Disclaimer: Not mine…ladedah! *sigh* In a perfect world…I would be able to claim Harry Potter…Wait! In a perfect world…Harry Potter would be real!

Priori Incantatem
By Mrs Grim

Chapter 5
The Truth About Dumbledore



"Sirius!" Harry couldn't help but give his godfather a hug. His surprise showed through his words, "How- how did you get them to let you go?!"

Sirius glanced at Dumbledore who was suddenly occupied with rearranging the piles on his desk.

"Er- well," Sirius started, clearly amused and a bit surprised.

"It's not important, "Dumbledore cut in quietly, but with finality. He looks very tired, Harry thought, sickly even. Why hadn't I noticed it before?

Ron, Hermione, Harry and the twins all took seats. Harry squirmed, not able to wait. He hated to suspense and the anticipation.

"We're waiting for Minerva, Remus and Severus." Dumbledore informed them, seeing Harry wiggle about.

"Sn- Professor Snape?" Harry asked a little harshly, "Why-"

But Sirius silenced him with a glare. Harry looked at Sirius in surprise. Did Sirius just stick up for Snape? No way... I must be dreaming, or having a nightmare...

He must have been for as soon as the three entered, Snape and Sirius found opposite corners and neither condescended to greet the other.

Fred and George stared reverently at Dumbledore, waiting for him to speak. They seemed thrilled to be taken into his confidence in such a way as never before. But, they had seen Voldemort himself. That would be enough to entitle them to a few privileges.

Dumbledore sighed and surveyed them. Harry clearly saw the dark circles under his eyes. "I have asked you all here today to discuss a few very important things. First of all, I trust you all know that Hogwarts is closing?"

Some nodded solemnly. The twins looked surprised, but were silent.

"This decision was made by the remaining school governors after the news of the destruction of the Ministry."

"It just seems, so- so precipitate," Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "Why on earth did they do this so soon? The Minister isn't even cold in his grave!"

Dumbledore spoke gravely," Cornelius, in fact, will not be in his grave anytime soon on account of his body being missing."

"What?" Ron asked, "Who'd steal his body?" he paused. "Or any body, in that case."

"I don't think any of us have the answer to that, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore answered, his eyes twinkling slightly.

"But, they're sure he's dead?" Sirius inquired quickly.

"Several ministry workers arriving on the scene found his body. They had just recognized him when they were called to help the survivors. When they returned, Fudge's body was gone."

"Are they positive? He was dead?" Professor McGonagall repeated.

"I believe the wizards were telling the truth," was all that Dumbledore said. It was an informative statement, but quite esoteric also. "But, now we must call our attention to other matters. As I said before, Hogwarts is closing. In fact, many of the wizarding schools around the world are also folding up for a couple of weeks at the least."

Unlike a normal boy in school, Harry Potter did not jump up and down yelling, "No school! Yes!" School, Hogwarts, was his life... or the only life that he liked to remember. He would be sent back to the Dursley's. Maybe for forever.

"But-" Harry tried to protest. Knowing it was futile, he desisted.

"People want their children at home. They're scared now that they've seen the Ministry fall to Voldemort," Dumbledore explained with patience. "Now, as you know, there are other smaller ministries in various countries. They are now alert and aware of the goings on here. Their schools are closing for a while. Hopefully, if things go well, Hogwarts will be open again."

Harry noticed that he didn't say, "Open again soon" or "In a few weeks". He had simply said again. Again, when?

*-*-*-*

"Yes, Master," Wormtail said once again.

When he'd joined the dark side, he'd wanted the glory and the power. He figured that he'd never be the head honcho, but he'd settle for second-in-command. And now he had reached his goal. But if I'm the number two guy, shouldn't I have more power?...more respect? The others laugh at me and He does nothing. He lets them laugh. At me. The very one who gave him life again. The one who cut off his own hand to help him rise. The one who betrayed his best friends for him. Was it all for naught?

At first, he'd felt guilty for what he'd done to Lily and James. But it had passed. The Dark Lord had sheltered him...convinced him that they had never even cared for him. And yet he knew they had but, who cares, he decided. The past cannot be changed, so why try? I still have my future...

"Are you listening?" Voldemort barked.

"Yes, Master."

*-*-*-*

"Don't do it, miss!"

The glass hit the floor and Narcissa could finally cry. Heedless of the glass on the floor, she threw herself onto the wood and sobbed. Never had it felt so wonderful to cry! She proceeded to rid herself of what felt like every drop of water in her body.

She felt a slight hand on her shoulder and she looked up to see a girl of about sixteen staring at her with tears in her own eyes. Narcissa squinted and tried to remember the child's name. She had seen her about, of course. The plain uniform made her look like a lovely little Cinderella.

"Mrs. Malfoy- I am so glad that you did not do it!" The girl's big brown eyes were searching for approval and her lips were pursed with worry.

Narcissa, mindless of her bleeding arms, rose onto her knees and clasped the girl to her as if she had never seen another human being. And I have not, she thought to herself, at least not for a long while. Lucius is not a human and neither are any of his friends. Monsters, all of them.

"I am afraid that I have forgotten you name," Narcissa said lamely as she stepped back and got to her feet.

"I- I am Serena, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Please do not call me that, my dear," Narcissa interrupted. "I am not proud of my…spouse."

"Oh, I am so sorry. I knew that!" She answered Narcissa's surprised look. "You must not think that I spy on you! It is so transparent, though. I- I could not let you do that to Dra- to your son. He depends on you!"

Narcissa searched the girls face and found nothing but earnestness there. So she had a tender for Draco…that was normal. With his looks (which, she reminded herself, he had received from Sirius) he could charm a roomful of girls. However, he was not exactly…charming. More like vindictive. She shuddered. There was still hope.

"What do you propose to do, Serena? Please all me Narcissa."

"I- I couldn't all you that! You are a lady and I am but a servant in your home!"

"You are the only friend I have, Serena!" Tears came to her eyes. She added, almost to herself, "The only one I have had for a long time."

"If you insist, Mrs- Narcissa, I mean. We must get you out of here! Tonight!"

*-*-*-*


"Hogwarts is a school of many secrets," Dumbledore proclaimed, "No one knows all of the hidden secrets of it. The four founders never knew either. They had been united at first in their endeavors, but they grew apart. They hid things from each other. Secrets hidden deep inside of Hogwarts. May be they'll never be found." He looked at each of them in turn, "Voldemort will do anything to get at Hogwarts. It is so powerful and strong magically that if he controlled it, he could ward off almost any attack. You must not let him get Hogwarts."

Sirius was alarmed, "What are you saying?"

Dumbledore smiled a sad smile, "I am saying that you must not let him take Hogwarts. It is protected from him as long as I am here. As long as I live he cannot take it. But I am also telling you that I will not live to see the summer when it comes in three months. I am dying."

Hermione's lips trembled and tears ran down her cheeks. Ron's mouth was open. Harry was in shock. Sirius closed his eyes and Snape's face became more dark than usual.

"Albus," Professor McGonagall spoke quietly, "You- you never told us anything before!" She began to cry and Hermione gave her a consoling hug.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as they flicked around the room, "I am glad to see that I will be missed."

"How can you talk that way?" Professor McGonagall cried, obviously shocked at how candidly he was taking his own death. "What are we ever to do without you?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something, Minerva, I'm sure you will. I am, of course, counting on you, Sirius, Remus and Severus not to let me down." He beamed at them all and they wondered, not for the last time, how he could be so brave in times like this.

Snape was more pale than usual, "Headmaster, what-" he stopped as if just realizing that Harry and the other students were there. He frowned suddenly and pursed his lips.

Dumbledore addressed them, "Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, you'll want to go and pack now. The train leaves in the morning and all."

Hermione looked back at him before they left the room. He was watching them, no- watching Harry with a look of deep sadness.

*-*-*-*

Draco Malfoy paced the length of his dormitory and turned around to pace back. Crabbe and Goyle sat stupidly, watching him.

"Uh-" Crabbe made a feeble attempt to inquire what was going on.

Draco glared at him, "Why don't you just say what you mean for once in your life?! Honestly! You both are even more stupid than Longbottom!"

Goyle made a grunt of protest. This was too much for Draco. He exploded.

"Forget it! You wouldn't understand even if I told you!"

And with that, Draco stalked out of the dormitories, sans henchmen, and stormed down a corridor...

...where he bumped right into Harry Potter.

"Out of my way, Potter," he said after straightening himself up and brushing his robes.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched him go.

"I reckon that was the nicest thing he ever said to you, Harry," Ron told him pleasantly.

Hermione stopped walking. She was genuinely worried. A Draco Malfoy that wouldn't call her a mudblood each time he passed her was not in his right mind.

"Hermione!" Ron called, "Are you coming?"

"Yes!" She moved her foot to take a step. As she put it down, she heard the crackle of paper. Looking down, she saw a letter. Seeing that Ron and Harry were not looking at her, but making jokes -probably about Draco- she quickly bent down and pocketed it.

" 'Mione!" Ron said loudly. "Do you want to get caught out of bed at this hour?"

"Honestly, Ron," she said quickly to hide her discomfort at concealing something from them. "This is the last night before Hogwarts closes! What are they going to do to us?"

"So... you're saying that you couldn't care less if we went and did something that would normally lose Gryffindor a bazillion points?" Harry asked a bit dazed.

Hermione nodded her head.

Ron goggled at her, "It won't be as fun since we really can't get in trouble... no it will be twice the fun!" He stared at Hermione. "You won't tell?"

Hermione scowled, "Really! Why would I tell on you? Go on, have fun."

"Wanna come, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, we could use your help and all," Ron agreed. "I bet you know a dozen good spells that we could use. You have nothing better to do," he argued hopefully.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll decline."

Ron shook his head, "Got the Marauders map, Harry?"

"Check."

Hermione walked off to the common room the letter burning in her pocket.


A/N: Hehe, I got that done sooner than I thought! Thanks for the GREAT comments!!!


KK- Wow! Does it really move you?! Thanks!!!

Laura-Grace- I know! I am so slow! One more day of exams though! Thank you! ^_^

Ginger- I love it too! Thank you very much!

Geladwyn- Hehe, I know! I hated Fudge too! Yeah…Lucius is…scum! Thanks!

Gengi- Thank you!!! I tried to hurry, but it was a bit long!

Magical spark- Thank you very much! *bows* I try!

More…sometime!!! I have much to do!!!

Review! Thanks again!

Mrs Grim