friends away.'

'He is isolating himself,' said Dumbledore adamantly.

'He's not isolating himself,' retorted McGonagall sternly, 'you are pushing him away!'

Dumbledore raised his gaze to meet Minerva's exasperated eyes. She was right, there was no point fighting her on that ground. She didn't know…

The Head of Gryffindor House observed the indecipherable face of the Headmaster. All those years working with him, and she still was unable to guess any of his thoughts. Since Harry had joined the school, she had witnessed a change in his attitude. He was more involved in school's affairs. She had event caught genuine smiles directed at Harry and she knew he was attentive to him.

'What about you, Albus?' She asked abruptly, withstanding the piercing electric blue gaze. 'What has changed that makes you run away from the boy?'

'Run away?' Chuckled Dumbledore. 'Are you suggesting I am a coward?' He asked in jesting manner.

'As a matter of fact, I am.' This wasn't a joke to her. 'You might have your reasons, as usual, and I won't doubt them. But clearly there is a situation at hand that you don't want to face. You're hiding in the shadow, secluded in your office, letting the boy drown in his questions and fears. And don't get me start on the state of this school!'

As she was letting go the resentment she had built on the past few months, her voice was getting tougher and steadier.

'But that's besides the point!' She added while chasing away her opinion on Umbridge and her methods with her hand. 'We are talking about a young boy, who happens to be in my House, whose talent is wasted away because of a Prophecy he didn't ask for!'

'How do you know about the Prophecy?' Intervened Dumbledore with a glimmer of concern in his eyes.

'I know the place we are guarding at the Ministry,' she answered in a cold voice. 'And I know what lies in it. And though your choices in your DADA professors lately have me concerned with your ability to appoint any, this is nothing compared to your decision of keeping Divination in our curriculum and Sybil within those walls.'

Dumbledore nodded politely and briefly sighed. Minerva McGonagall wasn't his Right Hand for nothing. What she had told him tonight, however brutal, was right. And he had been wrong all along. It wasn't just about a Prophecy. It wasn't about the fate of the Wizarding World. At this very moment it was meaning close to nothing for Dumbledore. It was about not repeating past mistakes that had cost him a sister and a friend… More than a friend. It was about stepping up, recognising he had failed and building back from here.

'Perhaps I should remember more often why I appointed you Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva,' he finally said in a low voice. 'We are dealing with far more than I anticipated.' He paused a few seconds, deeply absorbed in his thoughts. 'He deserves to know.'

'And he deserves someone to help and guide him through it,' finished McGonagall with an approving tone.

Finally!

She nodded toward him and headed back to the oak door leading to the stairs.

'And Minerva,' called the Headmaster just as she was about to open it. 'Thank you.'

'Anytime Albus.'

Hi everyone!

First and foremost, thank you for reviewing and reading the story. I hope you enjoy it and if you have any remarks on my writing style, please let me know!

I think the foundations of the story are laid, now we can bring the drama in.

I haven't completely decided how this would end but I know we won't have a dark Harry. He might be a bit overpowered but heh! I like it this way.

Ah and Tom is on his way, no worries :)

Thanks again!