If you feel like you've seen this before it's because I started writing this story a while ago, had to leave it for personal reasons then came back and didn't like where i was going with the story so rewrote it.

Should go without saying that I don't own Harry Potter, just having fun in the world J.K Rowling built.


The battle of the department of mysteries as it would come to be know was over and Harry felt like he had lost almost everything. His friends had all been grievously injured, he had almost been possessed and worst of all was he had lost his godfather and all chance of having a normal home and family.

Harry was currently sat in Dumbledore's office awaiting the headmaster's return from the ministry. Thoughts of Sirius and his former potential life with him flashing through his mind. The odd silver gizmos on the wall spinning, whirring and puffing away provided the only noise in the room.

Harry's thoughts were then interrupted by the sound of the moving staircase outside of the office and the door opening, admitting the headmaster with Fawkes on his shoulder. The Phoenix fluttered it's way over to Harry's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek causing him to smile softly at the bird that had once saved his life.

"Hello Harry, and may I be the first to say my sincerest condolences for the loss of Sirius. I know he meant a great deal to you, as you did to him." Dumbledore said in his patented grandfatherly voice, however Harry could detect the sincerity in the headmaster's words.

"Thank you sir" Harry replied morosely.

"Now Harry, I must ask if you heard the prophecy before it was destroyed." Dumbledore questioned.

"I did sir" Harry replied with a little underlying anger.

"Good, it will save us time." Dumbledore said bringing Harry up short with surprise.

Seeing Harry's surprised face Dumbledore continued. "Harry, Sirius' passing has brought a lot to my attention. Mainly, is how I've failed you Harry."

"Sir?" Harry questioned.

"Over this past year Harry, Sirius, along with Remus and oddly enough Severus have protested that you need to be trained for this war. Myself and unsurprisingly Molly Weasley have been against this idea as we both felt that you are too young for this burden." Dumbledore explained as Harry slowly nodded along.

"They were right Harry. I was under the delusion that I could protect you, as I tried to do by distancing myself from you this school year. And while Molly will not be happy with me for it I have come to see my misjudgment." Harry's face continued to change during this from anger, to confusion and finally to a glimmer of hope.

"Speaking to Sirius repeatedly this year, along with other circumstances has led me to now saying that this summer and coming school year shall be very different for you Harry. With Sirius sadly gone Harry, I do believe it likely that you will be the main beneficiary of his Will. This will leave you with many things, including Grimmauld place and most likely the Black lordship." Dumbledore continued to explain.

"I don't understand why this is important now sir?" Harry questioned.

"It is important Harry, because this gives you the opportunity to remove the trace and train over the summer with the entirety of the Black family library at your disposal. Becoming head of house Black, along with I believe the muggle position of the Baron of Blackstone, means you will no longer be a minor and can make your own choices." Dumbledore told him.

"If I can make my own choices, does that mean I won't have to return to the Dursley's?" Harry asked hopefully.

"It does Harry. Provided we can arrange everything before the end of the school year then you shall not have to return to the Dursley's again." Dumbledore explained.

The first real smile in weeks formed on Harry's face as he heard this.

"Now Harry if we may, the prophecy needs discussing. You heard the words but do you have any idea as to what it could mean?" Dumbledore asked.

"That I must be the one to kill him." Harry stated plainly.

"That is what I have deduced also. However, this does not mean you must do this alone Harry. You have friends who care for you and will do anything for you. Along with the entire order, which I would like to invite you to become a member of also." Dumbledore added.

"Why now sir? Why not after the tournament?" Harry asked with barley concealed anger.

"Because I was fool Harry. I believed that I could give you a chance at a childhood and to enjoy life. Something I've now realised was a mistake. I cannot change what I did in the past Harry, all I can do is ask for your forgiveness and offer everything I can do to help you in this fight." Dumbledore confessed, and for the first time, Harry could see the facade of Dumbledore crack and show the scared old man underneath.

"I cannot forgive you on the spot sir, but your help would be a huge step in earning it." Harry replied.

"I thank you for the opportunity to redeem myself Harry." Dumbledore replied with a real smile.

"So how is this all going to work sir?" Harry asked after a moment.

"Tomorrow morning Harry, you and I shall take a trip to Gringotts. As the main beneficiary you will be able to ask for an early reading of Sirius' will. If he has done what I suspect then you will leave the bank as Lord Black and an adult in the wizarding world." Dumbledore explained.

"After that I would recommend we return here and I shall tell you everything I know about Voldemort and we can also plan out how you will be trained over the summer." The headmaster continued.

"Sounds like a good first step sir." Harry replied calmly.

"The greatest of journeys all start with a single step Harry. This will be a long journey, however I believe that working together that we can reach the end." Dumbledore said with his grandfatherly facade and twinkling eyes returning.

"I hope so sir. Also sir, since were being honest now, can I ask how you do that with your eyes?" Harry asked with a small smile.

"Ah, well Harry my boy, I think I could add that into a lesson somewhere. Now I think it best if we both get a little rest." Dumbledore said with a chuckle.

"Yes sir, goodnight sir." Harty replied rising from his seat giving one last stroke to Fawkes' plumage.

"Goodnight Harry." Dumbledore replied.

As Harry closed the door and made his way down the stairs Dumbledore turned to Fawkes. "I hope this was the right thing to do my old friend. However I cannot sit idle anymore. I denied young Harry a childhood, I will do my upmost to ensure he has a future." Dumbledore said before he made his way to his bed chamber.


As Harry walked towards Gryffindor tower he was in deep thought about what he'd just learned from the headmaster. While Dumbledore had kept things from him and kept him from training properly, he appeared to be trying to make up for it. This was an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass up.

"Potter." A cold voice called from behind him.

Harry turned to find Severus Snape standing there, black eyes evaluating him.

"Hello professor." Harry said politely.

"No need for the false pleasantries Potter, I'm sure you're in no mood for it." Snape replied.

"Not really sir, no." Harry responded.

"Off to bed with you Potter, it's been a long day." Snape said as he turned in the direction of the headmaster's office.

"Sir, one moment." Harry said stopping Snape mid step. "I just wondered why you agreed with Sirius and Remus about me being trained?" Harry asked.

"I see that the headmaster is making some good decisions. Not that it's any of your business but I agreed with the idea Potter because no matter what you always seem to wind up in the middle of whatever's happening and as much as I loathe to admit it you seem to be necessary for stopping him." Snape replied coldly but without his usual sneer.

"Thank you sir." Harry replied simply before turning in the direction of the tower.

When Harry stepped through the portrait it was to find an empty common room with the fire dying out in its hearth.

Making his way up the stairs to his dorm, he found his two remaining dorm mates sat on Dean's bed playing chess clearly waiting for his return.

"Alright Harry?" Dean asked as they both noticed his entrance.

"Been better mate. But still breathing is the main thing." Harry replied with a grimace as he started to get changed.

"How's everyone else doing?" Seamus asked.

"Still in hospital, but not critical. Nev, Ginny and Luna should be back in the next day or two. Ron and Hermione maybe back for the leaving feast." Harry replied.

"Well I'm glad you're all alright." Dean said which Seamus nodded along to.

"Sorry boys but could we do this in a day or two? I'm just absolutely knackered." Harry asked.

"Of course mate. We just wanted to make sure everyone was okay." Seamus replied.

"Cheers guys." Harry smiled as he collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep almost instantly.


To anybody actually reading this, thank you. Any feedback on this story as I continue it will be greatly appreciated.